Given the number is an actual measurement of the spring rate, and not some arbitrary rating (like soft/medium/hard), ratings shouldn’t vary between manufacturers.

This will possibly upset @ChrisL but I’m still in 😁

All it takes is being unemployed, avoiding all radio, and spending the minimum amount of time possible in public.

RCBO are essentially a combined RCD and MCB, so it could be an earth leakage fault, or it could just be faulty. It could also be that the new pump has a higher start-up current demand.

Unless you have an RCD tester (and probably a Megger/Insulation tester), you’re probably going to need an electrician to narrow down the problem.

As for fuses. The 13A rating is the continuous rating. For the fuse to blow, it requires being overloaded for a period of time. The higher the overload, the quicker it will blow, but unless it’s a big overload, it can take many seconds for a fuse to blow (I’m sure a bit googling will turn up the BS spec for domestic fuses).

A MCB/RCBO is likely to trip faster, depending on what Type it is. Type A will pretty much trip instantly on overload, whereas Type B and C have increased overload thresholds, to allow for things like motors that have a high start-up surge.

That’s because anybody who ‘enjoys’ riding a singlespeed, is already well beyond any kind of help, plus they generally don’t get offended when you make a joke about singlespeeding.

eBikers on the other hand have a habit of getting all defensive, as if they’re insecure about their decision to use an ebike. 🤐

well here lies the answer the laziness question. If you are both on eebs, will you both end the ride exhausted, or both cruise round?

Being exhausted/knackered after a ride doesn’t mean it’s helped your fitness.

I can spend a week on chairlifts/uplifts, feel absolutely knackered at the end of each day, but noticeably lose base fitness (and put on weight!).

Unfortunately lots of road clubs are dying due to this type of attitude, where they’re stuck in the whole, this is how we’ve always done it mindset.

I had a brief chat with quite a good cyclist earlier this year at an event, who was asked to look at how to improve grassroot road cycling, and all his recommendations had fallen on deaf ears, and those responsible couldn’t understand why previously popular regional events, were struggling to get enough entries to justify having podiums.

An adult only club is fairly straightforward, but kids do complicate it, as you should already be aware. Key thing is the safeguarding related requirements, with the requirement for a safeguarding officer, and youth coaches having to be suitably vetted/trained.

The rest is pretty straightforward and more about general book/note keeping.

Some of the pro guys do use eMTBs, but it’s so they can do more miles for skill development, not as a replacement for fitness training.

And I’ve yet to come across anybody who’s bought an eMTB and got fitter. Everyone I know has got fatter.

The Merc Pickup is a straightforward rebadge of the Nissan Navara, just like the Merc Citan is a rebadged Renault Kangoo. So that’s two models Merc just buys from the Renault/Nissan partnership, with a few cosmetic tweaks to make them appear to be a Merc.

You really should do a bit more research before you post. It’s comical that you’re comparing them the Zoom brakes considering you haven’t held either in your hands or even bothered to google a technical drawing of the Lewis LH4 brake which is widely available. If you compare that drawing with the Zoom brakes and come away thinking they are the same then you’re probably not of sound mind and judgement.

I’m not that vested in the subject to go searching for drawings.

I was going by a cursory look at some photos, as I happened to be looking for something on Aliexpress last night and thought I’d have a quick look to see what all the fuss is about.

You must not have read all the posts.

These brakes are most definitely nothing like the zoom brakes.

Nothing like?

Other than the lever bodies look like the same basic design. Lewis have machined out more of the body and moved the bleed port, and added a bite point adjuster. The blades look identical.

Caliper wise, both are using two part calipers, with the only visual differences being the external machining. It even looks like they’re using identical pads.

I occasionally deal with China, and it really wouldn’t surprise me if the brakes came out the same factory. If you believe every Chinese company’s website/information page, China only has large companies employing hundreds of people, just to manufacture a few niche products.

The reality is those companies are selling other companies rebranded products, which are often near identical copies of someone else’s design. And most companies will brand what you’re buying with any logo you’d like, often for no extra cost. They really don’t care about copyright, trademarks, what logo that they’re putting on a product, or lying to purchasers as to where the product has actually came from.

You can buy them a chunk cheaper on aliexpress

And there starts the problems.

Although Chinese manufacturers can produce stuff as good as anyone, there are Chinese manufacturers who have no issues with copying other Chinese products, and cutting as many corners as possible, so you end up with complete potluck as to what you actually receive.

And having had a quick search, Lewis just looks like another version of a Zoom brake, and it really wouldn’t surprise if both originate from the same manufacturer. I’m sure if you could locate the actual manufacturer, they would knock you out a couple hundred sets for minimal cost, put whatever logo you’d like on them, and even tweak the design so it at least looks a bit different.

Haven’t you just described all youtubers? That’s their game.

Decent ones will at least acknowledge other peoples work, and not continue to abuse others work once called out.

They’ll also not complain about being bullied, because they think a trail was named “to have a go at them” (the trail in question’s name, was selected long before the builder was even aware of Alex, and simply continued the naming theme of the builder’s previous trail on the same hill).

My trail on the same hill, however was a more direct dig at influencers, but none of them have ever seemed to have used it, as I don’t think the name would go down too well with their followers 🙄

Alex is somewhat special.

Lets just say that in all my years being involved with biking in the Tweed Valley, I have never came across somebody so universally hated/loathed, and that takes some doing in the valley given the number of “personalities” that seem to exist there. But it’s not restricted to the valley. Mate got chatting to a random group of bikers from Alex’s old turf, and they said it was the same there 🤣

However the major point is he only appears to be interested in his own self promotion, and will not hesitate to use other peoples work for his own benefit, or consider how his behaviour affects others.

Somewhat ironically, the only person he does seem get on with, also has the name of these brakes. But two peas in a pod springs to mind…

One thing that is pretty much guaranteed, is if that freeloading prick is doing a “review”, there’s got to be something in it for him.

That’s where external audits come in.

I’ve never personally been involved in profit related leases, but did put together a tender that was mostly based on a percentage of turnover.

Generally percentage of profit will be subject to external auditors, with various clauses, and will gauge if the profit is realistic and that you’re not (mis)managing things to avoid profit.

There’s an easy fix.

There will likely be clauses in the lease to avoid such shenanigans.

In regards to the original question, quite common for these kind of setups.Either percentage of profit, or even percentage of turnover. Some agreements even only have a nominal fixed rental fee, with the vast majority based on a percentage.

IIRC you cannot deduct for the initial carriage, if you don’t charge for carriage initially i.e. you offer free delivery. 

You also can’t charge a restocking fee, provided the goods have only been “inspected”, which brings up another issue often overlooked. The CCR returns period is only to allow you to inspect the goods in a similar way as to how you could inspect the goods in a shop. I.e. you couldn’t buy a mountainbike, ride it for a week, then return it expecting a full refund.

Done some trailbuilding which wasn’t too bad, but then decided to go and ride a new trail.

I think the heavy rain started just as I entered the trees, as it suddenly got a lot darker. I struggled to see where I was going, had to walk one rock garden as all I could make out were a few random rocks sticking out the darkness, and the trail had turned into a stream by the bottom, then I had to ride a couple miles back to the van in the rain.

On the plus side, it was wet enough to be fairly mud free with plenty grip.

A few chicken entrails strewn around will help ward off carol singers

Could maybe just make them into a circle to go for a pentacle?

You also need to factor in the position that you sit on each bike.

A road bike you’ll typically be leaning further forward than a mountain bike where you’ll typically be sitting more upright, so the contact point between your backside and the saddle varies.

@mokeyboyjc that’s the first I’ve actually noticed that all the barcode stamps have a fake perforation printed on them!

I don’t think I’ve ever used a barcode, as I just use the online Click&Drop now.

I remember being behind an older lady in a post office queue a few years ago, and she was wanting a letter sent Air Mail to one of the west coast islands, as it had to arrive next day. She point blank refused to believe that 1st class or Special Delivery would get there next day by road, or that there was no air mail service to the islands.

The poor guy behind the counter had reached the point he wasn’t sure what to do or say.

Best bit was, it just looked like a card.

@monkeyboyjc isn’t that a pre-barcode stamp?

I’m guessing there are still quite a few people who stockpiled those stamps, and think that they’re still valid.

If you feel up to the job, I’d hire a stump grinder for a day. It’ll be less hassle than digging the stumps out.

However working a small stump grinder can be quite physical, so if you’re built like a rake, you might struggle a bit!

However, if you’re planting a new hedge, just leave them, and make sure you stagger the new plants properly.

Non-stock is quite a dubious term especially when selling to consumers. It’s more of a b2b term.

As somebody who sells to consumers, and does sell customised items, I wouldn’t class an item in a basic listed colour as a custom item. If it was some customer specified specific colour, whereby I had to get that colour specifically for them, yes it’s custom made, but not if it just means I need to pick up a different tin for a colour that I offer as standard.

Not using actual photos, and having a link to random photos, doesn’t really help their case of defending an argument that it’s not as described. If the link had been to sample parts that showed the actual finishes (be that swabs or other parts), they could argue you have seen what your order will look like, but a wall of random photos with no descriptions isn’t really letting you see/imagine accurately what you’re going to receive.

I ask because the average ads per hour in US broadcast tv is 15 minutes per hour. Or 25% that would equate to 5 minutes on a 20 minute video.

I’m not advocating that. It’s a shocking stat but it’s something we’ve become accustomed to with broadcast ad supported tv.

One good thing about UK TV, is there are legal limits on advertising time, and they’re not that high for national channels.

I do wonder at what point the likes of OFCOM will start looking at advertising times on online platforms?

CD?

If it was me, it would have been on an iPod!

Being currently not in full time employment is really benefitting me this year.

So far I have only heard a cover version on a Facebook ad.

I do however need to go christmas shopping…

IDGAS isn’t restricted to brake fitters.
I’ve probably met a higher percentage of tyre fitters that GAS, than I have vehicle techs.

Tyre fitters are however usually an interesting breed. They usually know and accept their limits, and are quite happy just to stick to tyres. It’s a job that seems to attract those who just want a simple life, and if you don’t mind working at the side of a road, can be very well paid.

As somebody who had two old school techie teachers without degrees (IIRC one had been a hands on type engineer, the other came from a more design/drawing room type background but still with experience of working in a workshop), I often think schools are not only lacking having that real world experience in teaching environments, but they’ve made the entry requirements to teaching too high.

I think my CDT lessons did benefit from that variety in teachers, as the teachers were rotated.
Old school engineer mostly for the hands on metal working.
Old school drawing room mostly for the design and wood/plastic working.
Then the head of department was a bit younger with a full degree background, and although he could teach everything, as they all could, he mostly stuck to the graphics side, as he knew the other teachers were far better at the practical side, and full of practical tips from having worked in those environments.

The main thing that puts me off doing the Megavalanche more often, is AdH is a pain to get to. The only realistic option is to drive there, either all the way from the UK, or fly to Geneva and rent a car.

As Northwind has mentioned, AdH isn’t that great a resort. It’s more a long weekend kind of place, and although Les Deux Alpes is a bit better, again it’s really only much good for a few days riding.

It’s why I’d suggest driving, then spend a few days either side of the valley. Or if you want to go all out, the Mountain of Hell is usually two weeks before the Mega.

As for the Mega course, what kind of stuff do you ride in the UK?
Glacier is a case of surviving, and the extent of snow remaining. I’ve done it where the first access road was pretty much snow free, and the snow stopped part way down the long steep section, then the worst was 2019 when I done it with Northwind, and the snow only stopped before the reservoir, so the first road then the long traverse after the steep section section was hard going.

The rocky sections vary every year. They’re generally not that technical, but can contain lots of quite gnarly short steep section/drops, it all depends on how they tape it, but they’re often in amongst large rock slabs, so failure is likely to hurt.

Once you’re past the town, it’s all fairly mellow. But don’t be surprised if they add some sneaky climbs. I’ve done it three times, and after the town, the route has noticeably varied every year.

so it’s got to be like every 4 years or something

Next year would make it 5 years…
However I’m not wanting to be in anyway responsible for any sense of humour failures!

I could have probably chosen better words, but having dealt with workers in these places, they really aren’t employed for their intelligence, or even their ability to do a good job. They’re generally employed as they won’t get paid as well doing anything else, and only remain employed as long as they don’t make any major f*** ups.

The training is rather special. I had a good chat with somebody who worked on a contract training for a national chain, and he hated dealing with them. The chain wanted their fitters to have some form of qualification, and by all accounts it was trying. His example was them arguing over what size of spanner/socket was needed for bolts, and some weren’t even confident as to which direction to slacken bolts.

As for supervision, I have never seen any attempt at a quality check being done in any fast fit place. They will no doubt supposed to be done, but these places generally have public policies about the expected standard of repairs and guidelines for advising about any other work, but I’m sure we’re all aware of the upselling that goes on.

Exactly.

And between 1 and 2 the bloody machine should have been isolated until everyone got a safety reminder and proper confirmation they know what they’re doing.

If it’s good enough for industry losing 900k a day for outages it’s good enough for teaching!

Do you think they would have told the teacher after 1 received a maskable injury, or after 2 received a non-maskable injury?

If the teacher didn’t know 1 had happened until after 2 had happened, what were they supposed to do?

Imagine making that sweeping generalisation about any other occupation or group of people? I can only hope that the commentator who made that snidey, sneering insult is a renowned genius. Despite the evidence to the contrary.

@blokeuptheroad having worked in the trade for over 20 years, I could tell you many tales of woe involving fast fit type places, and brake fitters. I’m sure there are plenty exceptions to that generalisation, but if you’ve ever dealt with a typical brake fitter, you’ll soon realise most have got little clue as to how what they’re working on actually works.

To give an example, a previous employer had a driver/workshop assistant. Nice guy, but if you talked to him, you’d soon realise that there wasn’t really that much going on between the ears, and who could get lost within the industrial estate. It took us several months, but he could eventually manage changing most tyres without assistance.
He left us to go work for a fast fit chain, and last I heard, he was training to be their Suspension/Steering/Alignment specialist. We didn’t even trust him to torque wheels, we only let him change the tyres, yet there was a company quite happily letting him do safety critical repairs with little training, and that is far from uncommon.

A fast fit place is the last place I’d consider taking any vehicle for any safety related work, however there are also plenty garages with supposedly fully trained techs who really don’t manage much better. The motor trade is full of people being paid to do jobs, who have little idea of what they’re actually doing.

A key question to ask, is why is the motor trade so resistant to technician licensing?
Very few people would pay somebody unlicensed to fix their boiler, or an unlicensed electrician to carry out electrical work, but most people are quite happy to have anybody fix their vehicle.

I’m not perfect, and have had some interesting f*$* up’s over the years, but I generally know how/why I done something wrong, and addressed the problem.
However leaving a brake pad out is major issue, and if I’d done it, I would be sacked. There is no excuse for it, especially on a setup where the pad can’t just fall out.

Key thing when doing any brake work, is prior to refitting the wheel, you give everything a visual check, which includes pads are in and fitted the correct way round, all bolts/pins are in place, and you have a mental run through to make sure you’ve tightened everything that should be tightened.
Different garages have different approaches. I worked beside a dealer tech, who had been ingrained to do a five point touch check before closing any bonnet. Screenwash cap, Coolant cap, oil filler cap, dipstick, and finish with a visual check to make sure you’ve not left anything obvious lying.
All things that should be done as you do the job, but that final 30 second check just gives you that mental run through to check you’ve done everything, as there might be something you didn’t do earlier, due to various reasons.

That it happened once is bad enough but twice?

Lad 1 – I’m going to go against the instructions and hold the part at an angle off the table. Ouch. That hurt.

Lad 2 – You just weren’t holding it well enough, see I’ll show you. Ouch. That hurt even more.

what did they think the other pad in the box was for?

I’ve worked beside plenty ‘technicians’ who are unable to carry multiples of 4 pads to the skip, instead leaving single pads lying around.And brake fitters are generally a lower level of intelligence…

Oh, and something to consider is if you’re running tubeless and want to fit a tube, is can you get the valve out the rim?

I pinch flatted one night on the short travel bike without inserts, couldn’t get the valve out as the nut jammed on the dirt, so had to walk a couple miles back in the rain.

Anchovies and pump for when I’m not venturing too far from the van.Spare tube if I’m venturing further away.

However last puncture I got deflated the rear tyre pretty much instantly and I felt the air/sealant hit my leg, so I just rode the 4 miles back on the CushCore. I didn’t even bother stopping to look as it was starting to rain, and I knew it wasn’t going to be repairable.