Put the filters in a pillow case on a low temperature wash and they come out brand new.

If you are after some french doors look for any housing developments nearby that are nearing completion.

Often the sales office is a converted garage block with French doors across the opening. Once they finish they convert back to garages and throw the French doors in the skip.

I asked on my estate and they were happy to take them out carefully for me to collect. They are an inch perfect fit to my garage door opening. I noticed the other two sets of doors in the skip!

Found them! Call signs….

Viper1
Viper2
Vendett1

Wonder if they get to choose their own call signs. Everyone would want to be Maverick!

Yeah I’ll get my 6 year old to ride 10 miles to Hamsterley and back again 🙄

Raouligan

I live in Spenny, some great trails have gone into the woods over lockdown.

Only went to Hamsterley as my 6 year old loves the skills loop and the local trails are to spread out or too difficult. Also the local trails are a mess at the moment!

I feel the same grum. Right now hamsterley feels like it did a few years ago before it all went crazy.

I went back end of last year and I was quite saddened to see it so heaving. I know everyone being in the great outdoors is a good thing but it didn’t feel like it.

The car parks were rammed, people were putting cars anywhere without thought of the damage it may cause. Most people looked miserable and horribly out of place walking along in white trainers staring at their phones. It was quite a sad experience. Litter was really bad too. I fear this is what will happen in a few weeks.

On the positive side once you rkde or walked 100M from the visitors centre or play grounds it was super quiet.

I live 20 mins from Hamsterley and have been the last 2 weekends. Just myself and my son. In for 8.30 and out again at 10.30, no risky trails just keeping it sensible.

Lots of groups larger than 2 which is a bit naughty I suppose. Car parks empty at 8.30 then at 10.30 about as full as they used to get on a weekend before all the madness kicked off.

Been riding there 20 years and I now feel in a very small minority as a non e biker. Definitely feel that the demographic in the forest has changed.

Only did the official trails but all running nice.

Can highly recommend Malaysia.

We did 3 nights in Kuala Lumpur then flew to Borneo for an 8 day tour, climbed mount Kota Kinabalu, saw some of the real bits of Malaysia and some fantastic river boat wildlife spotting.

We then spent the last 5 days at a seriously nice hotel, lazing around the pool/beach etc.

Funnily enough we flew back through Dubai for 2 nights and decided we would never go back.

1.2 engine is tragic. No power, terrible fuel economy (<30MPG), tiny tank.

1.6 is an old engine but would be my choice.

I can’t believe people find it acceptable to tap someone’s tyre.

For me it’s in the same category as anybody doing something stupid that requires them to be rescued e.g. incorrect clothing on a cold day. Granted it’s at the extreme end of being stupid!

Shall we draw a line where low to medium stupidity you get rescued but above that you get left to die? Who draws the line?

A very generous contribution from both of them to the MRT should be forthcoming.

If you must insist on using a non contact voltage indicator then test it on something you know is live every time before you use it to check a circuit is dead.

I’m with you there TJ, it’s not good news just news that is less bad. The cost of Brexit may be peanuts to such a large company but it’s still a cost.

Still don’t see understand this attitude where some people seem happy that others are losing their jobs. Hurts us all in the end.

Two models have been lost in the last 3 years. Infiniti Q30 because no-one ever bought them and X-Trail because the payback on investment was not good enough regardless of Brexit.

Juke production is also being increased as the plant can’t meet demand.

TJ, you obviously don’t understand how the industry operates.

Sunderland is safe for at least the next 7 years and in the industry thats pretty much as safe as you can be.

Within the Renault/Nissan Alliance plants compete against eachother everytime a new model comes up. I assume other carmakers operate in a similar way. Some of the ‘special’ plants are guaranteed a constant stream of new models but the vast majority have to win each model as they come along. Unfortunately Sunderland is in the latter category but it is safer than most due to its size.

This means that once a model is committed to a plant it is almost impossible to move it to another plant. New Juke, new Qashqai and hybrid versions of each are now committed to Sunderland and they have a life of at least 7 years. They can’t be moved easily as Juke is not built anywhere ellse and other plants simply don’t have the spare capacity to absorb the 300K+ that Sunderland produces.

Granted Sunderland may not get the new models due on stream in 2027 but then again no other plant in the world (aparts from the ‘special’ ones) is guaranteed them either. Hopefully the localisation of suppliers continues including the battery plant at Blyth. If it all works out we could end up with a stronger automotive industry not a weaker one (I admit its a big if!).

Brexit is a terrible thing but little bits of good news like this should be gratefully received. Not buried under misinfomed opinion just because it doesn’t fit the desired narrative.

Edukator is misinformed

All of the models built at Sunderland already meet rules of origin so apart from the customs costs it’s business as usual and its true for a company Nissans size the customs cost is peanuts.

The exception is the 62KW version of Leaf and I think its encouraging that rather than cancel that model they have decided to invest in making the 62KW battery locally. This can only be a good thing for future models too.

Its important to note that the battery plant is actually owned by AESC as Nissan sold its battery businesses. Current 62KW batteries are made in the AESC plants attached to the Nissan plant in Japan and USA.

The rules or origin is based on value.

Regarding a french door to replace a garage door…..

I live on a new housing estate that was nearing completion. The sales office was the garage of the showhome albeit with a nice interior and some french doors. These doors were custom made to perfectly fit the garage door opening.

Had a word with the site manager and found they normally just sling them in the skip once the estate is complete and the sales office is closing. He was happy to just take them out and leave them at the front for me to collect free of charge.

If you get the like you can chop and change the travel between 140 and 150 with an extra air spring

I would happy take my Aether to France or anywhere in Wales. Think it would be pretty fast race bike too.

I’ve just bought an Aether9C and am only one ride in.

I’ve ridden and raced downhill, enduro for the last 15 years and from my ride yesterday I would happily take that bike down any downhill track or any track anywhere for that matter. So it can cope with anything but importantly will be faster and more fun on flatter trails which most of us ride most of the time.

The latest crop of long travel enduro bikes are better than DH bikes used to be and only the very best riders are capable of finding the limit on these bikes. If you intend to race enduro or really are that good I would get the AM9 otherwise the Aether9C is better for you and most other people too.

Sorry was struggling with the link, it’s back now.

I reckon the raw carbon would be worth a closer look. Not sure how that green will look in a year’s time.

I agonised over the spec for ages.

Went SRAM because my other bikes are SRAM. Stuck with RockShox for suspension based on previous good experience with RockShox stuff and bad with Fox (creaky crown). Went top of the range on the Pikes because in my opinion the fork is the most important. For the shock I went for the Select+ which offers a lot more than the standard for not much extra cash. I think this shock is OEM only.

The wheel set was the toughest, considered carbon but just too risky in my opinion but still wanted as light a set of wheels as possible so went with the Bird super light option.

The other bits, I added a chain device with bash guard, hope seat clamp, stuck with the SRAM brakes (again past experience), Birds own dropper, Bird stem and some Raceface carbon bars.

Already wishing I’d spent the extra £15 or so on the 200mm dropper over the 170mm.

For reference thats an 800mm bottle in the cage, loads of space.

Workings wise? You mean why I chose each component?

I’ve edited my post as after dusting off the luggage scales it came in at just over 30lbs.

The first attempt was bathroom scales with me on then me and the bike. No idea which one is accurate but regardless, I’m very pleased with how it feels.

It’s a ML with the SRAM build, Pikes and Birds own build lightweight wheel set.

Happy Days!

Picked up my Aether9C from the lovely fellas at Consett earlier today.

The green colour looks fantastic in real life and the quality is top notch. Although I can see it marking the Matt paintjob marking quite easily so some invisiframe might be a good idea. Weighs in at a svelte 30lbs.

Ran out of daylight to get it out for a proper ride but felt lovely off the kerbs!😜

It’s going to get a right good seeing to at Hamsterley on Saturday so I’ll report back then.

That’s right about pure EV needing the 12V lead acid to run, well it is for a Leaf anyway.

The 12v system is required to energise the HV system and run all the usual stuff like control units, radio, etc. Then when the car is in run mode the lithium battery keeps the 12V topped up.

I’ve had to jump start a Leaf several times even though the lithium battery had entry of charge.

Bah!

Never got the chance to do it, says survey has been closed.

I wouldn’t pay much attention to a single German auto magazine article.

That plant is going nowhere in the foreseeable future. It makes Qashqai and Juke which are huge sellers for Nissan. Take away that plant and and there would no cars for the dealers to sell. Yeah you could make it somewhere else but a transfer like that takes years and I’ve seen no evidence to suggest it.

Cheers everyone. Some black jack’s on the way.

Just bought a Saracen Mantra for my 5 year old. One of the lightest around at a reasonable price, 8 speed and you can have it rigid or with a spinner air fork.

Also they are in stock which does not seem to be the case with most kids bikes I looked at.

I went for 140 but sounds like I will be getting hold of a 150 air shaft too.

So it’s the same chassis between 150 and 140 so you can chop and change on either direction?

@wildfires what height are you? And was it a medium or medium long you tried? I am 182cm and could have gone medium long or large, went for the former as even that size is bigger than my XL Capra. The L and XL are huge bikes!

I was most torn on the fork….140 or 150

Wheels too

Spooky, I’ve also been considering a 9C for my 40th after a crap year. Coming off a YT Capra, occasional race, golfie, hamsterley, local stuff and wanted something a bit shorter travel.Capra smooths the trails out too much while my hatrdtail is great fun but I fell battered after a ride on it. Wanted something in the middle.

Looked at tallboy, Ripley, reactor. Was tempted by an optic but can’t find one anywhere.

Anyway I now have a 9C on order. Took ages deciding on the build, almost too much choice but it’s great how you can custom build. Prices are great too.

Here’s hoping it doesn’t take too long before I can go pick it up!

Removing the rear seats completely is a piece of cake.

Lift off the piece of trim between theseat and the vehicle side. Undo the 2 nuts and the seat will lift out as long as you have released the feet from the floor rail. There is also a bolt to remove for the seatbelt.

You will be left with the sliding rail but I find it useful for bungees to keep bikes secure. You can remove the sliding rail but it then requires the riskier job of removing the large interior trim piece.

I’ve got a 2WD 3.5 Highway Star.

I got a 3.5 because fuel consumption wise there is hardly any difference to the 2.5 and it’s faster. Yes it’s a 350Z engine but running lower compression, different inlet manifold I think.

I got Highway Star as these ones have black half leather interior which is the hardest wearing and looks best. They also have 2nd highest level of equipment. Most other trim levels you see will have grey velour or awful cream leather.

There are some lower specs that that rarely get imported but you will normally see Rider/rider Autech which are the sporty looking ones with grey velour. Then HWS with higher spec. Then XL which have the highest spec level bit only 6 seats.

4WD would have been nice but they are a bit rarer and hard to come by.

Colour wise it black, silver or white although there is a very rare chromaflair kicking around.

Spec wise the things I really like are the power side door from remote, mine is only on one side but some have it on both. The twin sunroofs are a nice feature. Keyless entry also very handy. Very comfy for passengers with there own air vents, very ish seats and very quiet inside. Mines also got a mains supply inverter built in but I’ve never used it and a flip down TV which doesn’t work. There are also remote controls for the rear passengers that control Aircon, sunroof, TV, kids love fiddling with them! The power curtains are handy too not just for passengers but to hide bikes.

Radio wise if you get a series 1 or 2 2003-2007 ish, it’s a piece of cake to change out the factory system for a double DIN unit. Mine came with a minidisc changer! Series 3 2007 onwards have a more complex system using a hard drive and it’s trickier to upgrade.

Few other quirky things like mystery Japanese buttons. The clock is satellite synchronised but you can’t change it from Japanese time. The main screen when on map mode can only ever show Japanese maps but it’s quite interesting to see.

They do have some weaknesses though, like any car/van. As someone said above you have to get them undersealed and renew it every couple of years, only £100 ish though. The other issue can be more serious. They have 4 cats, a front and a rear for each bank of 3 cylinders. The fronts can break down and then block up the rears which then causes bits to get sucked back into the engine destroying it. A UK importers decide the rear cats so all the crap can get out but it may not completely protect you. Seems very low occurrence but serious consequences and no pattern. Some can do 200,000 KMs without issue while some get it earlier. It’s a big discussion point on the forums and Facebook groups.

I’ve got a 56 plate Elgrand and I love it. However it’s not as big as a transit/transporter, the exterior dimensions are actually smaller than a BMW 5 series estate.

Very relaxing to drive and comfy for passengers although the suspension is a bit soft when you push it hard into corners. Mine is the 3.5 and best case is 25MPG on a long run being careful, round the doors it’s more like 19. Sounds lovely though and plenty of grunt.

The interior space is very adaptable, all the seats and the little table thing slide forwards and back. The middle set rotate 180 and the back set fold up in a few seconds to the side of the van. With myself, the wife and the 2 kids in the back seats you can get one full size bike in with wheels on and then others would need the wheels off. I also have a rack for the back when we are fully loaded. Bonus is you can carry up to 6 people in total comfort or 8 at a push.

For the money I think they are a better option than a tirwd T5 but can’t carry quite as much and as long as you don’t do big miles. Mine looks amazing inside and out for a 15 year old van and has only 54K miles. Cost me £8K from a specialist dealer.

Import it yourself and you can get them really cheap but it’s a bit more risky than buying from a UK dealer. No issue getting parts or support in the country as enough of them about to support some specialist parts dealers and a community for help.

They knock money off for anything cosmetic but they definitely don’t check the cars properly for mechanical issues.

Cuda just as good as Isla and a touch cheaper.

2 drinking straws inserted into each other so they reach from your mouth to your ear. Bit of tape around the ear end for a snug fit. Lie in hot bath and gently suck and blow to unsettle the wax. Worked for me

Once left my bike in Dalbeattie car park last thing at night! Didn’t realise till 10 my minutes down the road, never driven so fast on way back and was rather relieved when it was sat there on the car park floor.