Any question answered...

Best road brake levers that feel more like a modern shifter rather than an older aero lever? My Shimano 600 levers hurt my hands and are nowhere near as comfortable as the modern ultegra levers on my road bike. The Shimano ones are really narrow compared to the big flat top of the shifters.

That's just what they've suggested..

SRAM are ok. Or just use modern road shifters. I've got some 10speed di2 shifters as the levers on my fixed bike

↑What he said. I like SRAM (the S500 and S900 are identical to first gen double tap shifters), but if you already have an Ultegra generation you love, just try to find some second hand STIs going cheap due to fucked shifting guts.

Isn’t this part about commission exactly what IR35 is meant to avoid?

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There used to be the surly fixxxer bitd

I don't think wedges would have a tight enough tolerance to avoid it having play

TRP RRL, or RRL SL for the extra drillium bling.

I've had the TRP ^ and personal preference but I didn't find them as comfy as either SRAM S5/900 or the ultimate of Shimano STIs

So the search currently is for a rim that is 700c, tubeless compatible, rim brake, silver, wide-ish (19mm internal-ish) and either 32 or 36 hole (mate is checking what the hubs are tomorrow) seems to be an almost impossible combo for less than £100 a rim.

Failing that, how hard would it be to remove the black off a pair of KINLIN XR-31T?

I've ghetto tubelessd many a rim and haven't died yet.
Although I can imagine after your recent experience you'll play it safe

Ha, exactly. This is the first bike that I've bought from new since I was a teenager, so I'm being a bit picky about getting it right. I mean christ, being so boujee as to care what parts actually look like is fairly alien to me (I'm currently learning that silver components are a lot less common than black ones these days).

Kinlins are available in silver

Here's one that appears to be in stock

https://thecycleclinic.co.uk/collections/rims/products/kinlin-xr22t-rt-rims-in-silver-700c

Also there's a Pacenti Brevet and "Pacenti Forza Classico" are listed as tubeless ready on Cycle Clinic but both out of stock

IIRC I have a Surly Fixxxer in it's bag, opened with instructions. Never used. Who wants it?

I'm gonna check on silver kinlins with the distributor tomorrow, but I think @nef and I are going to make a beautiful baby, silver clad bicycle together. Hopefully the second silver lining to come out of something going wrong of late, although my housemate came out of his stolen bike with a Santa Cruz and all of his skin and teeth.

Surly Fixxxer in it's bag, opened with instructions. Never used. Who wants it

@Nef did you see this post? Means you could use a compatible shimano rear disk hub - or more likely an already built rear wheel. You'd have to check compatible models.

<3 <3 <3

I’ve abandoned discs for now and I’ve gone for a Brother All Day frameset. Thanks to @snottyotter :)

Any recommendations for a parcel company with a decent level of insurance (~£200) for a small parcel? Finding it hard to find cover levels with the various carriers without going through the whole process of arranging a delivery.

Use parcel monkey or similar. You can put all the values in and it’ll give you prices for the companies they work with - including your required level of compensation

Royal Mail tracked 48 will do a small parcel for £3-£5 with £150 compensation

(I had to claim recently for a lost parcel - was painless enough, took a few weeks but no disputes. Then 2 weeks later and after the compensation had cleared the parcel turned up at my door returned to sender 🤷‍♂️)

Parcel monkey was one I tried as I thought it had the option but I can't see where I can enter the value.

@duncs I'm a little dubious of the buyer so looking for something that will cover the full value.

RM special delivery is compensation up to £750.
Check the max sizes though

These are ideal - just hope the hubs are 32h not 36!

I really like Pelotan sunscreen. It doesn't sweat off or get sticky like most others. But it's pricey. Anyone know a cheaper alternative?