I’m heading out there in a week or so (also to Messe), so any other suggestions for places to go would be good. Any of the authentic East Berlin left?

I found that the Surly Big Dummy was more stable with heavy loads than the Ute, the 26″ wheels and the carrying design seems to keep the centre of gravity lower and make it less prone to the speed wobble when heavily loaded.

Another trick I was told was to glue cat biscuits to some card and leave it where they’re soiling, apparently that discourages them.

I was in Germany last week, so called into Koblenz to test ride the Spectral. Apparently the 29er range for 2016 should be released in the next 2 or 3 weeks according to the salesman I spoke to.