Any question answered...

any info is helpful at all (re: foxton's). trying to start finding a place from canada is not easy. showing up in london and living in a hotel/cheap apartment for 2 weeks looks like its the only way its going to work.

To be fair I think that would be the best plan, short term rents/lets are more expensive but, it would give you opportunity to get a proper feel for the lay of the land, including the best transport links for where you guys need to be going on a daily basis. Everyone has a horror story that they can tell about a friend or a friend of a friend ;) etc. who has moved to London for the first time and was taken for a ride by a letting agent. The big problem with this is that they will ask you to sign a short assured tenancy agreement for 6 to 12 months, if you want to get out of this it is difficult as it is designed to protect the landlord and most of the time you will have to pay rent until the flat is re-occupied or the lease runs out, pay for advertising costs and pay for rent in the new flat you move to.

I would offer to let you couch surf at my place but:
a. it is too small.
b. I think I am right in saying you have a family, so its not ideal for you.
c. I live on the other side of London to where you are looking.

Are there any black, steel or ti stems, that that take 31.8 bars?

I'm after this kind of thing: http://forallmyfriends.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/doms_cannondale_track2.0-1.jpg

Elite X2 in steel or black

To me they don't look similar at all. The Thomson looks chunky and aero, when i'm after something more traditional and sleek.
As if it's made out of steel tubing, this kind of thing:

http://spin.gtechniq.com/spin/ebay/stem2/6.jpg

So nice.

If only it was black, but that's exactly the thing.

yeah staying with people likely isn't an option. the time and craziness with finding a new place wouldn't be pleasant for whoever we are staying with. in and out all the time and running around like chickens with our heads cut off.

we aren't opposed to signing for a year. honestly, I prefer that. Going to be in London for 2-3 years, my son doesn't need to go to more than one school for that time. Once we find a place we don't plan on going anywhere.

Welds look similar in quality imo. Id say the VN welds have been buffed a little more if anything. I think Spin like to showcase the pulsed tig overlaps, thats all.

yeah staying with people likely isn't an option. the time and craziness with finding a new place wouldn't be pleasant for whoever we are staying with. in and out all the time and running around like chickens with our heads cut off.

we aren't opposed to signing for a year. honestly, I prefer that. Going to be in London for 2-3 years, my son doesn't need to go to more than one school for that time. Once we find a place we don't plan on going anywhere.

With the lease I meant that the letting agents may have a flat that they are finding difficult to lease because of problems with noise in the evenings or at a specific time of day, so they will show the flat when this isn't apparent, get you to sign a lease and then you can be locked into a year of living hell.

If only it was black, but that's exactly the thing.

Apparently, "The color red is not possible with titanium anodizing nor is black. Apparently neither exists in the spectrum created by the oxide layer formed on the surface. The color exists only as reflected light."

and it would be shame to paint such a stem, but if it has to be black..

Ah ok, that's interesting. A steel ahead stem would be just as good for my needs, painting ti is sinful I agree. I just want a thin tubed stem in black that works.

To me they don't look similar at all.

Why would you want that particular shape (like Cinelli Gramo?)? It's very ugly and very 90s, in my opinion.
Are you building up something period correct?

Ah ok, that's interesting. A steel ahead stem would be just as good for my needs, painting ti is sinful I agree. I just want a thin tubed stem in black that works.

Black, 531, only one downside..

Edit: NSFW

Jesus, would you mind, some people might read this at work and don't want to see such phallic objects!

Two new questions, I've been saving them up in a bid to reduce my post count ;)

Where can I buy a squirrel cage lightbulb in London? Would rather not pay expensive P&P and risk it arriving with the filaments bust. They look like this and you tend to see them in eateries and trendy coffee shops/bars quite a bit:

Also, is there a chain for fixed use which is 'naturally' black, i.e. not painted?

Edit: @rbh0riz0n - hah!

Im glad i wasnt the first one to mention it's threatening stance, haha.

why are people trying to reduce their post count?

What road bike should I buy? I have around £500 to spend and need around a 55cm frame. I want a modern bike but I just dont know what to go for

^^ The way the new rep system works is that the people who post the most move down the rankings, the people who post less but better quality move up.

Damn you just made me post again! Tricked...

ha, ok.
so there is a ratio of rep to posts calculated rather than just the amount of comments received.

^^ The way the new rep system works is that the people who post the most move down the rankings, the people who post less but better quality move up.

O Rly?
When and where was this decided?

Why would you want that particular shape (like Cinelli Gramo?)? It's very ugly and very 90s, in my opinion.
Are you building up something period correct?

Like the cannondale track example, I like the contrast in large frame tubes and skinny stem. To me it works well aesthetically.
yeah the grammo is close, but the middle section isn't circular tubing, which i don't like.

A custom fillet brazed stem may have to be a consideration.

What road bike should I buy? I have around £500 to spend and need around a 55cm frame. I want a modern bike but I just dont know what to go for

I'd look for something second hand for that price mate, you'll snap up some bargains.

Nitto CT-80?

edit: ignore that. not os/

O Rly?
When and where was this decided?

It wasn't, I lied!

Sorry, couldn't resist ;)

Might propose it though, since making it up I've decided it's probably quite a good idea...

It wasn't, I lied!

Sorry, couldn't resist ;)

Might propose it though, since making it up I've decided it's probably quite a good idea...

:-)
Now i know what neg rep is for...

Can you name shops in London (Fitzrovia/West End) that sell glow sticks?

Ye Olde Glowe Sticke Shoppe does them, too.

What road bike should I buy? I have around £500 to spend and need around a 55cm frame. I want a modern bike but I just dont know what to go for

I bought a new f&f and wheels then put a used groupset, whole thing cost me under £400.
I hate to say this, but have a look on bike radar, I got a sora/tiagra mix for £80 delivered

Hmmm, interesting, very interesting.

goes to look at planet x carbon framesets