Any question answered...

I’ve come to the realisation that the rear mech hanger on my stayer is bent inwards by some noticeable amount. The shifting is just as fine as it ever was though, and the cage is still clear of the spokes when in the lowest gear. Are there any other ill effects associated with a bent hanger or I just leave it as it is?

In my experience a bent hanger usually means that you can get the indexing right at the top end of the cassette, or the bottom end, but not both. But if it's shifting sweetly, then I'd leave well alone.

Does anyone have any tips for helping with seasonal mood changes?

I wouldn't go so far as saying I have SAD, but I do find it hard being in this country over winter.

I'm taking vitamin D. Is there anything else that can help?

I almost wonder if it's worth a thread?

Cheers.

Is there anything else that can help?

Synthetic sunshine, possibly. The evidence for efficacy is weak, but it's relatively cheap and harmless.

2nd for a SAD lamp. I know a couple of people who use them. You sit in front of a pretty bright light for 30 mins or so, doing whatever you would normally do.

I’ve found that having a smart bulb to wake me up in the morning helps keep me in a better mood. It took several tries but I’ve set up a bulb to light up incrementally, instead of just turning on in my face (which even at the lowest setting wasn’t a gentle wake up).

Nice, I like it when I don’t have to do anything. Thanks!

Recommendations for a bolt-down fork mount that can take a variety of axle standards?

Anything wrong with this?

Is there anything else that can help?

pedal harder

Depression thread but I doubt there's anything you haven't heard before. Megadose vitamin D, SAD lamp, get regular outdoor exercise, etc etc.

Alternatively, you could simply "change your mindset" like this moronic article suggests https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/sep/26/dreading-a-dark-winter-lockdown-think-like-a-norwegian

I got myself a garmin speed sensor but the hub it is going on is miche primato and is very thin. Edit: t'other hub is skinnier!

It fits & holds in place but is a bit baggy which isn't confidence filling that it'll stay in place.

Short of packing the space out with old inner tube & gaffa tape, then zip ties on top, has anyone else found a neater solution?

New hub bike is not an option at the moment.

rear wheel instead?

This is the rear. Front is Suzue Pro Max which is even skinnier, have edited my post.

Put an o ring of suitable size onto the existing rubber and loop round twice,

sounds like a good plan, ta.

Funnily enough i'm looking for eaxtly the same thing at the moment, two that are currently top of my list are:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mt-Zoom-Cycle-Bike-Fork-holder-mount-for-car-roof-rack-van-floor-4-adaptors/402441676215

and

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MTB-Road-Bike-Fork-Axle-Mount-For-Car-Van-15mm-Boost-Non-Boost-or-12mm-Axles/224164620630?var=522944252721

Second is cheaper, but you dont get all the adaptors, if you buy the first one please let me know what its like!

Potters: I want to make a clay mould of a small, fake, not very detailed skull. Some nearby potters have kindly given me some clay and kiln time, now how do I do this? Do I just press the skull into the clay, do I layer it on and push more into the eye sockets, do I put starch or something on the skull to avoid it sticking?

I’ve managed to make two (decent) halves of the mould, the face and the back of the skull. Do I leave them to dry, take them to be fired?

Edit just gonna wing it and let it dry, can’t transport otherwise

How big is the skull? Is the end goal to have a copy of it made from clay?

Alternatively, you could simply "change your mindset" like this moronic article suggests https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020­/sep/26/dreading-a-dark-winter-lockdown-­think-like-a-norwegian

Surrounded by Norwegian positivity

I'll admit my anecdotal sample size of Norwegians is incredibly small. But the handful I've met and worked with drank tremendous amounts of alcohol and had senses of humor that made Frankie Boyle look like Michael McIntyre.

Not to say they were negative people, but "positivity" wouldn't be the first adjective I'd jump to...then again they were all living further south than before so maybe the extra daylight had an effect.

@everyoneelse - cheers for the suggestions. I'm feeling a bit better, but might double my Vit D dose and have a look at those SAD lamps.

Yes, you need to let it dry completely as any trapped moisture can cause the clay to crack or even explode when fired. Try to lay it on its flat side to reduce warping. You can place the pieces on a sheet of newspaper to speed up drying.

Canti brakes - is there any reason why one shouldn't use the longer, offset (v-break) brake pads?

Baseball size. Gonna be a Halloween surprise, don’t want to spoil it for anyone who knows me here :)

@jonuxuk

Yes, you need to let it dry completely(...)

Thanks, have left it in a shaded ventilated room on some newspaper. I read it should feel slightly cool or room temperature when it’s dry. Is that about right?

Depending on what brake/frame combo they might hit the seat stays when you open them up, but no big deal.

Canti blocks often have more meat on them but V-brake blocks should work fine. The only issue you may have is the trailing end of the blocks may fowl the forks. This could mean you won't be able to drop a wheel out without rotating the blocks.

I’ve seen bodge jobs with those pads set up, they seem to work fine aside from maybe some squealing. The post is usually a different width to cantis.