As outrageous as this sounds, let's talk bikes (on the bike forum) for a mo. I looked at the Knolly and thought it looked a bit steep. How's it ride?

I've just had some quotes to fit a boiler. £450-£800 for a days work.

Ooh, what's you're new bike?

Also feeling the love (and beer) are we.

I should perhaps stop posting now.

Not eating, as I've been driving for 4 hours and eating crap, Geographe shiraz, Grizzly Bear.

Zinfandel is really hard to do well cheaply. There are a lot of really good pinot noirs about for around a tenner that might fit the 'not syrah but quite interesting' slot. Try Oddbins, particularly Matahiwi pinot,

If you nip into Craig McMartin cycles in Shawlands and talk to the manager Neil, or put a post on their forum at Freeflowbikes.com, they'll be able to point you in the direction of group rides to the 7 Stanes and around Cathkin Braes.

Um, no iBook ™ reader either, at least for the UK. Personally, I don't really see the point unless you want to look like Dom Jolly with a giant phone.

55 miles along the M8.

I wouldn't recommend it.

Single speeders (can't believe I'm first with that).

I got one of them there Campag corkscrews for a wedding present. I rapidly went from thinking it was overpriced nonsense to wondering how the hell I ever got corks out before.

Working away from home again. I've been stuck at a supplier in Yorkshire for 3 months now, which incidentally is how long it is since I was on my bike. Looks like we may be getting to the end though (at least for the time being), so I suppose that technically qualifies as looking up.

I just chuck mine in the machine on low with everything else and give it an occasional re-proof with Grangers. So far I've had no problems.

I think from memory (although that's not that reliable these days) they had some Commencals for hire.

Hardtail. There's nothing there that warrants full suss. It's not the most challenging of the 7 Stanes, but enjoyable enough for a quick blast.

Somewhat frustrating.

I've been trying to convince a senior workmate that the values I've been using are superior (being based on science and all) to those of my colleague who has no understanding of the process I'm working with and thus far has got everything I've asked him to do wrong.

And my cat's dying.

And I haven't been on my bike in 3 months.

And I'm stuck in Haworth on my own, instead of at home, with my wife.

Actually, I'm a bit miserable.

Yes, and yes.

About 10 years ago and no time soon.

I'm in Las Palmas just now, and the weather's fantastic.

Cove Handjob, Intense Tracer both at good prices.

Meh, was due to fly out with them for new year. Booked by credit card so should be covered, but not that welcome after a terrible week at work, sick wife, pulling a crown out with a chocolate eclair and chipping a veneer.

Top week, all in.

I've got the same thing on mine. I just took any burrs off with a bit of wet n dry and then left it. No problems 6 months later.

Thanks, that's the one.

Nirvana at the QM or Bowie

Corallilo Syrah (which is just OK), The Very Things

No, only a small starfish and what looks like a carp.

I've got a 180 on the back with Formula K24s.

It's fine.

sideshowdave, you're not helping.

I was there! Man I'm old. (Carter, that is)

The Very Things (good call Sanity Assassin), The XX, Animal Collective and Japan

Dales usually have a pile sitting in the car park.

The Deviant's a bit funny size-wise. The 661 has mesh over the vents to stop jaggy stuff stabbing you in the head.

Yep CRC. Jedi's right, the fit is important, but I got on OK with the The ones, and the 661 fits me OK (clip rather than D-ring, incidentally).

Jedi, I haven't forgotten about getting lessons off of you, I've just been working away for the last few weeks and so haven't really been thinking about it, but I will get back to you, honest.

Ooh, ooh, I know this!

I had The One Vegas composite, which is OK, but as you say a bit hot. I just got a 661 Comp which looks alright, is better vented and costs 50 odd quid. The Specialized Deviant is really well vented and very light, but there's no mesh over the vents, which the 661 does have. For the money, the 661 is really good.

About £150 a year for a 2 bed flat in Glasgow with the Halifax. Includes cover for my bike while it's in the flat and mobile phone cover.

37, mechanical engineer.

I replaced a High Roller with a 2.4 Nobby Nic up front. Don't notice it being less grippy, but definitely faster rolling.

Fit a front mech in under 6 hours would be nice.

Beerbelly, in theory you'd be right. I've even got the wee spacer things to drop them down to 120 or 130, but every time I point it down a hill I think "Nah, I'll just leave 'em". Climbs in an entirely acceptable manner too.

I've demoed both. Wasn't impressed by the 5 (although I suspect this was as much to do with the way the shop set it up for me as anything else). Tried the Alpine on Sunday at Glentress and although it's massively too much bike for GT it was fantastic fun. True, it's not the best climbing bike I've tried (although an adjustable fork might help), but it was fantastic for everything else; jumped well, confidence inspiring at speed and pretty forgiving of my utterly inept riding. The stiff back end was really noticeable in corners compared to my Meta 5. I fully expected not to like it, but came away seriously considering buying one.

It's a 17.5" frame and I'm 5'7
140mm Floats
70mm Thomson stem
Race Face Deus Chainset
Formula K18s
Element bars
X9 shifters
XT front, X0 rear
Sram X-0 rear mech
Charge spoon Ti
ProII front, DT 240S rear on 719s