Used to go to Havoc in Manchester, packed full sweat drippin off the roof. Ace.
Went to Orbit once, we got told to put our tops back on. Toss. Never went again.

Ive got a Pig and I love it, its fantastic up hill, it climbs really well and then when you get to the top and point it down, its even better!
Its a strong bike so dont expect too much of the steel twang, I have a rocklobster 853 which is twangy and as good up hill as the pig but with 100mm forks it cant touch the pig downhill.
I've not tried the Bfe but im really happy with my Pig.
If I have to do long rides I just change the tyres, I can do 50miles in more comfort than my ols Spesh Epic.
Dont be put off by the riding position of the Pig, you get used to it and its not uncomfy

I bought a Giant animator for my son 6 years ago, it was handed on to my daughter, with nothing more than new grease in the hubs. Its now getting passed on to the neighbours son.
A trailagator fits it no probs.
I wanted to buy the Ridgeback as its alloy frame and alloy wheels. Its lighter (for kids to pick up off the floor and control when they go all wobbly) but also it wont rust when they forget and leave it out all night on the rain (even though you've said a thousand time 'do you know how much that thing cost!!!')
If you buy a cheap one from Halfords its unlikely you will be able to service things like brakes and wheels etc, plus you pay 'extra' for branding (thats Barbie not TRek or Specialized etc).
If it was me I'd get the Ridgeback
Kids Tektro brakes are shit though Ive had two of the adjusters strip dead easy

Im really keen on getting this upgrade done (as soon as the credit card turns up..shhh dont tell Mrs B)
Im getting a bit losts now with whats being ordered.
Chucky can I email you for a definative list or do you have spares of the kit that I can get direct from you?

got mine from Axminster tools

http://www.axminster.co.uk/category-Compressors-206836.htm

Local bike shop?
I got all my tools and bearings from Ride on in Rawtenstall after ringing HOPE up first

stick with the old VWs, cheaper to repair with no electrical gubbins or dual mass flywheels to break.
We chopped our 11 ish yr old VW Passat in for a new Ford Focus. The old Passat made less road noise inside and the finish was still much better than the new car 🙁
Thinking about chopping new car in for a slightly older Golf.
Skodas are good though, especially if your used to the VAG build quality

Interested in this.
Is this the item I need to buy from cutter if I want to go for a 4LED MR11 replacement?
http://www.cutter.com.au/proddetail.php?prod=cut759

I have a Garmin 60cx for work and I find the TOPO gb, how can I say this…a bit sh1t.
If you are used to OS maps with RoW, the Garmin TOPO is very poor in comparison, it lacks boundaries and RoW and even tracks in many places. I would look at other options that use the OS 1:50k maps.
I have used the sat nav option in the van on the console but like all sat navs it is based on crappy A to Z maps so you can end up at FPs which a re shown as a white road.
Never used memory maps but it does sound a better option.
What about an OS map and highlight pen?

T3 Westfalia, sleeps four, fridge for cool beer, hob for tea, stereo and speakers.
What more do you need?

And yes Brown is sooo the colour 😉

There seems to be some confusion over the numbering – 5thelephant (and me) were ranking stuff from 1-10 and others are giving marks out of ten.

So it's – 1 is good, 10 is worst? OK, got it!

I took that into account when I read yours as you put TV at 1 and lockable storage at 10!

The more info the better so feel free to tell your mates and email me your personal preferences to

william.brady@lancashire.gov.uk

Cheers

Bill

Cheers for the responses, keep em coming! Any extras you can think off….no wait let me rephrase that…any other requirements please let me know.
Cheers
Bill