@soundninjauk it’s a toshiba, but I’d imagine there’s an equivalent setting to your Sony (though probably called something different)

@Bullet could you please clarify how you sorted this. Since I bough a Sonos Beam I’ve had lip sync issues on certain channels and just can’t seem to get it sorted (there’s no sync issues on streaming services). I’ve messed around with countless settings and nothings seems to work. The Beam is connected to the TV by HDMI ARC and the VM box to the TV by regular HDMI

Thanks

Ooohh I’ll take a hanger too please, they look ace :)

@razorrazoo exactly, you get it 👍

Yes I know it’s only a bike but the point is that I haven’t owned it two months yet and a component failed (due to a manufacturing or installation defect) on the first ride which subsequently damaged the frame. I’d happily accept a new rear end under warranty that was a different colour if the bike was 1-2 years old but is expecting a rear end the same colour unreasonable on a bike 6 weeks old!!!
The damage could only have been caused by either a faulty mech or incorrect set up or installation in my opinion as it occurred the first time I put any significant load through the drive train (there was no impact). I do realise that these things are hard to prove either way and the retailer have been nothing but helpful thus far. Surely the fact that they’re willing to warranty the damage in the first place means that they’re accepting liability and on a bike that has literally been used once it should be either replaced like for like or refunded.

@z1ppy mightily pissed 😫

@Duggan to be honest I bough the bike as it was a bit of a bargain at the time but the frame miss-match will drive me nuts. I would have been fine with a whole new replacement frame in an entirely different colour but I don’t think they were ever going to go that far. I’ll probably try to push back and see what happens.

@hooli I’ve emailed them back asking for clarification on why they can only supply a black rear end, so I’ll see what they say before making any further decisions.

@jeffl I bought the bike at the end of July, rode it first in august when it broke. Then I’ve been back and forth in conversation with the retailer ever since. So I’m saying no more than six weeks.

@stany that’s what I assumed if I’m honest. It’s just annoying that I’ve literally never had the chance to ride the bike properly and I’ll have a different colored rear end that’ll constantly remind me of the fact that there was an initial manufacturing/component issue with the bike direct from the supplier. Not to mention the fact that it’ll probably kill any residual value in the bike if I ever come to sell it in the future.

Thanks all for the input, the bike did indeed come with a no mark BB so I’d be inclined to change it at the same time as the crank 👍

Thanks Nick, Jesus it’s complicated, but thats helped somewhat!! Already sent nukeproof an email but not had anything back as of yet. Standard’s aren’t really standard at all if every company does something different 😂

Noeffsgiven…… that is what I initially assumed. Thanks

Thanks, I’m sure I’ve got an old non boost one lying about somewhere so I’ll give that a go 👍

I’ve been looking at these and have been procrastinating over placing an order. I think we need some pics in this thread to make my mind up :)

Nicely done, looks like you have had some luck getting a break in the clouds as well. It’s been wall to wall cloud here in the North East for what seems like forever, which is doubly annoying as we now have some astronomical darkness back. I think I have managed about an hours worth of imaging in the last couple of months and that was to try out my new Optolong L-eNhance filter. Let’s hope we get some clear skies soon :)

I had a custom build PC delivered on thursday from them. There was a delay of about a week because of the current situation but I was kept well updated on build progress. A couple of cables became dislodged in transit but a quick call to the helpdesk had the issue quickly sorted. For the spec I wanted I couldn’t really find anyone cheaper and it seems to be running brilliantly so far :)

@verses that’s exactly how I got started :)

@CountZero thank you, yes the middle picture is the Horsehead Nebula along with the Flame nebula to the left, the top is a widefield image of the Orion’s belt area including the horsehead and great orion nebula to the bottom. The last image is of NGC700 or the North America Nebula within the constellation of Cygnus.

Yeah I’ve seen some nice images of comet Atlas on instagram, they are hopeful it may become naked eye visible late april to early may so I’m keeping my fingers crossed :)

@stumpy01 that astro tracker looks pretty cool :)

Nice M51, sadly I don’t have the focal length to do that target justice. I started dabbling in astrophotography last year and like you said it is the most frustrating hobby I’ve ever tried and the faffage is on another level to anything else. Great feeling when you get something right though :)

Here are a few of my attempts from the past year

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Thanks, I’ll have a look at trailfinders :)

I’m looking at doing something similar with the family in a couple of years, sounds brilliant. For everyone who has done this, who did you book it with?

Thanks.

Early Aston V8 Vantage, these are pretty sensible money these days and are apparently pretty reliable as these things go. Plus they’re beautiful with a timeless design imo.

Thanks Endomick :)

I don’t know the answer but of out interest do you know the bearing sizes? My shock bearings on my super deluxe (2017 tranny patrol) are toast and need changing. Information on bearing size and actually how to change them is a bit scarce on t’internet.

@tomparkin come to think of it, I’m sure it was only the grips, pedals and brake blocks I bought from Islabikes. The rest was just off ebay (chain, freewheel) and saddle from decathalon. Before and after pics below :)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/c8Ur3m1jxRaVm34QA

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iTBmj6TYVGVxWtjf6

I got a cheap Cnoc 16 off here a while back, needed a new chain, freewheel, brakes blocks and cables, grips, pedals, saddle and the bottom bracket needed an overhaul. I think it cost me around 50 quid in parts most of which were direct from Islabikes (pretty cheap for spares). I also had it powder coated, polished up the cranks and fitted new stickers and it’s honestly as good as new :)

The lad loves it, though he now wants it red rather the green I had it powder coated haha.

@dannybgoode thanks. It’s pretty time consuming compared with regular photography but it’s very satisfying when you eventually have something to show for all the work. I think I’ll see how I get on over this winter and then maybe upgrade to a proper mount and scope. I quite like the idea of a smaller refractor and mount as it is at least an hours drive to any really dark skies so would like something portable.

That looks a nice setup you have. What targets are next on your list?

I started to dabble at the start of the year with just a skywatcher star tracker and a dslr with a cheap 300mm sigma lens. Haven’t had that much practice as of yet what with crappy weather and no proper darkness at the minute. Just bought an L series 300mm lens so that should up the quality quite a bit once we have some darker skies. It’s amazing to think what you can photograph with just a simple set up, however I do think I’m looking down a very expensive rabbit hole :)

Here’s a couple of mine that I was relatively happy with considering I’ve not had much practice. M42 and M51

https://photos.app.goo.gl/95ADZJCwGbGnSN428

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vUyDhpTzKQTXrbhf7

I’m going to Torridon again in three weeks……. I wish I had an ebike haha.

You’ll be fine :)

For the photographers out there. Canon are doing double cashback on some of their gear. I’ve just bought up a £800 L Lens with £351 cashback. Bargain!

Here’s another possible route you could take from a ride I did back in June :)

https://www.strava.com/activities/1655010947

I crashed at BPW last september, knocked myself out and broke a couple of ribs. A year on, I still can’t remember the crash and if I’m honest it totally freaked me out. I still haven’t got my riding mojo back and as a result have only been on the bike a handful of times since and the riding doesn’t seem to be as enjoyable as before the crash (have even contemplated selling up all my stuff).

I know I just need to get out on the bike more but it’s hard to get the motivation. Maybe the Tour de Ben in a couple of weeks will sort me out (or kill me) :)

Ah Bowderdale, the most over hyped ride I’ve ever had the misfortune of riding, the only redeeming quality was some half decent views………. drive 30 mins further and go to the lakes. All IMHO of course :)

Thanks, thats good enough for me :)

Thanks all, I’m quite happy to leave it as it is as it keeps the room pretty warm when the stove is on but it’s in the little ones room so the wife wants it boxed in and I don’t she would be happy with the open mesh solution purely down to cosmetic reasons.

There is this sticker which gives some info:

So as long as I’m at least 60mm from the flue, timber and plasterboard will do the job? I’d probably have a vent at the top and bottom of the box in order not to lose the heating effect altogether.

I’m currently on my second C7 A6 Avant, the first was a 2013 S Line Multitronic and my current one is a 2017 Black Edition S-Tronic, both 2.0 diesels. I didn’t have any issues at all with the first one and I’ve only had the new ones six months so nothing to report. I think they’re a great family car and it’s the best looking large estate you can buy IMO (although the latest Volvo V90 looks nice).

Claimed MPG is not achievable though but I think that’s a given for most manufacturers, I get about 40-42mpg with a mix of in town and longer commute. It’s also a big beast of a car and overhangs every parking space which can be a bit of a pain at times.

Also watch out for how you spec the car as if the list price is over 40k you’ll be looking at 472 quid road tax :(

lol, well yeah, you’d hope so…… just to add, I paid nowhere near 40k for either of them ;)

I’ve had two C7 Audi A6, the first was a 2013 S Line Avant non ultra mutitronic, I changed this last year to a 2017 Avant Black Edition 2.0l diesel ultra S Tronic. The car suits my needs perfectly, plenty of space for the family and reasonably inexpensive to run (aside from road tax on the 2017). It is a big old barge of a car though so parking can sometimes be a bit of a pain.

Both have been 100% reliable so far, so go for it I say :)

Another vote for Bettablast, they did a kids frame for me just before Christmas in about 2 days. Bottom bracket shell, headtube and everything else was masked off well.

I’ll be sure to have 2FA verification activated at least. It’s just a bit of fun to be honest, I’ll throw in £200 and see what happens, If I manage to double my initial input I’ll remove what I’ve put in and then in theory it’ll have cost me nothing but my time. I’m not expecting to retire on the proceeds :)