Any question answered...

I think they can do what they want- nothing to compel them to sell the bike to you at any price.

I can empathise completely and don't hold it against them - but can they do that?

Yes - you could suggest meeting them half way by buying a load of other non sale stuff from them and pay with cash...?

I had a similar thing with my LBS on a last-season bike, they were quiet open about it and gave me x price if cyclescheme and y price for cash/credit card, x > y.

They did the same, I like their openness and it makes me like them more that they are honest about it tbh.

They have also said they would change over bars and tape etc for me if I took them in before collection which I think is worth the 'extra' - and I guess it's not really extra anyway as I'll be saving that money back over the year anyway.

Cool.

I can empathise completely and don't hold it against them - but can they do that?

Yes. There's no obligation to sell if you're paying with a cyclescheme voucher. They wouldn't be able to refuse cash.

If it's still a good deal then go for it (paying the extra). I did exactly the same thing when I bought my Wilier in a big sale from Cyclesurgery. They initially said no but I spoke to the manager and agreed to add £150 to the price to cover their loss on the voucher (the voucher was for £1500).

Ribble charge an extra 10% for any cyclescheme purchase I seem to remember.

I think it's worth it.

It's not quite the bike I want but the bike I want is sold out everywhere.

Actually, serious question and genuine offer - can anyone can find a Focus Mares AX Apex in 60cm in stock somewhere in the UK? I have tried, I think, almost every dealer listed on the Focus website, even some that don't show stock. They're out of stock at the supplier as well.

I would happily offer a finder's fee of £50+ depending on price and location.

It's a Columbus bung on their minimal fork. I think I cant move it down as top sits flush on the top of steerer.

They do.

Assume most of the bike shops just agree to suck up the 10% 'admin' fee cycle scheme seem to be charging them on the understanding that cyclescheme is a major driver of business and the margins on non-sale stuff are big enough to absorb it anyway.

That's exactly what this store says. For customers like me I think they know I will shop around and get what I want so there's not really any incentive to sell me a sale bike and take a hit on it.

Anyone find that bike yet?

Yes, the same as Brixton Cycles, I was interested in taking a touring bike out on one of those schemes and they said they wouldn't be able to afford the 10% admin charge, so in effect, I would only be able to 'cash in' 90% of whatever the value of the voucher.

I really really want to put back a nice Brooks saddle on my new bike, but I am also tired of having my brooks being stolen... they cut through the thickest cable that could go through the rail on my Brooks last time.

I don't suppose there is a theft proof way of protecting a Brooks saddle? Other than to take it with you, which I did for a long time then I got annoyed by it...

By the way - the V-brakes on my bike... OMG, they are sooooooo sharp!!!

Here's a conundrum for you as I can't find an answer elsewhere. As an occasional part of my current job I am required to disconnect move and reconnect barbecues to their 11kg propane bottles. These are secured with 30mm brass nut connections and are used at PTA and school barbecues. I have had no training and have no qualification to do such a thing in what I consider is a commercial setting. I am being paid to do it and the chefs are proper chefs. If it was mains gas I'd need to be gas safe to be fiddling around like this but I know that if it was attached to a caravan I was using it would be fine. What does the team think or know on this subject?

NB. I'd happily have nothing to do with it as I know where the buck stops if some barbecue ends in a ball of flames.

What does the team think or know on this subject?

You need to get a qualified expert in to do that stuff

Yes, if anything goes wrong it's better if it doesn't cause amateur pain but pro pain.

Manufacturers tend to say align the bung with the stem so it provides an internal stiffness to resist against the steerer tube. Having said that, I can't see how stresses generated by normal stem clamping can come close to crushing a steerer tube so I would say it's fine. But for longer time usage and to be on the safe said, worth getting a bung you can position inside the stem, or a longer one.

Thanks Hovis. I was thinking I'll go for a gentle spin and then assess options. If anyone thinks even this is inadvisable speak now...

Alternately, go for a softer compound pads such as the Swissstop BXP (blue), as they perform better in wet and less likely to wear your rims out in one winter.

I thought green were gentle on rims?
Will go blue next time then... Providing they come in canti threaded version...

I think it shouldn't be up to me and I've read this:
http://www.streetfood.org.uk/gas-safe.html

so I reckon I'm possibly on the right track. I've also emailed Gas Safe to get their slant on it.
It's mostly because I hate moving stinking barbecues and gas bottles but also there is a bit of "think about the children" too.
And we only get these to tighten the nut fitting!

You need to toe in the pads, so the front of the pad hits the wheel first.

I've done that for the front pads (5p coin between rear of pad and rim) but not rear brakes, both equally noisy...

Apart from them 2 bluddy big guns out front is there anything I can lock my bike to at the Imperial War Museum?

5p is probably a bit thick, either do it by eye or a bit of folded card is plenty, riding around a bit getting them to squeal as much as possible can sometimes help too.

Is there a way to download or use the GPS on your smartphone when you're abroad without using data?

Basically when I go to another country Im after some sort of sat nav on my phone rather than hiring one from the car rental people.

Yes, download osmand and the maps for the coutry you will be in. You then only need a gps signal to get directions. Google maps allows downloading of offline areas but seems a little restrictive.
http://osmand.net/

If I've left my bike somewhere dubious I take the saddle with me. I had a Brooks Pro nicked last year, much faff and arse pain. A cable tie on the seatpost lets you put it back where it was and then you only have the rest of the bike to worry about!