Thanks for all the recommendations. Will have a little look to see what’s possible.

Not looking to do it on the cheap. It’s going to be a present to myself for my 40th.

Thanks, they look like they do some really nice stuff. At quite a cost though.

Thanks for the input. Another big bill has made the decision for me so I’m going to take a chance on the cheaper glowworm as it’s such a considerable saving. To be fair the old WB one had plenty of issues over the past 10 years anyway. Fingers crossed it doesn’t cause too many problems but it we’ll see.

Thanks for all the responses. No one any experience with glow worm boilers yet?

We had a valiant in our rental flat previously and it was forever breaking down. The one that has just broken is a Worcester and it has lasted a good long while with little other than regular servicing but it’s just the significant extra cost that is putting me off getting another one.

Having bought a gravel bike last year to replace a Caadx and Caad12 I think I would instead now ask the question “road bikes, why?” With quick wheel or tyre swap they’re transformed from a useful commuter to as good a road bike as anyone would ever need, unless you’re a serious racer of course. Generally all bikes are good aren’t they. For me the problem is that they’re all so expensive now so one gravel bike and one mountain bike is enough to cover all my biking requirements while keeping the biking budget relatively reasonable.

Another Balmullo resident here! I’d definitely recommend it for commuting by bike. I used to do it to Dundee and now to Cupar which is similar in distance as it is to St Andrews. House prices and rent are some of the cheapest in the area considering how close you are to St Andrews and to Dundee. Can’t help with the room unfortunately as we have an 18 month old freeloader in ours at the moment.

Check out hambini on YouTube for an engineer’s view of Tifosi bikes. Fair to say he’s not impressed by their quality of manufacturing.

I bought a reasonably cheap new frame and fork and transferred parts across. It had been my only road bike so I wasn’t going to be waiting six months for a new fork. I appreciate not everyone is in a position to do that though.

I did consider just keeping riding it but I’d had a bit of a head on collision previously which had already put doubts in my mind about the reliability of the fork.

Thanks all. I do appreciate that all of the things he suggested are good ideas and it is my intention to have them done but it was just a case of wanting to stagger the costs a bit and do only what was absolutely required at the moment. Looks like I’ll have to bite the bullet though. A bit miffed that the box that was put in seven years ago should have had rcd by the sound of it?

I’ve a set of trp hyrds for sale. As others have said they’re really very good. These have had a reasonable amount of use but are in good condition and fine working order. Perfect for seeing you by while you decide whether to move to full hydraulics. Let me know if they’re of any interest.

My local dealer spoke to Cannondale today and was told November. Having recently tried to buy a cannondale topstone I already have experience of cannondale’s ever increasing lead times (a couple of weeks quickly turned into a couple of months and then into ‘we just don’t know’ before I cancelled the order). I’m not anticipating having the fork replaced this year that’s for sure.

I was given all the talk about how I should absolutely not ride it in case of causing serious injury or worse but I’m pretty sure most people will when faced with a 6 month wait for a replacement fork. I think I’ll be looking to see how much it would cost to buy a compatible one rather than waiting but I’ve a feeling it could be pretty pricey. Anyone know of any options?

Darn it. I’ve just updated mine with new brakes. No doubt the replacement ones will need different adapters etc. Will wait and see. Thanks for the heads up.

Took the road bike in the end as I figured it’d be easier and I could hire a mtb for a day if I wanted to. So I’ve done my first ride today up the struggle and down kirkstone pass up to ulswater and back. It’s definitely warmed up some rarely used leg muscles. Those are some steep hills. Intend to something similar again but didn’t enjoy the descent back down the struggle so will find a different way back to Ambleside.

Good roads and good views (when not looking at my front tyre suffering). So far my impression of the road riding is that the lakes are kind of like a warm and less windy but busier version of the Highlands. Looking forward to getting a few more miles in this week and perhaps including a trip to Grizedale.

Basically, I’ll only have about 2 hours from the door. I’ve come up with 2 Road routes but have no idea whether they’d be any good. I’d probably be going out at about 6am or 7pm to work around our 1 year old. Hopefully the roads wouldn’t be too busy if I got out early morning.

Check out this route on Strava: https://strava.app.link/gR9jnebvWX — Ambleside South

Check out this route on Strava: https://strava.app.link/2FKSa3pvWX — Sweden Bridge Lane Ellerigg Road-Sweden Bridge Lane

Would either of these routes have areas to definitely avoid? Thanks

That’s the sort of info I was after. I’ve never been before and am lucky enough to be able to ride from my door and see very little traffic at all on the road bike. I had a feeling that wouldn’t be the case in the lakes. Sounds like the mtb might be the best idea then. Is trailforks the best place to find route info?

I’ve since been to the dentist for a second opinion and am less convinced by the GP’s diagnosis. I’d been reading up on TN and all of the sources mention shooting pains lasting up to a couple of minutes. My pain is more like chewing an electric fence for 2 hours. He found a filling on xrays that was fairly close to a nerve so said it was worth investigating and has since drilled it out and removed some infected nerve tissue. I’ll need root treatment on that tooth anyway now but I’m really hoping this turns out to be the cause and the GP has jumped to the worst conclusion. The anaesthetic is wearing off and I’m still sore but I was told to expect it for the next couple of days perhaps. Fingers crossed it’s as simple as that because trigeminal neuralgia is a fairly terrifying prospect.

Thanks all. I’ve got them set up brilliantly now. The key was following the online video carefully with patience and time. Took an hour out to do it and they’re spot on now with a nice amount of bite and no longer pulling right to the bar. Looking forward to testing them properly on Sunday.

2 eggs beaten, poured in a pan over medium heat. Stir with the back of a fork and cook until almost no runniness remains then add cheese, peppers, and ham or bacon then a touch of pepper. Fold over in the pan and serve with with a splash or two of tabasco. Lovely

That looks very nice. Wasn’t expecting it to say Ribble when I zoomed in. Almost has the look of a Saffron about it.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vokMhy4Y1gZ7u9rbA

Having ordered the topstone, I eventually gave up on it too as it just kept getting delayed which gave me time to realise that I could upgrade my CaadX for less money to have a bike that was equally capable but with a better spec.

Here’s what I ended up with having used some new and used parts.

2016 caadx frame 61cm
Hunt cx wheels
Hutchison tubeless 32mm tyres
Ultegra groupset
Hope rx4 callipers
Cannondale c2 carbon post
Original bar, stem and seat clamp
Budget shimano spds
Fabric scoop shallow ti saddle
Fabric bar tape

Pleased with the result and looking forward to putting some miles in now.

I’ve fitted hope callipers before. Problem is that I’d be buying the shifters separately without hoses and callipers attached and apparently they don’t come with any fittings so I’m not sure what I need to buy?

Thanks for the advice. I think I’ll keep an eye out for a weeride on gumtree and give it a go.

I gave up on the idea of a Canyon as there didn’t seem to be any way of knowing whether it would ever be possible to get one. I’ve gone for Joebristol’s suggestion instead which I got for the same price when I traded in a worthless bike at Evans.

Doesn’t come into stock until the end of the month so I’ve got a bit of a wait but nothing compared to the Canyon. I had a 60cm Caad12 and I’ve still got a CaadX in 61cm but I’ve gone for the large rather than the xl so I could put a dropper on it and have a bit more standover height for off road duties. It means it’ll be a centimetre shorter than the Caad12 but should be good for a more relaxed position. Fingers crossed it’s the right decision.

I do like the look of that. Will see about going to check one out.

Yes it’s 7000 105. I’ve just sold one of my mtbs so I’ve got the money burning a hole in my pocket. Given that canyon have no idea when they might be able to sell me a bike I’m looking elsewhere for other options. Any ideas for something similarly specced for a similar price?

Would like to go for the carbon but I think I’d just end up being a bit too precious with it.

I would definitely go with the silver, however, having been in touch with Canyon they have none in stock and have ‘no idea’ when they will. Is it just me or is it pretty strange to not have any idea when you are going to be able to sell your product. I get dozens of emails from companies telling me when I can get their new and improved this that or the other but Canyon seem to be the exception. Weird.

I ordered both the front and rear. The front was fine at a metre long. It turns out the rear doesn’t even have any oil in it. I assume someone has tampered with it and sent it back to CRC for a refund and it’s gone back to stock without anyone checking. To be fair it’d be hard to notice. Anyway there’s a new hose on its way and a 15 pound voucher so I’m happy enough.

CRC is where I got it from. I thought 1700mm was about right. Having contacted them, CRC are sending me a new hose but it still means I’m going to have to bleed it fully. Bit annoying really.

I have clarks rotors which I think are 203mm but I’ll check. The adaptors are generic ones for 203 that I’m using with slx callipers so that could be the issue. Perhaps shimano adapters would help?

If you’re looking for size 47 I’ve got some carbon soled DMTs that I’ve barely worn as they’re a wee bit too big. They’re pretty light.

Thanks. It wasn’t really intended to be stealthy but due to the parts available it just ended up that way. There were 2 choices of frame colour but once I’d decided on xtr I felt It wouldn’t fit quite as nicely with neon pink and blue.

In terms of the dropper, it’s a bit of an experiment. I wasn’t willing to spend loads and often find that I don’t use the one on my trigger between stops that much. I’ve been stung by buying a second hand one before that didn’t work as it should so wasn’t prepared to take the risk again.

Argh. Got halfway through listing all the prices when my phone ran out of battery. Here we go again.

frame including headset and seat clamp £412 (new)

Fork £250 (second hand unused)

Wheels and tyres £220 (second hand – wheels unused)

SLX brakes and clarks rotors £90 (second hand)

Xtr bits £220 (second hand)

XT bottom bracket £11 (new)

SLX front mech £15 (second hand unused)

Bars and stem £42 (new)

Seat post £72 (new)

Chain and cassette (spares for the trigger that I bought on ebay ages ago)

Saddle (from the road bike I sold)

So I think about £1350 – 1400 when postage for bits and pieces is included. I’m happy enough with that. The sale of half the road bike bits has already covered it and I’m sure this’ll bring more smiles per mile.

Thanks for sorting out the pic pjay. I ended up taking it to a bike shop who used the right tool and the bottom bracket is now fitted. The manufacturer has offered to pay the cost and I don’t think they’ll baulk at 5 pounds so it’s all worked out well.

Made in Taiwan. Still not built it up yet as I’ve hit a few issues. Hopefully get it sorted soon though.

Tried posting a photo of it but hasn’t worked unfortunately

I’m not sure. I don’t have the frame at hand as I’m away at the moment but I’ll check it and the box when I get back. I’d assumed it was probably Taiwan but I could be wrong. What are you expecting? I’m assuming the 627 isn’t British made.

I bought some Chinese carbon wheels for £250 a few years back and the duty on them was about £45. Not sure if that sort of rate might have changed recently though.