+1 for the Aiston.
It's made out of box section steel so strong and sturdy. Not as pretty as the Thule racks but not had to buy any spares for mine, unlike the Thule that went before it.

Yep, midges come out to play in May.

The otter that visits The Mish is quite partial to cheese & onion crisps!
If you're bird watching don't count too many of the "tourist eagles" though ;-)

All our 3 went on strike when the snow turned up too – as above don't worry about it.
If you're wanting to put something in to help them out with the cold a hot water bottle won't keep it's heat for long in sub-zero temperatures so we were recomended a Snugglesafe Heatpad which can be had for about £15. Hens are pretty good at regulating their temperature though so we only used it when they were shivering (about 3 days of not going above freezing)

Slight hijack – has anyone tried an old classic range rover with the back seats stripped out for chucking stuff in?
The Defender is too cramped for me but a Rangie could be ideal.

Oxford comfy is nearly as good as a buff but a 3 pack costs about the same as a buff – great if you tend to lose things :-)

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=11914
but search and you'll find cheaper

Howdens are similarly priced to everywhere else (B&Q & Wickes etc) but the cabinets are built up. Someone did mention that their Howdens supplied one is losing it's doors – these are put on by you or your joiner.
When getting a joiner make sure you get one that has been recomended for finishing of the worktops as it's the hardest bit.
A good quality kitchen can be done for just a few thousand but will look nasty if you skimp on the finishing.

If you are over 6'2" I would try sitting in the 159 before deciding on your purchase. At 6'3 I don't fit in the 159 as it's got a smaller cabin than the 156 or 147 or wierdly the GT.

Anyone tried this sort of thing?

http://www.strikeforcesupplies.co.uk/index.php?method=stock&id=15020

This any use?
http://www.year-planner-calendar.wanadoo.co.uk/year-planner-wall-diary-calendar-public-holiday-chart-academic-fiscal-free.htm

Bump.

How come it's now only being listed 100mm for fork travel? Didn't it used to be suitable for up to 5 inches?

One thing I've learnt over the years is that as a pie muncher I need a Thomson seatpost if I don't want to bend it. Why does nobody else know how to build a lardy proof seat post?

Barry Bethel – I misread the OP so you're was the first one that I was expecting

Cheers all

Whos_Daddy – I'm a little more Ton sized than that, so anyone else feel free. Where did you get them from though?

I've done a bit of searching on the bay and it's a bit of a minefield from what I've seen. There's a mix of used/unused/repaired/claimed sizes/varying prices and some don't even seem to be the real thing.
Has anyone had any problems or is it a case of just find something the right waist size and give it a go?

In that case I assume you've got cavity wall insulation too?

Personally I'd block them up and get a carbon monoxide alarm. Might be worth speaking to a plumber who knows what he's doing too.

The vents are usually put in there to allow carbon monoxide to vent out and fresh air in. Newer boilers don't need a vent.
What do you have in the kitchen? I'm assuming a gas cooker and probably an old boiler with that much venting?

Surely if you want super cheap find the gear ratio you would want and then try riding without changing gear. If you're willing to spend a little get a tensioner & converter (from on-one for £20 for both) and ditch all your gears apart form still having 3 rings up front.

I actually went with another recomendation (sorry Charlie) and ordered from http:\\www.HubJub.co.uk
Ordered lunchtime yesterday, £6 delivered and I've already got them!
Can't believe how quick they've got here, especially considering the time of year – fantastic!

Not a new bike, just the bits to give this singlespeed lark a try on the cheap. If I get on with it then a slot drop Inbred frame could be on the cards early next year unless Ton lists his new Gary Fisher at a good price ;-)

Looks like CTBM will be getting another order then. In the mean time there'll be 2 spare rings on the front.

Who won then?

Inner bolts? Would these be the right length?

Booga. Any clue where I can get some delivered for not much cash?

The purple one looks a bit Raleigh Chopper

I've just figured out that Singlespeed is an anagram of Penis Sledge!

It would be nice if the On-One website had a pic or two of the actual colour wouldn't it

That has topped off the year! Fantastic!

Not tried ordering online from these guys, but their beer is well tasty
http://www.brewdog.com/

A Powerlink will work with a singlespeed chain?
Or am I getting the wrong end of the stick here?
To be more specific how would I join something like a KMC Z510? Would it come with joining pins? and what would I need if I got it wrong?

Ok, next question:
How do you join a singlespeed chain?
I'm used to using SRAM Powerlinks on geared bikes, is there a singlespeed alternative available somewhere?

Yep, seen Apocalyptica too. Strange gig watching a band with no singer and the crowd doing the vocals – brilliant, but odd.

I stuck 130mm Revs on my Malt 1. I had been told that it would handle like a pig as the frame was designed to use 100mm forks. When I rode it with 100mm forks I always felt like I was gonna go over the bars on every downhill and the 130mm Revs have resolved this problem and I've found no real downside.
Basically, as someone said though ^^ it all depends on the bike and what you want out of it.

That Metallica one is my fave vid – fantastic!

Seen Hayseed Dixie a few times now and can't wait til they come to Preston next year

Er, I've already got wide risers with bar ends
I'm gonna fit right in :-)

scott_mcavennie2 – Your Malt looks pretty slick… and very familiar too.
I'm quite looking forward to trying a niche :-)

:-)

There are a few other shiny things that I like the look of on Charlie's site. I'll see how rich the rellies are feeling when ordering.

Is there any advantage to getting the singlespeed kit from here?
http://www.charliethebikemonger.com

Some interesting points there, thanks.
I had been looking at going uber niche and getting a fully rigid singlespeed 29er, but that might be a little too much to take on in one go – already got the beard!.

monkeychild – thanks for the offer but I'll be adding this to my christmas list so needs to be shop.

Looks like I'll be reading WMB in WHS over the next few days then and adding some chainring bolts to my list too :-)

Any "sport" that was only invented as a means to pass the time is going to be extremely dull to watch – cricket, golf, bowls, fishing.

All these could be made a lot mor interesting if snipers were introduced :-)

If you're set on that Vision 1 there's a few places doing it for around £69.99

cookeaa/sv – Thanks for the link. I'd not realised that UltraFire had upped the WF-606A to 230 lumens. If it's owt like the RC-N3 the quoted figure is related to the higher powered battery.