Despite the competition being closer after discount, still like the look of the Alpkit.

How are they in terms of sizing? Torn between a med or large (erring towards med). Is the large super roomy in comparison?

So…going back to the OP’s question. I have a new iMac (base spec 21″) sat in the corner at the mo. Having used pretty much every mac since the late 90s (work in a design agency), I’d say it’s the nicest desktop machine I’ve come across. Am sure the 27″ will be better still.

The screen is really, really nice. Noticably better than the last gen – not just the glare (or lack of), just seems really vibrant. Speed-wise feels about the same. The older machines look amazingly boxy in comparison.

This one’s actually soon-to-be my mum’s, replacing an eMac which is still going strong after 8 years. In the same period my dad’s been through 4 PCs, had the pain of crap AV software, backup woes etc etc. Given I’m IT support to both of them, I know which platform I’d recommend.

I only wish they’d keep the numeric pad on the damn keyboard…ho hum.

running double + bash with 22/36 on mine (2012 xt chainset if that’s any help). ended up sticking a deore 36t middle on so I wouldn’t be wasting money should it foul – it didn’t so it’s stayed :-) (that said, bought a 2×10 chainset before realising it wouldn’t fit :-( ).

as goatster says, depends on how much weld’s been used – some frames work, others don’t. mine’s got a fair bit of clearance even with a 36.

Impressed with the nomad pressure-wise. Had a couple of properly muddy rides this/last week (Bedgebury especially), got 90% off without muckoff etc. Hose connector looks a wee bit fragile, but ok so far.

Another nomad 18v here. Good so far (only had it a few weeks mind).

Had the same with a Cotic and Thomson post…a week of Plus Gas + a couple of goes with hot water did the trick. Used an old pair of bars as leverage iirc

ended up snowboarding on Baildon golf course a few Christmases back. Got a few runs in, stacked it at the bottom of another…fell backwards and gave the head a good thump on the (by now slightly patchy) snow. laying there slightly stunned, looked to my right and saw a large rock. bought a helmet after that.

commuting not long after moving to London, 4 buses in a row at a bus stop, traffic not moving as a result. thought it’d be clever to hop onto the pavement (which was at least quite wide) and undertake. reached the lead bus as it starting to move, decided to rejoin the road a few meters further on. hit a patch of wet cobbles on a driveway just before I did, slipped/lost momentum + bus caught up and bounced me a few meters down the road. to this day I don’t know how I stayed upright. got away with just a knackered wheel, gives me the creeps 10 years on…still commute tho.

road 100% from doorstep, in London so 100% drive for offroad. epping mostly as it’s 20 mins away, though mostly a mudfest now so headed to bedgebury earlier. also a mudfest, though judging by the carpark somewhat more honeypot-esque than epping (at this time of year at least).

got a couple of days off next week…suggestions for less-muddy-than-epping-destinations nearish north london much appreciated :)

Nude espresso east is my current tipple…their roastery’s in work’s car park which is handy :-)

Dehumidifier. Can’t be without one in our victorian conversion after mid October (mostly due to single glazing rather than wet walls, but still…). That and what wwaswas says about ventilation.