Any question answered...

garlic 230/235...the reviews I've read have not been too positive

Yes, apparently they stink.

Window cleaning, how often?

If you can still see out of them, they're fine :)
Actual need depends on location and season, but if you're contracting then monthly seems to be the default service.

I read they're ok apart from the HRM though which is, by all accounts, trash.

Check your spall chucker

Done ha

Yes I suspect that Allium sativum may not be the best for tracking other than by smell.

Just install new ones every 25 years or so.

Any plumbers on here?

I need to send a bike frame to Ireland

Try http://www.ipostparcels.com

I've sent a full bike to Spain for under £20 with them - looks like the online booking for Ireland is a bit funny about max parcel size, but their general limit is 120x80x80cm.

I'll check it out. Thanks!

Any plumbers on here?

@sacredhart

I'm a gas engineer.

Ah...

But pipes though.

A whole thread of them

friend of mine is after a bike for commuting on, gears she has said is essential (wants to do the occasional long ride), and preferably with rack mounts. I know I could find her something better on here, which would be my preference, but time etc so forth..

anyone got any views on these holdsworths on planet X:

ticks all boxes, has disc brakes, and from what I've shown her so far the only bikes she has liked are steel frames.

how wrong can you go for £500?? Steel frame, Sora, and disc brakes, new. Seems like a bargain to me.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBHOLSTELSORA/holdsworth-stelvio-shimano-sora-r3000-touring-adventure-bike

Grateful for any thoughts or other recommendations

that seems a good lot of bike for the money, get some mudguards maybe a low rider, further down the road upgrade the brakes?

For £100 more get you a GT Grade;

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-grade-al-sora-2017-adventure-road-bike/

@spotter @edscoble cheers both.

Ed - good suggestion, but I know she is going to prefer the look of the holdsworth..

Where to buy a roll of shock cord from in central London?

I'd try Arthur Beale's on Shaftesbury Avenue? They've got all kinds of rope and cord - worth giving them a buzz?

Pay more to avoid Planet X.

#stuckrecord

^ This. They have some hard to resist prices sometimes but I won't prop up that company with my money.

Any used the Boardman MTB Pro SPD pedal? https://www.cyclerepublic.com/components/pedals/boardman-mtb-pro-pedal-17.html
Worth getting or should I just get another set of Shimano M520s?
The Boardman look 100g lighter (although I'm willing to sacrifice that for robustness) and I can get them from the shop round the corner.

Where can I get a Phil Wood top cap in the UK?

Someone (not @coldharbour ) posted a sales thread for bits and bobs from the Talbot workspace- a big load of top caps included, not sure if any were Phil...