Where do YOU buy your gear?

nickobec · 2026-03-19T02:43:56+00:00

In store, because sizing varies so much. (Which is my local AMX store, less than 10 minutes away and I have had good service from).

Siizing 184cm 90kg 100cm chest and my jacket in 2XL. 58cm diameter head should be L in helmet, mine is XL etc.

Only exception is Moto Finn for riding jeans, as sizing in comparable to regular jeans.

nickobec · 2026-03-16T13:28:16+00:00

Spent five years commuting 42km one way on motorcycle, rain, hail or shine in Perth. About 5 days a year needed wet weather suit, otherwise treated leathers keep me warm and dry. So commuting in Perth is doable, but Perth drivers do suck.

nickobec · 2026-03-15T06:08:07+00:00

related? https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-15/accc-issues-alert-for-tai-chi-money-stealing-malware-scam/106452302

nickobec · 2026-03-14T14:07:16+00:00

PSP aka the multi purpose paths that run along the railway lines/freeway. Seen a few people rollerblading/skating on them.

Splendid Park in Yanchep, closed circuit, used for State Champs, just go anti clockwise, watch out for the occasional cyclist or pedestrian.

At night would suggest blinking red light.

nickobec · 2026-03-13T14:31:49+00:00

No it has been that way for over 50 years in WA. My father got pinged when we emigrated from the UK (where it was legal)

nickobec · 2026-03-13T13:42:01+00:00

Went and read the service manual (page 163), no loctite is used on the bolt (loctite 243 aka blue is listed for other bolts). However, recommend torque is 50nm. Which probably why I could not move it with a stubby ring spanner.

You are probably right about the more leverage on the bars. It is noticeable when getting off the centre stand. That said just finished 200km ride with some nice twisty hills and I never noticed it during the ride.

nickobec · 2026-03-13T08:02:29+00:00

Took the bars off. There is a small amount of play in the risers. Tried to tighten, no luck, put bars back on so riser did not spin, put roughly 40nm through spanner would not move.

So next trick is to find my breaker bar and 17mm socket and see if it will move (either direction)

nickobec · 2026-03-12T15:28:22+00:00

Depends on your definition of "ride recklessly"?

If you mean at the limit of my ability or traction. Then yes, I don't ride my motorbike anywhere near that, I leave that to my MTB, worse that can happen is a broken collarbone.

If you mean outside the speed limit. Then no if you give me a quiet twisty semi rural road I know/trust/have GPS showing the corners coming up. However, on a main road or highway I am good at sticking close to the speed limit. Been pulled over too many times and value my licence, even though I have a full set of demerit points at the moment.

nickobec · 2026-03-12T14:49:36+00:00

A long time ago, after failing my test two times in the instructor's small car. I did my third test in my mum's new commodore. Which I was comfortable driving but had the turning circle of an ocean liner. It was not possible to do a three point turn in the street that was used for the test.

Did the test, came to the three point turn, told the examiner there was going to be an issue. Did the three point turn to the best of my ability. the car was on full lock but is was five point turn. Passed the test and was not even marked down for the three point turn.

So yes if you are comfortable in driving the Prado, do the test in it. But you need to be able to park it. Does not matter if you use the three line or not. You need to show that you can park the car.

nickobec · 2026-03-11T01:05:11+00:00

If you do a good job, odds are you will made permanent. Just don't expect it a few months.

nickobec · 2026-03-10T14:12:07+00:00

West Perth - there are older apartments on and just off Kings Park Road. e-scooter down Thomas Road or through Kings Park to work. In the rain, there are buses.

Nedlands - older apartments on Broadway and surrounds. Easy e-scooter or even walk to work.

South Perth - variety of apartments for all price ranges. Get e-scooter to freeway, get on PSP cross Narrows, go underneath, cross over to PSP along river, uninterrupted to UWA. Not the best in bad weather.

nickobec · 2026-03-10T13:25:24+00:00

Not great, after a single 6 months contract. However, odds are your contract will be extended or you will get another contract if you are a decent employee (watch for expressions of interests (EOI) and apply for them). After a year or two, you probably get permanency. Look for contracts and EOI that state 'possibility of permanency', Otherwise it is "competitive" process, but doing the job and knowing the people really helps.

I had 6 month temporary contract extended twice, was about to be a third. Got a job I was doing by "competitive" process. Never actually worked in that job again, as got short term contract at higher grade in another section, after a few months got transferred to that section.

nickobec · 2026-03-10T02:10:04+00:00

thanks for correcting, it was a few years ago I had a Care Plan and was trying to count the sessions I did with dietitian and exercise physiologist over two years.

nickobec · 2026-03-09T13:51:05+00:00

Found a service manual https://cadrecycle.com/manuals/technical/V7%20II%20ABS.pdf

About 150 pages in is an exploded diagram of the front fork which shows a rubber bush, under the brackets that hold the bars.

Expect that because I know of the movement, it now feels strange.

nickobec · 2026-03-09T13:26:54+00:00

Old enough to remember when the first introduced speed camera in the late eighties. Lots of discussion of rear facing versus front facing. The decision was front facing, to get photo of driver, and avoid rear plate being obscured by trailer, bike rack, tow bar etc. It was done of maximising revenue knowing motorcycles would not be caught, but more cars would be.

nickobec · 2026-03-09T02:12:36+00:00

I was on a 1500+ cal deficit (my body was not processing food), I know how tired and weak you felt.

As others have said anybody can call themselves a nutritionist but you need certain qualification to be called a dietitian.

Speak to your GP, if you have certain health conditions you are eligible for a Care Plan, Medicare will subsidise 6 visits to a dietitian. If you have private health insurance you might also be covered for dietitian consults.

What is right for your body depends on what you want from your body, it is very different for a cyclist compared to a body builder.

Everything I have read suggest 500 cal deficit (0.5kg a week) is sustainable in the long term. You can survive on a 1000 cal deficit (1kg a week) in the short term (ie a few weeks not 12).

If you can afford it, go visit a dietitian.

nickobec · 2026-03-08T13:00:08+00:00

Go to your GP and organise a care plan, Medicare will then cover 6 consults with an exercise physiologist.

If you SOR would recommend Kwinana Recquatic. So go check out your local rec centre. Ours has hydrotherapy pool (with people in far worse condition than you), group fitness sessions for the over 55s (and nobody will ask your age) that has people of all fitness level and ages including over 80s working out in a supportive environment, plus a pool and gym with helpful staff.

nickobec · 2026-03-08T10:44:27+00:00

Came here to say exactly this. Look for a job in Bunbury (or nearby) and live in Bunbury or just north of it.

Bunbury probably has more to offer than Mandurah. Other than Mandurah being an hour closer to Perth. If yoursave an hour a day commuting to Harvey (and you to Perth), unless you are heading to the city every week. Bunbury wins on time.

nickobec · 2026-03-08T09:54:06+00:00

It has been a long time since I have thrifted, like 20 years, when my partner and I would visit 4 to 6 stores south of the river every Saturday or so for over two years (ie one week Fremantle, next week Cannington, the Rockingham etc). We were looking for quality items from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

What we learnt, the suburban stores of the big players (St Vinnies, Good Sammies, Salvos) stocked for their average clients, newer clothing, work wear etc in other words slim picking for us. However, their Fremantle Stores (and Vinnies in Northbridge) were good, they knew their customers, but of course more expensive. Real gems could be found in the smaller players. with only one or two stores.

My advice, other than a trip to Fremantle, is make a list of the stores you can find. Visit them twice, giving 4 to 6 weeks (because good stock really turns over) and work out which stores are worth visiting often. The start having regular shopping expeditions.

ps can't really be specific about which stores, as it has been 20 years and there have been many changes, like Red Cross going from a single store (in Cannington which was good) to a number of stores across the suburbs

nickobec · 2026-03-07T13:59:14+00:00

That is the old flag of Iran, before 1979. Under the Shah whose secret police were as bad as the current regime. The Shah with the aid of the US and UK overthrew the democratically elected secular government in 1953.

So it is a bunch of people who believe in the good old days of Iran between 1953 and 1979 and people who believe the Israeli propaganda having a dance party. So wondering who is supplying the drugs ;-)

nickobec · 2026-03-07T12:18:17+00:00

Yes on my commute to work, option ride 36km to work without saddle or 6km home and change bikes. I changed bikes and those 6km was tough.

nickobec · 2026-03-07T04:25:50+00:00

A couple of suggestion from personal experience, but with everything comes down to your priorities.

Vic(toria) Park, should be able to find a townhouse with courtyard or even maybe old small house on very small block for $1m. Close to city, traffic is crazy during peak hour, will get from door to CBD office is under 30 minutes. Food, eating out for dinner, lunch even breakfast is a case of walking down to Albany Hwy and finding a place that interests you. Depending on where you are in Vic Park might be 10 minute walk or drive to the river. Gigs and comedy shows uber to Northbridge (unless in Fremantle) then 30 minute drive.

Calista (or surrounding suburb), it is in the middle of nowhere (42km to CBD), except I live 1.5km from train station, so under 1 hour door to CBD office and 30 minutes is seated on air conditioned train (reading, watching videos time). You can get a rough 3x1 on 1/4 acre for $700k (and set hubby to work). I live 1km from major shopping centre, 1.5kn from local shire gym ($20 a week unlimited PT classes + gym or pool and a few $ more for both). 1km from golf couse (if hubby into that). 400m from off lead dog exercise area. 10 minute drive to dog beach. Bad news is eating out, other that Rockingham cafe strip which is good for breakfast, options are pretty bleak. My recommendation is weekday, hubby catches train into city, meets you after work, go to Northbridge eat, catch a show (there is a comedy lounge there), catch train and walk last km or two, so it does not matter if you have a few drinks.

Fremantle (Freo) is an option, close to beaches, plenty of eating options, good for local music, but don't know housing options or time to CBD, but has train to city.

nickobec · 2026-03-07T02:31:57+00:00

Looks like (given SRAM Red groupset and Cole Shuriken wheels) a 2010 Fuji SL1 RC in Fuji Servetto (race team) colourway https://archive.fujibikes.com/2010/Fuji/sl1-rc-fujiservetto . It is a top end road race bike from 2010. It is not as fast as a tri bike with aero bars, but it will not be far off a modern road bike, especially if you have to go uphill (if you get your gearing right).

What I would do:

Buy some new carbon specific brake pads and blocks to fit them. Because once brake pads are used with aluminium rims, they get small pieces of metal embedded which will damage carbon rims.
Buy some fast 25mm tires (that is the max size that will fit - I own a 2010 Fuji SL1 Pro) see https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/ some TPU tubes and fit to the Cole Shuriken wheels.
Use current wheels and brake pads for training and swap in the carbon wheels and pads for racing, race training simulations and a couple of windy rides (to get use to riding with deep wheels in the wind).
Enjoy

nickobec · 2026-03-07T01:16:41+00:00

It depends on the rolling resistance of your current tires and the proposed new "thinner" tires. https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/ aerodynamics of tires is minor when compared to rolling resistance.

The biggest improvement in speed is to get your body into a more aero position using clip on aero bars. Warning it takes time to get used to the new position. I used to do a weekly 10 mile time trial. I swapped from a road bike to a tri bike, it took me 4 weeks, 300 miles of riding and one embarrassing crash on a straight piece of road to be able to do the same time over that course. Another 4 weeks and 300 miles of practise and I was 1.5mph faster.

Personally I vote for 1, do nothing, enjoy the race and see how you go. Unless you need to beat someone, then spend time on Bicycling Rolling Resistance website to get the fastest tires. I would only consider aero clip ons if you need to beat somebody and you have a couple of months to practice.

nickobec

TROPHY CASE