“The public want what the public get…” You can all probably hum the rest of the tune… some may even know all the words.

650b…. bring it on!!! So long as I dont start reading the What Mountain Bike brigade telling me that the 650b is the only bike to have, as they have and are relentlessly and boringly doing with the 29.

I love bikes, I love riding. I do not like brown-nosing WMB (MBR not so bad, but getting there) journo’s telling me what bike I must have to love my riding experience more. I’ve stopped buying those mags because of their approach.

I certainly dont sense any elitism within the offroad biking ranks concerning 26/29…. Only the ocassional defensiveness of people who either can or cannot afford to change to whatever camp they wanna join. But then we all have ego’s, pride and varying degrees of expendable income.

As for the earlier bit of marketing departments exist to take whatever products are made/designed/innovated…. HA! Please refer to my first sentence.

Oh, and while Im here…. “should of”?????????!!!!!! FFS! I only hope the poster is a youngling. Please… if you are unable to speak the English language correctly, install a grammar checker into your browser. And for pity’s sake, it’s “HAVE”…. “should have”, although “should”, like “ought” are very negative words and can be replaced with “could” – for example.

Peace love and joy everyone :D

+ 1 Tom83

Get a fit-ball, go to fit-ball classes. I suffered from sciatica for a long time before I was recommended to build up core muscle strength and for me the fit-ball does it.

+1 brant. I find I respond well to the approach, advice and treatment from Physio’s, your GF may prefer something else.

It’s unpleasant, walking can help.

Hi Ewan

Please PM me.

Holyzeus & jimr both gave spot on summations. Whilst a wooden boatbuilder by training and trade, I’ve been doing oak framing for the last 10years, so whilst no expert as HZ, I’m aware of structural stuff.

As I offered, I’d be happy to have a look and then go riding – I’ve not ridden much in the N Downs :lol:

From the pic and wording on the valuation report, I would be tempted to suggest that the horizontal purlins (front and back sides of the roof) are not continuous across the party wall; which is fairly typical for properties of this age as it was/is cheaper to fit 2 shorter pieces and not even joint them together at the point of the party wall. In all likelihood, the ends are just sitting in the party wall masonry with not alot on top of them to prevent them from lifting should the roof belly as both sides are.

As you’ve gathered from posts above, there are a number of possible reasons as to why it has sagged, some more expensive and some not so expensive to remedy. A competent structural surveyor and/or carpenter – who can properly cut and pitch a roof will identify that.

I would also add that one area worth paying close attention to, is the gulley between the two pitches. That will carry alot of rainwater and also supports the two valley boards and rafters from the two pitched roofs facing outwards. Admittedly, there will be a solid party wall beneath, however, it would be good to look inside that part of the roof space.

I’m down south in Hants, if you’re down this way, I’d be happy to check it out for you.

It’s making Meths better value again. And freely available at your local DIY superstore

Possibly ones with less than 0.something psi

Because gravity wouldnt work.

Cold who????

Nope, not showing up on my radar.

Too many to mention, however the one that sprung immediately to mind….

Leftfield – Leftism

For the reasonably close and a few puffs of a cigar response, I run a 1996 2.5 manual 850 estate.

Had it 4 years now as a work car/van and family car and do 20k miles /year. Generally, it’s laden during the week with tools and bits of wood either in/on or behind.

It’s versatile, spacious, hard wearing has 210k miles on the clock and on average costs me £300 a year to get through an MoT. Front tyres last for about 20k and cost around £85 each (depending on choice of course)

Fuel consumption is always circa 31mpg – 36 on longer motorway runs and it drinks engine oil due to a leaky main seal- but at least the oil filter never needs renewing! :wink:

Car tax is £215/year. Mega reliable. It starts every morning and goes where I point it. Parts can be a bit pricey, but it rarely needs any.

Would I get another? Possibly. Its cheap motoring and the only contender for a possible replacement later this year would be an e-class estate.

Hope this helps any

An addendum to my previous post would be to consider crank rings, do the Shimano rings shift better than the Middleburns?

Does the Duo set up have a BCD to suit Shimano rings?

I understand that the hard ano finished Middleburn rings are good for longevity but have no experience myself.

IMO Middleburn cranks are lovely to look at and much nicer to look at than XTR. In terms of effectiveness…. pass. Except they also go round and round in the same shape as the XTR’s in probably the very same way. If you can detect .04mm of flex, then, go you :wink:

As for square taper cranks…. they were doing very well for themselves for many years until the bike industry wanted to introduce a plethora of new ‘standards’. My square taper BB’s outlast all the new fangled/octangled/externalled/isisangled/buttangled stuff by years… :lol:

Thinking about doing the same for myself and have been recommended sharecentre.com. As with othersimilar sites, a dummy account can be set up with £15k.

It also seems to have quite an extensive resource of information on types of investments, market sectors and buy/sell suggestions. I’m still at the reading it stage, so will also check out the other sites mentioned in this thread.

Thanks all.

Count me as one of the very happy/impressed. Thank you and well done! It can’t be easy to produce within the budget constraints and as such, the ad’s are clearly justified.

The ad’s have good quality images too :-)

Additionally, I was very interested to read Mr Worlands article, being initially sceptical in so far as the mainstream WMB ‘Tech Ed’ would be tempted to bring along the WMB/MBUK ‘values’ and ‘ethos’ into the STW arena…. I’m delighted to say that I’ve found his article refreshingly honest and thought provoking and my scepticism unfounded.

Oh, my copy arrived totally unmarked, unscathed and in PWO!

Thanks again.

Great offer, thanks mattbee, I’d love to but unfortunately working this Thurs. Another time mebbe?

For vfm, LG. Look no further IME.

I used to do alot of competition mapping work about 15years ago and would suggest that manufacturers spend alot of time and effort and money making sure the map on the standard issue is about the best it can be as a compromise between performance/economy/tractability (i.e smoothness/driveability).

Any plug-in chip will make the compromise more noticeable, i.e. better performance but reduced tractability at low-end/part throttle, flat spots at a certain throttle opening/rpm etc etc. Yes, they can help improve fuel efficiency, however, that it more down to how the car /engine is driven/used.

If you really want to improve economy, forget the chip and pull the engine to bits – port match inlet/exhaust, increase valve sizes, air-flow valve stems (although remember that multi-valve engines, 4 valves per cylinder, require faster air-flow to be really efficient and that means higher RPM/more fuel), for starters. A balanced exhaust system that is free flow matched with inlet manifold will also make the engine more efficient and hence return better mpg or torque or bhp – whatever it is you are after. Obviously, after doing these internal mods, the manufacturers map is pretty much useless so you then need to spend the equivalent of a small countries gdp on a rolling road with a tuneable ecu/software to make it work.

Apologies if it sounds rather tedious and boring, it isnt really!

Or buy a different car.

Either way, have fun and learn!

Clearly…. a 29er.

XA and XT’s are extremely comfy for me.

May be good for you to get your gait assessed to see if the support system works for you?

+ 1 ti_pin_man

If the industry marketeers could think up a reason for square wheels being better at every conceivable size from 12″ to 36″ just to extract more of your hard earned £’s…. they would.

For me, it boils down to aesthetics… 26″ wheels look in proportion and ‘right’, whereas 29″ wheels give the MTB frame a kinda gangly look – a bit like a puppy whose legs are growing quicker than it’s body. Although generally, the puppy will grow into some sorta proportion…. and they have cute waggy tails.

I am extremely bored of the mainstream UK biking press/journos trying to crawl up the industry backsides though.

Im still riding my SL that I bought 12years ago and every time I ride I love it more. Ive had no real issues with the BB height and dont think the newer frames are that much different to the originals. My next FS will more than likely be another SL…

Dont they have a website with that kinda info????

If I could be bothered, I’d paste the link… but I suppose http://www.mbr.com or something like that would take you somewhere….

It’s all about the ride 8)

Bikes have soul…… Always

You know it….!!!! :lol:

Enjoy the journey!

Red Kites near QE Park in Hampshire!! Two pairs were spotted last weekend.

Have a read of Benji’s long term review of the Pivot Mach 4. Theres a 5.7 and they maybe just outside of your budget but they make a very tempting proposition…

From personal experience, I would recommend Physio every time.

Four years ago, I woke one morning sufferring with intense/acute neck and shoulder pain that also continued down my right arm and most of my fingers on right hand numb.

A chiro did some manipulation claiming it was a Thoracic vertabrae that was out of alignment and made the pain much much worse, an Osteopath looked and didnt want to touch me and told me to get an MRI through my GP and the third opinion was from a Physio who thought I had prolapsed a cervical disc.

The MRI showed two prolapsed discs in C6 & C7. Physio treatment thereafter was both reassuring and practical together with instruction for exercises. They seem to have a more holistic approach.

I’m now back to building green oak frames. And sometimes riding my bike :D

Morewood Zula.

But shhhhh…. dont tell anyone else cos I would like one and dont want them to be too popular…

I’m amazed so many live in their perfect little debt free bubbles! Not what national statistics would have you believe.

All oh so sensible. Am I the only one who uses their CC to buy stuff they can’t afford?

+lots – well said.

We have a bunch of general do-gooders methinks :wink:

My local LBS has just set up a series of Park Tool School workshops. They are offering these on one Sunday permonth and will cover everything from wheelbuilding basics to suspension,brakes transmissions etc.

Coupled with improved discounts on tools, consumables I feel this is a great way to engender loyalty and improve customer base.

Whilst their bike brands are not for me, I have used them for tyres, saddle, clothing etc that whilst can be purchased cheaper online, I’m prepared and happy to pay retail for the advice I receive.

Good luck!

No rant as such, more of a point of discussion for those of us too ill or apathetic to go for a ride…

And I’m kinda with you morecashthandash!

althepal :lol:

To cynic-al: :lol:

Or be nice, reasonable and HONEST and you will probably find people are more willing to help….? Just a thought.

The customer is not always king….

2000 Sc Superlight…. It’s too fab to let go.

Which is not very Buddhist.

If you experiencing any incontinence or finding that you need to pee alot, you need to get your prostrate checked. May not even be cycling related.

Dont want to alarm, but best to be safe eh?

Rode QE yesterday afternoon and it’s a lil slippery. Good fun though and really liking the new bits of trail!

Unable to make this weekend trail maintenance, but hopefully will be there for the Feb days. Big thank you to all those who have put the time and effort in thus far!

Interesting choons here peeps….. liking your stylees :lol:

Stepping the bpm back up a lil bit….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDWQ517E0Fo

Is this vid link going to happen?

OI OI! Saveloyyyy!!!

Here’s another for your Friday evening delictation…

Me hizo exactemente eso en Australia y cada coche se quedo consuiguio una molta aparcamiento. Entre en una oracion o frase…

Any better?