From the pic ned, not sure if that is fillet brazed or welded. Post a pic of the headtube if you can or just more of the frame?

A Scottish mountain bike – very nice!

what uplink said – when we were there a few months back, a bike was taken from a locked car, in daylight!

Nicely made, is that a new venture – Qubic?

Good! I hope you fit some decent or original vw pads next time. It's the same with bikes but a bit more imprtant….

Nice and smooth. Not heard of a Fleet before?

I've not found it a problem, lived/mortgaged a grade 2 listed building for the last 15 years. Buildings insurance can be a little problematic if trying to go with the big online discount insurers. I have buildings cover with my mortgage company, which was Woolwich now Barclay's, contents with M&S for it's bikey qualities mainly.

Live in it for a while before undertaking work, understand the building. The approach to extensions isn't about faking something new to match the existing anymore, more using quality local handmade materials, and producing something that is quality and will be judged as that over time.

If you're into it go for it, if you're trying to return a development profit – maybe think again.

.

I hope to make it – count me in! 🙂

Solo night riding, now that is a different kettle of fish. Weirwolves start to become a reality!

Clubs can get very 'cliquey' and that can lead to perceived unfriendliness, I am fortunate that there are a few groups in my area that I can choose to ride with, depending whether I fancy a blast, or a more social ride. I tend to go more 'social' as I can always blast it anytime on my local, from the door trails.

I know what you are trying to say, search for other local groups but don't sevre your ties with anyone completely – unless things have really become personal.

Try and work out a short-ish local ride 90-120 mins that you can do solo, after work in the summer or when ever, and ride with a group maybe once a week?

One other thing I have experienced is (not VW specific), if 'pattern' (non-genuine) pads have been fitted, and they are reasonably worn, is that they can pull to one side.

As above, but I'd stick some fresh genuine pads in whilst you're going to the bother of stripping it out.

There has been a torque wrench thread recently – unfortunately you probably won't like reading it.

I'm not local (West Sussex) but I could be up for a Quantocks extravganza.

Keep me posted please, email addy in profile if needed.

ta

Pete

He already has an XL11!! 😆

You'll end up getting a King……….

I've read a bit on NLP, I'd say it's a good positive way of looking at things. Don't necessarilly expect a magic bullet affect though, and I'd avoid anything written by Paul Mckenna!

I found 'NLP the art and science of getting what you want' by Dr Harry Alder, ISBN 0-7499-1489-0, an easy reading and eye opening book. Learning about and reading signals in others is very interesting! For sales, customer interfacing, meeting people etc….

I did try and book earlier on in the year. I'd be up for it next summer, could be risky weather wise after this month is out. Doug?

As the op desribes it as 'new' I assume it's one of the newer types. I've had both, I'd say the Mk1 was the better design, if the bearing was better or replaceable. After three years I could accept replacing a bearing, although it still hasn't a patch on the King. I have one ten years and going strong, one re-lube that's it. The newer Hope's are really poor IMO, as I said just like an XL11 with more rings and seals. The bearing would spin in the cups no matter how tight I set it. The only redeeming feature of the newer type, is that you can swap the bearing out easily – which I think you will need to do before long. Mine was full of water after a few rides.

It took a lot of persuasion to get Hope to warranty the original, I did have to pay something towards the new, as I only wanted to buy a bearing for the Mk1 headset. Their attitude wasn't in any way impressive either.

Ok, I thought it was an original idea, if it's a fashion thing then perhaps it isn't 'disturbing'.

All the very best

There are so many parts in the Hope stack, I am hardly surprised that you keep getting play developing amongst all the interfaces. I had similar issues, and was less than impressed with the design overall. It wasn't too dissimilar to an XL Orbit 11, just with more seals and rings in the stack. Mine had water penetration after just a few rides. I managed to swap it for an old King, no issues since.

PS: the Hope headset was a warranty replacement for one of the Mk1 Hope headsets, which lasted a few years until the bearing went, and I found out these were not available, and not retro fittable – according to Hope.
Overall, quite poor really and dissapointingly no where near a rival to a King!

Hmm – following the sequence of pic's to the end, I don't quite know what to make of that. It's quite disturbing in a way, I'm sure the psychologist types would have a field day interpreting that. Sorry, that's not meant to sound offensive.

Congratulatons, wishing you a great and wonderful marraige.

Pete

Yeah, found it eventually. I did spot myself, and I didn't realise how serious some were taking it, warming up on rollers – blimey! Makes me even more pleased with our pairs placing.

Mind you I did spin up the chalky climb out of the village and back, in a vague attempt to warm up

bowglie, how tight do you/did you have your spd's!?

My first experience was buying a bike fitted with spd's from my cr@p LBS (I won't mention the name, it does have the worst reputation in the SE). The pedals were set up so tight, and the cleats weren't even the same brand as the pedals! Anyway, I crashed and literally couldn't realease my foot, I had to remove my shoes with them still atchached to the bike, and by hand wrench them round until they released. Needless to say I hated spd's from then on. It took nearly five years to return after trying, Time, and other pedals almost giving up, until I went back to spd's once again. This time using Shimano, with the multi-release cleats, and the tension backed off as far as possible. And the cleats set correctly for my knee ailments, hey presto – I love em, no knee probs at all. Of course, once I wore out the multi cleats, I bought standard one's and all's been great for the last five years. I have to buy shoes with no insole bias though, and I set the cleats at the same slight angle with every new pair of shoes. It took five years of trial and error to get there – I wouldn't go back to flats.

I can see it now, had to download Flash 10!

Love to see it but my pc doesn't like Vimeo. Normally there is a Windows media player option but no on yours James?

I wore a short sleeved version of that on last nights ride.

Don't know that's very subjective, and down to personal taste. Maybe you want a long sleeved summer top?

I would say not personally, as a single layer especially in the coming weeks.

Their first generation cycling shorts did look suspiciously like Endura – eeek!!!

I emailed them saying that, and with the slight hint that they may have made them – I got no reply!

It may have been repainted,but that shouldn't make a huge difference, unless someone's used a 'smart repairer' – the guy's who come out in vans and spray bit's of your car outside.

Standard cost is £200 labour plus paint/materials to repaint a small/medium bonnet. Materials £100 approx

The solid red will still be a base (solid base) over clear.

http://www.peterflynnclassiccars.com

Pete

I really don't agree with ditching the spd's once you've already mastered them, as they are one of the biggest hurdles to overcome.

Also, so don't agree with the post knee opp advice from one poster regarding spd's.

I did write a detailed explanation to both the above, as I have experience (positive) of both, but STW shonky forum crapped out when I hit 'Send Post' and I haven't the patience right now to re-write it all again – maybe later if there is still interest in the thread.

Pete

http://www.stif.co.uk/gear/select_options.asp?productid=6184&store=mtb

Anything merino at the moment

It's not for Q-factor and I have googled and googled to no avail. Thanks for your help cynic.

I can't see myself going for the shorts – have some Swobo on order but, I may well try merino liners when they become available! 😳

Ah cheers guys, but I forgot to mention a 73mm shell, just to add another complicaton!

Nothing doing at SJS

PS: Q factor for John Wayne – I am a bit bandy legged too 😀

That was my experience FW!

There are some good one's available, but not in that price range. The unpronounceable Italian brand that CRC and Aspire Velotech sell does look promising though. I've no experience of it I must add, but I may well look into that.

'Sport Torque' is a new English brand of wrench especailly for bikes. I received a flyer when attending a race recently. I was interested and emailed them. Accuracey + – 20%! No calibration either!! No sale as far as I'm concerned…..

I broke mine (uncomplicated) and was riding at around 6 weeks. It did zap my confidence for a year.

Hardest parts was sleeping for me

I think because of the mileage, year and model £1200 may not be too far off the mark.

Why not put up a picture – may entice someone.

I'll be looking for a new (old) car in Jan!

Anyone actually made their own shed, or had a carpenter bespoke one for you. I'm not keen on the material quality of the pre-made stuff.
?

Ten years for a Shimano – you're not riding enough!

1 year or there abouts..