I bought a 3 tread step stool for about £20 from Toolstation to use for our XL Berlingo – I’m not particularly tall and this allowed me to get at the far side of the roofbox comfortably enough. Folded up nice and compact, perfect length to slide in the side of the boot butting up to the back of the middle row of seats, so remained accessible even when full of kit.

Possibly this one

Alternatively if you have a Citroen dealer within striking distance, you can get the official Citroen ones via their Click and Collect accessories service online – I’ve just had a look and they’re still listed on there, for both L1 & L2 variants.

I’m currently running one with Helms set to 130, with 2.5/2.4 Verdict/Judge on the standard SS/i29 wheels. It’s great for the local stuff I have from my door, albeit I’ve only had it since autumn.

I reckon having one burly and one more XC-biased wheelset (with appropriate tyres) would be nice to have, though I think in the OP’s position I’m not sure I’d go for a sea change on forks – as good as the SIDs would be I just think you’re going from one expensive and not easily switchable extreme to the other. I’d look at something you could easily change travel on between 120 and 140 to cater for the range of abilities of the bike, though I guess if you’re set on weight saving your choices here may be limited.

I’d imagine that tryting to compare the relative value of 50k cash vs 50k pension vs  50k equity comes down to personal perception of future value – 50k from a DC pension may be worth similar to 50k cash now, but you could argue that retaining 50k in value in a DB pension would be worth more to you for your future retirement. Likewise, if your house is in an area where you think future house values will markedly increase, retaining the equity in the house may represent a better deal for you. Sorry, that’s probably not at all helpful!

In terms of the OP, I too am a bit confused about the ‘actuarial adjustment’ – it’s not a thing I’ve come across in circa 10 years of working in the pensions industry, though admittedly my work has solely been in private sector pensions so this may be exclusive to public sector. For private sector, the CETV would be as titled – a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value, based around the current actuarial transfer basis of a set of assumptions on how to value the pension, as agreed between the trustees and actuary. As such, it’s already a ‘fair’ method of putting a number on the pension value for the purposes of divorce calculations. You’d then apply whatever pension sharing percentage (or other divorce agreement) to the pension and the actuary would agree how much pension would be lost from a DB benefit at date of implementation of the order, or just take the percentage in value from a DC pot.

I got one of those outlaws for me and the boy during first lockdown, has been good fun and nothing broken (yet) despite smashing it round the bmx track and local woods.

What I like is its ability to handle quickish runs around but also do a bit of modest crawling. Easy enough to be drivable by a 7 year old too.

There’s a big thread on modelsport forum reharding potential hopups, spares availability seems good via modelsport. Only thing I’d recommend out of the box is a bigger capacity battery and decent charger.

*edit* I also tested the waterproofing by running it in recent snow, and it seems to have survived that ok. Brushed it off and then hung the chassis to drain, not had anything die.

6R4 Shell

(Sorry)

I was diagnosed with epilepsy at 16 after two seizures a month apart, but was fortunate that the first attempt at medicating has controlled the seizures completely for the past 20 years. In my opinion, if your lad is of an age where he can safely swallow pills as required, the benefits of medically controlling the seizures would far outweigh any potential drawbacks (again, this is based on my own experience of no ill-effects of my own medication).

Whilst at the moment your son’s seizures have happened at 5.30am, presumably in the safety of your home, there is the risk that they may happen at times when you are not in as familiar an environment, or even when he is in the care of someone other than yourselves. As a parent now I think I’d want to minimise that risk, even if the medication was in the initial stages a bit of a pain to get used to.

Phil

New shape Berlingo XL? We got one about a fortnight ago and its been ace so far. 7 seats, rear two removable and middle row fold flat. Had four people and four bikes in it today.

Amdro also make a camper conversion that looks pretty interesting, though storing the bits when not in use would be a pain.

Obviously no long term reports on it yet…

I concur on that Volvo…

We picked up an 18 month old XL Berlingo on Monday, first impressions are that it is a lovely thing. Not sized up the back for bikes yet, but with the rear row removed and middle row flat it easily swallowed a 1.8m long set of shelves I collected. 130 diesel with EAT8 auto is like wafting along in a comfy armchair.

We used to have a powerline setup which i was never that impressed with, now have a tp-link deco three node mesh and its ace. Also running from a virgin hub.

Ive been using one of those blue and white boggo tow ropes with my 7 yr old, he manages fine with it. Looks hefty but is light enough to carry round when not in use.

Eddie – got an FTX Outlaw for me and my boy at about that price point and its been really good so far, bashing around the woods and a bit of basic crawling. Would assume they share similar platform with the buggsta? Id budget for a larger capacity battery and fast charger though, extra 40 ish quid.

I think the weight limit for Hunts applies to rider only – im 85kg and have put a lot of miles on my Hunt gravel wheels without them exploding, so you’d probably be fine on the 4 seasons if they have stock. I’ve always found them great to deal with so you could always drop them a line to check before ordering.

Got out early doors for a bash around with the ftx this morning, still surviving well and manageable for the boy. Spent some time reading through the owners thread on MSUK so now have a lengthy wishlist of hopups. Boy also keen on us getting another, so have been eyeing up blitzer beetles – looks like another expensive hobby!

How are we 70 posts in with no mention of milk chocolate hobnobs?!

Have been following this thread a little too closely, so have now taken delivery of an FTX Outlaw to go bashing with the boy. Stories of inept driving and mass destruction will no doubt follow…

*stares intently at battery charging in the corner

I’ve been waiting (im)patiently for mediums to arrive back in stock since a demo last December – think Sam mentioned then that new colours were incoming with this batch.

Had that happen with one of mine, I just shimmed the gap between spring ends and pedal body and that has removed the rattle (for now!)

Medium Solaris Max and a Yaris GR4. One is more likely than the other…

Same offer now available through quidco for anyone with that rather than TCB.

Anyone else getting ads whilst logged in (again)?

Polestar?

I’m surprised no member of the professionally offended has complained about the card being black.

Passat R36 in estate form?

Or, Ferrari and Honda do something naughty, Sainz wins for McLaren 😂

Das Bot – the struggle with the conflict between real life and fake news.

Taken my lad to a few events a year since he was 4/5, he’s always enjoyed the day but can flag a bit after a few hours. Also don’t underestimate how much walking you may do in a typical day if you like to view at different points of the circuit. Worth noting that the Palmer circuits all have good facilities, including kids play areas which can break the day up for them.
Worth investing in a pair of ear defenders as you’ll often get at least a few cars during the day which can be properly loud close up – we use Peltor Kids.
Took 3yr old daughter to Harewood hill climb a few weeks ago and her attention was waning after about two hours though, but when it is local and only a tenner, club level stuff is a great introduction.

I’d love it if Haas just swapped out the RE logos for Whyte on the livery…

My understanding is both parents need to work at least 15 hours per week to qualify for certain elements of credit, it is an infuriating system to deal with though.

Autoglym fast glass has always worked well for me at cleaning various guff off car glass.

I would take care if you’re still receiving treatment, as my experience of such a settlement was that it was very much final and you could not pursue for further costs should you incur them.
Solicitor should at least be able to advise if the offer is sensible or not.

Weebo from Flubber and Cheetarah stood behind Lion-o are my only additions. Some great spots in there though, and is that Luke Skywalkers hands on the right hand side balcony rail?

Hunt were ace for me when I bought some gravel discs from them before dirty Reiver a couple of years ago. Delays in their shipment meant the new ones wouldn’t arrive in time, so they sent me an ex demo set and adapters I needed so I could have them for DR.
Great guys to deal with in my experience.

I have the misfortune to use that stretch on my way into work, it seems to have been designed by someone who has neither walked cycled or driven in an urban space.

Regardless, that is woefully inadequate cycling to not be preparing to stop as the woman crosses, as mentioned above that is typical behaviour along there.

+1 on impressively child proof finish – my five and two year olds have been ramming stuff into ours for the past 12 months and still looks good as new.

Working here on android/chrome after following link and reboot. Good job done!

RNP – had a similar issue with mine, turned out to be a 5 minute job to whip the freehub off, clean and relube the pawls. Been fine since. There’s a guide somewhere on Hunt website.

Where have you seen the fenix 3 hr at that price? Was about to press go on a Vivoactive 3 but at that price may go for a fenix!

Cheers
Phil

‘Nukeproof you say?’