There is a little L shaped bracket by Kinesis available from Winstanleys that’s designed for exactly this job. I put one on my CAAD X to fit SKS Longboards.

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/75610/Kinesis_Fender_Mount

£1.79 well spent although a homemade bodge would be pretty easy to do without having to drill holes in a frame.

My wife is coming to the end of her probationary year teaching P2s in Scotland. I can honestly say she is loving every minute of it. She works hard at school from about 08:30 till 16:30 and then the occasional hour at home in the evening. Although it’s hard work it doesn’t compare to the pressures and time required of other jobs she’s had in the past. She does feel like she was born to do it though so that makes a difference to how she feels about it. She’s been offered a permanent contract now and I couldn’t be any more proud of her. She is off on holiday for 2 weeks soon though so I sort of hate her too :wink:

2 weeks and a couple of hundred miles later and my bodge seems to be going strong with no signs of creaks etc. It’s not been getting the same abuse from the weather as the BB30 had over the winter but all in all it seems pretty good so far. I’m tempted to say that if the adapter hasn’t moved or slipped by now then it’s probably not going to (cursed it now).

Thanks for the responses guys. I’d always assumed that by adding a mortgage advisor/broker into the mix then it would just be one more person taking a cut and therefore more expensive overall?

I got this in the black friday sales for £625 including some pedals and bar tape.

It might be worth giving them a call for their best price as it’s a great bike. The new tiagra kit is superb.

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Cannondale/CAADX-Tiagra-Cyclocross-Bike-2016/8P5G

Thanks. Can’t believe I missed that. I hadn’t pulled the hood back far enough to see the second hole where the allen key adjustment is. I’d just assumed that they didn’t have the same adjustments as 105.

What an excellent value groupset. Every time I buy a shimano groupset a level below the last that I had it makes me wonder why I ever bothered spending the extra money.

I just put the FSA sleeve into my CAAD X. To avoid the bump issue I cut it in to 2 pieces and pressed either side in with a headset press using the loctite solution supplied with the sleeve. I’ve now got an ultegra bottom bracket in and it’s working perfectly so far.

Last year I did 140 miles a day over 2 days and there was 11,000 ft of climbing in the first and 7,000 in the second day. I’d not done any specific training although I had at least been cycling short distances regularly. It was painful, mostly due to the amount of climbing on the first day but I reckon he’ll do it easily with that amount of cash as an incentive.

I cut an fsa bb30 convertor into two in order to get it to fit my CAAD X. Seems to have worked pretty well and I’ve now got a nice non creaking ultegra bb and tiagra chainset. Good riddance to bb30.

I have a strealth ks lev on my xl trigger. It worked fine and have the perfect amount of adjustment. Getting all the routing set up was a pain being that I hadn’t done it before but it’s been faultless since.

I’ve just seen them in the flesh at the local halfords. They’re even more awful than I first thought. They really do look like cheap rubbish which is a shame because over the years boardman seemed to have made some pretty decent and excellent value bikes. Must learn to look past the paint job.

Yes if you search Google for the new split shift ergon or canyon one you’ll find an exact* replica of it on eBay for 50 quid.

*you probably won’t die but if you do its not my fault. :D

Flowerman, if your trigger 4 is the same as mine then it has a bottom bracket converter. Don’t buy a bb30 bottom bracket unless you want to change cranks too. I’ve not examined mine in much detail but I imagine you could buy any shimano hollow tech bb and it’d do the job.

I’m an architect and typically the cost of a project can be assessed relating to a percentage of the anticipated build cost. This might be 2 percent for a multi million pound project up to 6-10 percent for a typical detached house. When you consider a a house extension the anticipated build cost may be so low that a percentage fee doesn’t make sense in which case one might estimate the time it will take and account for any potential problems such as tricky construction details, difficult site, planning restrictions etc.

It is definitely worth getting a good architect of you are wanting input on design and space planning. There are both good and bad architects and technicians but a good architect can make a real difference to the end result in design terms. It is a more expensive route because you are paying for someone who has had design training so it depends how much value you put on that element.

Just in the process of converting mine to hollowtech. This has been my first experience with BB30 and it’s been awful. I’d heard about creaking issues but never expected it to be as bad as it is. Only done about 400 miles on it. My last ultegra one did 5000 without any fuss at all.

The bike came with jagwire cables which I know to be pretty good. The cable runs are all pretty direct too. Might try changing the stock pads for something else but what should it be? At the moment they’re just as bad as rim brakes would be in the wet so I would have expected better. My other thought was to change to TRP spyres as they seem to be well thought of. I used to have BB7s on a mountain/road hybrid which I recall as being a lot better than the stock ones on this bike. I don’t really want to shell out any cash on the commuter bike but equally I don’t want to end up under a bus because my brakes don’t work.

I’ve had archetypes twice now on miche primato hubs. The first rims did 6000 miles until they wore down part the indicator without ever being anything but true. No signs of any problems with the second ones either. Superb rims.

I’ve a relative who worked as a teacher and for various reasons similar to your wife decided that it was not something to continue with. In a comparable position she did not need to achieve a full salary so found fulfillment in private tutoring.

I think it will be important for your wife to retain some of the gratifying aspects of teaching in whatever she does. A change of career could see her working in a job where the stress levels might be relieved but there may not be the same level of job satisfaction or sense of purpose, these things can make a big difference in any job.

Good luck to you both. I’m in the midst of a career change too and it’s both exciting and terrifying at the same time.

I’m 6’4” and bought an XL trigger. I’ve a friend who also bought one but he’s about 6’2” and went for a large. The difference between them is huge. I felt like I was riding a bmx when trying his as my knees were almost hitting my chest. As well as being a smaller frame it was specced with flat bars with quite a backsweep that shortened the reach a lot. He’s really happy with it as he’s always ridden short bikes and enjoyed them but we were both amazed how big the difference is.

Whatever you buy it’s probably worth at least having a sit on one first if you can.

I’m genuinely amazed that anyone likes those boardman bikes but there you go we’re all different.

In terms of that Commencal I really like it. I can understand it being marmite but at least you can see design intent and an idea that’s been followed through. The boardmans look like they’ve got the design team from Apollo to create the most bland middle of the road graphics possible. There’s just something about it that my mind just can’t accept (mostly that someone has been paid to do that to a bike).

I’ve stuck with the wtb sale for now and don’t find it too bad. Previously I had Charge scoops on all my bikes which I think are excellent.

Finally got around to try Rascal’s rear brake adapter fix. It’s a 180mm Shimano post adapter that’s needed and it works a treat so if you want to increase the rear disc size to 180mm that’s the way to do it. Cheers Rascal, good tip.

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Mikey74 has nailed it but apart from just being a Jack of all trades it’s more like you’re expected to be an absolute expert in everything and the risk involved in this idea is becoming ever greater as society becomes more litigious. The Architect’s Registration Board are also dangerous because they have no concept of the reality of being an architect in the 21st century and are just used as a big stick for clients to hit helpless architects with…

…Actually let’s forget being pragmatic and reflective. If it were my son there’s no way I’d suggest he become an architect but if it’s what he really wants then I guess you’ve got to let him go for it.

Yes, there are no technicians in our practice either. There are good ones out there but just the same as architects they’ll have learned on the job and whatever degree they have probably isn’t too much of an indication of their abilities.

I am an architect and am soon to give it up to follow a career in teaching. My advice to him would be to think about what he loves doing each day and try and find the job that will allow him to do that most. If it’s being creative and designing then architecture might not be the best option. Like others have said it is a very very small minority of architects who spend their days designing. Most will mix their days with producing production information, contract administration, dealing with disputes etc. Design may be around 5-10% of my job and I work in what would be considered a design led practice.

When I went to uni in Dundee there was a relatively good balance of education that involved the technical and practical sides of design as well as theory. Back then they were keen to see an art degree and I believe that would be the same now perhaps more so as the courses have become far more conceptual. I really enjoyed the course at Dundee but can honestly say that it in no way prepared me for the job (I’m sure this is the same with other courses). Coming out of uni I could design well and had good analytical and problem solving skills but had absolutely no knowledge of things relevant to producing a building.

After 10 years in the job I decided I couldn’t see myself in the job for another 40 years so have decided to make a change. Please don’t let his teachers convince him that architects are well paid either because there is huge expectation (especially for new graduates) to work long hours “for the love of the job”.

This probably comes across as a bit bitter and cynical but it’s really not meant that way. I have friends who are architects who have little interest in design and are thriving in their jobs enjoying all of the various elements that I don’t. Equally I know people who don’t mind the long hours and low pay because they are passionate about architecture and see a clear career path for them in the business. I’ve also a friend who has set up on his own recently and enjoys the business side of being a sole trader while also enjoying being solely in control of the design side of things.

One thing I would say is that architecture is a very long course and can be expensive in terms of model making equipment etc. so a big commitment in time and money. I’d say if he’s passionate about buildings, towns and cities then architecture is the way to go but if general design and problem solving are his thing then there are more rewarding career paths both in terms of personal fulfillment and financial benefits.

If you’re around Dundee area then I’d be more than happy to have a chat with your son and show him the kind of projects that I work on or for him to come into the office for a day to see what it’s all about.

How much did you get hit for and how did that come about?

I bought my wife a doogee valencia y100 for Christmas. It was 89 pounds and does everything that my Xperia can do but has a nicer screen and better photos. I like my Xperia mostly because it’s waterproof and I doubt worry about it when it’s in my back pocket when cycling but 89 pounds! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the doogee.

By the time I get to the Tay bridge I can see my office so although the views are great my mind is elsewhere by then. It can also be the worst part of my commute depending on the weather.

I think my favourite part of my commute is just the feeling of being in the great outdoors for an hour or so before and after work. Seeing the occasional fox, deer or owl is often a highlight and having so many route options means that every trip just feels like a mini expedition. Whenever I get on a bike of any kind it feels the same way as it did when I was 5 years old, like I’m free to explore and go wherever I please, even if it was just to the end of the road back then and now just into work. For me it’s an invaluable hour for putting things in perspective and appreciating the simple things in life.

Not had a chance to try it yet. Spent Friday night getting the dropper set up and the weekend riding through the slop. Am going to try the rear adapter fix this Friday. Will let you know how it goes.

Apologies if this has been said before but when I removed the shock on my trigger 4 to route a dropper cable I noticed that the cable for the shock was really chewing through the downtube at an alarming rate. I’d put on helitape in that area but it had cone through it after a month or so of riding. Worth checking this isn’t happening with yours too.

Rascal that’s exactly what I’m intending on doing. Any tips would be much appreciated. Cheers.

Does anyone know where in the UK I can buy a 180mm brake adapter for my trigger? Like this out of stock one –

Cannondale 180mm Rear Brake Adaptor Jekyll & Scalpel 29er KP176

I think the DOSS was from either bike discount or bike 24. Only the 100mm drop was available in 31.6mm

The Lev Integra that I bought was a second hand unused one from ebay that came straight off a new bike. It looks like a good deal but time will tell. Will hopefully receive it this week. Looking forward to getting out on it at the weekend come rain or shine (lets face it – rain).

I’ve plumped for a KS Lev Integra for £140. It’s a little more than I ever thought I’d spend on a seatpost but Santa was good to me so I’ve a bit of Christmas cash to spend on it.

The internal routing and cable operation swung it for me. Although clearly everyone loves the reverb some comments on the delicate switch and the fact that it’s hydraulic put me off. Hopefully the Lev won’t disappoint.

I’ve got handbuilt archetypes on miche primato hubs which are fantastic and cost around £300. That said, they replaced Zondas which I had worn out after a gritty winter of riding. For £220 I wouldn’t hesitate to buy Zondas again. That is a ridiculously good wheelset for that price. They’re stiff, light and incredibly smooth wheels that would be well worth it at twice that price.

How about a KS Lev Integra? Are they any good as I’ve seen a good deal on one locally.

The satori looks promising actually. Not the best looking but hey of it works well and is reliable then it looks good value to me.

One of the things about expensive droppers that puts me off is the feeling that the next wave of production in a year or so is going to improve reliability and value for money massively so I wouldn’t want to feel like I’d wasted a lot of money just now if something considerably better comes along soon. All speculative of course.

The KS ones just seem so expensive though. I like the idea of mechanical simplicity but can’t really see why they cost so much.

Hmmm seems like the reverb is the best bet then. For info I found the Tranz x one on bikediscount.de for 100 euros. If I could find any reviews of it I might go for it but there don’t seem to be any. The ones I have found are for a tranz x suspension post and unfortunately they’re not very good so it doesn’t fill me with confidence.