Any question answered...

I've done this with a 9spd fsa chainset friction shifting over a 7spd block with no issues

Although you're not guaranteed to have 'no issues' when using 9-speed chain on 8-speed sprockets, as the transition from 8 to 9 was the major change from 3/32" roller width to 11/128". In most cases, the 7/8-speed sprockets were already thin enough, but there's bound to be an exception out there.

Cheers guys @hamrack @bmx_fred

Are there any decent video games arcades left in London? I want to take my gf's nephew. I sadly read that the trocadero and sega world had closed down.

Namco whatsit by the London Eye?

I run an 8 speed drive, but want to upgrade my crankset as they are heavy, wide and too long. Will my 8 speed chain and 8 speed Claris FD run ok with this 9 speed tiagra chainset?

Yes.

8/9/10 speed, it doesn't matter, they work well.

29*2,25 mtb tires. What pressure would you run?

25psi

I've recently bought some road shoes for weekend best in spring/summer after having ridden MTB SPDs all year round for years. The float on the SH11 6deg yellow cleats feels what I can only describe as 'too slippery' (presumably result of a plastic/plastic interface rather than metal/metal like in SPDs) and I don't feel as sure of my pedal stroke, especially taking off from lights or putting down power uphill etc. Would it be worth trying the SH12 2deg blue cleats, or is my best bet just to go for the SH10 red fixed ones and be done with it?

Some element of float is good for your knees so probably worth trying the 2 degree ones first. I think it's normal that it feels odd, you will get used to it after a few rides.

Q
round bend road bars with aero/ flat tops?

topeak morph turbo pumps they're like a mini track pump

10/10

Thanks @andyp that's kind of what I was leaning towards anyway. I've also just discovered that they moved the pivot point from the centre of the cleat to the toe of the cleat for the blue ones to minimise lateral movement, so I think they'll be my first port of call.

Are there any advantages to running an external bb crank over square taper for commuting purposes? I'd like to know whether I'll be gaining anything before taking the plunge on some Omniums or something of that ilk; I'm riding fixed if that makes a difference.

If you already have square taper, UN55 all the way.

thank you, @mdcc_tester and @edscoble for your help :)

http://www.3tcycling.com/road/en/bike-components/handlebars/aerotundo-team/

Cheers Ed; I should've been a little clearer actually, I am already running square taper and was wondering whether it'd be worth the extra money for the upgrade and in fact whether it'd actually be an upgrade considering I only really use the bike for light commuting duties, however I'm guessing by your reply you meant stick with square taper?

Cheers. Tried it, worked well.

Any idea how much a shop will charge to unstick a stuck bb?

It shouldn't be mega stuck but I'm being a bit weak and can't find a suitable cheater bar(gf flung the old one away thinking it was rubbish).

Yeah that's my point, the UN55 pounds for pounds last for a long time, even longer with mudguard (+ flap).

If you want a longer lasting one, get the SKF one.

Simple BB labour charge, from £15 to £25 depending on location/shop.

Charge usually including facing and tapping.

@edscoble I don't trust the nearest bike shops with tapping and facing tools. I stripped down my frame to frame+fork+headset+bb so might wait till weekend then ride with it on my back over to cycleps(not too far but they won't be open so late I can make it).

It's pissing me off too as I kinda wanted to buy a new frame soon but more casually as I see something nice instead of in a rush.

Nice, thanks; I'll probably stick with what I've got and upgrade the BB then

Went for a Birzman number as it was the only one they had that was small enough but with a hose fitting. Seems fine for 20gn

whats the best way to bring 2 bikes on holiday to North america?

I was thinking just get a cardboard bike box and pack it way full of padding and bikes but then I remembered one is geared and pretty delicate. They've both got to be packed together though.