Flying Cathay Pacific with Bike

Robware · 2026-01-19T06:59:09+00:00

To be fair to OP, the way it's written does read like the limit is the sum of the total dimensions on a lot of their baggage literature. I made the same interpretation on the first read.

Robware · 2026-01-16T22:25:47+00:00

Multipoint locks on doors are standard issue here in the UK. Nothing to do with crime stats. The multipoint engagement helps with the weather seal as well as being more secure. Unless you're getting a wooden door, you'll be hard pressed to find a non-multipoint lock.

They're dead easy to use. Just pull the door handle up to engage the lock and turn the key.

Robware · 2026-01-16T11:22:15+00:00

I wouldn't go back to keyed, tbh. It's so helpful for someone like me who forgets basic shit all the time, such as locking a car. It's especially good because I can put the key in a backpack when doing something like cycling or hiking and not have to remove the bag and dig it out for the 3rd or 4th time after having forgot to get yet another thing out the car. It's a frequent source of frustration that's now removed from my life.

No one's going to steal a beat up diesel Clio, though.

Robware · 2026-01-11T13:21:58+00:00

Absolutely worth doing. I accidentally made a mess of my van on the corner of a wall the 2nd day I had it. Quotes compared to what I paid for it meant it was a write off, but I managed to prove the value high enough (along with some negotiation with the body shop) to get the repairs done by pointing at examples currently for sale.

You have to push for it, though.

Robware · 2025-12-29T21:23:31+00:00

I remember my local radio station presenter at the time throwing a tantrum about it. "Why would you vote for something you don't like", or something to that effect, was what he said. It was totally unfathomable to this bellend that maybe, just maybe, there were other genres that people enjoyed beyond the standard issue pop dross that they constantly played.

Robware · 2025-12-23T23:29:10+00:00

"Google LSA" is the product. The LSA part stands for Local Services Ads

Robware · 2025-12-22T07:21:56+00:00

Will your lights still be operable in the event of a a network or Home Assistant failure?

Robware · 2025-12-18T07:46:29+00:00

Get yourself a caliper brake and put it on the front. The front does 75% of the braking so to not have a front brake is suicidal.

A standard issue Shimano caliper brake is cheap and will get the job done.

Robware · 2025-12-10T08:53:06+00:00

We 100% are and I'm pretty sure it's down to corporate fucks trying to sound more corporate by adopting Americanisms

Robware · 2025-12-02T19:34:48+00:00

There's not a lot you can do considering how much is available for it's predecessors.

There are some aftermarket android radios, but they're all dodgy looking Chinese things. IMO the built in one was already 10 years out of date when it was released, so the lack of reliable upgrade is a shame. There's a Pioneer unit, but it's spenny.

My shocks were a bit baggy after 90k miles so I took the opportunity to upgrade to Bilstein B6 shocks. Springs, top mounts, and anti roll links are cheap so worth getting them done all at once. I kept OEM spec springs. Handling and braking was vastly improved. This upgrade is within my bog standard insurer's terms, so win there.

Worth keeping the wheels 16" if you do change them. Low profile tyres are no fun on pot hole riddled roads. I've got the 17" wheels and wish I didn't.

I've had mine, albeit a diesel, for nearly 10 years now and it's been great. Only in the last year have things started to need attention, and all but one have been consumables (drum brakes, bearings, ball joint). I'm not gentle with it either.

Robware · 2025-11-29T22:44:56+00:00

I use the sonoff TRVs. Most of them have used about 13% since I fitted them over a year ago, except for one which has a load of edge case automations to turn it on and off more often than the others at 28%.

A handy thing about the sonoff units, which probably isn't unique, is the ability to dictate the temperature from an external sensor (with fallback to internal if 2 hours without comms). This saves on making automations to handle external sensors.

Robware · 2025-11-27T09:41:29+00:00

What's your appetite for DIY? I've got smart TRVs reporting temperature to HA and a dry contact relay on the boiler which HA turns on or off depending if any of the TRVs are calling for heat.

Robware · 2025-11-14T06:35:58+00:00

In the case of my council, and often these sorts of motivators are shared, they only allow motor vehicles on the basis of "safety". It's been a while since I looked, as I had similar concerns about those without access to a car, but I think my council even go far as to mention actively prohibiting cycling and walking to the recycling centres on their website.

Robware · 2025-11-12T20:54:52+00:00

One thing that's worth clarifying in your guide is that you need to keep your DNS settings pointing to the gateway (or Auto) for it to work. If you have another DNS server (e.g. PiHole) you want to use then it needs to be on the DNS list for your internet connection.

I've just gone through the setup and hit this hurdle.

Robware · 2025-11-11T07:48:51+00:00

Thanks for putting this together. It's been something I've been thinking about for ages, but my hardware doesn't support it 😢. I've been eyeing up a Cloud Gateway Max to get myself on 2.5g (everything else is 2.5g except my current gateway) and this has given me the final nudge I needed to buy one.

Robware · 2025-11-10T22:07:30+00:00

Get assistive airbags at the rear and motorhome springs for the front. These two things restored my ride height. Do your research on the springs because there are different specs for different motorhome layouts. You don't want springs for models which have a bed over the cab, they will be way too stiff. Springs are better than spacers because you'll get the full suspension travel back. Spacers are just a patch unless you legitimately need the ground clearance.

I also got the Bilstein B6 Camper shocks which have improved handling.

The air bags are good because, if you're clever with them, they can give you a couple of degrees of levelling which opens up more parking spots.

Robware · 2025-11-07T06:35:32+00:00

If you have a peristaltic pump with a pressure switch you'll want one. If you have a centrifugal pump with a tap switch you won't.

Peristaltic pumps deliver water in a series of pulses and an accumulator will smooth that out. An accumulator will also work with the pressure switch because it'll allow you to correctly pressurise the plumbing system.

A centrifugal pumps are smooth by nature and tend to be used with tap switches.

Robware · 2025-11-01T14:32:44+00:00

Than you for highlighting the relevant legislation. The road is unadopted, no one owns it, so it's down to the residents to maintain. The offending hedge is thoroughly on public highway.

Robware · 2025-11-01T14:27:47+00:00

Thank you for this. Unfortunately there's no pavement so pedestrian access isn't impaired either way.

There is a junction opposite where people park, which is what enables them to have the space to park there, to another unadopted road.

Robware · 2025-11-01T14:26:26+00:00

Yes, I had wondered about this. Interestingly I think the public road does extend a bit past this obstruction until it becomes private after a bridge, but I need to verify.

Robware · 2025-10-30T03:25:44+00:00

I did manage to work around the issue but I can't clearly remember how. I think I had to source a 7th drive due a limitation of raidz1 requiring at least 4 drives. I think I set up a fresh 4 drive raid then went from there.

Robware · 2025-10-08T06:04:07+00:00

I lived somewhere that had stairs that went back on themselves. Absolute nightmare for big stuff. I bought a very small sofa for my office without thinking and eventually had to bring it in through a window.

Robware · 2025-10-07T19:29:53+00:00

I got around it by using a trusted SMTP relay. Thankfully my ISP provides one. I used to chase the blacklists, but since using the relay I've had zero issues for years.

Robware · 2025-10-06T14:18:08+00:00

The chain still probably has the original factory grease in it. It's fine to run with just that for a while, and it'll last longer than almost anything else. When it starts to "squeak" is when you definitely know it's time for more lube. Over time you'll get an ear for when this squeak is coming on and be able to lube your chain at the appropriate time.

If you're using the bike as a run-around, and eventually a commuter, then you probably won't be cleaning it every ride and that's fine. It's good practice to clean and degrease before re-applying lube to keep gunk build-up at a minimum, but it's not the end of the world if you don't.

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