this any good?

https://www.merlincycles.com/chainsets-93715/?discipline=mtb&brand=shimano

Not sure of the bearing size, but these should fit:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/hub-spares/ritchey-wcs-rear-hub-bearing-service-kit-trail-vantage/?geoc=US

SJS have an excellent range of spares from an enormous number of manufacturers.

Ah, yes maybe not Buddleia! I didn’t realise how invasive it can be when it escapes the garden.

Buddleia is a tough hardy shrub that should be able to cope with wet soil and drought.
Plenty of varieties with different coloured flowers that are popular with nectar loving insects.

Ive learned something today – Boston Ivy is very similar to Virginia Creeper and is in the same family. So the plant growing in our garden might be Boston Ivy and not Virginia Creeper….

Virginia Creeper? not an evergreen, but will do a good job of obscuring the wall in a couple of years.

Thanks all for your advice, I will take the plunge and buy some 29″ wheels.
I should have a couple of days off work next week so hopefully will be able to make a start at building the bike up.
Off to search for “cart wheels”….

BJ2 2UCK

BO22 HOG

edit

damn its Hogg not Hog

Cercis siliquastrum may be another option. Lovely silver-grey bark, pollinator friendly pink flowers in spring before vibrant green leaves for early summer. Leaves and seed pods also have good autumn colours, so something to enjoy all year.

Super, smashing, great!

Them Crooked Vultures sounded good in the car on the way home from work.

Waterlog by Roger Deakin
A wonderful book to dip into, so relaxing. I am trying to savour a chapter every few days, which is a difficult for me to do as I usually binge-read if I’m enjoying a book!

Magura Marta brakes from 2006/7 never needed bleeding in all this time and have been used regularly each week.

Hope bottom bracket 14 years of spinning – still going strong!

That orange colour is rather good!

Not sure about the head badge these days, much prefer the Si-cotic grin of old.

I remember making flowers at school from wire and coloured tissue paper.
Maybe reuse some brake/gear cables?

Happy pasta, Yeah baby!!

Thanks all for the suggestions. The Gazelle bikes do seem to hit the price/quality point. Time for a test ride

Turtle mat

Bacon shrooms eggs

I needed a new 26″ front wheel, so with a few clicks of a mouse a Hope Fortus 26 was purchased. It was only when the wheel arrived that I realised that the 26 referred to the rim width, not diameter!
The bike really works well as a 27.5/26 mullet – no regrets :)

Angry flint face

Quack quack!

An older second hand drill might be better constructed than something modern. Have a look on Gumtree etc?

Misty on the Downs today.

Ahh, I see the problem!

Not sure where you are based, but would something like this work?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175045513820?hash=item28c186925c:g:NSQAAOSwaaBhp0~0

Not mine, just saw it whilst bored at work!

Harting Down today, rediscovered a cheeky bit of singletrack. So glad to get out on my bike today as I’ve not cycled since June.

Been enjoying the X-A2 from new in 1998.
The MA silver RS6 were a more recent addition in 2006.
Sounds great

Not clear rubber, but Fabric magic grips are soft and comfortable: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/fabric-magic-grips

Only £9

Brand new slx crankset at 2nd hand price..exactly what was required!

Logitech make a reliable unit for about £30. Keeps my old system rocking :)

Thanks, that has helped a great deal!