I’m a joiner, can turn my hand to most things.
Started at a housing association as a cleaner 7years ago expecting to quickly move to a more suitable role but cronyism is rife.
We call ourselves ‘professional turd polishers’ as the properties I’m expected to clean are that neglected that cleaning them doesn’t make any difference, you can’t polish a turd.
Nobody checks our work, I literally spend approx 5hours a day reading books, surfing net, shopping, napping and occasionally go for a ride.

Sounds great? No, it’s chipping away at what soul I have left.

Jobs made me fat, lazy, complacent but pay, pension, benefits are all good.

Hate the job but scared of setting up my own business as I don’t think I have a proper days work in me anymore and I’m nearing 50 so I don’t w…… think I’ve just given up And accepted my fate ☹️

I love honest tosh.

47 and of large build 😉 I did my longest ride ever couple of months ago, 60 miles on a gravel bike with a few decent climbs.

Proud moment for me but I couldn’t walk for a week.

Long length of hose pipe + car exhaust fumes.

Bog roll, the 4th wave approaches.

cheap GoPro type torch holder and sticky pad.

Old mascara brush (mrs mons not mine) for cleaning or lubing mini stuff like calliper pistons.

Agree with the calpol syringe for forks, they also work well as a grease guns.

Silicone medical or Modelling tube for tubeless top ups with a ‘vets syringe’ or can also be used over cables/zip ties to stop frame rub

My pal has one and although he’s a far better rider than I am he seems to hit steep stuff like he’s on a DH bike.

I’m now quickest on the climbs though (Solaris 2020)

File tread with shoulder blocks is the ideal uk conditions ‘gravel’ tire for me,
I’ve tried a lot of the ‘top ten’ recommended tires but all have had cons.
I have settled on the terrene elwood 40mm as they are excellent allrounders.

I’ve had similar problem, solved it by running a bead of bathroom sealant/silicone around the rubber bit on valve and tape contact area, let it go off over night.

Yes, 12mnths ago and it’s been fine.

https://www.spokeydokeybikes.co.uk/

Might not fit all frames but they give a schematic-drawing thingy so as you can check sizes.

Sram rival on the last bike ate pads due to poor clearance/trapped grit and the rotors didn’t look to healthy when I sold it.

No problems with my 12mth old GRX.

Mid 2000, Wigan.
Walking home after a party with the Mrs I was heckled by a group of youths and told them to FO.
Youths then produced bottles and bats and attempted to surround me.
The Mrs worked for GMP youth offender team at the time, told me to back off and she tried to reason with them.
She was punched in the face, I knocked the lad out, the rest of his mates set on me.

I woke up in hospital 3 days later with broken jaw, head trauma and lost the sight in 1 eye.
Several people who lived on the street had heard the commotion and chased them away.

Approx 4 weeks later the same gang kicked a Chinese chip shop owner to death.

My 2019 m8000 rear suffered the wandering from new just like my 2017 SLX. I solved it by removing the full brake, hanging it lever up calliper down and used an electric tooth brush to ‘vibrate/dislodge’ trapped air.

Still sharp after 8 months 🤞

Ignore that above I got my wires crossed 😁 (can’t seem to delete it)

Farr aero gravel bars are basically the same for less £.
Considering trying some after bending my venturemax due to uncontrolled dismount.

Tried double tape (to fat) and gel pads(to small)
Bought some ‘widget’ silicone bar tape for £15? off eBay and it’s ace. Much better at cancelling buzz, reusable, can be chucked in washing machine, grippy when wet, pretty tough, easy to apply.

Clothes pegs work.

Maybe use 2 for a 4 pot.

Disposable at this price

￡4.57 | AQQ 10 Pair 1/6/7/8/9/10/11/12 Speed Bicycle Chain Link Chain Buckle Missing Link Chain button Movable joint Brand products
https://a.aliexpress.com/_vc0E5z

Found them 😉

https://www.arabesqueantiques.co.uk/catalog/garden/faux-bois-garden-bench/

Acquired an old decorative cast iron planter few years ago.
Wire brush drill attachment is the easy DIY way, cleaned with white spirit then applied clear coat ‘radiator’ lacquer. This adds interest as you can see the imperfections in the metal and adds to the rustic look.

The bench ends look to be from around the 1930s (I’m no expert but I do dabble in salvage) it would be a crime to hammerite them.

Minimon was ‘nipped’??? By two different dogs before his 4th birthday, it took me a lot of effort to get him to join me on walks in the countryside again.
I now carry a 4ft blackthorn staff when I take him out, ignorant dog owners get one warning.

Dunno,

I use sudacrem, when I can be arsed 😉

Recently installed,

Bought this 52 about 10 years ago from a car boot for a fiver as it was seized, built a man cave around it in summer lockdown 😁

https://postimg.cc/4m4444yp

https://postimg.cc/phtxwR3h

https://postimg.cc/7fQ4xgpy

https://postimg.cc/hQDnGMDK

https://postimg.cc/jCbd94rg

I believe the vice is about 80 years old and will probably still be here when I’m gone so I engraved a little message on the ‘service hatch’ for the next owner.

I’ve got last years Diablo and maxx d.
I rarely use it with the diablo as the MD drowns it out, no switchbacks on my local routes but I have no problems with corners due to the amount of light it throws out.

Cheap metal one, bend it a bit.

DARTH,
First gen Berlingo banger. Painted Matt black, rusted and ratted.
Took me and pals all over the country riding/uplifting.
Never cleaned it in the 5 years I had it, more mud on the inside than the out. I loved that van.

The Mrs has a new fancy car with all the gizmos, callS it KITT.

I use pentosin LHM, £7ish a litre (can’t be sure of spelling or the price,i bought it I about 10 years ago and the stickers have fell off, still works as it should)

Mercedes use it for their power steering columns, I’m a snob 😉

Store the bike upside down for a bit, see if the click disappears on first ride (due to oil reaching the important bits) if it starts again ‘half way’ through ride then it’s a lower service/inspection/oil top up.
Either way, keep an eye on stanchions for wear, especially before the warranty is finished.

At the same time, contact the shop for their advice, by email as it’s a record of a possible IN-warranty problem.

I had a similar problem, presumed rock strike on rear cassette ring. Metal File sorted it.
Only found it after changing pedal bearings and buying new BB 🙃

I had this on and awkward frame.
Used a Small threaded screw, cut the head off and file to a point. Screw both cables onto it, cut the screw damaged cable end off when it’s through.

Long length of Heat shrink also works.

Rattlecan paint job to hide stantion wear ?

Prepping…
Oh and digging more tunnels in my zombie proof bunker.

I had similar problem.

Small amount of damage to a clay pipe was covered with a clay saddle branch/mortar and then added a rodding eye for good measure.

I have no idea why I have a strong dislike for recumbent bikes with a little orange flag on them.

Then I recommend that you don’t use Aldi callipers to save money in the long run

This mon is extremely entertaining, I recommend you watch a few of his vids to understand why.

Callipers…

Have you tried swapping the stainless clamp bands from old to new lever.

I had rival levers on 3 totally different shapes drops and never had a problem.

Put the sleepers on a bed of grano, spirit level on top, tap it down.

Good website for ground work etc…

https://www.pavingexpert.com/grano_01

We tend to buy mattresses in winter sales after a summer of weekends away stopping in hotels.
Me and the mrs will take a peek at what model the hotel mattress was and buy the one we both liked it. It’s a better way of testing compared to 10mins on a show room bed.

Not going to mess about.

My solarismax is a 2020 frame with 2019 130mm rct3 pikes, full xt.
Bought a rolling chassis with xcwides, media raved about them, they seemed …OK.
warranted the wheels after 3mnths due to free hub failure due to normal winter water/mud (I don’t jet wash bearings) and unprecedented amount of dings on tame local trails.
No quibble exchange, hunt recommended endurowide.
Unfortunately they killed the bike, it just felt dead and sluggish.
I don’t understand the love for hunt wheels as in my opinion the claimed weight of the wheels ignores the fact that all the weight savings have been made in the wrong place, rims are heavy and cheese, thin spokes snap and basic hubs are not up to the job.
Sold the endurowides after not many rides.
Had some pro4s XM481 built and rotating same tyres 2.6 specialized hillbilly, butcher, slaughter, eliminator when conditions permit, bikes been transformed.
Yes, they are more expensive wheels but Im certain they will be cheaper in the long run.

The bike is a reasonable weight for what it can do as a good all rounder, I really can’t think of anything I need to change.