Vaguely amusing take on yesterdays antics:

Britain Backs Middle Class Children Who Want The Moon On A Stick

good man, thank you, just called them and it’s getting sorted on Monday!

Tiger, that was perfect! A great end to the thread in my opinion.

Austen, cheers for the recommendation, I will definitely take a look at those cheaper, quieter options

On my Prophet the headtube to cup side is flush, no lip, in fact the top cup was flush, more or less, with the top of headtube. So no external access point (prominent external lip) for wood, screwdriver or whatever.

I agree: wood and mallet works
I agree: screwdriver and hammer works

With my headset there’s no outside, usable, lip for a piece of wood to get a purchase on, so I would have to hit the cup from the inside of the headtube.

My original question was if there’s a 1.5″ specific tool for removing cups – sometimes I just like to have a shiny new tool, so to speak.

I got my answer – Superstar do one.

wwaswas – “Anyway, seems I overestimated you MintyJim” oh thanks! Shouldn’t it be ‘underestimated’?? Ah, whatever. I accept your apology!

In my defence I did post on the Chat Forum for advice.

Again, in my defence I only ever went on legal fireroads, greenlanes that are so full of mud and water that you cannot possibly cycle an MTB down them. I have been a mountain biker for 19 years or so I’m not riding a motorbike to **** it up for anyone else.

I agree you can use a screwdriver blade and hammer but from inside the headtube.
I used to use the wooden batten and hammer around the edge of the 1 1/8″ headset cups, which you can’t do on my 1.5″ cups.

I’ve tried splaying it a bit more and I’ve split one of the four ‘tongues’ at it’s base.

Cheers Z1ppy, That one at Superstar will do the trick!
Just need to improve the mods on my headset press now for 1.5″…increased complexity due to one of my headsets being an angle reducer one so the cups have a slope on them, whoppee do!

Should also point out that, in general, the 1.5″ headset cups sit flush to the headtube so using the wood and hammer around the edge isn’t effective!

crikey, some hostile responses from wwaswas and still s8tannorm! Are you guys (tools) OK if I drive my car to work or fly to go on holiday?

Maybe I should point out that I’m currently trying to help the cops in South Wales pick off the illegal scramblers and 4x4ers who wreck the FC land and DH tracks here.

Anyway, I appreciate the useful feedback, I used to do a fair bit when I was younger growing up in West Wales so I hope I’m reasonably competent already! Good point about the leccy start, last thing I want is a kick start in 2 foot of mud I guess!

I’ll check out all the recommendations…mmmm KTM…

Good to hear flyingmonkeycorps as I’m picking up my new mmmbop from the post office tonight! Although I do tend to alternate between FS and hardtails on a 6 month rotation.
Went from a BFe to Prophet and now going to the MmmBop – pretty excited especially with winter coming. ‘King cheap too at 150 squidlets.

So I’m in big trouble running an ASPEN on the rear here in wet Wales!? Adds an exciting dimension I guess

Graham,
That is exactly what I’m after. I’m surprised you submitted plans (no matter how dubious!).
The solution of a folding ladder is perfect for my requirements. I wouldn’t expect to sell the house alluding to an additional habitable space, I’d simply keep schtum.
Thanks for your feedback!

Graham,
Wow, now that’s what I’m talking about! I’m happy to do the cupboards, plastering, lighting etc. myself. If using a ladder reduces the regs then I’m having that! All I want is some extra space for guests and storage.
Where do you live? Was that price including the engineer and Building control submission?
Thanks

I live in Roath. I’ll keep an eye out for you. I saw my stolen bike last year but it was 5 years since it was stolen.

Was it stolen from their house/garden or chained up?

And me!!! Now winter’s a coming I need to sort my diet out! james.coughlan@gmail.com

Thanks!!

GW, thanks for the advice – I'm definitely too old for the racerboy PJ look, I'm all about discretion on the trails!

I normally wear just shorts as a couple of you have advised.

However in the darkest winter if freezing water splashes into my shoes I'm in trouble because my feet (and hands) suffer terribly when they're cold and wet – Raynaud's disease. So trousers are the order of the day!

I'm nearly at the end of 'Birds without wings' – what an epic read, loving it.
I have a couple of favourites, don't think I could really pick one…

One Flew over the Cuckoo's nest.
A Prayer for Owen Meany
This Side of Brightness

All great books IMO

now running SRAM, 'king love this bike!

Thanks for going easy on the piss taking guys!
I've tried the pink stuff before, pretty good, but I found it quite drippy.

Next question: roller or brush?

my mate found a piece of sweet corn underneath his foreskin after a one-night stand!

"What tends to happen (or used to) is that you get it on and you end up going down crazily on a girl even though shes not washed………" PMSL at that!

I really like what I'm reading so far and I must admit it's quite cathartic posting your thoughts, anonymously, on this site!

Although bravohotel9er your experiences are pretty horrendous! Fortunately I've been quite lucky in that respect and everybody I meet are very nice, normal and fun girls – but the desire to continue anything with them still eludes me.

Personally I think I need a coup de foudre to snap me out of my single ways, the love will grow, or casual acquaintance doesn't seem to work for me!

Last night's date was great, washed my nob, drove to Ogmore (beach in South Wales) for a walk, had dinner, was invited back for coffee…back in my twenties I wouldn't have needed asking twice and would have ended up doing the wild monkey dance without a second thought!
Yup, you guessed it, I declined. I didn't feel a spark and had an early morning meeting today! Integrity intact but clean nob very unhappy!

Role on Thursday for the next exciting instalment and blind date!

ctznsmith – That's what I keep telling myself!

mtb_rossi – Good advice!

Frankenstein – I have many, many leather bound books and my house smells of rich mahogany…star wars/trek is definitely off the menu!

I'm glad I didn't ask the question about single ladies! Classic stuff considering my original topic.

Jimmer himself – my sentiments exactly!

Frankenstein – I appreciate your comments about letting the women know, I'm definitely not out there to lead people on! I've got a date tonight, I'll be sure to let you know tomorrow how it went!

Frankenstein – hang on, I never said I was unhappy or depressed. I'm a very happy and content person who loves their life!

I was simply asking if there's anyone else out there that isn't particularly stimulated by the whole dating thing but does actually like the idea settling down.
From the other responses I can see that a few others empathise with what I'm saying.

Lyons/Lexiekay – exactly how I feel!

Penrod – I sincerely hope that was tongue in cheek!

Mounty – I agree, but it's not my tolerance causing me problems here, I'm just not fussed about getting out there, whereas my family/friends think I'll be stuck on a shelf if I'm not careful!

Jonah – not a good idea! The little fella hasn't lost any of his enthusiasm!

MTB_rossi – one's from an internet site (embarrassingly it was my mother who begged me to join up because she's desperate for me to find someone!) the other is a friend of a friend.
I agree with your comments about weird and un-natural. But that aside, I just wish I had more enthusiasm for it!
I think Cynic-al is right. I'm not desperate so when I do meet someone it'll be easy. It's probably the pressure from others thinking I should be dating etc.

Same at the top of the Cwmcarn DH track, I normally cycle to the top so I'm alone and when I get and see all the empty bottles that the lazy, ucking unts have left it really boils my piss.
Occasionally when I go walking I take a bag and collect all the bottles I come across, you can normally fill a bag in about 15min. Sad.

I don't get it. The countryside is beautiful so why on earth leave your rubbish behind??

Thanks for explanations, it's all clear now! Harsh though

"My female acquaintance consists almost entirely of a series of assymetrical sexual attractions, or the historic remnants of the same."

Despite a pretty good grasp of English I don't actually know what this means!? Can anyone translate?

Now running SRAM X9 rear mech and an Aspen rear tyre, bloomin' awesome, fast bike!

just found it even cheaper:

http://www.freeflowbikes.com/lapierre-zesty-214-2010-bike-7007-p.asp

Hey chakaping, where have you seen it cheap?? Thanks!

I'm off one week today! Very excited too…except for the 14 hr drive in the Land Rover with 5 of us

This is now sporting Solo Air Totems, Saint rear mech and Minion Tyres

Thanks IA, just curious about reliability, performance etc.
£494 for a brand spanking full warranty 2010 'big' fork looks like a steal!

I've seen SX trails with them on and they look OK! Hardly a full and comprehensive study I know…

I saw it a couple of weeks ago and completely agree. My favourite bits are Gee and Steve at the end and also Brendan looking very stylish at Whistler.

Seasons is a cracker!

Pete, yes they're Thors, 2010.
I'm very pleased, I went from Pike's and Revelation's to these and they're far superior. Track well, cracking damping with nice and progressive control.
Best of all the colour coordinated with the frame. At 140mm travel they compliment the rear pretty well.
I would defo recommend 'em.

Thanks to wors and I_ache for posting my pics, no idea what I was doing wrong!