Any question answered...

http://www.strava.com/challenges/festive-500-2013

Manual entries or trainer rides will not count towards your Challenge effort.

I bought some Tibetan felt booties to use as house slippers from a bloke on Camden market a few years ago. Where can I buy another pair in London or mail order?

miles ridden between tomorow and NY...

Riding around the deck of the QM2?

What are you on about?

Oh, ffs, just got that...

Fixed - had to make rides public.

I run 5600 levers with 6700 brakes and they are a bit 'brakey' but nothing scary.

where should I buy some 26" 1-1.5" presta inner tubes?

From a bicycle shop

I run 5600 levers with 6700 brakes and they are a bit 'brakey' but nothing scary.

That way round is probably the better way. A bit grabby but nice and sharp. The other way (older calipers with newer levers) is maybe more progressive but with less of an immediate response, particularly from the hoods. Both ways work. It's mostly the feel.

A shop.

Schwalbe and Conti tubes are good.

i dont like shops. not good with people. where online?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-quality-mtb-pack-of-5-inner-tubes/

Isn't 6700/7900 the point where they changed the pull ratio of the front mech, so ST-6700 shifters won't work with FD-7800?

Done a bit of researching before purchasing as I wanted to upgrade to 7900 DA levers but those have the issue you pointed out, apparently 6700, 7800 and one other that I can't remember are all fully compatable. The braking has changed, but I've also read it's not even noticeable.

I'm sure slightly vague braking should still be no problem in this relatively flat UK...

Is there a generally accepted ratio to the cost of a frame and the cost of components fitted to it?

My brother kindly picked me up this amazing (hand made i think) keychain made from a old gatorskin from a racer at the start of an alleycat he happened upon in the run up to christmas, unfortunately he was too drunk to get any details of the person he bought it from and as i like it so much i'd like to grab a couple more.. If anyone recognises it as being made by someone in the community I'd appreciate it! Thanks

Is there a generally accepted ratio to the cost of a frame and the cost of components fitted to it?

No, the accepted process is:

1. Buy cheap frame
   
2. Fit mid range components
   
3. Upgrade frame to be a bit better than components
   4 Upgrade components to be a bit better than frame
   
4. Repeat 3 & 4 until all your bikes are Cervelo RCa + Super Record EPS etc. (insert your own top end combo according to prejudice)
   

Merry Christmas all.

Grandpa has been showing some old cine and super 8 family films today.

Can anyone recommend a good "to DVD" service?

anyone recommend a decent chain tool?

possibly a nice chainwip/lockring tool too.

preferably not too expensive! thanks!

I found Asda to be the cheapest for the brand of lenses that I use.

Thanks mate, just checked, Asda and Tesco are both the same, and indeed they are the cheapest for what I need. I am looking at the specsavers scheme, which is marginally cheaper, about £2 cheaper a month, but I don't know if I want to be tied up with a scheme.... Hummmm...

anyone recommend a decent chain tool?

possibly a nice chainwip/lockring tool too.

preferably not too expensive! thanks!

Chain tool:
http://www.hubjub.co.uk/index.php/store/tools/deluxe-chain-tool-detail

It's generic, so you might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere, but HubJub are nice enough people that I CBA to spend time trying.

I use a Shimano TL-SR20 lock ring wrench but the Shimano chain whip is rank, so I bought Park SR2 chain whip and rebuilt it with extra long Wippermann 1R8 chain. It's pricey, but your knuckles will thank you for getting the workshop tool rather than short, cheap, thin trackside versions. Without the need to combine 2 tools in one, the Park HCW-17 would be a better and cheaper lock ring option.

^x5 - Cheers Tester. I've seen something my size on hilary stone. Just trying to work out what components to hypothetically fit. ( Pink 531 Soens from the 80's)

thanks tester.

Thanks mate, just checked, Asda and Tesco are both the same, and indeed they are the cheapest for what I need. I am looking at the specsavers scheme, which is marginally cheaper, about £2 cheaper a month, but I don't know if I want to be tied up with a scheme.... Hummmm...

The specsavers scheme includes free eye care check ups, so if you have problems with your lenses or an infection or something, you can go and get checked out. If you wear contact lenses long term you must take care of your eyes properly, not always going for what looks like the cheapest option. Blindness caused by neglect is not fun.

My brother kindly picked me up this amazing (hand made i think) keychain made from a old gatorskin from a racer at the start of an alleycat he happened upon in the run up to christmas, unfortunately he was too drunk to get any details of the person he bought it from and as i like it so much i'd like to grab a couple more.. If anyone recognises it as being made by someone in the community I'd appreciate it! Thanks

Could be from http://www.velo-re.com/ ?

No idea if it is (this particular one doesn't seem to be on their products page), and there are a couple of other people doing similar things, but it was the first one that sprung to mind. Perhaps they could point you in the right direction if they didn't make it.