In addition to the above you can also get researching a new dream bike build and start ordering the parts for when you are well enough to start building it.

Mrs Super tried it as a way to help quit smoking a good few years ago. She said it worked in that it took away the craving and desire to smoke (she said it was a very strange how it worked) but she did not go back for the ‘booster’ sessions and the effect diminished and she started smoking again. She quit eventiually with willpower and patches.

Here’s mine a 2010 model – 3.1 according to the History of the Superlight website: http://nsmb.com/5172-the-history-of-the-superlight/. Gusset-less head tube and down tube and VP2 style bearing collets instead of the earlier pinch bolts. Later (last?) 26″ models sported a tapered head tube. Pedals are now Wellgo MAG1s flats.

I did have 100mm Rebas (which are now doing service on the hardtail) but I prefer the geometry and extra travel of the current 120mm Fox 32 RLT forks. To answer one of the OPs original questions the preferred fork length depends on whether you want something racier and lower with 100mm or something a little more relaxed with additional travel of the 120mm. I prefer the more relaxed 120mm forks for all day rides.

For anyone with an interest in the SC Superlight it might be worth having a look at a forum thread on MTBR titled ‘Superlight Love’ which has been going since 2004! A Google search for ‘Superlight Love’ will find it.

Thanks piesoup that’s really helpful. The specs for the battery I got from this page where it gives details of the replacement battery for the Lumenator light: http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/mountain-bike-lights/spares-accesories/ . The description next to the picture of the Lumenator battery says 7.5v, but zooming into the picture of the battery it looks like it says 7.4v on the neoprene cover, which tallies with what you’re saying. I recall reading elsewhere that it’s a 6 cell battery pack. I am away at the moment so don’t have the bike nearby to check in person.

When you say ‘I wouldn’t let your battery go below 6v. It’s dangerous to let a li ion battery discharge too low’ – how likely is this and how do I mitigate against this happening?

Thanks piesoup – it would be great if you could. According to the MTB Batteries website the battery spec for the Lumenator is ‘7.5V 6.6Ah Li-Ion’.

A fiver sounds good too.

OP – if you can’t get to an independent LBS, the Evans warehouse Gatwick has a workshop within the retail shop. Why don’t you take it there and get the bike mechanics to sort it. It sounds like your headset is shot and you need a new one. Not the most expensive job in a bike.

There was a bit on tonights programme where JM explained about JIS screwdrivers. A subject that’s been discused on this very forum in relation to bikes.

I’ve got a set of Pedros L type which are ball ended and extra long for those awkward jobs. Really good quality and £20.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/pedros-hex-wrench-set/rp-prod13808

The Bontrager Flare R usb rechargeable rear light is designed to be visible in daylight.

Review: http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/accessories/lights/back/product/review-bontrager-flare-r-rear-light-49483/

It’s £31.49 at J E James at the moment: http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/bontrager-flare-r-usb-tail-light-id89682.html?gclid=COyuutju78sCFYpAGwodLX8H1w

@busta

Opportunist bike thieves looking for an easy, lightly secured target. Small one handed cable cutters make easy work of light cable locks.

Small cable locks are better than nothing, but they can be snipped in a second with a pair of small cable cutters – which doesn’t buy you any time at all while you are paying for a hot beverage of choice and slice of something nice in a busy cafe pitstop. A smaller D lock is probably a better proposition as it buys more time but it’s a hassle to carry.

When I’m on my own I don’t bother to take a bike lock of any type and the bike stays with me at all times. When riding with others the bikes are attended while someone goes in to get the refreshments.

In addition to the advice above about what to use, wash synthetic sports clothes as soon after sweaty use as possible. Helps stop the further build up of bacteria which cause the nasty niffs. Don’t leave the clothes hanging around for a few days.

Latest – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-35873396

They will keep going until they get him to attend.

I appreciate the perception of MPs and Parliament are at an all time low, but if I were looking for a champion to rail aganinst the system it certainly wouldn’t be Mike Ashley.

From the video of his interview on the Sky News website he talks about some of the steps he has taken to address some of issues that Sports Direct has been criticised for, and it appears that he is capable of putting up a robust defence of his company and its modern (legal) business practices. As the head of a very large organisation employing 24,000 people with revenues of £2.4bn surely it’s one of his reponsibilities to represent his company in situations like this – it’s part of the job description. You just need to look at some of the other big hitters in business that have given Select Committees their time (Rupert Murdoch et al).

His stance is probably a reflection of the way he operates his business and one of the reasons for his financial success. But he’s not doing himself or his company any favours by adopting this stance in this particular situation. It might have been a lot easier for him if he had taken the opprtunity to appear before the committee in the first place and get it out of the way. He’s challenging Parliament and pushing for a showdown. Parliament however makes the rules, and he may soon find out that no one is above the law – and rightly so.

ChrisL – Select committees aren’t part of the government, they’re supposed to be a way for parliament to scrutinise what the government gets up to. One thing they seem to do is to kick up a fuss about issues in order to encourage to get the government to do something about them. So getting Mike Ashley in for a public grilling is a way for MPs to put pressure on the government to do something about workers’ rights.’

+1 Select Committees aren’t the Government, they’re made up of members from a cross section of parties. Select Committees are often critical of Government policy and can bring about change by highglighting problems with current Government policy. To do this they need to gather evidence – written and verbal. It is a shame that people’s low esteem of MPs (often justifiable) completely trashes the perception of all the work that goes on in Parliament.

Re MA there is a prevailing view that he may consider himself to be above the democratic system. Maybe he could use it as an opportunity to tell everyone how great his company really is…

I like the build quality and performance of the LED Lenser torches. They do the job well and and should last the course. I’ve been using a couple for a few years now and they are good.

The LED Lenser P6.2 at £32.95 fits your spec. It’s 16.3cm long, takes 2AAs and is rated at 200 lumens: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Led-Lenser-LED9406TP-P6-2-Torch/dp/B00HZRDIFK

Also worth checking out the consumer reviews on Amazon which are quite favourable.

He has a wife?

It looks from the picture like the upper post may be too far out of the lower part of the stand. There is an insertion marker on the upper post beyond which you shouldn’t have it. Have a look and try sliding it back in an inch or two if it’s past the safety marker.

Kenda Small Block 8s fit your spec. They roll quite well in the dry

Edit – beaten to it by Daffy

MTB Batteries Lumenator for the front – 50 hours on 10% mode. Fine for commuting duties

http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/mountain-bike-lights/the-lumenator/

Guy in this video makes his own press from washers nuts and threaded rod and demonstrates it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGfvO-ztoT4

He also makes a headset remover from a spare piece of pipe using a hacksaw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkY879pMafE

If you want to go down buying the proper tools route a cheap headset cup remover is £10 from Evans or Wiggle, and a headset press is £30 from Planet X or On One.

Who the hell are you Neal Glover?

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=neal+glover&biw=1024&bih=635&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjx6LjU3Z3LAhWGUhQKHVbZBM4Q_AUIBigB

I’ve had the Lumenator for a few years now and it’s been a good performer in all weathers.

Decent battery life, good aftersales service and it won’t burn your house down.

Just seen that it’s a new bike so probably too soon for a shock service. Agree with Devash that Fox shocks can leak a little in use.

Looks like the seals have gone. You need to buy a Fox Service Kit: http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/float-shock-air-seal-kit-ref-id66305.html?gclid=CI6-u_mzmMsCFWLnwgodrMQBHQ

– and follow the instructions in this video: http://www.mbr.co.uk/mountain-bike-videos/workshop/service-fox-float-air-can-video-321871

Mains powered.

@tom.nash – do you know what the ‘tricks of the trade’ are?

Would be useful to know for those of us who use Shimano brakes and might encounter this problem.

I put some spares inside handlebars: quick links; small section of chain; zip ties; spare gear cable; patches and tyre boot. Spare gear hanger taped to underside of saddle as is a spare tube. Topeak Hexus in pocket.

Same as the one on the CRC site recommended above. Good to hear you got it sorted quickly.

You need this Shimano adapter (£5.99): http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-mount-adaptor-rear-post-to-is/rp-prod13749. Choose the 180mm option.

1. 3/4 fill a sandwich bag with mixture
2. Seal up bag by twisting open end
3. Cut corner with scissors
4. Get piping into Canelloni tubes
5. Throw away bag when done

Thanks for the advice folks. In the end the Shimano calipers fitted to the Tektro adapters without any issues.

Thanks Junkyard. I’ll be replacing old discs with Shimano 6 bolt ones so hopefully that side of things will be okay.

daleftw – for a decent tool roll for bike tools I have been using the CK Magma tool roll: http://www.amazon.co.uk/C-k-Magma-MA2718-Tool-Roll/dp/B00517FFRU at £13.45.

It made of quite sturdy nylon and is a good size, accommodating tools as long as a 14″ chain whip. Clips shut it securely and nothing has fallen out on the move. Also has a couple of metal eyelets in the top corners so you can hang on the wall and have access to all the tools. Here it is with some bike tools:

And here it is rolled up and ready to travel:

allan23 – re your issue with cross point screwdrivers chewing screws, if you mean the adjustment screws in Shimano gears then it’s because the screws are made to the Japanese International Standard (JIS) and not Philips or Posidrive which have a different shaped tip and chew the screw heads.

This video explains why JIS is the right tool for the job from 1min 20secs in: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/top-five-bike-tools-the-pro-mechanics-love-45914/

What’s required is a JIS screwdriver like the Vessel Megadora 900 Series JIS Cross point No 2 x 100mm I got mine from an international seller on Ebay after failing to find a suitable supplier in the UK at a more reasonable cost: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VESSEL-Megadora-900-Series-P2x100-JIS-2-Cross-Point-Tip-Screwdriver-/121837527589?hash=item1c5e152225:g:UOEAAOSwAYtWMEud

Any Cannondale Bad Boy owners out there?

Re cost, he’s working at the budget end of the price spectrum.

I have the Abus WA50 wall anchor and it seems to be a good bit of kit. Comes in at £23.70 here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Abus-WA50-Wall-Anchor/dp/B00R4HRB9K . Review here: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/review-abus-abus-wa50-wall-anchor-39858/

You’ll need to ensure that any heavy duty chain you buy isn’t wider than the opening in the anchor (I fit a D lock into mine so not an issue). The fixing bolts that come with the anchor are quite long at around 115mm so you need to make sure the wall you’re fixing to is deep enough. Required to fit are a long 10mm and standard length 16mm masonry drill bits.

If you need something more meaty then might be worth looking at the Abus WA100 or the Kryptonite Stronghold.

Abus WA100 comes in at around £55: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/abus-wba100-ground-anchor/. Apart from being quite a bit larger and burlier than the WA50, it has a bigger opening for a large diameter chain. Standard 16mm masonry bit required.

The Kryptonite Stronghold Ground anchor is coming in at a very reasonable £45: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kryptonite-stronghold-surface-ground-anchor/, and comes with necessary drill bits. This review gives plenty of detail: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/review-kryptonite-stronghold-ground-anchor-19280/ .

Plenty of YouTube videos on these which gives an idea of their size (which stand alone pics don’t), and details of the fixings.

HTH

I can recommend the Mobius actioncam. Solid performer with good quality footage, easily configurable , and plenty of aftermarket accessories: http://www.minidvcameras.co.uk/viewitem.php?productid=17 . It’s now in version 3 format.

@molgrips

What was Victor Meldrew’s catchphrase again…? :D