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I'm sure that the vast majority of martial artists wouldn't use the vast majority of their art in a street brawl,
but I'm sure their increased understanding of corpal dynamics would prove advantageous.
If you want to do well in a street fight, then experience in street fighting is vital, and everything else is speculative.

The reason I study capoeira is not because it claims to be the
MASTER OF ALL MARTIAL ARTS™
but because it allows (and promotes) creativity, improvisation, interpretation and expression, something that is missing in other martial arts.
It's emphasis is on playfulness and trickery, expression and deception.
It doesn't take itself too seriously, which is what I enjoy about it most.
If you use it in a street fight, you're a dick.
If you try and compare it to other martial arts in terms of it's effectiveness in mashing someone,you've sort of missed the point.

Think of it as a physical game of chess, parkour with people instead of buildings, a coporeal conversation.

Discussions comparing martial arts online always seem culminate in a "my dad could beat up your dad" cock-measuring contest
and it's for this reason that I find them laughable.

I'll bet I mince a lot prettier than Balki, too. ;)

Do you want to train for pleasure etc.

+1

The only difference being that capoeira makes you look like a berk ;)

Other martial arts, of course, maintain a lofty air of dignity.

It's often seen as a bit of a joke martial art, but this is mainly based on common misconceptions about the practice.

And fucking Capoeira? What are we doing, having a fuckin dance off? I've seen West Side Story motherfucker! I'll ruin you!

This. :)

Unless you're thinking about doing Tai Chi then all martial arts are aggressive (...) I found it the most satisfying and rewarding and certainly the best for fitness.

In my (limited) experience, Capoeira fills both of these roles; while it can be both full-contact and aggressive, it also places a large emphasis on agility, spatial awareness and reading the intentions and movements of other people, quickly. It's also awesome for core strength, flexibility, and cardio-vascular stamina... It's often seen as a bit of a joke martial art, but this is mainly based on common misconceptions about the practice.

These two videos are two brilliant examples of capoeira.

http://www.youtube.com/v/zgyYL09tUos

http://www.youtube.com/v/1CHpsAr7LO0

My advice? get some of these bad boys: break the wrist, walk away.

I was going to bid on this! I cocked up last minute and forgot to log in to eBay. I was going to come in last second with a ninja bid. Oh well, glad it went to a forumenger :)

Are you a local (Warwickshire)?

I'm glad you didn't, it was a bargain. I'm from Shropshire, but I live in Leicester currently... If I ever part with it, I'll give you first dibs!

Steelisreal - It's a good idea to lay your cards on the table regarding price, and to be as open as possible with details and condition of the bikes. The community here is very good at ascertaining a fair price (for both buyer and seller) and definitely won't be ripped off, or try and rip you off.

If you honestly don't know what they are worth (I know I don't!), perhaps it's best to say exactly that. Either way, it's pointless to try and "draw out" bids from people. It seems you have some lovely bikes coming up for sale, so good luck with it all.

Really cool frame.
The integrated rack and second chainstays etc.

Wow, thanks for the all info/pointers absurdbird. They do look like "Oscar Eggs", and that helps to clarify that the bike is older than the '86 figure I originally had. Acorn-headed bolts on the BB is good advice, thanks. The brazeons run on the right of the uppermost downtube, which terminate on the junction of the seatstay, a little way above the rear axle, which I guess suggests that they were for a dérailleur rather than a hub gear.
The bars are in fact VO porteurs, procured from that nice chap at freshtripe, although they have a little less drop than I thought they would. I've got some sew-on leather grips too, and was planning on underbar levers. The cranks are "Hermesse", although the chrome is very pitted indeed, so i can't make out the model name.

Many thanks for all the tips and suggestions!

Super nice frame! Where did you get hold of it? I live round the corner from an antique bike fixer / builder in the Netherlands, I'll show him a pic and ask if he knows 'owt.

Thanks dbr... I picked it up near b'ham from someone who bought it for an ungrateful father who left it in a garage for years. Thanks for the offer of provenance-hunting, I spent a while hunting for info on "Melior" but drew a blank... more pics here, if it helps.

A really interesting frame. Try to keep looks in mind as well as function, that could be really unique.

I certainly will.... I'm doing my best to do my research and not rush into decisions on bits and treatments etc, I just don't want to make a bad choice based on looks rather than functionality; no point in building a uniquely useless bike. I'm trying to keep the parts within the era/area, so any pointers on where to find vintage dutch/belgian bits are welcome!

Thanks everyone for the kind words

Noob alert. I'm biting the bullet and laying myself bare in front of the LFGSS hyenas.. please be gentle.

Here's what I'm currently working on. I picked it up for £18, in this state:

It has a registration plate(?) that declares it to be from Antwerp, and bears the date 1986. I'm not sure if that was the last year it was registered in Antwerp, or if that was the date of manufacture, but a precursory search for "Melior Merkplatz" reveals very little information... In stripping the paint, I came across a layer underneath, which leads me to believe the bike maybe older than it appears and was renovated and rebadged by Melior, whoever they may be.

Curiosities (for me, at least) :
Deer on front mudguard
Seemingly over-elaborate lugs for it's build quality
Bolts on the underside of BB (what's this for, anyone?)
Cable b/o's for derailleur, but no boss on the dropouts
Fitted with 40h Sachs Tornado coaster hub

Here's how it's looking at the moment.

My intentions are to turn it into a dutch bike/porteur hybrid (I can hear you wincing from here) workhorse. As such, I'm inclined to choose functionality over looks and durability over weight. I've ordered a chrome front newspaper rack from Jonny Loco, and am starting to pull other bits and pieces together. I'm in two minds as to whether to beadblast and clearcoat, or powdercoat similar to this.

As this is my first "build" (rather than just constructing a pub bike from cheap scraps) I'd love to hear opinions... and as a frequent lurker here, I'm well aware that those opinions are plenty, often cruel, but also often packed with knowledge.... anything I should look out for, or any terribly naive mistakes I've already made?

More photos of it here.

Hi Hilary, dibs LYOTARD FAUCHEAUX PEDALS rare 50s pedals good bearings £12, PM and payment to follow.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Arse-Sport-Vintage-Cycling-Cap-Fixie-Old-School-NOS-/200478502815

look like a bunch of cunts to me.. Check it out 3 mins into it...

YouTube- 1rad - RIGI V

Needs foot retention.

yeah, on closer inspection, the lowepro bag is divided in two, so that wouldn't work.

What jogger said.

http://products.lowepro.com/product/DryZone-Rover,1936,18.htm

The Lowepro Dryzone backpacks are fully waterproof camera bags (apparently they float, even when fully loaded) and the one linked has a hydration system built in. I think most large photography shops stock them, so it might be worth popping to your local Jessops and seeing if there was a way to fit a laptop in, as camera bags often have re-arrangeable velcro inserts.

Wow.
I love the orange one, very pretty, plus it has spanners in it, which I love.

Thanks Nhatt!

FWIW, here's my offering. I know very little about Brixton Cycles, and, regrettably, even less about the cycling world in general... my knowledge is limited to the varied and numerous faults of the beater that I currently possess. I'm not particularly clued up on fixie skidder/messenger/fakenger/enter cycling-related stereotype here/ fashion neither. I like making pretty pictures though. Any feedback (however rude/dismissive/curt/hurtful/sordid it may be) is appreciated. I offer these two designs in fetching "attention seeking red" and "resentful orange", although of course they could well be adapted to match whatever colour your current spok/bar tape/tires may be.

http://www.lfgss.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=23480&stc=1&d=1271167344

Modelling them, George "Nonce" McSporran (on the left) and Horatio Wilberforce Barrass-Smythe on the right there.

"Anyone who thinks the LHC will destroy the World is a Twat." - Brian Cox

http://www.astroengine.com/?p=1240

From http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/31/g20-police-sergeant-cleared-baton-charge

Smellie, from the Met's territorial support group (TSG), a specialist public order unit, argued during his trial that he believed Fisher posed a threat to himself and fellow officers. He said he repeatedly struck Fisher, who was considerably smaller than him, after mistaking a carton of orange juice and digital camera she was carrying for weapons.
The district judge, Daphne Wickham, said there was no evidence that his use of the baton was not approved, correct or measured, adding that Smellie had a*** "mere seven seconds" ***to act, and other witnesses had feared for his safety.

A) If he's from a "specialist public order unit" and he mistakes a carton of orange juice and a camera for a weapon, even in a fray, then he needs better training and/or glasses.

B) A "mere seven seconds" is quite a long time (count it out) in a high-adrenaline situation. I doubt most pub brawls even last that long. Plenty of time to assess the situation, and (you would have thought) to establish whether or not the carton of tropicana is a machete. Especially if you're supposedly experienced in assessing volatile or high-risk situations.

I'd love to get my father back into cycling again, so I'm looking for a touring bike to get him on two wheels again. The basic requirements for him are these:

• He's about 6ft, with a fairly long inside leg, so I'm guessing he would need a 22-24" frame.

• He lives in middle of nowhere, with some fairly short but aggresive inclines, so gearing-wise, it would need to have at least a rear derailleur.

• He's a bit old and will be dealing with unpaved roads, so clearance for some fairly chunky road tyres (26" rims?) would be ideal.

• It's a Christmas present, so unless it's within the Shropshire/Leicester area, will need to be posted before xmas.

• He likes to tinker with stuff, and would probably prefer to spend a little time repairing a vintage bike than having a brand new one.

If you think my description of his requirements is wrong (i.e. I've guessed the frame size wrong) I'd be happy for you to correct me.

I do know of the existence of ebay (and will be scouring it for bargains) but I thought I'd put it out there on the forums in case anyone had a spare bike that fitted the bill.

Thanks for reading this, and get in touch if you know of anything!

kid_scruff

pickup only but looks like it will go for nowt.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Eddy-Merckx-racing-bike_W0QQitemZ280434786520QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item414b3740d8

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1966-Claud-Butler-Bike-Frame-and-Brooks-Leather-Saddle_W0QQitemZ130349076665QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item1e596910b9

Hi guys, thought some folks might be interested in this article, he doesn't go over each step in massive detail, but it's good to know it can be done (with patience) cheaply and in your own home.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-I-built-a-carbon-bike-frame-at-home-and-a-bam/

Hi Hilary, dibs on

(28) Deda black slightly faded logo 42cm 26.0mm clamp £8

have dib'sd some mechs on another thread, so will PM you with full list now!