Aussie Grit bibshorts from Rich (ta muchly). Look nice, seem to fit. I can't help feeling that all the lovely ventilation will be lost on me though

I'll likely try them on Saturday, so more of a review after that.

A very reasonable and well kept 16L Ortlieb saddlebag thanks to @redefined_cycles. Ta!

Mickey Wong wrote: ↑Tue Mar 30, 2021 10:54 pm

Gari wrote: ↑Tue Mar 30, 2021 8:26 am Hi John, who are the guys making the custom top tube bags again? I’m in the market for some custom frame bags etc. Cheers.

They are from Custom Merit Gear, based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

What Mickey says Gari
here you go
https://www.custommeritgear.com/en/universal-gear

... and delivered me a new GRX rear mech and XT chain. I also popped into LBS and picked up a new gear cable and outer. While there I tried to order a couple of replacement mech hangers via Hotlines; we'll see.

... and delivered some Végétalex and replacement valve cores.

I and this lovely chap were the posties... met him at the YDH to collect this fine looking specimen of bikepacking history (okay... I know).

A new 160mm rotor for the back end of my BigBro which on the weekend became a donor bike for my Fatty after, while swapping between wheel sets, I managed to round out one of the disc bolts and decided to leave it well enough alone. Another classic example of my utter lack of mechanical sympathy costing me ££££.

TheBrownDog wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:28 pm A new 160mm rotor for the back end of my BigBro which on the weekend became a donor bike for my Fatty after, while swapping between wheel sets, I managed to round out one of the disc bolts and decided to leave it well enough alone. Another classic example of my utter lack of mechanical sympathy costing me ££££.

This seems to be the reassuringly-thorough answer to your mangled screw conundrum, Tim .

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XVTn6wI4g6s

The post lady with a pair of Alpkit toliari panniers and I collected
A 12t log splitter that I can also use as a press.....

TheBrownDog wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:28 pm A new 160mm rotor for the back end of my BigBro which on the weekend became a donor bike for my Fatty after, while swapping between wheel sets, I managed to round out one of the disc bolts and decided to leave it well enough alone. Another classic example of my utter lack of mechanical sympathy costing me ££££.

Rotor bolts seem to be particularly prone to this IME, even the Torx ones, and I like to consider myself reasonably mechanically competent.

Cutting a slot in the head for a large screwdriver with a Dremel has always worked for me for getting them out.

A bit late, but last week I got a nice wee parcel from Stu:
Couple of Voile straps; to see if they'll help withload stabilisation, failing that strapping a tent to the rear rack.
Couple of Bearpaws: been sorting out my bivvy gear and I seem to have lost what I used to use!
And the best: An 8g stove and tapered windshield
I've been a long term user of Trangia and more recently an Alocs burner and stand, but I was trying to get a brew kit into a small stem cell and everything I will need for a brew will now fit into my 400ml GSI mug and into said stem cell.

(Normally I wouldn't bother with a brew for day rides, but after a year of long covid I think I've now turned the corner, but I'll still need to take it easy and brew stops seem like a nice way to stop, get off the bike, enjoy the brew, the ambience and not do what I would normally do which is press on only stopping to fill water bottles, hopefully a win win situation )

Edit to add, more stuff coming this week

MYOG here I come

One of those gas refill connectors.

If you hear a loud bang from the North....

A Sturmey Archer 5-spd hub, a pile of very short spokes, nipples and a wee little rim. Soon to be a new rear wheel for my Brompton. It's been a long time since I spent two days hunched over a mangled pile of wheel gubbins, hands cramping, covered in sweat, swearing at the dog and questioning my sanity. There goes my weekend.

JohnClimber wrote: ↑Wed Apr 07, 2021 3:49 pm

MYOG here I come

is it a floor print?
fasted buckles tape & si nylon.

ledburner wrote: ↑Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:56 pm is it a floor print?
fasted buckles tape & si nylon.

That's what they were, but not any more

JohnClimber wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:00 am

ledburner wrote: ↑Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:56 pm is it a floor print?
fasted buckles tape & si nylon.

That's what they were, but not any more

so your undecided, or won't tell yet.....
I hope it's not gonna be a black body bag.

gordonbennett wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 8:08 pm A very reasonable and well kept 16L Ortlieb saddlebag thanks to @redefined_cycles. Ta!

Sorry... I was meant to reply to your PM when it arrived. Thanks for recognising it's good condition. I suppose it just reflects Ortlieb as a maker. I did try to ruin it but only mainly onroad so a relatively easy life for a good few years.

Hope it lasts you well

Working too much...decided it was time for a treat...

Comfy riding is fun riding.

Greetz

S. : )

Some fantastic new decals from Gil at retrodecals.co.uk

Can't wait to get them on the Omega

Scattamah wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 11:18 am Working too much...decided it was time for a treat...

Ooooooooooooooooooooooh those are just lovely. Ride report ASAP please.

A second-hand but unused Zephyros 1 tent to replace my big old Vango, and a BNWOT Rab Cirrus Flex jacket to replace my horrible cheap down job. Operating on a tight budget, so pleased to have got good deals on both, especially the jacket.

An Alpkit Kanyo also arrived which I ordered before I found the Rab - thought I'd compare before returning one and the Rab is miles nicer for the same money. The Alpkit number feels flat and empty, and is really big and boxy around the upper body. A weird item, not sure I'd have been happy with it even at the decent discount I paid.

The tent packs down nicely without poles into an 8l dry bag. A big downsizing and down-weighting to my kit setup for cheap.

A fully rebuilt Lucas K2F magneto - that was £400 I'd not banked on spending but it should be so much better than the distributor I've just junked

directdrive wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:45 pm An Alpkit Kanyo ............... feels flat and empty, and is really big and boxy around the upper body.

Ive always fit Alpkit tops really well till I bought one their hoodies. It was huge around the body but the arms were really short and really tight. I couldnt be arsed sending it back so gave it to my daughter, who likes big baggy clothes despite having the physique of a baby giraffe, but did wonder why the arms were so small.

Something weird going on in the basement then ..?

TheBrownDog wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 4:29 pm
Something weird going on in the basement then ..?

In fairness to them it's the first piece of upper clothing I've bought from them and I'm in that weird zone between medium and large, so maybe I needed to size down. Still, I normally take a large and I was surprised at how flappy it was.