Bit muddy and wet but we’re are now running ghetto tubeless 700×43, 48/32 Praxis Alba and 11-36 rear cassette via SRAM Apex 10 speed. Front derailleur needs to be dropped a few mm but shifts quite nicely as is and I can climb the side of a house….. I bought the 11-36 as it was cheap enough and thought why the hell not….. don’t know if to sell my Absolute Black compact (50/34) oval rings or not, got a spare Apex crankset now as well, I may put them on again…

IMG_20190619_104244 by Stephen Williams[/url], on FlickrIMG_20190619_104258 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

This stuff, IPA is ok, nothing mind-blowing.

IMG_20190614_181637 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

I used to go 5,4,2 (down, across, up) but after a bit of reading, I found I was going the wrong way, much better saving going 4,5 and just doing across and up.
I might try a better razor at some point, but the qShave works, just one hell of a blade gap.

@Neilnevill

I needed 3 passes with Denbys, can get away with 2 now, qShave set on 4 then 5.

No time taken over a shave here with my double edge (Qshave and Polsilver blades). Was interested how long my standard shave takes including lathering up with a brush and 2 passes with a lather between (across growth then against growth) 7 minutes from start to finish. Time vs Money saving is more than worth it for me… £12 for blades every 3 or 4 years soon paid for the outlay of razor and brush. Was paying more than that over 2 months for disposable.

I don’t bother with oil, use Arko and not had an issue getting a decent lather. Used it from Cornwall to Cumbria and a lot of places in between 0 issues.

Oh shaving is a chore for me, I have to be cleanly shaven for work, but if I can save a hell of a lot of money doing it I will! The savings not buying packs 8 of multi-blades every 2 months (or more 3 days best out of some blades) over a years has more than covered the initial outlay.
I’ve been shaving with a safety razor for 7 years now and wouldn’t look back. Less than 10 mins for a quick lather with brush shave before work every day.

Neil, one thing I did buy was a good brush, my Taylors is still good after 7 years.

@tthew, just petrol, it smokes a bit due to the oil pressure on the sleeve, sounds like a mini semi-diesel…. I have a 2 stroke diesel genset but as it was the last of only 15 made it now lives in a museum for such items in Wales on longterm loan.

I’d like to get my open crank out more often but it’s not as rare or interesting (well to me…) though most enthusiasts would prefer it….

Had mine done 2 years ago at 31. in, 20 mins either side and out again, tight pants and some brufen for a week and I was right as rain, back in work that afternoon.
Only downside so far is slightly tended plumbs, I can’t take a knock like I used to….

@neilnevill

Well, a smooth block rather than those alum pencils you can get which seem a bit useless.

Don’t really use mine these days, occasional nip when I’m in a rush or razor burn when I’ve pushed a blade a bit too long.
Been using a QShave and found it ok for the price.

Not looked back after changing to an old style safety razor, upgraded to an adjustable with Polsilver blades and have been happy with the shave.
Used to have a “shave club” which clogged every 3 or so shaves, can get a week and a half – 2 weeks out of a polsilver blade, and they are 100 for £12.
Takes a while to get used to…. but persist and buy a good alum block and you get a good shave. Does look like you’ve been attacked for the first few shaves though…..

A couple of bags of beans? Tugboat in Truro (they have a fancy website) do some nice single origin.

Not quite made…. but got this 1920 single sleeve valve engine working again.

Barr and Stroud Sleeve Valve Engine by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Even got it generating now, it’s meant to run at 4000RPM and produced 200V 250W @ 400Hz for a lifeboat Marconi radio transmitter, but not sure how well it would stand up to it at nearly 100years old.

Meh, Brewdog is ok for supermarket beers. When I’m feeling flush I pop into the Red Elephant Beer Cellar and treat myself to a selection. Verdant’s Pulp unfiltered DIPA is a firm fav when I can get it…..

Must be an issue with it, managed to drill 8 holes through 3″ of wrought iron with my 18V Bosch Blue, took a bit of effort with cooling fluid and a few battery charges, a pillar drill would have been better but used what I had and it did OK.

Treat yourself.

screwdriver by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

<quote> My Kaffenback is at the limit with 32s.

</quote>

You can get 33.5’s (Jack Browns) in a Kaff. tight on the back end but works.

I fitted suspension fork to a Swift, but prefered it rigid.

I’ve got a little Erbauer 10.8v impact gun (Silverline job is similar) for general drilling and hammering screws into bits of wood, came in handy while building the deck but my 18V Bosch Blue is miles better for serious drilling.

Drive in with a week’s worth of clothes on Monday. Leave the car at work and cycle home that night, commute the week and pick up the car on Friday, or whichever day I finish shift.
Got showers and a canteen in work so don’t need to carry anything daily.

@simonloco

I have to say holidaymaker driving it probably where I start to get annoyed…. speeding up your arse through a 30 get to the first corner and they’ve vanished! Coming on holiday to Cornwall and the like must cost them a fortune in brake pads. At least they were behind me….
Four Lane and Leedstown routes to Helston have been pretty bad since the holiday season started.

Same reason they get annoyed at cyclist, pedestrians, horses, buses, tractors……. etc

@nedrapier & Andy R
Correct…..the previous owner had it modified by Lee Cooper cycles, so its had disc brake tabs, drop outs etc brazed on.
It might not be a Singular kite, but I’m pretty happy with it.

@shedbrew
Yes interested PM me details please.

Cheers, Steve

Took it home on a “gravel” commute the other night, performed well enough, bit more volume tyres wouldn’t go amiss.

IMG_20190527_194042 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

IMG_20190527_194233 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

IMG_20190527_194651 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

IMG_20190527_200553 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

And the odd walker didn’t seem to mind my cheeky riding on the SWCostal path…..

Cheers, Steve

Thanks, fingers crossed it performs tomorrow.

My Brooks C17 is the same, just learned to live with it.

Ok thanks, I should really be looking at something a bit more 60-70% road orientated really. Only get off road via the coastal path and Tehidy work on the way too/from work. I quite like the 33.3333 I have on atm from PX but they were cheap and the fattest I could fit in my Kaffenback.

Cheers, Steve

Officially 700×42 if I remember my Kite sales info correctly, the chap who sold it said 45’s.
Been looking at the 43 Gravel Kings, measuring with a set of callipers there seems to be plenty of clearance.

Some Cannondale road bike I can’t remember the model from 05 I think, like riding a metal gate, hated it! first and last aluminium road bike…..sold it after a year and it put me off another road bikes for 9 years….

I did mine with a Canon T90.
Pentax K1000 is the standard, cheaper to by and better is the MX.
Something basic and will do the job with plenty of cheap lenses is the Zenit range something like the E or EM can be picked up with the brilliant Helios 44-2 for £20.
I can have a look at home and see what I got if you like? I know I have a Fed3 rangefinder which works and would do the job for A-Level, I did some work with a Leica Rangefinder when I did mine. I think I also have a Zenit EM, not sure how good it is though.

Cheers, Steve

I was 3rd inline for those hunt wheels but not heard anything back in a day or two.

I ride my drop bar road/gravel bike (Steel disc thing which weighs more than a XC MTB) more than my MTB these days, just easier to take it out of the shed, hit the road, pick up the coastal routes, jump into the woods and back out onto the road all on the commute to work. Would be tedious on the MTB.

Put it this way…. I’m glad I don’t pay for Sky or Now TV and watched it in work time…..

Very nice was tempted…..

How about Tange Prestige HT or does it need to be 853? Soma Wolverine works out about 2.17kg frame weight with the sliding dropouts (non-Rohloff version of the Stoater is quoted at 1950g)

Thinking of my Steel hierarchy Tange HT is a step down from 853 really, just remember my 1996 Rocky Mountain Equipe being a lovely frame to ride and light for what it was.

Just switched from a set of Pearl Izumi X-Projects to a set of Shimano XC5s. The Pearls were ok, just started giving me numb toes, had to go up 2 sizes to get ones that fitted. The XC5 are a size up but have been great on/off the bike with Time Atac pedals

The Brother Kelper forks are a bit lighter at 750grams.

For me, If I was looking at spending Croix 853 money I would be checking out a Soma Fog Cutter or Double Cross Disc with their Tange prestige tubes.

Double wrapped bars and ditching the gloves worked for me.

Been using an Aeropress for a few years now, once I got the inverted method down its been great! Small enough to pack away in the bag when camping. Though a bit of a pain when more than 1 person.

Fearless it probably a bit more “future proof” if you fancied going for Carbon forks in the future.
Temple looks nice but would like to see a frame only option.