I gave up night riding before Covid.  My eye sight is poor and in the cold evenings my riding glasses would steam up.  It just became dangerous, so I’d slow down which also had direct impacts to my ability getting down stuff that was tech.  Added to the fact I was getting fed up of having to get changed and then sorting out muddy kit when I got home.  I just sacked it off.  I used to ride 2/3 evenings a week.  I miss going out with my night riding mates, but given I hadn’t enjoyed it for some time I’m glad I made the call to stop doing it.

Braking is absolutely all about personal preference.  I prefer Shimano nowadays and run 8120 XT 4 pots on my ebike.  They are brilliant.  I have run all the latest Hope as well as many of the recent SRAM stuff over recent years and just don’t like them.  I don’t find the latest iteration of Shimano brakes as grabby as the older versions, they have better modulation but a real ramp up in stopping power.

This thread has made me feeL slightly better!  I never used to feel the cold.  But since turning 40 it’s been horrific! I really struggle even in the bloody house! My wife thinks I have gone mad.  Funnily enough I don’t struggle with my hands or feet, just my core.   I seem to be OK when out on the bike and up to temperature.  I just put it down to age.

I think it looks great, well done to the bird team.  I mean I wouldn’t want a Shimano motor in mine.  But I’m sure others would.

I have a very lightly used super gravity rock razor, I bought and used for Ard Rock about 3 years ago and one other event. If your near Gloucestershire you can have it for a £10

126 cars, depending on how many each truck could carry. Most of the transporters were Cinch/BCA. all of those cars were rejected, as not worth refurbishment. I’ll leave it there. 😉

that’s because they will be going to auction, BCA have decorated their trucks with Cinch branding as part of a marketing exercise.

Just for clarity of fact…there is no stock piling going on anywhere in the motor industry.  In fact the lack of stock is dire and causing some real problems now!

Try running a rental business, where you have legacy agreements with OEM’s for stock on 12 month agreement/buyback…now imagine those agreements are coming to maturity and you cannot replace the old car with a new one due to lack of stock.  Anything else you read is complete nonsense I’m afraid

Some ‘interesting’ comments around PCP’s or ‘Balloon’ finance agreements here.   So to clear a few things.

A PCP is not the same as a hire purchase agreement with a balloon.  So to confirm

HP with Balloon – This is as is called, you borrow a proposition of the advance with an agreed final bill payment.  As an example 3yr agreement.  35 months at your regular payment the 1 final payment of the balloon.  It’s a way of reducing payments and offsetting the final payment/balance

PCP – Is only similar to the above in that a proportion of the loan is offset.  It’s cited as a ‘GFV’ or guaranteed future value, as that’s a sexier way of selling it.  But it’s basically a calculated residual value, based on the mileage you give at the start of the contract.   The only thing guaranteed about it, is the figure itself.  There are no guarantees as to the car being worth that amount, they can’t guarantee the future of the market! So in essence the hirer pays an agreed monthly rental and then at point of end of contract they have 3 options

1) pay the agreed balance – take ownership of the car

2) part exchange the car for a new one (dealer will settle the GFV)

3) hand the car back and walk away – finance company will collect.  But the car will need to be at or under the contracted mileage and condition should be aligned to BVRLA standard for fair wear and tear.

MOST dealer financed vehicles now are financed via PCP or straight HP.  HP with a balloon is not something I have seen used in great volumes for some time, other than on some more exotic/higher value vehicles l.

At no point should anyone buy a car on PCP expecting there to be ‘loads of equity’ at the end of the agreement.  The valuation provided in the GFV is what they believe the car to be worth.  If they had under valued it to give you equity at the end of the agreement then your monthly payments would’ve gone up!! Remember there is no Witch craft, ultimately you are just offsetting a proposition of your loan advance to make the monthly payments cheaper.

As for claims…there are new claims launched each week aimed at the motor trade.  It’s become the new ambulance chasing market. I believe the sale of PCP is the headline, but in reality the challenge will really be around dealerships being targeted to up sell on finance rate to earn commissions, rather than how PCP’s we sold.

Wow this thread rings a bell!  I have lived for my MTB fix over the last decade.  It’s been a constant in my life and has been the solace needed in difficult times.   However since Covid I find myself riding less and less, to the point this year I have barely ridden excluding our usual Scotland road trip and Ard Rock.  Local riding has been hateful.  Which has been compounded now over 40 as my fitness has slid, so it’s become even more painful.  I just can’t be arsed!  My wife and I had our 3rd (surprise) baby this year, which was a shock given our other children are 16 & 11.  Since lockdown has been lifted work a has exploded and I just don’t have spare time for riding in the evening and when I do I’m in no fit state!

I think I have also been turned off with some of the direction of MTB.  It’s boomed as a pastime, which is great
But the sheer volume of people now out at my favourite hot spots is a turn off.  I liked the fact it was all a little quieter and more secluded, I’m disappointed that as a result of growth everything has trebled in price, more riders has meant more cars and more litter.  But by and large I think these are just other annoyances the make ‘the scab itch’ Ultimately

So what have I done about it…well despite being completely anti ebike, my Trek Rail will be delivered Thursday.  I believe this is going to be the magic elixir to rekindle my love for the sport as I can ride from home and get a quick hours riding up the hill in with the dog, I can keep up with fitter riders and in the summer I can smash evening laps in.  Can’t ever see me get back to the dizzy heights of night riding all year round, regardless of weather.  Frankly the thought of that makes me feel sick

Ultimately if it doesn’t work I have lost nothing other than a little money.  At that point I’ll sell up and take a years break .  But I really worry about starting up again after another long break.

PNW Grips are the best grips I have ever used, stupidly good value, look ace and are nice and soft without being stupidly thick!  Deffo give them a try.

The warranty point is also a complete joke.  I have never understood how manufacturers can hide behind the ‘first owner’ for blatant manufacturing faults. Even more so now bike prices are exploding.  It’s why Specialized and other who have embraced the fact that with high end price tags comes the need for proper residual and used market..so offer a form of transferable warranty. As such used prices stay high and folk who like the latest colours can change every year…thus driving the new bike market!

I will be buying a new bike this side of a Christmas, it will likely be a budget blowing amount of money.  Perhaps I expect too much, the perils of direct sales mean local shops stocking a range of what I’m after are non existent.  Demo days…I have tried but demoing a bike is hard work now…. I’m actually worn out thinking about the whole process 😂

To be honest I have been so happy with my Ibis Mojo HD4 abs hadn’t ridden so much in the last 18 months that I hadn’t kept track of bike pricing.  But now I’m starting to consider changing my bike (it’s coming up 3 years old) I was blown away by the pricing…yes I get global pandemic, brexit, blow up in participation.  But even so!  I guess the flip side is my bike is probably worth ‘more’ second hand? I have been looking at Ebikes lately and most are either sold out, mad money or terrible spec…who the hell buys a £6k bike with rock shox 35’s on?

Anyway, I got my eye on the virus ebike now.  I fancied a Trek Rail, but I’m not paying £6500 when I can get a similar spec bike for £4500.

Exactly, I have a 11 year old a 16 year old, a baby and wife. For us to go for the day is:
Car park – £11
3 x entry @£27.50

So £93.50 for the day!!!

As an example I’m taking the family to the British motor show and that’s £37 for a family ticket (all under 17)

I was all set to go….

Hipster beard 😂😂 mines long stubble, no twirly moustache and flannel shirts here dude!

I’m not having a gripe at you manufacturers or importers.  It’s great to see new products, but in my opinion it needs to have somewhere that could actually stock spares, sell kit etc.  There was a couple of years ago, but this year it just felt flat.  I get the lack of stock, but even being able to buy a bloody hoody would be decent enough.  Hope had it spot on in my opinion…they stock umbrellas, socks, gloves and jackets.  All branded and all excellent value.  Saved my bacon in fact with the excellent brolly.

I managed to score a veggie burrito in the end, was starting to struggle as someone who doesn’t eat red meat. The chicken stand was great for a sandwich when we got there.  But by 6pm it was that and burrito left, with a mad queue.  Forget the bar!  Again it’s constructive criticism! I’m not into the big moshing, freebie jumping crowds.  Rather have a beer and take the piss outta my mates.

it’s a great event, done very well and hugely successful.  Just a couple of things that don’t tick my boxes.  But you can’t please everyone, every time.  It’s genuinely a shining beacon for how successful our sport is!

It’s £11 to park in the field this year!! Like I said earlier, love to support…far too much money to bring the family

Was planning on coming again with the family. Then saw how much the tickets were (£93 2X adults 1x child and car parking).  for me to bring them and walk around a field for a few hours… wish them luck after some rotten years of luck. But even though I am very local I’m out!

Properly enjoyable day out again, was proper anxious over my tyre choice as I’m hard on tyres at the best of times.  Ran assegai max Terra Exo front and Dissector exo rear, I ran an insert in the rear and probably around 30psi (albeit I cocked up on stage 1 as I had pumped them up to 40psi the night before and forgot to dip it) I had loads of grip everywhere and no issue with tyres at all….other than the dog shit transition before the pub.

We have tried for years to get in the main event, but had to settle on the sport.  It’s a big old day and cramp got the better of me due to limited bike time this year.  But I completed it.  I dropped my chain just before the pedalling section of stage 1(?) thinking I would be better to run with the bike, before deciding that was stupid and refitting the chain.  Must of lost an age in time.  Really struggled with traffic throughout the event.  With people walking down stuff on the race line or just not wanting to be over taken and making themselves “wide”. But frankly I don’t care, I just love the stages and the result is irrelevant to me.  Got some banging pictures which makes it all worthwhile. stages 5&6 were mind blowing my brilliant.  Just flat out fun!

I’m not a fan of the expo area and ‘hipster’ beardy vibe with some of the event.  I wish there were actually some shops to buy some gear….oh and the food stalls had enough stock to last them at least until dinner time.  But small gripe really, fantastic weekend was had and nice catching up with people I haven’t seen for years!

I wish…child number 3 due date has scuppered my plans. Enjoy guys it’s a superb event

Pillowell was slick as yesterday.  Last time I rode Dowies and shutcastle it had been hammered by forestry, but there are better trails near by anyway, so I leave the dowies to the ebikes.

Dr John’s was hit by forestry a few years ago and I don’t think it has ever been rebuilt or cleared.

I love a good paper magazine, never bother with ‘online’ copies.  STW was very good and I enjoyed it. But I find the website infuriating, the later iteration of classified section is a joke, so decided not to support anymore.  The biggest shame is that I realised I didn’t miss it.

MBUK and MBR….what a complete joke those mags are.

I remember the first time I rode Degla, absolutely papped myself at the top of that.  Before realising it was a bit of an optical illusion.  Not been up there for years now, used to really enjoy it.  I’m sure it’s just like every other centre nowadays, overrun and worn out.

Looking forward to getting back to it soon.  Sad that so many took the piss with travelling and riding in groups.  But can’t wait to get back out on it now

Second hand from a dealer, and they still have to give you 6 months warranty,

😂 they really don’t!

I saw them when Slam69 were the importer.  Nice looking bike for the money but the tyre clearance looked woeful if I remember correctly.  Plus they stick these awful ‘ride your way’ decals all over it which look a bit naff

Guys – sorry I should not have posted again. this conversation just ends up in folk getting cross.

Unfortunately you’re right.  I can’t believe I allowed myself to post again.  I’m afraid how this has been handled from the start is enough for me to not renew my subscription.

I still don’t like it, every time I have posted there is some kind of bug.  I don’t get notifications as to comments or PM’s anymore.   I have told my in-laws not to buy me a sub for my Birthday this year, sad as I love the mag.  But I see/saw my sub as support for the greater business, the classifieds in its old form I found was a real nugget.  It helped me keep my garage relatively clear, it helped me try new (old) things by building obscure bikes, it helped me help others by giving away obscure bits not worth selling, but too good to through away.  It also helped manage some of the spiralling cost of the sport! More importantly it added value to the STW community.  New version is just a shitter version of pinkbike.  As a consequence I have found I use the website and main forum less and less, it’s a shame. I would’ve paid if asked to use the old classified forum, If revenue was the key factor.

I got shafted on pinkbike a few years ago, £400!  Anyone remember Adam Rees? Personally I would never buy anything online I don’t already have in my hand via PPG or bank transfer.  Pinkbike is littered with ‘good guys gone bad’

New car sales have been on their arse for a long time now, predating all the COVID nonsense.  However it’s so far back YOY dealers are not all chasing their Registration targets.  Also important to understand that new car supply has taken a hit, manufacturers don’t stock pile huge amounts of stock like they used to.  As such desperation to sell new ‘owned stock’ isn’t something we really see nowadays.  All that said I still think it’s a great time to buy a new car, there will be deals out there especially on dealer owned new stock (showroom or stock new cars) providing you have the income security moving forward!

I raise a suspicious/cynical eye brow at this…

and you are welcome too, but I am a little better educated on the subject I’m afraid.  Given my background.  Cazoo prepare used cars better than many used car operations.  They are open and clear about the condition, detailing photos of damage etc.  They also offer a 8 day no quibble money back policy.  If it comes off the truck and you are. Or happy, tell them to take it away! If after 6 days you find you now don’t like the colour, then hand it back.  It’s a new model, evolving daily but offers people who don’t want to waste time dealing with dealerships a better option.  Be suspicious as you like and keep knocking on portakabin doors if that’s your thing, however the Online dealership is coming and proving to be in demand.  Time will tell if the market really has a place for them, I suspect there will be.

It’s still the same business though, dressed up in modern clobber. Get cars in stock and sell them on.

What has happened to them before is out of their control.

so you send it back when it’s delivered? Or upto 7 days after you buy it??  What’s the difference?

I know it wasn’t you calling anyone ‘Scum’ my wife is an agent. So I take exception to her being branded that way.  During the lockdown she has been working from home and I have listened to her working and her frustrations.  Ironically she/we are very good friends with some conveyancing solicitors.  My wife recommends them to vendors and buyers alike.  Perhaps it’s the ‘cheap online’ agents that cause her problems, I know we have had issues with 3rd party agents through various moves over the years. Each time the solicitors tried to blame the agent or mortgage provider.  Only for us to find out (through my wife’s contacts) it was infact the solicitors.  So yes in my experience MOST of the issues come from that area of the transaction.
I absolutely agree that there are good and bad agents, conveyancers, lenders etc etc.  To that point  I think it’s unfair for the ‘Scum’ moniker to be thrown at ‘all’ agents.  To say I’m hypocritical is somewhat pedantic.

I fully expect that your bitterness stems almost entirely from having a bad experience whilst buying a house which likely was due to 1) picking the cheapest person to do the job and/or 2) attributing blame to your solicitor (chances are, conveyancer – see 1) for being the messenger only in respect of an issue that already existed. General statement inferred from specific cases. Generalisation; check.

Jesus Christ, someone Has far too much time and doesn’t like being called out!

So to make it clear, I’m not a solicitor.  Guessing by the absolute drivel you just posted that you are!  To be clear I did not throw a personal insult towards solicitors by calling them ‘Scum’ – you chose to pick offence over my ‘woolly’ use of the word ‘most’ to score internet points when called out for being a smart arse – get a grip

I have no bitterness towards conveyancing solicitors.  I have had my own issues all of which stemmed from solicitors not following through in timely manners, losing paperwork etc. Not based on  genuine hurdles, such as issues with searches etc.  Just general poor management of the sales process.

I am in the fortunate position of seeing how many poor many are.  Now I appreciate this may be legal secs or administrator issues, rather than the solicitor themselves.  Im also fortunate enough to know the good ones, my wife being personal and professionally friends with them.  It is very, very frustrating with agents being called things like ‘scum’ and blamed for hosts of issues many of which stem from solicitors not following through within a timely manner.

one thing we can be sure of is there are great estate agents and great solicitors, as well as complete rogues in both instances.  My point is that calling a whole industry and the people within it as ‘Scum’ is both offensive and massively sweeping.

Second hand car dealers are in general shysters, hell even new car dealers are shysters. Do not even give them the slightest chance to shaft you.

<span style=”font-size: 0.8rem;”>
If you are talking about back street used car dealers then maybe.  However if you are talking about the new style online agents like Cazoo, it’s all very clear.  They use high definition videos and offer 7 day no quibble return.  So when it’s delivered and you are not happy, you return.  Cazoo also is not run by motor traders, in fact they made a big thing about not employing people from the trade.  I would have no issue at all I. Buying from them.  Neither would it seem would thousands of others. </span>

The nice thing is we can all decide how we want to shop for a car, either online or traditionally.

Massively offensive inaccurate sweeping generalisation there…

not really, I didn’t call any one ‘scum’ also not sweeping or inaccurate as I said ‘most’ not all.  But 10 smart arse points awarded.  Well done!

I did a few years ago actually.  Long before the online agents.  Dealer did video walk around, I was happy we did a deal and they delivered.  Simples!  Some of the online agents work on no quibble return and Cazoo as an example highlight all marks they have not rectified via their prep process.

They are scum reveal as little as possible and get the solicitors to sort it all out ASAP.

massively offensive inaccurate sweeping generalisation there!  Pointing to solicitors to sort shows you have little understanding, given they are the cause of most issues through the whole house selling/buying process.

It happens all the time, it’s an inputting error that will have been at point of registration likely on the AFRL system.  So it’s been flagged and changed, HPIog it as a change of colour.  It has nothing to do with wraps or otherwise.  Citroen have also had problems with this when I worked for them with colours like Mediterranean blue, or Icelandic green which if I remember were the other way round (green looked blue, blue looked green) I wouldn’t worry about it.  The same owner showing as 2 owners but at different addresses is likely where the owner has moved and changed her address by filling out the yellow new keeper supplement! Again a common mistake, mainly by people who cannot read.

Point is that those 500 enterprise defleet are not being replaced at the same level.  So their fleet size is reducing, which ultimately means fewer return cars.  Also if they are enterprise ‘owned’ vehicles there could be the slim chance they are called back on fleet, to reduce new vehicle risk?

There will be more pressure on defleet centre volumes later this year that’s for sure as the return of OEM own stock and rental defleet will be reduced!

2-3 year old cars to hit the auctions sites.

we are not forecasting higher levels of repossessed vehicle entries particularly.  For a start it’s not particularly a quick thing to ‘reposes’ a car.  So Q4 would likely be too early! It’s also worth remembering if someone is having money problems they still need to be mobile, So they will be in the market for a cheaper car.  Which strengthens that end of the market.  Any VT stock will be swallowed by the dealer networks (there is always a shortage) genuine repossessions, of which very few historically hit the auction network…will find a home.

Obviously this Is if the economy crashes as you predict…the people forecasting this are the same people who completely missed the ‘credit crunch’ 10+ years ago.  Personally I think we are in for a tough time, but if consumer confidence remains strong it may not be the complete doom and gloom keyboard economists are predicting.

It does seem that despite the economy supposedly being ****, a lot of people seem to be spending money like it’s going out of fashion.

My wife is an estate agent, they are having a decent time.  Had to adapt significantly, but have been selling houses!

i have been fairly frugal through my furlough period. But some of my friends have spent and spent properly!

So what you guys are saying is that this is a good time to sell my car I don’t use any more?

I’m not really saying that, just more of a market overview.  Too many variables to make a recommendation.  However over the next few weeks when dealers open their doors again we will see how some of this will pan out.  Early indications are yes it would be a reasonable time to sell a car.  As always you’ll get chances citing the lockdown as a reason to bid you in the nuts.  Personally I’d wait a few more weeks, just because I wouldn’t want too much 1-2-1 contact with strangers.

What are the thoughts on diesel Vs petrol. Do about 18k annually on mainly rural roads. Previously run diesels but not sure how things will go in the next 4-5 years.

I drive a diesel because I do about 18-20k a year and it makes sense, for high mileage users it will continue to do so. Again it’s a difficult question to answer.  My next car will be a hybrid as I’m taxed to a standstill in my current car.  Petrol will continue to retake market share from diesel and with govt and EU tariffs on diesel, plus the continued demonisation of diesel by press it will continue to do so.  But remember used car market is a reflection of what happens in the new car market between 6-48 months previously.  So currently diesel cars are in abundance.

What about commercial vehicles ?
Looking to trade in T5 Kombi for a T6.1 . Would dealers be looking to shift pre-registered stock or more likely to increase prices due to the wait for new vehicles ?

Pre-reg stock is not particularly a problem at present.  I have not seen any large scale self registrations this year.  Pre-reg tends to be a byproduct of chasing new vehicle registration targets!  The new market has been so hammered (pre-Covid) dealers were miles away from targets so self registering would be a pointless exercise (cost more in unit loss and write down than the associated registration bonus payments) you may get a deal in an ex demonstration vehicle or ex daily rental, but I believe the used LCV market has continued its upward trajectory.  Used vans have and continue to be in short supply.  I must profess to not being a VW van expert so can’t comment on specific models.  More a holistic view of the market.