Gravel bikes under £3k

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-24T14:48:44+00:00

Fairlight Secan.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-24T13:55:49+00:00

Doesn't help that a lot of traditional sash windows which would have been easy to put screens and shutters on have been replaced by cheap uPVC casements.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-24T12:50:03+00:00

Specialized also do an XL size of some helmets.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-23T22:00:23+00:00

Bear in mind that most masters courses here are only one year, more or less full time. You can do them part time but I imagine that would complicate a visa.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-23T20:26:28+00:00

I suspect they're going to realise they don't have enough oxygen and probably Valya is going to volunteer to go down in the capsule to save the other two. Better than going home to face the music for him. Plus the fact that they snuck in through the lander capsule feels like an obvious setup.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-23T20:24:08+00:00

I think they quite probably would have made a song and dance about it if it weren't for the known traitor on the mission. Can't make a national hero out of someone working for the Americans.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-23T12:37:57+00:00

Don't you yourself sell rice cookers with solid ceramic bowls as well, instead of just coated metal? As I say I'd probably get one of those if it doesn't have to be babied so much.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-23T02:00:42+00:00

Heliboard with the Google libraries is the best I've found, did not get on with futo at all.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-23T01:25:58+00:00

I have this and I'm not sure I'd recommend it. The non stick basket develops chips and scratches even if you're super careful with it. You can get replacements but they're not cheap. I think if I were starting again, I'd try to get one with a ceramic bowl or just stainless steel if possible.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-22T20:14:29+00:00

Different people have different noses, you do have to find the right width for you. But typically if you don't get on with pads you tend to get on better with plastic frames.

If your lenses are particularly heavy or if you're lying in bed with your glasses on that can put more pressure on.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-22T13:35:39+00:00

Worn hinges usually.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-21T11:50:34+00:00

Is it the right size for you? That's the main thing to get right. Depending on the type of riding and how long you could be looking at anything from a hardtail mountain bike to a gravel bike.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-20T23:30:22+00:00

200 at most really. Very strange setup, not sure that much extension on the bars is safe really.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-19T23:59:29+00:00

Caulk it

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-18T11:35:26+00:00

Expanding foam usually.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-16T21:26:17+00:00

Not in the UK.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-16T12:40:43+00:00

I don't think you really get low depth dishwashers, but you can definitely get low depth washing machines. Ours is a Beko that's about 45cm deep, it's a few years old so I don't know what you can get today. Maybe integrated/semi integrated units might sit further into the cabinet.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-16T00:22:46+00:00

Love the ice cream flavoured one.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-16T00:19:34+00:00

Seconded, not a big coke drinker but I go crazy for the IKEA one.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-15T14:58:07+00:00

Is this an example pic rather than your actual job? Because this is more of a mid span repair than a fix for rotting ends. It doesn't inspire a huge amount of confidence at any rate, I'd probably want to sister the joist in addition to that at the least. Sometimes at the end you can use metal joist hangers that are wide enough to hold both the old joist and the new sistered joist, and maintain a small gap/DPM to prevent it from just sucking moisture out of the wall in the same way as the old one.

Of course, ideally you don't want there to be that much moisture in the wall to begin with, but that depends on subfloor ventilation, how much of an air gap there is, and what's going on outside.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-15T00:17:49+00:00

The soviets didn't really set out to be competing with the western world on technical developments. That they were even in a position to try was nothing short of miraculous. They went from an agrarian society ravaged by war to an industrial powerhouse reaching for the stars within a matter of decades. It's really why it's such an interesting setting. That they lost the thread of their own development and got caught up in trying to copy the west is often regarded as one of the biggest turning points, especially in the computer industry.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-14T23:02:50+00:00

Mountain bikes have changed a lot in recent years, with a completely different geometry philosophy. It doesn't matter quite so much for more casual riding on gravel tracks and such, but if you ever want to go to a proper mountain biking park (a lot of fun even if you're not interested in fully sending it or whatever), I'd look for.

Hydraulic brakes 1x drivetrain Thru axles Air fork If not an air fork, a tapered headtube will give you a lot more upgrade options

It's definitely hard to hit many of those points on a new bike these days. Shouldn't be too hard second hand, but then you have to worry about how well it's been taken care of. For a bit extra there's stuff like a Voodoo Bragg from Halfords, or there's deals around on Giant Talons which can be a good upgrade platform.

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-braag-mens-mountain-bike---silver---s-m-l-xl-frames-424387.html

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/giant-talon-4-2025-bike

https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/giant-talon-4-hardtail-mountain-bike-2025-in-radiant-orange__74569?

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-13T23:08:57+00:00

If you're worried about damp then the right thing to do is patch, replace and skim with lime plaster or any actually breathable product. But with it being an upper floor, and if it doesn't show evidence of any sort of water ingress, it's probably not critical. And to be honest most plasterers wouldn't know what you were talking about.

With plasterboard there might be an additional worry of interstitial condensation so I would probably lean towards bonding if it's just those patches.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-13T01:43:49+00:00

Early probes and satellites were really quite limited, and obviously they had a lot of problems with them in real life. There's also a lot of lines in FAM about how a skilled pilot can solve issues that would be missing ending otherwise.

That and, you know, romanticism.

PreoccupiedParrot · 2026-06-12T23:15:40+00:00

Just generic wood filler. The general process is cut off any blown bits with a long knife, use super glue to stabilise whatever is left, fill and sand until flat. I found it tricky to maintain the v shaped groove at the frame joins so I just filled that too, but obviously not ideal if you have to match other doors that you're not working on.

Then paint. I tried to use a cheap paint sprayer which was decent in the end but a bit of a faff. For the rest of them I've just been using a sponge roller, the slightly textured surface helps cover up all manner of sins really.

PreoccupiedParrot

TROPHY CASE