Not tried a Jones bar but do have a Stooge Moto bar, 38mm rise and 17 degree sweep running on a 50mm stem. I cut them to 780mm however will eventually replace with 800mm. Leaving that aside they are comfortable…

Good shout with the letter @LimboJimbo…

Your best bet is a letter to the principal of Pauls Cycles i.e the CEO/owner rejecting the bike on the grounds that it is not fit for purpose because of the water ingress/amount of time it has been unavailable for you to ride. You should give them 2 weeks to reply or comply with this and state that will take legal action if they don’t respond. Your contact is with him/her not Giant… The CEO may try and call your bluff, probably won’t want to go to court though. After that it’s how far you’re prepared to take it. I think you have a good case. Hope you get it sorted…

I really like SwissStop pads, better feel and much longer lasting than the original Shimano pads which only lasted 800 miles…

Mine don’t leak…

You won’t regret the fairbanks, great on or off the bike. I wear mine with ordinary cotton socks…

Hi, been following this and a couple of other cold weather gear threads with interest. I do a short, flat 6 mile each way commute on the south coast so quite often into a head wind and I’m on an ebike which I try to push past the assist cut off to get a work out as much as possible. Really hate feeling cold so:
Merino wool T shirt + long sleeve merino wool base layer from mountain ware house. Merino wool long johns + endura single track trousers with keela waterproof exoshell if rain is heavy. Columbia Fairbanks omni heat boots (many thanks to Ton for the top tip). Gore phantom + endura single track jacket, silk balaclava. Finally given up on the xl sealskin waterproof gloves which were too tight and used my gore wind stopper gloves with silk liner gloves today for the first time, so much warmer and so comfortable… the liners were cheap again from mountain warehouse and I bought some half price extreme waterproof gloves with a fleece lining cost 12 quid which I will test in the forecasted rain tomorrow and report back. Finally think I’ve got the gear right, warm, light, comfortable and dry, no cold fingers or feet 🙂 As others have said you need the gear to be loose enough to trap a layer of air which is warmed by your body heat. Warm and happy riding everyone…

Thanks for the info, yes a combo is the best way to go, agree about the deterrent Cameras have. I’ll check out the chilli cam…

Really hope the police do take action and catch up with the driver. My daughter had just been knocked off her bike and the driver left the scene. She was hospitalised with a fractured patella. I’m amazed that anyone would leave someone in that state, apparently he tried to put her shoe back on, it came off in the collision…

Hi tthew, yes the more I think about it training, a more powerful light and more hi-viz kit seem to be a better investment to start with. A camera as well would be good should an accident happen given that drivers often leave the scene without exchanging contact details or behave aggressively. Apologies to all if my post has ended up a bit misleading. Anyway my girl’s enthusiasm for riding is still there…

Thanks WillH, been looking at them for a while and the Dobies are drawstring, no stud so nothing to dig in or pop open which at 61 years with a waistline that could be less seems like a plus. The pad looks pretty thin so could work with inner padded shorts… looking forward to the review of the Supertankers however can’t see them on the NZO website. I am learning to manage my expectations generally by keeping them low 😃

The great thing about the Pro 2 hub is the bolt up and quick release are interchangeable as others have said, so no need to rebuild the wheel… didn’t remember the bolt up is steel but that’s a good thing. I did this on my Karate Monkey a few years back and have had no issues…

Should have bought a gravel bike, you could wear Lycra under your baggies, no one would know…

Very sorry, didn’t notice the date of your original post and obviously it makes my comment redundant. Happy riding

Ah, apologies didn’t notice the 3 years ago…

Hi Mcnaultycop,
Very impressive that you’re using lockdown to get fitter and improve, I am too and I know I’m lucky that I can ride from my front door, get into the South Downs and do a loop back home. Don’t want to rain on your parade however you drove to a station and caught a train to do your ride which isn’t in the spirit of the current guidelines for exercising at best. If everyone was to do that, I’m pretty sure it would quickly lead to a blanket ban on cycling…
Stay safe

Thanks very much everyone, really helpful. I like the look of the Decathlon wrench the best, prefer the dial at the base,the Norbar looks like an amazing bit of kit but by the time you’ve bought the bits for it would be more than my occasional use warrants…
After being on the Decathlon website it Looks like it would be prudent to put the whole thing on a back burner for a while…
Hope you’re all getting out for a ride (within gov. guidelines of course), it sure is keeping me sane.
Best wishes
David

I agree with LD, Green Commute Initiative do look more flexible particularly with end of agreement ownership. Cyclescheme were already in place and the business manager didn’t want to change provider understandably. In fact I had to wait a couple of months for Cyclescheme to raise the limit to above £1000.

Doh, yes indeed, well spotted it should read £1800…

Hi Dave,
My employer (a school) are with cyclescheme who have an excellent website where questions of employers and employees are answered. My employer set a £10000 limit for vouchers and a I guess a handful of staff could take advantage of that. I’m on an average good salary and my employer was happy for me to repay the voucher over 24 months which keeps my payments low (normally covered by paid lunch duties so win win). Cyclescheme offer 3 options and I went for the own it and the end of agreement one. My voucher/certificate came to £2699 and after 24 months of using a salary sacrifice I will have effectively paid £18000 for the bike and only have to pay 1%-3% of the purchase cost as a one off payment to keep the bike which after a set length of time (can’t remember how long) I will own the bike outright. The rules for early termination are pretty strict because of the tax implications. See the clause from my hire agreement below:

Termination Fee: If You cease employment with the Employer, this Agreement will be terminated in accordance with section 2 of the Agreement and the tax exemptions available under the ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme will no longer be available. You will be required to pay the total outstanding Payments due for the remainder of the Hire Period. The outstanding balance payable will not benefit from any tax exemption and will be collected by the Employer from any remaining net salary payments and other sums payable to You by Your Employer. Should this not be possible for any reason, or if the total outstanding balance of Payments due exceeds any remaining net salary payments, You agree to promptly pay an amount equal to the total outstanding Payments due for the remainder of the Hire Period to the Employer directly within fourteen (14) days of Your employment ceasing.

Check out the website…
Cheers
David

The bronze ops frame is the only one I’d change to, I think it is translucent and you can see the welds, happy to entertain any offers…

@didnthurt don’t think they’re heavy for what they are and agree they are expensive but hey most of
the stuff we lust after is… just saying that the KM I have is a great bike and I intend
to hold onto it…

Can’t comment on the stooge, although do like the look of them and the handlebars are great. Would say that the 456 felt dead in comparison with the karate Monkey. Should qualify this with not having ridden more recent KM frames…

I paid £250 for my frame 2nd hand in 2008 in perfect nick and it still is… I haven’t seen many up for sale since then so I guess most that buy them hold on to them, heavy as they are…

@thisisnotaspoon, I agree that perhaps post CEN frames are less flexy/zingy and for my own part when it came to choose between the monkey and an on one 456 the monkey won it hands down – just a much nicer frame (pre CEN). Aside from that I do like the Surly ethos, if I had the means I’d have a few more of them…

I love my 2005 frame KM, non boost, actually non quite a lot of modernity, it’s been through many iterations and a keeper. Heavy to pick up but has always felt light on the trail and fun to ride. Sure there are plenty of other options out there that are great too and I would be tempted with a later frame at the right price however the bike feels right, well maybe those Stooge Junkers bars next… happy riding 🙂

I’ve got a Stooge Moto bar on my bike too, also really like them. Just as comfortable as the carbon bars they replaced and make for much better handling imo…

I worked as a cycle trainer briefly a couple of years ago and came to the following conclusion: it was not a good proposition for anyone who needs to make a living from it as a sole source of income. The work is seasonal so discount November through to the end of March because of the weather. It mainly only takes place during term time so no work from the end of July until Mid September, then of course you also have the half term and end of term breaks where there is no work. On top of that once qualified the pay was only £8.50 per hour and I was employed as a casual worker (zero hours contractor by any other name). So, not much work that is poorly paid that would be ok for a bit of pin money if you drawing a pension that already paid your living costs. I am reminded of the old adage ‘if you pay peanuts you get monkeys working for you’.

Very pleased with mine and the £3.99 chain cleaning kit/machine…

I had the same problem, couldn’t find any suppliers so dropped an email to Surly who very kindly sent me a pair for free.

Hi, you could try giving this guy a call was very helpful when I was restoring a mate’s Claud Butler, seems to know his stuff….
http://www.pedalpedlar.co.uk/%5B/url%5D

Ton, you won’t regret buying a Surly, I have a 2005 Karate Monkey as my only bike and I love it. I’d quite like the disc only version but can’t see myself bothering to change, it ain’t broke so why bother fixing it…
The Ogre looks perfectly suited to your requirements however the Freeload racks work fine with my old Monkey and I suspect even better with the newer disc model.
Sheck, I have Hope discs on my Monkey and don’t have to do anything to remove the rear wheel…

Hey, you some knotting which a shellac based solution designed to stop the resin coming through the paint. You only need to apply it to the stains. Hope this helps….
Cheers

Love this thread, the bikes and videos are awesome, needless to say I really want a Fat Bike…Drawn to the Pugsley or Krampus (a Surly man at heart). Can’t help noticing you don’t see Fat Bikes for sale 2nd hand, guess they must be keepers….

Meths is great as others have said, just don’t be tempted to have a sip it will make you blind :D

Liking the cross monkey too, just looks right….

Kane & Rob glad you enjoyed it, sadly can’t claim the genius thing, that belongs to Skip Bernet. Did make me laugh when I first read it & still makes me smile…
happy riding
RR

From the Surly Blog on their site, enjoy…..

Some answers to just about any bike forum post I’ve ever read

Thursday, June 16, 2011

posted by Skip Bernet

If you think your bike looks good, it does.

If you like the way your bike rides, it’s an awesome bike.

You don’t need to spend a million dollars to have a great bike, but if you do spend a million dollars and know what you want you’ll probably also have a great bike.

Yes, you can tour on your bike – whatever it is.

Yes, you can race on your bike – whatever it is.

Yes, you can commute on your bike – whatever it is.

26” wheels or 29” or 650b or 700c or 24” or 20” or whatever – yes, that wheel size is rad and you’ll probably get where you’re going.

Disc brakes, cantis, v-brakes, and road calipers all do a great job of stopping a bike when they’re working and adjusted.

No paint job makes everyone happy.

Yes, you can put a rack on that. Get some p-clamps if there are no mounts.

Steel is a great material for making bike frames – so is aluminum, carbon fiber, and titanium.

You can have your saddle at whatever angle makes you happy.

Your handlebars can be lower than your saddle, even with your saddle, or higher than your saddle. Whichever way you like it is right.

Being shuttled up a downhill run does not make you a weak person, nor does choosing not to fly off of a 10 foot drop.

Bike frames made overseas can be super cool. Bike frames made in the USA can be super cool.

Hey, tattooed and pierced long shorts wearin flat brim hat red bull drinkin white Oakley sportin rad person on your full suspension big hit bike – nice work out there.

Hey, little round glasses pocket protector collared shirt skid lid rear view mirror sandal wearing schwalbe marathon running pletscher two-leg kickstand tourist – good job.

Hey, shaved leg skinny as hell super duper tan line hear rate monitor checking power tap train in the basement all winter super loud lycra kit million dollar wheels racer – keep it up.

The more you ride your bike, the less your ass will hurt.

The following short answers are good answers, but not the only ones for the question asked – 29”, Brooks, lugged, disc brake, steel, Campagnolo, helmet, custom, Rohloff, NJS, carbon, 31.8, clipless, porteur.

No bike does everything perfectly. In fact, no bike does anything until someone gets on it to ride.

Sometimes, recumbent bikes are ok.

Your bikeshop is not trying to screw you. They’re trying to stay open.

Buying things off of the internet is great, except when it sucks.

Some people know more about bikes than you do. Other people know less.

Maybe the person you waved at while you were out riding didn’t see you wave at them.

It sucks to be harassed by assholes in cars while you’re on a bike. It also sucks to drive behind assholes on bikes.

Did you build that yourself? Awesome. Did you buy that? Cool.

Wheelies are the best trick ever invented. That’s just a fact.

Which is better, riding long miles, or hanging out under a bridge doing tricks? Yes.

Yes, you can break your collar bone riding a bike like that.

Stopping at stop signs is probably a good idea.

Driving with your bikes on top of your car to get to a dirt trail isn’t ideal, but for most people it’s necessary.

If your bike has couplers, or if you have a spendy bike case, or if you pay a shop to pack your bike, or if you have a folding bike, shipping a bike is still a pain in the ass for everyone involved.

That dent in your frame is probably ok, but maybe it’s not. You should get it looked at.

Touch up paint always looks like shit. Often it looks worse than the scratch.

A pristine bike free of dirt, scratches, and wear marks makes me sort of sad.

A bike that’s been chained to the same tree for three years caked with rust and missing parts makes me sad too.

Bikes purchased at Wal-mart, Target, Costco, or K-mart are generally not the best bang for your buck.

Toe overlap is not the end of the world, unless you crash and die – then it is.

Sometimes parts break. Sometimes you crash. Sometimes it’s your fault.

Yes, you can buy a bike without riding it first. It would be nice to ride it first, but it’s not a deal breaker not to.

Ownership of a truing stand does not a wheel builder make.

32 spokes, 48 spokes, 24 spokes, three spokes? Sure.

Single speed bikes are rad. Bikes with derailleurs and cassettes are sexy. Belt drive internal gear bikes work great too.

Columbus, TruTemper, Reynolds, Ishiwata, or no brand? I’d ride it.

Tubeless tires are pretty cool. So are tubes.

The moral of RAGBRAI is that families and drunken boobs can have fun on the same route, just maybe at different times of day.

Riding by yourself kicks ass. You might also try riding with a group.

Really fast people are frustrating, but they make you faster. When you get faster, you might frustrate someone else.

Stopping can be as much fun as riding.

Lots of people worked their asses off to build whatever you’re riding on. You should thank them.

I think we all just like bikes….
Cheers Ruffrider

This really is the way forward! So much more pleasant than being crammed into the a tiny space by the loo. I agree ‘If only!’…..

I saw a full blown hunt the other day on the South Downs, quite spectacular really. I was asked to wait until the hounds had gone past because they could chase me (that would make for a great dog rant post). I was talking to someone about it afterwards and apparently they use human runners who lay a scent trail. So maybe not such a bad thing perhaps.