Sneak peek: Astana’s Argon 18 race bikes for 2017

It's not 'the same thing', though, is it? You say yourself that it gets more out than those other methods. Which means there's going to be less left to dry out afterwards. If there's no advantage to getting more out if it doesn't get _all_ of it out, then by that logic you might as well not even bother shaking or towelling it, since those won't get all of it out either, so aren't any better than just ignoring it. Whether the extra amount it gets out is worth the price tag is a different question altogether.

We shouldn't have to ask.

My point is that you can get most of it off for free. If you want to spend £120 to do the same thing only slower and louder, you can of course do that instead. Though it won't help with your credit card bill.

Agreed. 11-28 cassette seems an odd choice on, what is, an entry level road bike. I guess its something you'd change when you get it serviced.

Sounds like a fitters nightmare!

I'm sure drivers the country over will be petrified of a £50 fine for parking where they shouldn't and putting vulnerable road users at more risk. I got a higher fine for parking opposite my house the other year because I was overhanging a bay by a foot. Every day I take the boys to nursery I deal with people parking completely over the pavement and I can't wait for the better weather when the bushes grow over the path and make it impossible to get past. Its OK though, I'll just keep pushing past these lovely cars with my pram until then... hope they don't get scratched...

Enjoyed the story, thanks.

The MET Police followed Critical Mass London to the halfway point on Friday evening. They asked us "Where are you going?", "Who is the leader?", "What is this?" showing a complete lack of understanding. You would think they might know given they attempted and failed to ban CML in 2008. Fortunately they didn't interrupt our installation of a ghost bike on Commercial Road where a 23 y/o was struck and tragically died five days later in hospital.

"we are convinced that normal hookless when everything is well controlled, is better than any hooked type with uncontrolled tolerances" - Yes, I'm sure it works fine in the right circumstances. Now give it to Joe Bloggs consumer who has no idea about tyre compatibility and recommended pressures and you no longer have that "well controlled" situation and serious problems can arise. Even if the initial purchaser does the research to know what is allowable, the person they sell the wheels or bike to in a few years time will probably have no idea. People who work for bike brands need to spend time in real bike shops and observe what setups people bring in and what level of knowledge the typical consumer has.

Speak for yourself. I say it all the time - like every time I bring the other half a cup of tea or something.