The Advice Thread

[EpsomWolf]

Anyone got any tips for getting through a Sam Fender gig? The wife seems to like him but it's not really my cup of tea.

Wish I was much better at it but if you can pull off the near impossible you’ve got it made; being selfless and able to take your pleasure from the enjoyment someone you care about is having.

If you can focus on that it stops your own emotions leaking out and negatively impacting on her and you start to enjoy things in a different way.

There endeth the lesson for today.

(Alternatively, you could moan that he’s “shite”, keep one eye on your watch and leave halfway through the encore to catch last orders. Never had to learn the hard way myself…..honest ).

 

[Keef]

Stand in the bar for the whole gig?

 

[Nando]

Has he got form for this? Whilst it would be delaying the pain it would give me some hope.

Although Florence and the Machine were mentioned the other week which may open the door for them, and I've already sat through one of their gigs...

Yes, on multiple occasions.

I'd take Fender over Florence every day of the week!

 

[Stan Hullis]

If it's any consolation I've seen Sam Fender live at Rock City and he puts on a good show...

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

To be fair, the good lady has been to a fair few gigs that weren't her cup of tea (and there's a few more coming up on the back of this one!) but generally she ended up enjoying them. The only one she didn't was Left field and that really pissed me off.

It's not about not enjoying it but if I just don't like it then it's a mood killer for her.

At least I'll have a good show to watch if Stans right.

 

[machin05]

Going to a bike shop tomorrow with a view to getting a bike for commuting to work. It's 12 miles each way so don't want to beast myself so it'll probably be an eBike. Anyone got any advice on models/specs/things to look out for? I've also had the OK from the gaffer to set up a cycle to work scheme for the company so any advise there would be helpful too.

I don't really know much about eBikes, I'm afraid, but can I ask what your commute is like hill-wise?

If it's relatively flat, then a single speed carbon belt drive e-bike could be worth considering. Totally maintenance free.

 

[machin05]

I do like the look of these - https://www.pureelectric.com/products/pure-flux-one-electric-hybrid-bike

 

[Keef]

I’m not a huge fan of e bikes tbh, see a lot of broken ones, whether that’s because we sell average ones that need quite a bit of warranty work and customers bringing in cheap no name eBay specials for us to fix I don’t know.
They just seem a bit more fragile than normal bikes and don’t like bad weather

 

[Mel Evo]

So… I do know a fair bit about e-bikes, including their service and warranty record since the industry started really selling them in the UK in 2016/16. I’d say genuinely no trouble on either front, but appreciate Keef has a different take! The average price of them in the UK over the last year is just over £2K though. Bottom bracket located motor and a Bosch or Shimano integrated battery are good places to start (especially if you are going through C2W ) As with most mechanical bikes now, if you’re buying from mainstream brands there really aren’t many bad ones out there and a good local bike shop who are invested in a good range can talk you through the different power options. Keef’s view probably goes to show the problems you will get if you’re going down the cheaper route though.

 

[Paul]

Don't want to appear all uber cool or anything but I honestly don't know who Sam Fender is

 

[Tony Towner]

Plays for FC Charlotte I think

 

[leedswolf]

Don't want to appear all uber cool or anything but I honestly don't know who Sam Fender is

Leo's grandson?

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

Don't want to appear all uber cool or anything but I honestly don't know who Sam Fender is

The dream partner for Ben Bender.

 

[Keef]

Don't want to appear all uber cool or anything but I honestly don't know who Sam Fender is

He must be well known somewhere, he’s got a make of guitar named after him

 

[Keef]

So… I do know a fair bit about e-bikes, including their service and warranty record since the industry started really selling them in the UK in 2016/16. I’d say genuinely no trouble on either front, but appreciate Keef has a different take! The average price of them in the UK over the last year is just over £2K though. Bottom bracket located motor and a Bosch or Shimano integrated battery are good places to start (especially if you are going through C2W ) As with most mechanical bikes now, if you’re buying from mainstream brands there really aren’t many bad ones out there and a good local bike shop who are invested in a good range can talk you through the different power options. Keef’s view probably goes to show the problems you will get if you’re going down the cheaper route though.

Yea go with Bosch or shimano motors, voodoo e bikes come with shimano and we’ve no problems with them (gives away who I work for) boardmans have good motors, and a really integrated battery mount, first glance you wouldn’t know they’re e bikes.
I was unfairly negative earlier, most of the problems are crank/torque sensors, just because of where they’re mounted right In the firing line of road muck and water in bad conditions, who’d have thought that would play havoc with electrics eh?
just stay away from the online specials that pull you in with flashy paint, disc brakes, 3 spoke wheels, front/dual suspension and a big comfy saddle for under £500, people bring those in asking for a new charger as theirs has broken, could we replace the controller as it’s not working? have a look at the battery as it’s not holding charge, we just shake our heads and tell them to contact the seller/importer/manufacturer, that’s when they say “ I got it off ebay cheap”.
mind you we get a lot of ordinary cheap online bikes coming in broken due to being basically crap (BSOs they’re called bicycle shaped objects) that were bought for £75 from Argos or tesco we have a look and price a repair that comes very near the price they paid, at which point customer gets arsey and says we should be disgusted with our selves for charging so much to fix a cheap bike

 

[Trips]

I'm going to see Sam Fender on Sunday, hopefully no cancellations!

 

[Keef]

If your going to Halfords Wolverhampton, you’ll be fine, I’m not in work over the weekend, so you’ll get advice of someone who knows what they’re talking about

 

[Tredman]

Right the fucking stupid NatWest app biometrics never works for me - clearly they hate glasses wearers.

So, what’s a good bank to move to, with a good app?

 

[The Bear]

Lloyds are good. You can use fingerprint to open the app. Plus they have a good Rewards account that gives you 6 free cinema tickets per year.

Lloyds Bank - Internet Banking - Error

www.lloydsbank.com

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

If it's any consolation I've seen Sam Fender live at Rock City and he puts on a good show...

Turns out this was the right answer, not sure if it was on purpose to put such an appalling support act on but Sam and band were pretty decent and quiet enjoyable, still not my cup of tea but an decent show