Any question answered...

So if you see a chap in hi-viz, holding a theodolite, running like the demons of hell are after him you can assume that Cross Rail is experiencing un-foreseen excitements?

Slightly harsh to describe such an eventuality as "unforeseen". I'd class it more as "it may happen so we'll put in some monitoring systems, but if it comes to the worst at least it's not my house and the proles can suck it up".

I live a block away. They have to do with measuring ground shifts as they are tunneling underneath for the Cross Rail.
I asked, as they are on a lot of houses in da hood.

Interesting, thank you

At least it s a different (and better) tunnelling method than the one used previously at Heathrow:

http://www.cnplus.co.uk/news/judge-attacks-balfour-beatty-and-geoconsult-over-tunnel-collapse-disaster-why-were-the-warnings-not-heeded-heathrow-disgrace/913351.article

they uise the same things on the underground. Fixed surveying prisms and predetermined points. They instal a total station (fancy theodolite) that fires a laser at roughly where the prisms last were. The 45 degree angled mirrors in the prism mean the total station can find the exact centre, it will mark that in 3D space and move onto the next one. Someone will come along, collect the total station, look at the results and then decide if we're all about to fall into hades.

You can sometime spot them up on their little ledges above the platforms and escalators.

Yeah there's one on the Paddington Circle line platforms.
I like standing in the way of the little mirror prism and seeing the laser thing swing about. Take that laserzzzz!

they uise the same things on the underground. Fixed surveying prisms and predetermined points. They instal a total station (fancy theodolite) that fires a laser at roughly where the prisms last were. The 45 degree angled mirrors in the prism mean the total station can find the exact centre, it will mark that in 3D space and move onto the next one. Someone will come along, collect the total station, look at the results and then decide if we're all about to fall into hades.

You can sometime spot them up on their little ledges above the platforms and escalators.

Those are mind control lasers.

Should I bother shipping my trusty 2009 Fuji Track back to Oz or should I sell it?
Its only £175 for sea freight of a bike box and tea chest and I imagine I can shove a lot of stuff in the bike box with the bike.

I reckon sell it and pick up something nice in Oz for the price.

£175 just to ship a bike and tea chest is a little high, isn't there's a way to ship as much as you can to get a better value?

I think bikes (like most things) are MUCH more expensive in Oz.

How much do you love it?

dismantled the bicycle as tiny as possible, then fit it in the tea chest.

Then get a porter to carry it through the airport a la like an upper class person do in the early 20th Century.

I didn't know porters had mad skillz.

Like a bomb?

I'm brown, so no, since I always get the "special treatment"

Just picked up a second hand Dura Ace FC7710 NJS Crankset.

With regards to suitable BB's I ideally would like a sealed one as I will be using this outside in all weathers. Condor Cycles said that the only option is a Dura Ace BB which do not have seals (as far as I know).

Do I have any other options?
Or is it ok to run a DA BB in the wet?

Phil as they have adjustable cups. This is what I have.

Let's resolve this at the pub. Many awesome options.

I'm ready...

keep the bike.
I am planning a trip back to oz at xmas, melb.
what's the deal with me potentially taking as luggage? don't have tix yet so no idea what airline...
workshopping, thinking out loud...

If you dismantled it... a bike bag/large suitcase would go as hold luggage no? Or a combination e.g. sell wheels here and buy a new set there

what's going on at London Bridge station RIGHT NOW?? Apparently it's on lock down

Just picked up a second hand Dura Ace FC7710 NJS Crankset.

With regards to suitable BB's I ideally would like a sealed one as I will be using this outside in all weathers. Condor Cycles said that the only option is a Dura Ace BB which do not have seals (as far as I know).

Do I have any other options?
Or is it ok to run a DA BB in the wet?

The 7710 track BB (the NJS one) actually uses cartridge bearings. The 7700 bottom bracket (which is designated as a road double BB) has exactly the same axle dimensions but uses needle/ball bearings. So although you can use either with the 7710 track cranks, the track BB is arguably better for wet weather, although both are described as 'sealed' by Shimano.

There are lots of 7710 bottom brackets being sold as 'unsealed' so I think there might be a version with the cartridge seals removed or something. I gather there is a bit of fettling that can be done to them to make them spin as freely as possible.

what's going on at London Bridge station RIGHT NOW?? Apparently it's on lock down

Something about a man with an axe, but not even the police seemed sure. It's over now anyhow.

FC7710...BB...options?

Phil as they have adjustable cups. This is what I have.

Not with FC-7710 you don't, unless Phil has gone into the Octalink business without my noticing.

keep the bike.
I am planning a trip back to oz at xmas, melb.
what's the deal with me potentially taking as luggage? don't have tix yet so no idea what airline...
workshopping, thinking out loud...

No idea what the deal is now, but a couple of years ago I had some angst with this. I've flown multiple times with BA and taken a bike, normally around Europe and occasionally to the US. Normally they charged c.£90 for an extra piece of baggage (i.e. my bike box).

2 years ago I went to Aus for 6months with work and took my bike. I was flying on a BA flight, with BA check in etc etc, but it was code share with Quantas and I'd booked through them as it was a fraction cheaper then BA. Before departure I filled in the online form about taking excess luggage but the website told me I had to deal with it in the airport so off I went. At check in I was told that it would be c. £700 to take my bike!

Apparently Quatas have a different pricing policy to BA, and charge £40 per kilo, as opposed to £90 per piece! Despite dealing with BA staff at BA check in and flying on a BA plane, I was subject to Quantas pricing.

tldr: Choose your airline carefully if flying with a bike.

I plugged a small heater in briefly tonight and when unplugged the plug was pretty damn hot. I expect the air outside the heater to heat up, not the plugs. Risk much?