Any question answered...

What other framesets are there other than the dolan fxe and pompino that offer track dropouts, mudguard mounts, and space for largeish (28c would be nice) tyres?

More fucked than slow, half the time.

Maybe kinda both for me, oh well.

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/urban/cross-utility/day-one-20

Can someone recommend a good 700x23c tyre for commuting, which doesn't cost the earth? There are a bewildering number of options in the low-cost category.

Is it worth splashing out on gator skins? I have a suspicion that two tyres that cost half as much would last longer than one gator skin

I'm looking at Schwalbe Lugano, Maxxis Detonator, Kenda K1051 Konstrictor and Continental Ultra Sport II.

p.s. Happy New Year mofos

Are you limited to 23mm?

is there a drop lever thats compatible with the trp spyke? and or is there any chance the alfine 11 levers are compatible?

Cane Creek Drop V or the Tektro version - RL520 I think...

Does anybody use shirtboards when travelling? Looks like 250 card ones for around £25, but keen for less than a dozen plastic.

Ideally I just need a few, for weekend bag kinda stuff.

Leave them on windowsill in the sunlight for a couple of days.

I've got a Cotic Roadrat (they now do the Escapade now specifically for drop-bars), fits the bill perfectly.

Damm that'd be perfect if it wasnt for the discs.

Detonators are decent.

Some of my rims can't take larger, but a couple can.

I was hoping to buy a load in bulk because I'm tired of buying random pairs of whatever the nearest bike shop has in stock that day, and 23c is something that will fit all my bikes.

Some of my rims can't take larger, but a couple can.

Are your rims 10mm wide or something?

I'd advised at least 25mm, or 28mm* if clearance on the bike allow it, it'll significantly reduced likelihood of puncture, last significantly longer, more comfortable and withstand pot holes.

Gatorskins are easy to get, 25mm is very common (but sold out quickly) in bicycles shop, they're not the most amazing tyres, but work really well for the general norms.

*old school rims with 13mm internal can cope with 28mm, it's only when you get bigger is when you lose the advantage of the tyres by needing to inflate it more than necessary to stop it squirming too much).

Ed, you forgot to mention lower pressures!

you forgot to mention lower pressures!

He implied it

I'm thinking about putting risers on my commuter, can I use these: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-slx-m670-10-speed-rapidfire-shifters-pair/ with a 105 groupset?

can I use these

Seems unlikely, given that it's Shimano. Tiagra flat-bar controls will work, e.g. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-tiagra-10-speed-rapidfire-shifter-set-flat-bars/

Can't you just leave people to make expensive mistakes like the rest of us have...?

I've just killed the bottom bracket on my Shimano Alfine crankset. Will any Hollowtech BB work or are they different widths? For instance this one for a tenner from Wiggle?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-xtslx-m770m660-bottom-bracket-cup-set/

Have not seen those before, thanks.

Will any Hollowtech BB work or are they different widths?

I'd stick with a road one just to be safe, the BB-R60 is only about a pound more
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-bb-r60-ultegra-6800105-5800-hollowtech-ii/

or if you're in SW London you could nip down to Sigma and get the BB-4600 which comes with Alfine cranks for even less
http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Shimano/Tiagra-4600-Bottom-Bracket-Cups/1AWJ

2 different widths, road 68mm and mtb (72?) mm.

Edit: apparently it comes with spacers and you should be fine. But what tester said

The mtb ones come with spacers but there is still a slight difference between them and the road ones.