A few friends have bought them.
They are all happy with the choice.
Good spec & they are pretty light (certainly for the price)

I was tempted but I wanted a solid lock out for the rear suspension more like a Scott Spark. The Lux is firmer when locked out but not proper solid.

when’s the trip?
We are getting mighty close to the start of the cyclo-cross season :))
The war museum at cinquantenaire is indeed not bad (& it’s free)

if you are heading east you could sample a decent beer…
Lachouffe brewery visit

Tyre engineer… (actually manager of a dept now including sales activities so a lot less fun stuff these days)

be scared – very scared. They are only kids :)

What’s strange about the bike?

Seller has plenty of history
It is clearly described as unridden / uncut steerer…

Tried removing an XTR970 crank without first looking how it should be done.
Wrecked the threads after much brute force and ignorance was applied.

Fortunately it was a very well used example….

I am also looking for 29 full suspension & have an offer for a new Orbea Occam H50 for £850….

I know it’s not best equipped from stock but thinking about it with the plan to upgrade.

Anyone got experience of the Occam?

I’m a frequent visitor for work too

Its a cool place, the people are great & super funny once you get to know them. Very amusing sense of humour

Speaking as a Belgian Brit I also feel they are a really odd thing to have there and are horribly out dated but I would also say there are lots of people at cycling events in Belgium that have no interest in cycling whatsoever.
They are present for the hospitality only and the show.
I’ve had same experience with Formula 1 for work when guests we’d paid thousands to host didn’t even watch the race :-(

These VIP packages are funded by the sponsors that make cycling possible hence I’m more inclined to see these inappropriate podium girls fade out naturally by the sponsors decisions than ruled enforcement.

This tyre size in Europe would be a rated at 98 load index as XL/Reinforced type (or 102 as van type 205/70R14C )

Semperit is the only brand that I would consider from your list.

My current BMW was ordered with front parking sensors but when it arrived they were absent….

On the plus side, it did come with xenon headlamps and the ‘lighting kit’.

A) headlamps were far more expensive (list price)
B) it’s only a company car
C) won’t have it for too long

German efficiency ;-)

In your case, don’t accept it!
(Winter tyres can be your additional request for the inconvenience)

Never showed my paper part in 10years of hiring rental cars (every week or 2) throughout EU & US

Can’t comment on the system since the change as I’m not a British licence holder anymore but would seem rather ‘convenient’ if the car rental companies started asking for this paid DVLA service.

Here in Belgium there is some interest & publicity but only for the mountain-bike XC race :) thanks to the participation of our cyclo-cross hero Sven Nys

There’s no performance testing for M+S but there are design criteria

The design ‘criteria’ is limited to pattern appearance and not compound or carcass structure hence many many tires can theoretically be marked M+S.

I work for a tyre manufacturer and up until not so long ago 100% of our van tyres were marked M+S whether they were summer or winter types.

If you’ve only cut a section out of the tyres rim protector it will be purely cosmetic

Got a photo?

If you are an expat resident in a EU country I thought you were supposed to swap your driving licence to a local one but a quick google showed me that to be wrong…

EU licence change criteria

It seems that it remains valid until it runs out and then should be changed for local one.

My UK licence had to be changed to a Belgian licence.

Was a bugger because I lost my +3.5t validity because in Belgium its only valid if accompanied by a medical certificate.

On the plus side: its a system without points :)

Whilst we are on the subject of tyres, anyone got any suggestions for getting rid of the sawtooth pattern from the inside edge of tyres?

Switch the rims from one side to the other. (best is to actually switch all 4 corner to corner but this will also help)

Looks legal from the photo

(tyre engineer)

Managed to fall out of bed yesterday when getting up thanks to a sleepy leg

Not one of my prouder moments

The entire event ‘roc’ is awesome :-))
I’m entered again for this year (marathon and roc)

Great location for the time of year. Warm and sunny for ‘northern’ people, but hugely quiet in comparison to the summer. Loads of cheap accommodation available, and plenty of great restaurants who are grateful for the custom at the end of the season.

Not many British riders I think but I did ride for a while last year next to a guy from the South East (based on accent).
Loads of Belgians, Swiss but it’s quite French so doesn’t seem to bring in the Germans / Dutch

The tandems are bloody fast, and also get some really challenging descents.

There is a significant effect from the tyre choice & many different types of tyre noise.
They are generated at a wide range of frequencies, excited by certain surface types (&/or obstacles) and road speeds

The labeling measurement has some relevance but is just a small part of a big picture

Ironiically I live there but will be in the UK when it’s on…. :-(

There is a lot going on at / around Oude Kwaremont

They pass 3 times and there is a big screen too in the public area
It’s called the Lidl Powerzone this year :))))))

The idea is that for the folks taking the ultra early shuttle bus from Oudenaarde, that there is a service to carry a small rucksack or similar back to Oudenaarde for you

that way you can wear a jacket / take some food & drink with you etc for the hours between Oudenaarde and Brugge depart

Bags are labelled and transported by a small truck

Reported on the radio here (Belgium) this morning that the RvV sportive is 100% sold out (16k participants)

Ps: you wrote driving to the start in Oudenaarde
(You know it starts in Brugge right?)

Aha
You are going to watch the race , not ride the sportive (I misunderstood)

Why are you going to Oudenaarde? :-)

All depends where you aim to go to
Finish line is a bit of an arse to reach

Take a look at the RvV website
It includes maps of the shuttle bus service from the industry park (bruwan)

I assume you’re not riding the long course then…. ;-)

Traffic will be busy but not too mental
There should be plenty of parking around the industrial estates on the entrance into Oudenaarde

It’s around 45mins drive plus add 15 to get from the parking to the start

Does anyone know when part 2 is?

Quite enjoyed that.
My 10 yr old son said why is everyone so old?
:-)

I live there (actually half way between Oudenaarde & gent) & being there during the Gentse Feesten might (or might not be a good thing)
The place is ultra busy and quite different to the normal experience

Don’t get me wrong, the feesten is also great but changes the atmosphere
(It really becomes more like a festival) ;-)
Customer service goes down a big way, restaurants are rammed full.
Drinking will become Jupiler from a plastic cup

On the plus side you don’t have to try to find a parking space

The location of your hostel is hilarious during the feesten. You are literally touching one of the biggest stages (polé pole) so I hope you like African / Latin music :)
The stage spans across the river there parallel to the bridge

Don’t do it!
Heavy & low quality
(The Cube)

Orbea make a great 24″ bike (my son has/had an MX team)
Everyone praises the islabikes also but no direct experience

Ps I’m not anti -cube as such. Have 2 other cube (adult) bikes that are great

1932 / 9810

Previously a CV31 1BQ

So continuing today….

Damn exciting battle between the 2 frenchmen

Ogier has continued to endear himself to the world by stating he was cutting in way to bring crap onto the road to effect later starters.
He sure knows how to be a hero :)

Meeke is gradually rising to the position his skills deserve

Some brilliant stage times from Kubica too. Sad that he lost time last night with an electrical reset midstage.

He drove very well in WTCC last season but Lopez showed the difference of a real F1 level racer. Loeb did amazingly to get so close to touring car king Muller.

Loeb is a god in a rally car all the same ;-)

Perhaps some advantage from road position but still….

Good return from Tanak too

Ogier must be gutted. Loeb will get more publicity and adoration for this 1 stage as he got for being World Champ

Gosh

Stage 1 8O

I have 225/50R17 RFT’s on my car and they are no different in sensation to non-RFT’s

For sure lots better than they were 5+ yrs ago
Cost isn’t an issue either as it’s a fully inclusive lease car

I guess the benefit only comes when you puncture & can drive home safely without having to become a target for sleepy truck driver ;-)

As Lerk mentioned; taking the helmet off (particularly if you are a specs wearer) is a real PITA hence I just ignore the signs.

As also earlier mentioned unless you are skilled juggler it’s hard to do much of anything one handed with a helmet in your hand [:-)]

Never had any one refuse to serve though very occasionally get a comment.

Any news from there?
Hoping Ian & Helen could both retain their titles as they both do a sterling job over here in Belgium

Belgian champs were a great race
Won’t mention the winner in case someone plans to watch online recording

Have no idea what the quoted numbers should be but I was getting in the region of 45mpg from my 2wd version during regular driving.
Would drop significantly though when pushed hard.

In comparison to Qashqai steering feel & handling are massively better

Estate Focus does indeed have more space but it was never a problem for me