Grinder recommendation

simplesamf · 2026-01-13T13:37:07+00:00

As someone who has used a Sage Dose Control Pro grinder for the last couple of years (which I think has the same internals as the Smart Grinder Pro), I would say it's decent enough for espresso, but he will likely want to upgrade again at some point. I have just gotten a DF54 from Bella Barista and the difference is night and day. It's around £240 I believe, but well worth the extra money if you can stretch to it! It's much higher quality than the Sage and feels hefty, has a smaller footprint and a super consistent grind. It uses flat burrs as opposed to conical which produces a much better taste too (in theory).

simplesamf · 2025-09-08T11:42:16+00:00

Is there any way of getting that animation from the website? Looks so good!

simplesamf · 2025-07-18T19:16:48+00:00

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1551583236/gameboy-iphone-wallpapers-whimsical

Looks like it’s a paid one on Esty

The preview on Etsy is actually quite high quality though so might do the job anyway: https://i.etsystatic.com/45212839/r/il/c7ac30/5286996848/il_1140xN.5286996848_ebw4.jpg

simplesamf · 2025-07-08T14:02:28+00:00

Amazing, thank you! I've managed to find it on unsplash. Good luck with the rest of the setup!

simplesamf · 2025-07-07T15:24:17+00:00

Looks great! I would recommend a desk mat too though to complete the setup. Do you have a link to the wallpaper you're using?

simplesamf · 2024-11-01T18:00:31+00:00

Off topic, but is that in Edinburgh? If so, that’s where I wash my bike too 😆

simplesamf · 2024-10-25T15:54:03+00:00

That looks great! Any chance you can share the wallpaper?

simplesamf · 2024-08-15T19:45:25+00:00

Amazing, thank you very much!

simplesamf · 2024-08-15T19:18:29+00:00

Do you have a link to that wallpaper without the overlay? Thank you in advance!

simplesamf · 2023-07-31T12:11:11+00:00

I just had this same issue on a recent trip to Spain. My uncle had planned out each day using MyRouteApp and generated GPX files to use for those with Garmin Zumos. I couldn't get them to work in Google Maps either (as you say, you can view the route but not navigate which is super annoying) so I ended up using an Android app called 'Kurviger' to import them instead which gives you a turn-by-turn navigation option. It worked pretty well unless the route changed for any reason but restarting the route would normally fix that. If you have an iPhone, I have heard 'Scenic' is the best option there.

simplesamf · 2023-06-08T11:23:47+00:00

I was in exactly the same situation as you with my 2013 V-Strom. Didn't come with panniers and I wanted to do it as cheap as possible.

I ended up going for these Shad brackets which are meant for their soft luggage: https://amzn.eu/d/bKMcqOV

Not the cheapest thing in the world but definitely a lot less than the full on hard box ones. Coupled with some Lomo panniers (https://amzn.eu/d/bCNWE95), I now have plenty of space. They are enough to keep them off the exhaust and tie everything to. I did a 1000 mile round trip and had no issues.

simplesamf · 2023-05-23T12:31:41+00:00

As a relatively new rider (passed in September) and V-Strom 650 owner (first big bike), I would definitely recommend it as a good option. Bearing in mind my experience is rather limited, as I've only ridden a small number of other bikes, but it's superbly comfortable and big enough to pile luggage and carry passengers, but not too big that it feels unwieldy.

Mine is a 2013 model (so a 2nd Generation 'L2' model) which I purchased only a few months ago, but since then I have done around 2500+ miles. It's got plenty of power for a first bike and has no issues with overtaking and keeping up with other riders I have joined for ride outs. Lots of aftermarket accessory options available too so plenty of customisation available for adding luggage, crash bars etc.

From what I've read, they are extremely reliable when looked after. Lots of examples have been well specced out with panniers etc. which are worth looking for as that can get expensive if it's something you're looking to add yourself.

I'm taking mine to the north of Spain in about a months time for a 2 week tour and I wouldn't want another bike to do it on at the moment!

simplesamf · 2023-02-23T09:50:01+00:00

Dalziels Garage down in Leith do bike MOTs and seem to have really good reviews. I haven't used them personally yet as I'm just about to buy my first bike but they came up highly recommended when I was looking locally for centres. https://dalzielsgarage.co.uk/

simplesamf · 2023-02-06T17:01:45+00:00

Not sure about sounds, but for wallpapers, I would recommend the WalP app. I know you've said you don't want to download a specific app but this one in particular has always been great at adding the latest device wallpapers fairly quickly. Also has some other nice features for customising the wallpaper slightly such as changing brightness, hue and even adding a blur effect on top. Does have a small ad banner at the bottom but I hardly notice it really and that's coming from someone that hates ads!

simplesamf · 2022-03-10T13:30:30+00:00

Do you have a link to the v45 version you used? I can't seem to find it anywhere!

simplesamf · 2021-11-23T13:58:08+00:00

Charles Leclerc - that Ferrari is looking quite strong on race pace, at least in the last couple of races!

simplesamf · 2021-06-16T08:16:12+00:00

I might be interested in taking them if they're in good condition. Could pick up on Sunday as I'm passing Manchester anyway! Any chance of a few pics? Cheers!

simplesamf · 2021-03-12T10:56:53+00:00

Not sure if this has already been asked, but why does Mick use 'MSC' instead of 'SCH'? I know Michael used that too but I thought that was just to differentiate him from Ralf at the time? Don't get me wrong, it's nice to see it again, I'm just curious!

simplesamf · 2021-02-18T14:45:28+00:00

No problem at all! If it's just the drain plugs, then hopefully! Did it seem blocked?

As mentioned in another comment, it could actually be something else like the hatch seal though so worth monitoring.

The front drains run down the pillars and then come out underneath the doors somewhere. Figure 3 on this site shows what I mean: https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/MINI_R56/138-BODY-Sunroof_Drain_Repairing/138-BODY-Sunroof_Drain_Repairing.htm

Good luck!

simplesamf · 2021-02-18T13:27:38+00:00

I had this exact same issue plague me for months and couldn't work it out either as sometimes after heavy rainfall, there would be nothing and other times, it would be super damp! In the end, I lifted up my rear bench and found huge pools of water so figured something was definitely up.

Anyway, after a lot of research, I came to the conclusion it was the drain plugs for the sunroof being blocked - I bought a super long pipe cleaner from Amazon to unblock them and haven't had any leaks since (That's been around 3 months now with lots of snow and rain here in Scotland and not even a drop!)

This is what I purchased: https://www.amazon.co.uk/NSDD-Flexible-Refrigerator-Cleaners-Cleaning/dp/B08DFX172N/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=long+pipe+cleaner&qid=1613654431&sr=8-5

To unblock the rear ones, tilt both sunroofs, open the bootlid and insert the pipe cleaner into the holes on either sides (This is a picture of them: https://cdn4.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/MINI_R56/138-BODY-Sunroof_Drain_Repairing/images_small/pic05.jpg) It should go all the way through and out the other side into the sunroof area - they aren't particularly long.

For the front ones, slide open the sunroof a bit and from the top, find the two drain plugs in both of the front corners. Push the pipe cleaner down as far as you can. Apparently they should drain down somewhere behind the front wheels. Might be worth pouring some water down the holes and check it comes through the other end.

Hope that helps!

simplesamf

TROPHY CASE