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Apologies! I was enjoying the luxe pics too much. I could trim the tape to match the profile of the guard but I expect I never will – it's fully covered by the bar bag when riding.

After all of my fussing looking for spacers, I ended up stuffing a small offcut of thick bar tape between the crown and mudguard, which completely stopped the rattling on yesterday's grotty jolly. Ahh well! Now I just need a set of @vthejk's flaps to prevent my bike from getting caked in shite.

Thank you! The upper was a Cane Creek AER I pilfered from work. I hated it. I couldn't get the preload right at all, and the wear-in period never ended. I ended up replacing it with a good old Cane Creek 40 top and bottom.

Damn, yes – that would have been perfect. And much easier to find!

It's painted in Base Pearlz Coconut (great name): https://www.specialistpaints.com/products/base-pearlz

@Bossman – the front of the guard twangs more than a toddler with a ukelele when riding over cobbles or rough tracks. I'd usually add an extra stay (example below) but bracing it against the rack is a bit easier.

Ordered! Was hoping for a UK source, but can wait a wee bit.

I'm looking for a spacer to bridge the gap between the mudguard and front rack of my Brown Bike.

The gap is about 30mm, give or take a mm (which I'll pad with leather washers). Accu and others sell hexagonal spacers, but they're a bit honking. I think a round spacer would look nicer, but they only seem to be available in 10+ packs.

I would prefer a threaded spacer so I can fit an M5 cleat mushroom bolt on either side. Any leads or competing ideas?

Edit: I've found a Chinese vendor on eBay selling them cheaply in two packs. I'll order those and hope I find some in the UK for cheap: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283987732514

I must know more. It reminds me of this piece from a few years ago: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/longest-bike-stem

Share more details and I'll make you BR infamous.

I'll also vouch for Matt as a top, top guy. He did a great job on the repairs on our tandem and was very communicative: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5J3roaMP7_/?img_index=1

Way ahead of you 😎 Prior to making an offer, I made enquiries and the leasehold has been extended to 200+ years, there are no schedule 20 consultations in place or planned works and the building has its fire safety certificate etc.

We are pretty buzzing about the location. That it’s a nice spot aside, a safe/pleasant ride to work was one of the few things we wouldn’t compromise on. If we hop over the wee island at the bottom of Clifton Vale, we can both roll into the centre traffic-free via the harbour. And I can do hill reps from the door! Fingers crossed all else goes fine.

Thanks for the sage words!

We spoke to some of the neighbours and struggled to get a clear idea on what and wouldn’t be permitted. We still really liked the place after a second viewing, and did some more intensive research, but concluded it was a wee bit too much of a gamble. Such a shame as it’s a cool block but not quite right for our circumstances.

In the end, we decided to put an offer in on a really nice flat at the bottom of Clifton Vale, which was accepted. This is a much safer bet with the council as the freeholder, which has made it so much easier to get answers to questions. And it has two private bike stores! Things are moving at pace and, all being well (ha!) we could be in for January. We’re very happy with the decision we’ve made.

It's just that right era – peak super light simple alloy. And it looks in great nick. I don't envy your conundrum!

This is an exceptionally cool bike.

I haven't forgiven Morrisons since they got rid of the vegetable misters. Otherwise perfect.

If you can find it, I really, really rate Shimano's new Cues stuff for crunchy heavy riding. It's been spectacular on the tandem, and I was really impressed when I used it on a pal's bike.

It's not compatible with existing Shimano 11- or 12-speed shifters but it would be my pick if I were building a utilitarian bike.

Deleted – we're sorted!

Yes! We came up and over the mental pass from Llyn Brianne in the pitch-black driving rain. It was quite a mental end to a long day on the bike. Some details here:

• https://www.instagram.com/p/C24QllFsfkb/
  
• https://www.komoot.com/highlight/5776804
  

1. This hostel near Snowdonia is excellent. Old school breeze block vibes: https://www.basecamp.wales/
   
2. If you want an even more old-school experience, these are pretty unbeatable. We stayed in January in mad weather: https://www.elenydd-hostels.co.uk/en
   
3. Finally, I had this place to myself in August. Rhydian the owner is mega sound: https://independenthostels.co.uk/members/cabancaronhostel/
   

If you may indulge me and you fancy reminiscing about sunnier weather, I published a wee write-up about our spring tandem tour: https://www.bikeradar.com/features/routes-and-rides/west-coast-scotland-cycle-touring

XL Buffalo Alpine jacket going for a good price so far. I really want one of these if anyone has a size medium! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256672734663

Potentially sketchy vibes, but a mad winter bike bargain if its legit: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/500498015945353/

The current front-runner besides the place detailed earlier is somewhere we'd be very happy with, so at least there's that.

If (when?) all goes tits up, though, then we'll consider how we'd bridge a gap.

Thanks all for your advice so far – it's really helpful to get a broad view of our options.

I spoke with the agent today and he's put the question re air-to-air heat pumps to the managing company.

While this will be useful - and please correct me if I'm wrong – I don't think they have the final say-so as this development is a "residents-owned management company that owns the freehold." I believe that means I would need the permission of the other leaseholders to make any external modifications.

I've also booked a call with lease-advice.org (though the earliest I could get was 29/10), which should help clarify things.

Away from this place, we have further viewings over the next week. I mustn't lose sight of the fact we need to be out of our current rental by 28 Feb so, while this house could be dreamy, as seamless a move as possible should also be prioritised. I will keep you all updated!

This is a hugely helpful reply (maybe just because it’s what I want to hear, haha).

We currently live in a damp, shite Victorian terrace and have zero interest in buying one having seen the horrors our landlord uncovered when re-rendering the front (serves him right).

We’re viewing another property fairly close by, so will be a brave boy and chap on the neighbours doors later.

@lemonade: no bother, it’s just bikes and houses innit.

Sneaky air pump on the roof is deeply appealing, particularly with a system like this (which I assume is very similar to what's being recommended): https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/iqool-5ms12k12k12k12k12k/electriq-iqool5ms12k12k12k12k12k-air-conditioner

We will go away, have a think and see if we can speak to neighbours – gauge the vibe. Thanks all.

It’s currently heated by storage heaters.

@lemonade – that’s a bit of an exaggeration. This is significantly cheaper than many equivalent places we’ve looked at in other parts of town (largely due to its suboptimal heating situation, hence my question). And as it happens, it works well for where we work and personal lives etc. Regardless, my question was about a heating system – not where we’re looking to buy ✌️