One day, someone will invent a way to take the hash of a piece of hardware and see its history log, like software engineers do with version control. Until then, this is as close as you can get.
Ciro one day guessed that hardware would certainly be a slang for something naughty, and yup, here we are: www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Hardware, drug paraphernelia. Read on!
www.tritoncycles.co.uk/urban-bikes-c4/hybrid-c30/trek-fx-3-equipped-urban-bike-2021-p39860/s102315 XL color Dnister Black. £675.00 plus £35.00 delivery. Disc breaks, 2x9 gears. Bought 2023 on a bit of a sale.
Specs upon buying:
Weight after bought measured differentially on bathroom scale: 13.5 kg
Gears: 11-36T on back, 46-30T on front. So min speed is 30/36 = 0.83 and max is 46/11 = 4.18, so range is 4.18 / 0.83 ~= 5. Compared to Kross which was 11-32 on back vs 48-28 on front, so min 28/32 = 0.875 and max 48/11 = 4.36. So the ranges are very comparable! This confirms Ciro's suspicion that 3 speeds on cranckset is just useless.
I was sized just at the lower limit of XL, but decided to go for it. The seatpost goes all the way into the tube, which is a good thing, might help with noises?
Frame serial under bottom bracket: WTU173C0374S. Registered at: www.bikeregister.com/
Initial impressions:
I'm unable to place a U-lock carrier on this bike in a way that doesn't block one of the two bottles inside frame, or hits leg on if on side. Tried both Kryptonite and Abus ones I have lying around. Shame. Also the Topeak MTS Trunkbag does not fit well on the pannier rack, it is not wide enough to strap: 11cm outer width, 9cm inner width, same geometry as that of the Liv bike.
Log:
2024-09: buying CHUMXINY Brake Bleed Kit: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CXDQ2S1S I hope I don't regret this. But I can't find an original one on Amazon either so... £12.74.
2024-09: chain reached 0.75, rebuying KMC X9. x9 9 speed chain 114 links.
2024-09: when going down a hill in intense breaking, noise started coming from back disk brake. Tried to adjust, but made it worse, had to bail out on nearby bike shop. Readjusted, told me to replace back pads and likely bleed. Bought two Shimano B05S brake pads to replace the B01S that came with the bike, Internet says compatible. Brake maintenance finally caught up with me, it was a great summer and I kept putting it off. Changed just the back one for now, front still has life it seems.
2024-06: noticed a sideways lump on back tyre between spoke 23 and 24 when washing. The only sign of damage was internal near grip part, I could see some clear shearing... God those tyres are crap, or at least crap to what I've subjected them. Inner tube and outside seem perfect, so weird. If only the Schawlbe had worked! But OK now I'm forced to get something new and better, thinking:They had a Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700x35c (non-Tour, as that one didn't fit as per previous experiment) on the shop and I went for it. They said 35c was the maximum recommended for that mudgard which is a bit of a shame, but good to know. Also getting one from Amazon to match on front as shop only had one.
2024-04: micropuncture on front tube? Could not identify during ride, refilled and was OK to get home. Almost no pressure in middle of ride. Passed through some deep water which may have made things worse? Had a small pice of glass-like material stuck in tyre, but didn't seem to penetrate? One day and a half later, was full empty again after full fill without riding, so confirming micropuncture theory. Buying 2x Conti Tube Cross 28 (700C) presta inner tubes.
Tried to put a spare Schwalbe Men's Marathon Plus Tour 700x40C on the bike to get better stability. It seemed to fit the wheel quite well, but unfortunately failed to go well in the fork because it was too tall and hit the mudgard. Without mudgard it might work. Measured height was 6cm for Schwalbe vs 5.3cm for the stock one.
2024-02: another broken spoke... what crappy weak wheels!!! Bought Bavel 290 mm spokes 36pcs 14G J Bend Silver. Broken position was 22nd clockwise from inner tube valve hole.
2023-12: chain reached 0.75, rebuying KMC X9. x9 9 speed chain 114 links.
2023-12: broken spoke! Also had to replace nipple because broke inside nipple. At least learned how to change tire at last.
2023-05: buying another pair of Shimano 324 combination pedals for it: www.wiggle.com/p/shimano-m324-combination-pedals
2023-05: rebuying another Topeak Aero Wedge saddle bag for this new bike
2023-05: 2x Elite custom race cage water bottle frame cages, felt great, much better than those on the Kross! www.elite-it.com/en/products/bottle-cages/fibre-reinforced-material-frp/custom-race
2023-05: ParkTool TR1 tyre levers + GP-2 super patch kit
2023-05: Kask Rapido Medium Black/Yellow fluo helmet, got a more racy helmet too! 69 pounds, way more any previous helmet I've owned: www.kask.com/en/cycling/helmets/rapido_24_2.htm
2023-05: Lezyne hand pump, I think Sport Drive HP? ride.lezyne.com/collections/hand-pumps/products/sport-drive-hp
2023-05: Lezyne V-Pro 10 multi-tool ride.lezyne.com/products/v-pro-tool No spoke wrench unfortunately.
Initial equipment:
Annotated copypasta:
  • Frame: Alpha Gold Aluminium, DuoTrap S-compatible, internal cable routing, flat-mount disc, rack and mudguard mounts, 135x5 mm QR
  • Mudguard/rack mounts: Alloy
  • Hub front: Formula DC-20, alloy, 6-bolt, 5x100 mm QR
  • Hub rear: Formula DC-22, alloy, 6-bolt, Shimano 8/9/10 freehub, 135x5 mm QR
  • Rim: Bontrager Tubeless Ready Disc, 32-hole, Presta valve. TODO identify precisely. But presumably something like: www.tritoncycles.co.uk/components-c9/wheels-c126/affinity-tlr-32h-6-bolt-disc-700c-road-wheel-p25441/s79099 which says: Alloy double-wall rim with 21mm internal, 26mm external width
  • Spokes: 14 g stainless steel. Not documented, but measured in store: 290mm.
  • Tyre: Bontrager H2 Comp, wire bead, 30 tpi, 700x32c. Link was: www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/bike-tires/hybrid-bike-tires/bontrager-h2-comp-hybrid-tire/p/31551/ but they don't sell that crap anymore? A bit weak. At shop said 35c is max recommended width.
  • Shifter: Size: M, L, XL - Shimano Acera M3000, 9-speed | Size: M, L, XL - Shimano Acera M3000, 2 -speed
  • Front derailleur: Shimano Acera T3000, 34.9 mm clamp, top swing, dual pull
  • Rear derailleur: Shimano Alivio M3100, long cage
  • Crank: Size: M - Shimano MT210, 46/30, chain guard, 170 mm length | Size: L, XL - Shimano MT210, 46/30, chain guard, 175 mm length
  • Cassette: Shimano HG200, 11-36, 9-speed
  • Chain: KMC X9. x9 9 speed chain. Official page: www.kmcchain.com/en/product/bicycle-chain-x9-9-speed so crappy does not say link count! But presumably the 114 that is most common on most sites.
  • Pedal: Bontrager City pedals. www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/equipment/cycling-components/bike-pedals/platform-pedals/bontrager-city-pedal-set/p/35291/ Bontrager City Pedal Set 9/16-inch (15 mm). Installs with a 6 mm hex key or flat 15 mm pedal wrench.
  • Saddle: Bontrager H1
  • Seatpost: Bontrager alloy, 27.2 mm, 12 mm offset, 330 mm length
  • Handlebar: Size: M - Bontrager Satellite Plus IsoZone, alloy, 31.8 mm, 15 mm rise, 600 mm width | Size: L, XL - Bontrager Satellite Plus IsoZone, alloy, 31.8 mm, 15 mm rise, 660 mm width
  • Grips: Bontrager Satellite IsoZone Plus, lock-on, ergonomic
  • Stem: Size: M, L - Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm clamp, Blendr-compatible, 7-degree, 100 mm length | Size: XL - Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm clamp, Blendr-compatible, 7-degree, 110 mm length
  • Headset: 1-1/8" threadless, sealed cartridge bearings
  • Brake: Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc, flat-mount, 160 mm rotor
  • Brake rotor: Shimano RT26, 6-bolt,160 mm
  • Brake pad: Brake Pad Shimano Resin Disc Pad B01S RESIN
  • Light: Size: M, L, XL - Spanninga Duxo XB, battery-powered | Size: M, L, XL - AXA Greenline 35, USB rechargeable
  • Kickstand: Alloy, rear-mount kickstand
  • Cargo rack: Alloy rear rack
  • Mudguard: Eurofender Snello
  • Approx. Weight: L - 13.17 kg / 29.04 lbs
Weight limit: This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider and cargo) of 136 kg (300 lb)
2022: saddle and seat post stolen near home. Burn in Hell, motherfuckers. Bought a seatpost marked SP342 MICROPOST ALLOY 3 30.4mm. Like this: web.archive.org/web/20220208115055/https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lightweight-Alloy-Micropost-Bike-MTB-Seatpost-25-4mm-Seat-Pin-300m-Long-Silver-/402311713393 but 30.4mm. OK, bought the Park Tool PW-5 15mm pedal wrench tool. Wasn't expensive at all.
TODO understand other markings on receipt: "18 Flourish FS W Sil XS".
The exact specs pages is lost forever. Closest one we've got is the 2020: web.archive.org/web/20200927204537/https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/flourish-2
Frame: size: XS. Marking near bottom bracket: F/N GY17Z1327 DK: WGI GY17Z1327 F ES:BI-2339.
Seatpost: TODO diameter. Measured in store 30.4mm after original stolen, although 2020 says 30.9. 30.4mm seemed to fit OK, and measuring with ruler gives 30.5/30.6, I don't think a 30.9 can possibly fit.
Saddle: Liv Contact Comfort Plus Saddle, color golden brown. Same as this but blown: www.liv-cycling.com/gb/contact-comfort-plus-saddle-liv Actual color:
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cirosantilli/media/master/Liv_contact_comfort_plus_2018.jpg
Trekking bike bought second hand in 2017. Seller confirmed it is this one www.kross.pl/en/2012/trans-alp (archive) but male version (now shown clearly on website, but both exist).
2024-02: noticed pump was finally stolen. Certainly the drug addicts can't even get 1 dollar for it. TODO identify and rebuy.
2023-08: redoing drivetrain: Shimano HG51 8 Speed cassette 11-32t, Shimano HG40 8-speed chain, Shimano FC-M311 48T/38T/28T 175mm cranckset, first two from Amazon, last from www.santafixie.co.uk/shimano-altus-fc-m311-175-mm-crankset-black.html does not include elivery but still was the cheapest I could find, 4 pounds. Likely not worth the signup effort, but we gotta fight Amazon when they are beaten on prices for moral reasons...
2023-03: Rebuying HG40 8 speed chain 116L, Never paid attention to link counts before, dude said I might have to remove two. There are three options 114L, 116L and 118L
2022-08 I can't take the cassette out anymore again... first tried to remove correct side, didn't manage. Tried the other side, wrong one, and it ticked about 10 times. Then saw video, and initial side was correct. That piece is extremely asymmetric... it is a problem.
2022-08: front mudgard was unbearably noisy, put on the new one I had bought long ago. Asked bike shope person to cut 2.5cm from each metal stick which was way way too long, measured this quickly by placing the new one on top of the new one without attaching. After I got home, noticed it was still too long. At home I noticed one was better than the other, this is because the attach point is not centric on the wheel like on the back, so it requires different cuts. Going to cut again 1cm on one side, 2cm on the other, so total from start would have been 3.5cm and 4.5cm.
Got a puncture on back tire, perfect little point, but on the interior. Could not determine cause. Noticed that the "thumbs up" patch sets that came with the COZYROOMY tire lever were kind of crap, barely held. Made test to see if will deflat or not. Bought a Weldtite cure-c-cure puncture repair kit instead: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003GBBQGM. Looks good.
seatpost making clicking noises again... seems to be from collar area, since already changed several time seatpost. Went to shop and they: 1) cleaned surfaces with rag and some cleaning oil 2) aligned hole in tighenener thing with that of frame 3) tightened well. Let's see. People also recommend greasing the clamp bolt:
2022-08: Topeak Aero Wedge saddle bag stolen in city center, bought many years ago, don't have exact product. Quite incredible that something so cheap, unsellable, and unusable except by a sportsperson would be stolen. Looks like this: archive.ph/wip/atSJK, not like the identically named 2022 produc with two zippers. Rebuying the new two zipper model: www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-aero-wedge-buckle-medium-saddle-bag Edit: was wrong one, medium is humongous, likely wanted small 18 - 11 - 8.5 instead, two zipper is not a new model, it is a medium vs small issue rather. Exchanged for the small.
Rebuying HG40 8 speed chain.
2022-05: weighed the bicycle for the first time. 17 kg without any optionals
Broke front part of front mudgard when trying to put bicycle in bike bag without front wheel. Fuck. Surprisingly brittle.
2022-04: could not remove pedals with small 10cm wrench, preparing for trip. Took it to mechanic, they removed without any problem with a Park Tool PW-4, and greased. Glad to see it was not stuck. After that, I was able to remove myself with my 10cm non specialized wrench. Considering getting the Park Tool PW-5 instead of PW-4 which is half the price and just a bit less long. OK Bought it.
2022-03: changed chain after it reached the limit. Very slight slippage on gear 6 as usual, but did not seem enough to require changing the cassette, but rebuying it as soon as I find a good price for next chain for sure, rebuying Shimano HG51 8 Speed 11-32t. OMG it is so expensive now, stocks our out everywhere!
Besides that, have been hearing some noises from the seat post that are worrying me... it never ends... rebuying a Brand-X Layback Seatpost 27.2 diameter 350mm length post to debug.
Also getting Shimano SM-SH56 cleat, there was a deal with 3 pairs so getting 3 pairs now.
2021-11: seatpost making noises again... going to try a Brand-X Layback Seatpost 27.2 diameter, which does not have the useless suspension, and has a double bolt system, and sells on wiggle which is a good sign.
2021-11: 3 days after a ride, tire was empty, thought it was vandalism. Inspected, could not see any issues, did a 75km ride, and left a gain, and again it lost air quickly. Opened up tire, and found a thorn of some plant pierced inside, almost invisible from the outside. It also feels like the thorn stuck in place and reduced the rate of air loss, after removing the tube it lost air quite quickly. Could not fully remove thorn, can still feel it with my finger, but too well stuck in tire, but I don't think it is enough to pierce again, I just put a patch set on top of it, and new tube Schwalbe 700C 28'' AV 17, got two of those.
2021-11: trickling noise coming from front wheel. Going to get a new one without the generator which I have use anyways and see if it solves it: www.tredz.co.uk/.M-Part-Shimano-Deore-Hub-on-Mavic-A319-700c-Rim-Complete-Wheel_35638.htm M Part Shimano Deore Hub On Mavic A319 700c Rim Complete Wheel. Getting www.amazon.com/dp/B004TGL57S Raleigh TRT701 Wheel Rim Tape - Red, 700c
2021-10: changed chain for new one. Found out that the one I bought did not have a quicklink... Also, it did not come in the original package, but in a sealed plastic bag, presumably to reduce shipping costs. www.amazon.com/dp/B004XVQ2O0 have to be more careful next time. Lost the Shimano 500ml bottle, was strapped on back carrier of bike, but not safe enough, and I went through rough terrain. Had seen it fall off once before another time, but very rare. When I noticed, had no idea where it had fallen off and didn't go back for it. Buying:
Fit perfectly. Luckily Amazon made me buy two Versamounts, because I needed to use one for each bottle, as the holes on the frame were too close to the bottom and made it impossible to fit both otherwise.
2021-09-05: chain reached 0.75, rebuying HG40 8. Also buying second set of break pads, front is gone, and back almost, gonna swap both at once.
2021-08: back side of teeth of seat post wore off, and the seat is rotating vertically. Identification: markings: ELC (maybe middle letter worn off). 27.2 diameter / 350, 350 is the length from Googling. Has a simple shock absorber system and a single pin to attach the seat. OK, something very similar or the same: www.amazon.com/dp/B08N9ZTD22. BESNIN Suspension seatpost. Full markings are: HARD MDU INSIDE under seat clamp, these match exactly. Tube markings are a bit different.
2021-08: noticed that there was a stone stuck inside back tire. Luckily didn't puncture. TODO was it in the same place as the previous puncture? Not far from Schwalbe mark. Rebuying... and answering bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/9827/when-should-you-replace-tires-after-getting-a-flat Going to buy Shoe Goo as well to see if it works: www.amazon.co.uk/Shoe-Goo-Crystal-Permanent-Adhesive/dp/B08P5V9GQV
2021-08-12: after putting new chain on, if I step hard on pedal on 6th gear, by far the most used, it skips. Seems to be the same symptom as 2020-12 when cassette was worn off, as the shifting itself seems fine. bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/8378/difference-between-shimano-hg51-8-speed-cassette-and-shimano-hg50-8-speed-casset says hg51 is compatible, so getting that newer model. 11-34t was much more expensive/less common than 11-32, so getting 11-32. Managed to install it without any problems.
2021-08: bought Shimano HG40 8 speed chain and put it on bike
2021-07:
  • rear shift cable snapped inside shifter during rid, same as 2020-10, same symptom that could never index higher tension gears well bought new cable
  • chain reached 0.75+
  • tried to put front mudgard on, but several problems on this one. The screws needed are wider than those that come. Could keep old ones. But then on top of that, the metal bars are too long and would need cutting about 2 cm, so keeping the old front mudgard for now, which is working perfectly.
2021-06-05: finally removed the old bottom bracket and installed installed the one I had bought a few months back. What triggered this was the clicking noise back again. It appears that the noise got louder with the heat. The clicking noise went away after changing the new bottom bracket. The old bracket seemed fine after inspecting it closely after removal. There was a bit of dirt/earth inside, and some small chippings came out of one side, not sure if from BB or from the frame itself. There are still some other much less loud noises left however, but they are likely a different source, and not a big issue. The clicking noise: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXBdPg1LhQU
2021-05: got the first flat tire ever on the back wheel! A perfectly shaped pointed triangular rock slotted perfectly into the thread and managed to perforate the inner tube. Managed to patch it up perfectly on the road, 2 hours away from home! The inside of the tire is basically intact, so I'm going to keep using it. The next day I put back an old intact inner tube I had replaced preemptively earlier on with this new one that was punctured.
2021-04: put on the Bluemels mudgard on the back. It wasn't hard, and their system seems quite easy to adjust. Chain reached 1.0 stretch, gotta get a new one.
2021-03: clicking noise when pedalling strong driving me crazy. Likely bottom bracket: bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/41149/something-clicks-while-pedaling or maybe pedal. Re-buying the exact same Shimano BB-UN55 Bottom Bracket - Silver, 68-118: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224364037969
2021-03: buying mudgard replacement, going for: SKS Bluemels Shiny 45 mm 28" Mudguard Set Silver www.deporvillage.net/sks-bluemels-shiny-45-mm-28-mudguard-set-silver 28 pounds with delivery, which looks like the most similar to the old one. Partially choosing that seller because they are the only ones capable of using the precise product name as shown on the SKS website so I'm sure what I'm getting. It does not have flaps though. But flaps fall off and get lost, so fuck it. SKS range: www.sks-germany.com/en/products/bluemels-series/
2021-03-07:
Only for side wall machined rims. Performs especially well in wet conditions and may pass DIN standard. Tend to be low noise, low rim wear and fade.
It appears that "non-machined rims" don't exist anymore: www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/183806-How-important-are-machine-sidewalls-vs-non-machined
  • buying another Schwalbe Men's Marathon Plus Tour Hs404 Performance Line Rigid Tires Size: 700 x 40C for the front wheel which is completely worn off like the back one was: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001IHUC0W?th=1&psc=1 33 pounds.
2021-03-07: one of the wires of the rear mudguard broke due to vibrations! It still kind of works, but gotta get a new one.
2021-02-20: replaced new wheel. Worked fine. Also measured chain stretch between 0.5 and 0.75.
2021-02-14: in preparation for wheel switch, also getting www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m-system-m600-pair-of-brake-blocks Shimano M-System M600 Pair Of Brake Blocks. More precise markings: M70T3 Deore LX, AL (aluminium) si.shimano.com/pdfs/ev/EV-BR-SHOE-ATB2-1414L.pdf Reads: "Performs especially well in wet conditions and may pass DIN standards. Gives off less noise, but the pad is heavier, faster rim wear and tends to fade. "
2021-02-11: tried to put the new wheel in. Made a few discoveries:
  • I can't take the cassette out anymore again, even though I put it on myself, and the day I put it on, I took it off once to check if I could, so rebuying Shimano Claris CS-HG50-8 11-34t www.ebay.co.uk/p/2252255352, and if I ever have to take the old one off, I'll take it to the store again
  • the tire on the old wheel was on the reverse direction, had been ridden for a very long time like that, and the threads are extremely worn
  • after making insane efforts earlier to put the tire on the wheel, and knowing about directionality, when I actually took it down I noticed I had at some point of my suffering swapped sides and put it on the wrong way in......
  • I weighted the wheel for fun, assembled with unfilled tire and without the cassette was about 2.5kg
2021-01: ETC Rim Tape 700 40C for the new wheel. No packaging, but possibly: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0063HIIOY
2021-01: moved the saddle forward a bit to 1.8cm was still feeling scapulas before, now seems perfect. Not much effort on hamstrings, but I don't know how to fix both, and not having pain is more important
2020-12: moved the saddle forward back to 2cm, was feeling too much pressure on lower back, and on previous ride, the most tired part of body was behind scapulas, so presumably due to overreach. Felt immediately better.
2020-12-22: felt like rear hub had a bit of friction, can't fix vibration, going to try the buying a new whole wheel:
  • www.bikeparts.co.uk/products/m-part-shimano-deore-mavic-a319-silver-dt-swiss-p-g-36-hole-rear-wheel Found by Googling same rim as original "Mavic A319". Site markings: WLC503 M PART SHIMANO DEORE / MAVIC A319 SILVER / DT SWISS P/G 36 HOLE 700C HYBRID REAR WHEEL. Cannot find a single website that gives exact rear hub model, but hopefully Deore will match, looks the same. 70 pounds. Does not come with rim tape.
  • Schwalbe Men's Marathon Plus Tour Hs404 Performance Line Rigid Tires Size: 700 x 40C. Just going to get the entire thing to have leave a backup wheel.
2020-12-21: put in the new cassette, chainring and chain. Shifting is amazing once again. When pedalling strong on the test run it felt like something on the back hub was vibrating... gotta debug that. Maybe not enough force on closing the cassette?
2020-12-20: tried to replace entire drive chain after over stretched chain destroyed teeth. Chainring and pedals came off nicely, but cassette was stuck, but I took it to the shop and they managed: bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/18465/how-can-i-remove-a-stuck-rear-cassette/74041#74041
2020-12: moved saddle back to 2.5cm mark to try and get more hamstring action, but back started hurting. Moved to 2.2cm half way through ride, and it seemed perfect.
2020-12: moved seat post down after www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNGMRtJ5LIc mentioned that saddle too high causes greater asymmetries which I had felt. With dhb Dorica MTB Shoe (2020-12) with cleats straight on 2-mark. First down 15mm from max, but felt really too low. Then down only 7.5mm, and felt great, possibly better than before.
2020-12: moved 2020-04 Giro Rumble VR Off Road Shoe cleats all the way back, and turned the left one a bit outward to better fit let. Got more tired on hamstrings than on quads now, gotta improve that later on maybe for better balance.
2020-12: put more WD-40 on front shifter. Let it dry, then "WD-40 Bike, All Conditions Lube Bicycle". After next four hour ride, shift to 3rd was still working perfectly. Found the culprit.
Put back the rear mudguard. Wheel not hitting it for now. Lost the extra appended protector thingy, was sure I saw it during installation, so maybe it just fell off during next ride? Can't find it at home. Does not make much different for me, might help others behind me though.
2020-12-05: 4 hour ride, very wet and dirty, on start could get into third perfectly, but at end couldn't anymore!!! So it must have been an issue with lubrication on the bottom shift mechanism.
2020-12-01:
  • test rode 3rd gear shift, completely smooth now!
  • put back the new saddle Selle Royal Scientia, and inspired by www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX3fKolI25Q moved the saddle to 2cm position because I had never felt my hamstrings. It did feel much better! I felt my hamstrigs more, and butt took much longer to get soggy, maybe only around 2 hour mark! Started feeling lower back more though.
2020-11-30:
  • fixed the can't get into 3rd gear problem. Did the following:
    • without cable tension, it changed easily
    • sprayed HD40 on shifter and hinges near bottom bracket
    • still didn't shift
    • reduced tension. This made me manage to change to the 3rd. It must be highlighted how sensitive this was to tension. 5 quarter screws on the shifter barrel were the difference between being able to shift or not
    • one more thing Ciro noticed, is that he had possibly previously held up the front gear before attaching the cable, therefore possibly overly tensioning it. It might be better to just instead pull the end of the cable with a pair of pliers to remove slack, but wihtout making the gear move up, that is enough. Then finish tuning on the shifter arrel adjuster
    • then since everything was out and ready, also changed shift cable just in case. The new one had a bit less friction, but not a lot less, so it did not feel like it was what solved the problem
  • also better inspected the chainrings. Middle one is visibly worn due to the century old chain, even more so than the teeth of the cassettes on the back.. so here we go again, more Shimano FC-M311: www.bikeparts.co.uk/products/shimano-fc-m311-altus-square-taper-chainset-48-38-28t-with-chainguard-175-mm Can't find how to buy just chainring itself.
2020-11-28: can't stand slippage anymore, going to change cassette too, rebuying Shimano Claris CS-HG50-8 11-34t: www.ebay.co.uk/p/2252255352 20 pounds
2020-11-26: left hand large gear almost impossibly hard to switch to largest gear. The gear switches on chainring, but it won't click and stay in place, related: bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/46172/front-shifter-wont-shift-into-3rd
2020-11-22: put back old saddle, one inch from back, did 6 hour ride, it is more comfortable than new one. Butt was soggy at some points, but much less than new saddle.
2020-11-19: noticed that chain slips if I pedal very strongly, and especially if I try to stand up: bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/7928/why-does-my-gear-slip-when-going-uphill-standing Does not happen on the largest chainring. Have to check the smallest one, as it is harder to check there. Took to shop, they said chain worn out with tool measurement, and cassette worn out.
Bought Shimano CN-HG71 8 speed chain 19 pounds, with quicklink: bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/city---trekking-e-bike-e6100-series/CN-HG71.html | bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/city---trekking-e-bike-e6100-series/CN-HG71.html, it is from the Acera line. The price in-store was good, on Amazon Prime, would have been 27 pounds! www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JJWR12U There were two chain options, a cheaper 12 pound one, and the more expensive. TODO difference? Maybe the cheap one is CN-HG40, which is from the Tourney line?
I inspected the cassette myself later on, but it did not appear significantly worn out in my newbie opinion.
2020-11-08: used park Tool PAW-12 adjustable wrench and park Tool BBT-22 to remove bottom bracket to debug noise. After putting everything together, it seemed gone on a very short test ride. The bottom bracket itself seemed fine. There was a bit of dirt, but didn't seem critical. What felt more off was that the drive side cranck arm came off much more easily than the non-drive side one, suggesting it was not tight enough. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPQyQnNdews "Crank Removal and Installation - Three Piece Crankset (Square Spindle, ISIS, Octalink)" by Park Tool (2015) suggests that this is a common cause of noise, so maybe removing the bottom bracket wasn't needed after all this time. But it's done at least.
2020-11-05
  • moved saddle backwards a bit to 1 cm mark, was feeling like butt was falling off the back a bit at 0 cm. After this, it felt better, but still a bit mushy after 4 hour ride
  • been hearing a clicking noise when pedalling, left foot at about 7 o'clock. Going to open it up.
2020-10-04 bought a new inner shift cable for the rear derailleur from bike shop, bulk without visible branding. The plastic shifter casing screw was stripped, could not get it off. OMG I had done that just yesterday on the road for the diagnosis! How is it possible? So soft!!!! I just proped the plastic open with a flat screw driver and managed to insert the cable. However, the previous problem still remains: I can't get smooth shift to faster gears on the rear.
2020-10-03 was having rear shifting issues for a while, and today it stopped working completely. Opened and noticed that the shift cable had ruptured inside the shifter!!! Related: bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/40536/shifter-cable-broke-down-misuse-lack-of-maintenance-shifter-or-regular-occurr This has been only 11 months since last change.
2020-08: buying Selle Royal Scientia M2 saddle: www.selleroyal.com/en/scientia-m-2 based on 60 degree riding position and 110mm sitbone distance Ciro Santilli's body. Had felt a little bit of pain on butt muscle but it passed. But also noticed that the UNICLO shorts ripped a bit, and it might be due to the terrible state of the saddle. Felt good on first ride around the block. Harder than previous, and narrower. Feels higher quality and better fitting.
2020-06-06: replaced front brake pads with the Jagire ones previously bought (one pair already been put on rear brakes)
2020-04-19: tried to remove left pedal again with 2020-04 DECARETA Pedal Spanner, put more force, and the tool itself actually got dented and started spinning freely around the pedal. I give up, will change crank arm. Can't find just the left crank arm, and not sure if 170/175, so just buying the entire thing: Shimano Altus FC-M311 Crank set 48T/38T/28T with chaingard: si.shimano.com/pdfs/si/SI-0094A-001-ENG.pdf | si.shimano.com/pdfs/ev/EV-FC-M311-2675A.pdf | www.deporvillage.net/shimano-altus-m311-175mm-78-speed-chain-set-483828-black at 175mm which is the correct one for my height as mentioned at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUygkHlcVMQ
2020-04: bought Shimano Deore PD-M324 pedals in preparation for flat to SPD switch: bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/deore-t6000/PD-M324.html (archive) | www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m324-combination-pedals, since I'll remove the pedals at somepoint anyways, first learnt at: bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/30662/can-i-use-normal-shoes-trainers-with-clipless-pedals/30720#30720 can be used with normal shoes too. SPD/plataform double side chosen to so I can both commute with on regular shoes and ride further for sport with SPD shoes. Cleat type: SM-SH56. Praying to God that the thread size is universal as mentioned at: bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/10162/whats-difference-between-1-2-and-9-16-inch-pedals When they arrived noticed they felt quite heavy! 533g. Let's see. The non double sided is 455g though: www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m530-mtb-spd-trail-pedals/. And a full roadie one like PD-RS500 SPD-SL weights 320g.
2020-04: attempted to use 2020-04 DECARETA Pedal Spanner to remove left pedal that would not come off with generic short wrench and has been clicking a bit for several months, and now sometimes appears to do false spins! The think must be completely destroyed. Failed, too hard.
2020-04: was trying to remove left pedal with short wrench I had, impossible. Later noticed that the kick up stand was a bit bent! Tried to turn it around, but did not manage to make it improve much. Later during a ride, the new position was too close to the spokes, and started to hit the spokes! When I got home, tried to remove the fucking kickstand, but it had a flat bolt in a deep place between the rear tubes, and I couldn't do it with my simple wrenches. Went to bike shop next day, and they removed it, likely with a deep wrench. The piece was thrown away.
2020-03: finally installed the new derailleur after long suffering, including new cables and casing on front and back derailleurs and on back brake. Took 3 1-2 hour sessions, but it became amazing.
2020-03: screw on left shifter (yes, the bloody screw) broke when trying to open it to take out cable. Buying left and right since the right one was broken from previous fall. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073XQ8J78 SHIMANO ST-EF65-8 EZI FIRE STI SHIFTERS 24 SPEED (3 x 8), 25 pounds si.shimano.com/pdfs/ev/EV-ST-EF65-9R4-3257B.pdf
2020-02: Bought unbranded bike bell sold in bulk from bike shop, 1.50 pound. Markings: SX. Old bell made louder sound. This type of simple mechanism: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GZ3TFFM
2020-01-13: Parked on city center, shitty low diagonal place, crowded. When came back, bike on floor, had dropped hard since front wheel twisted on axis, untwisted with leg. When got home, noticed that right gear shifter was half coming off. Later found out that the piece broken on one of the screws, hanging only by the other screw. Next day morning, noticed that the bell had come off, and was lost, went back on evening but obviously could not find it.
2019-11: Jagire brake pads 2x V 11.50 pounds: jagwire.com/products/brake-pads/cross-rim-brake-pads (archive)
2019-11: Can't index rear derailleur, buying:
TODO exact model. Polish brand. Hybrid style bike: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_bicycle
2019-08-29: rear derailleur fell off, later found it was bent: photos.app.goo.gl/yRgAc1FvKvcuCmcj7 Many bikes were parked together, I think other bikes put gear wires were a bit off, and I started pedalling very strong, and it immediately fell off. Went to repair shop, replaced it likely with: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N51YIYZ (archive) "Shimano Cambio Post. 6/7v RD-TY300 Tourney TX Att. Dir.". Visible markings: "Shimano Tourney Paid 35 pounds, receipt said 25 for piece 10 for service, but piece actually cost 18 on Amazon, and with Prime / larger buys only 7 pounds. I'm also a bit worried because my back cassette is 8 speed, not 7... On official website RD-TY300-SGS: bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/tourney/RD-TY300-SGS.html (archive)
2019-07-26: the front crank was sometimes making loud cracking noises when I pedalled hard. Then, after two weeks, it also started making very loud screeching noises, and then finally I couldn't pedal anymore, and I took it to the shop. They changed the bottom bracket, 45 pounds, 30 for the piece, a Shimano BB UN55 bottom bracket markings: SEALED CARTRIDGE UNIT, SHIMANAO BB-UN55, VIA INDONESIA, 68 QC BC1.37x24, L XL118 R:Photo of the piece that was taken out, notice some broken metal pieces and one of the ball bearing that were left: photos.app.goo.gl/6sqbM4kgDG5Pm7p58 Replacement/servicing:
2019-08: front mudguards were making too much noise, cannot find brand. Removed them. Then in 2019-10 rain started, and I bought a new one.
2019-06-30: fill tires, using 90PSI, was TODO
2019-06-20: right gear wire broke, when opened for fixing was rusty near hand shifter
2019-04-07: fill tires, using 90PSI, was 40PSI. Also on Giant Flourish.
2019-03-30: repair bearings back wheel, true back wheel, remove rust from chain. Result: 50 pounds:
Tick on back wheel stopped. Back brake did not get better. Gears not improved. Rust remained, was told too hard to remove, and not on teeth, so should not matter.
2018-09-02: spoke www.dtswiss.com/en/products/spokes-nipples/spokes/dt-champion/ + minor brake work 41 pounds full work
2018: front tire blew up and was replaced by TODO.
2017: bought, specs:
Bottom bracket: TODO, have a picture after it broke later on and was removed by shop, but did not catch full markings, visible: JIS DIN EN-14777. JIS stands for Japanese Industry Standard (JIS), related: www.velodrome.shop/square-taper-jis/iso/
Saddle: completely destroyed when he decided to identify it for replacement in 2020. Website said "Selle Royal Freedom Royalgel". Markings (badly worn out): "yalgel", freeDom inscribed on saddle, so that's it.
Frame markings: Trekking (two stylized trees on left, one with two triangles and the other 3 triangles), Frame Size: M. Feels more or less the right size for me. Maybe L would be better, as my butt tends to go off the back of the saddle, which I always cranck to the most backward position possible. Markings under bottom bracket: on metal: LY2B 016042 KROSS EN1746. On a sticker, badly worn off: K828130 2?Z018 0004.
Gear shifters: don't know exact model since could not find markings (fuck you Shimano?) but from photos online, seems to be one of the ST-EF* family EZ FIRE, e.g. ST-EF65-8 or ST-EF500.
Back wheel: quick release.
Front wheel: no quick release, wrench size 15mm.
Back tire: Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour 42-622 (28 x 1.60, 700x40C) www.schwalbe.com/en/unplattbar.html (archive)) Puncture resistant.
Back hub: Shimano FH-RM30, so possibly FH-RM30-8-QR mentioned at productinfo.shimano.com/download?path=pdfs/archive/2010_SPECIFICATION.pdf
Rear rim markings: Mavic, A319, Made in France, inserted in 36 hole marking, therefore presumably shop.mavic.com/en-gb/a-319-j24500.html#1028=3283&1035=3501 Aluminium alloy 6106
Back light: AXA Basta Ray LED Rear Light. Markings read: "basta X-Ray Steady STANDLICHT Z K 257 TP RBi 1017". Powered either by 2 AAA bareies in series or by the front hub dynamo: www.bike24.com/p213276.html | web.archive.org/web/20190821070347/https://www.bike24.com/p213276.html
Front tire: did not take note, was later changed.
Front light: AXA Sprint 10 Switch LED Front Light www.bike24.com/p213267.html Wire connector for back light: "Crimp Quick Disconnect Terminals". Tried 2.5mm but too large, size refers to each left/right wrinkle.
Grips: Herrmans Primergo, looks like this: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LZSJ30Q
Pedal: flat/platform crap :-) Markings: "FP-910", exactly like the photo: www.ebay.co.uk/i/114124689225 (archive) but can't find the brand, very generic.
Crankset: markings "Shimano", "FC-M311", "Hyperdrive", "Dual SiS index", from Google part of Altus: si.shimano.com/pdfs/ev/EV-FC-M311-2675A.pdf (archive). There are two possible tooth counts, I counted 48T on largest, so it is the 48/38/28 one. There are two arm sizes though, 170mm vs 175mm, not sure which one mine is, very hard to measure, I think it was 170mm. Installation at: si.shimano.com/pdfs/si/SI-0094A-001-ENG.pdf (archive) says to use "8 mm Allen key or a cotterless crank extractor (TL-FC10)". Identification: youtu.be/VMV-SOIhM2c?t=258 "Three Piece Crank of type Square Tapered Spin"
Front derailleur: markings Shimano Altus, 66-69 degrees, blue circle with two balls hyperdrive logo on top. Possibly Shimano Altus Front Derailleur FD-M310: si.shimano.com/pdfs/ev/EV-FD-M310-2676B.pdf
Mudguards: markings "Orion"
Stem: it is a "adjustable quill style" stem, comparable to this one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj_xaQ-o88o but not exactly the same thing. Another comparable one: www.amazon.co.uk/Raleigh-GNJ251-Adjustable-Quill-Handlebar/dp/B004XVPVI8/ Another: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aXu2J3m5ws very close to as shown on that video.
2022-02: lost my Karrimor REFLEKT, must have fallen off from trouses somewhere.
2022-02: bought Burg Wachter Sold Secure Bike Chain, Lock and Ground Anchor Kit 1m, 10mm chain width: www.amazon.co.uk/Burg-Wachter-Sold-Secure-Gold-Chain/dp/B09MMGL9B7
2022-02 bought Kryptonite Kryptoflex double loop cable 1.2m length 10mm diameter braided steel cable: www.kryptonitelock.com/en/products/product-information/current-key/210818.html
2022-02: bought a Trelock BC 115/110/4 chain white for my saddle after Liv Flourish 2 (2018) the saddle of was stolen at home. Same as this but white: www.trelock.com/en/lock/locks/chain-locks/bc-115-110-4-green. The keys are a bit larger than I'd like.
2021-11: buying a Cateye ViZ450 www.cateye.com/intl/products/safety_lights/TL-LD820/ 51 dollars after CatEye RAPID X2 was stolen. Unfortunately, it is not very compatible with my Topeak saddle bag... the attachment is to wide to fit the saddble bag, and even if it did it is slanted to account for seat tube slant so it would not be very verfical. Arghh, they have futher options on the website: www.cateye.com/intl/products/parts/5342460/ that is the one I need, Clip C-2 or Clip C-1N. On Amazon it didn't have clear choices for that... mine came with the BracketSP-15. Ah, can buy on Amazon for 3 dollars, OK then.
2021-11: COZYROOMY multitool broke apart already, like before, but much sooner this time. What a piece of junk!!! Buying the Topeak Mini 18+ Bike Multitool www.topeak.com/global/en/products/75-Mini-Tools/173-mini-18+ Has a spoke wrench.
2021-09: COZYROOMY multitool stolen, even though it was completely in pieces already. 2021-09-21 12:30PM discovered, seat bag open, one tool on floor, and some leftovers inside, but black bag gone. Bicycle last seen 2021-09-20 6PM. Would likely have spotted it if it had happened before. Bicycle last used: 2021-09-19 6PM. Would almost for sure have seen it if it had happened by then. Rebought it.
2021-07 Topeak MTS Trunkbag EX Strap Type www.topeak.com/global/en/products/192-Rear-Rack-Bags/859-MTX-TRUNKBAG-EX Fit nicely on the back of the Kross bicycle (2017). 8L. Originally to carry some extra food and water on a long summer trip. 36 pounds.
2020-11-30: Bought more "Finish Line DRY Teflon Bicycle Chain Lube" 8oz/240ml www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z779GMO/ after previous disaster with the bottle because lock is a bit hard to open.
2020-11-30 WD-40 Bike, All Conditions Lube Bicycle Lubricant, 250ml. Markings: "Contains PTFE". www.amazon.com/dp/B00O8QF3PY Sprays out of bottle, so very thin.
2020-11: Park Tool CC-2 Chain Checker Tool www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000OZFILW 24 pounds www.parktool.com/product/chain-checker-cc-2
2020-02: CatEye AMPP500 45 pounds www.cateye.com/intl/products/headlights/HL-EL085RC/ High mode 500 lumens: 1.5hrs, Daytime HyperConstant mode 500/250 lumens: 5hrs. 2020-11: noticed it was cracked on top front between button and light, I think I dropped it the other day from waist height.
2020-02: Karrimor REFLEKT Band 2 pounds from Sports Direct to replace old that I destroyed by playing with it with hands on work desk www.karrimor.com/karrimor-reflect-band-765007
2020-01: Halfords Microfibre Heavy Duty Cloths www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/sponges-brushes-buckets/halfords-microfibre-heavy-duty-cloths (archive) 87% polyester, 13% polyamide.
2019-12: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07GQSXN8B SENZEAL Bicycle Spoke Wrench Tool Spoke Key Spanner 6 in 1 for Bike Wheel Cycle Wrench 10-15 Gauge. TODO 2024: can't find those for the life in me.
2019-12: Halford's Bike Hut Chain Cleaning Kit: www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/bike-cleaning/bikehut-chain-cleaning-kit 18 pounds. GCN video using it: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM6mzE5lQ0w Review video saying it is useless: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCo41pftAjU
2019-11: Multitool: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MW3K2GK "COZYROOMY Bike Repair Kits - Bicycle tool kit with 10 in 1 Multi-Function Bike Tool, multi-purpose bone wrench And related spare tools, 1 Portable tool bag, 6 Month Warranty". No spoke wrench unfortunately. But does have 15mm bone wrench, which opens Kross front wheel. Some months later, the thing came apart, quality was a bit shit. But I kept it in the saddle bag anyways for a long time, and just used it by putting part of it manually together.
2019-11: "CatEye RAPID X2" real lights, 40 dollars. Hopefully to increase side visibility at night, and day visibility on fast roads when cycling further on weekends. www.cateye.com/intl/products/safety_lights/TL-LD710-R/ (archive) USB rechargeable. 80 lumens in high mode lasting 1 hour, 5 hours in low mode, 30 hours flashing, 16 hours rapid/pulse. Lost 2021-11 in a big city, didn't know the path well, had to cross a bunch of streets, was on back of back bag, likely stolen.
2019-10 WD-40 Smart Straw 450ml www.amazon.com/dp/B01MEHN4VC (archive)
2019-10 Finish Line Dry Teflon Tube www.amazon.com/dp/B00B704LZW (archive) Tube broke while opening the first day. I glued it with some superglue, but two months later found it leaked into my "oils bag", so I threw it away... it must have penetrated through the super glue.
2019-08: "CatEye CA475RAPMIN Rapid Mini Rear Lights and Reflectors, Black" stolen: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01I4193PY (archive). Very good quality. Those USB rechargeable lights you just have got to take off with you whenever parked in town or else drug addicts will steal them because they are easy to remove for recharging. Tempted to just stick to dynamo ones that are screwed in. Re-bought original back light: AXA Basta, was a bit different from previous one, cannot take in lamps anymore, even though there is the plastic casing for them! Just not metal / wires.
December 2023: found the keys for the Kryptonite Kryptolock and the Abus in the house, so now I've got backup!
2023 lost one of the two keys to Kryptonite Kryptolock and to the Abus padlock:
2018 Kryptonite Kryptolock. Looks like: www.kryptonitelock.com/en/products/product-information/current-key/002031.html Includes Transit Flexframe-U Bracket carrier
2017 Abus Sinus Plus 471/150 HB U-lock. Sample seller with image: www.lockshopdirect.co.uk/products/abus-sinus-plus-471-d-lock-230mm-shackle-62620/
2017 an Abus chain and padlock, can't see marking easily. Chain length: 82cm.
2024-11: OK, I give up, going to try and find the Extremities XDRY again, as these are the perfect gloves for the UK. Buying www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OISFUQ4. Their marketing is very confusing and there are several different names for the product, but the label reads "extremities insulated waterpoof sticky power liner glove", black, large. This is the official page: www.terra-nova.co.uk/products/insulated-waterproof-sticky-power-liner-gloves X-Dry Stretch, 100% polyester.
2024-10: going to try Endura Men's Strike Glove - Hi-Viz Yellow, Large www.endurasport.com/strike-glove-hi-viz-yellow/12929542.html | www.wiggle.com/endura-strike-gloves-930526#colcode=93052613. These gloves are high quality, but they are too hot and fleecy for the UK, unless it is an exceptionally cold winter day around 0. This means that they get quite wet from sweat, and they are not that breathable. Also they are very hard to take off and put on, which is painful if you are like me who uses your cell phone for navigation, and while it works with touchscreens, sometimes it's just too annoying and you have to take them off.
2024-05: going to try www.sealskinz.com/products/water-repellent-all-weather-glove Sealskinz Tasburgh Water Repellent All Weather love black large because Extremities XDRY has a hole on right thumb due to gear shifting. This glove is very similar to the Nike academy hyperwam, not really a winter glove feels like. Weird branding...
2023-11: Endura Windchill Bibtights XL - Black: www.endurasport.com/windchill-bibtights-black/12926004.html because knees of dhb one open. I'm an idiot for getting XL... it's just that L felt too short on the top. But ultimately XL was too baggy, this became quite apparent on first usage, L would likely have been better, just would have needed to pull it a bit more. Quality is very good, very water repellent, kept me warm on 2C under very light rain. Also tried www.endurasport.com/xtract-bibtight-black/12926142.html but the sizing was completely different. L on that one as obviously too large, M felt correct.
2023-07: lost my waterproof cap, not cycling specialized, but was useful. Was by itself in crappy backpocket of cheap muddy fox jersey, lots of wind, some fence jumping... Hadn't noted know the brand/model... sad. Let's try Castelli A/C 2 Cycling Cap? www.castelli-cycling.com/US/en/Men/Collection/Hot-Weather-Kit/A-C-2-CYCLING-CAP/p/4523032_008 Single size. Slightly small, but hard to be sure.
2023-07: www.dhbsport.com/products/aeron-short-sleeve-jersey-2-0 dhb Aeron Short Sleeve Jersey 2.0 Colour Ink Blue Size (Standard) L. To prevent crap from falling again hopefully. Felt too small. Material: 100% polyester, inserts, 64% polyester, 6% elastane. Compared to the non 2.0 which I have, the material feels more glossy/slippery. Slightly weird.
2022-05: buying another "dhb Lightweight Mesh Long Sleeve Base Layer", small www.wiggle.com/p/dhb-lightweight-mesh-long-sleeve-base-layer. I notice that it is actually a bit not long enough. Doesn't make a huge difference, but maybe medium or large next time.
2022-12 Rohan Polar Gloves, black, large, 45 pounds. Shell: 85% polyamide, 15% elastane. Insulation: 100% polyester. 100g insulation on back of the hand. www.rohan.co.uk/mens/accessories-polar-gloves Let's see how they perform after hands were very cold on a bike ride with the Extremities XDRY.
2022-08 dhb Aeron Short Finger Gel Gloves 2.0 medium white www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-short-finger-gel-gloves-20. For sun/fall protection. In theory should be small according to size guide, but small was over, and I have my doubts it is correct.
2021-12: bought a North Face etip recycled gloves black with white signs, large about 40 dollars: www.thenorthface.co.uk/shop/en-gb/tnf-gb/mens-etip-gloves-4sha?variationId=KY4 let's see how that goes.
2021-12:
  • dhb Windproof Cycling Gloves Small Black 33 dollars to replace the Nike academy hyperwam gloves which I lost a pair of recently. It already had a hole in the thumb anyways from shifting the small gears all the time. S was way too small despite me making hand measurement, returned.
  • dhb C1.0 Crossover Helmet Matte Black 58-61cm 40 dollars after recent crash to ensure helmet integrity
2021-06: Castelli UPF 50+ Light Arm Sleeves (Skins) Large White, 29 pounds www.castelli-cycling.com/bg/upf-50-+-light-arm-sleeves/p/451603621P-001. Felt really good. Really does not trap much heat, and completely blocks off sun. It makes you develop a small layer of sweat that keeps you cool, cooler than without the sleeves.
2021-02 Castelli PRO THERMAL SKULLY red www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-pro-thermal-skully www.castelli-cycling.com/gb/pro-thermal-skully/p/452054220A to help with cold, the X Lite Run Black Headband is just not made for winter.
2021-01: Madison Cycle Everywear Sportive Toe covers. L/XL. www.madison.cc/shop/sportive-thermal-toe-covers/VARCLA121/CLA12104
2021-01: "Endura FS260-NEMO Glove II" Neoprene Winter Handwarmer Large. www.endurasport.com/Gants-Nemo-FS260-Pro-II/p/E1216-Black Let's see how neoprene feels like. Basically it becomes wet with your transpiration, but is still relatively warm, would take it well down to 5C. Likely would work well with heavy rain. Not bad. But does feel a bit cooler than the Extremities XDRY, especially after you walk for a bit, and your hand becomes cold, and it is very hard to warm it because it is also wet.
2020-12-21: "dhb Neoprene Nylon Overshoes" www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-neoprene-nylon-overshoes large black. After 2 rides, noticed that the front lower part of left foot (the one I put on and off the most) had a hole in it, not sure where it was made. Edit: I later noticed that it is because I have the reflex of braking slightly with my shoes in certain conditions, e.g. at lower speeds in close proximity to pedestrians, the sounds of which also serve as a way to alert them without the need for a loud bell. But it destroys the overshoe, so I have to undo that reflex.
2020-11-06 www.alpinetrek.co.uk/castelli-perfetto-ros-long-sleeve-cycling-jersey/ "Castelli Perfetto RoS Long Sleeve - Cycling jersey" size L Large. On Wiggle: www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-perfetto-ros-long-sleeve-jersey Feels great. Together with the dhb Merino Long Sleeve Base Layer, I can gown down to 0 Celcius, no problem, and up to 14 with the "Mesh Long Sleeve Base Layer". Breathes great, blocks wind and rain reasonably, and can holds mild rain out on a short 1.5h ride without problem. I used this so much it is unbelievable.
2020-10-17:
  • last ride top was a bit cold on shoulders where not covered by arm warmers, about 10C, so going to try: www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-rain-defence-polartec-jacket-1 "dhb Aeron All Winter Softshell Jacket", 109.25 pounds, Fluro Yellow, small to match previous tops that worked, approx: 50 polyester, 40 polyamide, 10 elastane, recommended temperature: 2-12 degrees Celcius. Material felt OK, not amazing but OK. Returned because a bit too small.
  • the "dhb Classic Thermal Bib Tights" is a bit too warm for lower tens, so going to try "dhb Aeron FLT Roubaix Bib Tight", 85.50 pounds, medium, navy color, recommended temperatures: 6-14 deg C, 84% polyamide, 16% elastane. Hopefully not being marked as "thermal" means it is less warm. Also hopefully being DHB Aeron it will be a bit less baggy behind knees. Returned later because felt indistinguishable from the "dhb Classic Thermal Bib Tights".
For sizing see also: Ciro Santilli's body.
2020-11: Castelli Thermoflex 2 Arm Warmers, Large, 28 pounds: www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-thermoflex-2-arm-warmers | www.castelli-cycling.com/gb/men/accessories/cycling-leg-and-arm-warmers/p/451953020A-010 advertized 8°-20°C. Was going to buy the DHB ones for 10 pounds less, but always out of so Castelli it is.
2020-08: started getting getting cold, so let's do it:
2020-05 www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-short-sleeve-jersey-4/ dhb Aeron Short Sleeve Jersey 100% polyester, Red Large. This one fit OK. Length feels right. When on cycling position, a bit baggy under arms though, but guessing M would be too short? Still already feels less baggy than the cheap muddy fox jersey. Aeron is the second lowest level of DHB top, after the super basic 25 pound one. Material is thin polyester, could be better, but OK.
2020-05 www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-perfetto-light-2-short-sleeve-jersey/ Castelli Perfetto Light 2 Short Sleeve Jersey 84% Nylon, 16% Lycra. When it arrived, was WAY too small, so returned. Material looked and felt amazing.
2019-12 www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-merino-long-sleeve-base-layer-1/?sku=5360752872 "dhb Merino Long Sleeve Base Layer", black, small, was right size, wool is a bit itchy, but does feel like it dries off more quickly on long rides than the cheap Muddy Fox polyester cycling Jersey. Pretty warm, too much for 15C.
2019-12 www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-winter-weight-merino-sock/?sku=100335580 dhb Aeron Winter Weight Merino Sock, blue, UK 9.5-12. Did not seem to make much of a difference, feet still cold, not wet.
2019-11 Nike academy hyperwarm gloves: www.nike.com/gb/t/hyperwarm-academy-football-gloves-s9Dd8D/GS0373-013 (archive) for 17.99 Pounds from physical retailer. Good intermediate between the Extremities gloves when it gets a bit warmer. 60% polyester/27% nylon/5% rubber/4% elastane.
2019-10 XGC Men's Cycling Shorts/Bike Shorts And Cycling Underwear With High-Density High-Elasticity And Highly Breathable 4D Sponge Padded www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BDJP64W (archive). Grey color, red inner butt padding. 2020-08: after using it a lot, noticed that the padding stiches started to come off a bit.
2018 (?) Extremities XDRY gloves Looks like: www.sportsdirect.com/extremities-wp-p/line-glove-91-907293 (archive) Gets wet after a few minutes of medium rain. But does dry quickly. Baggy, multilayer. Says 40 pounds, but always at 20 pound discount, so it is just a marketing trick. On website: Outershell 96% Polyester/4% Lycra (Spandex)Palm 45% Polyester/55% PolyurethaneLining 100% Polyester
2017-09 Trespass Cruzado Male Gloves size S. www.trespass.com/cruzado-unisex-gloves (archive) Markings: crossover gloves. Technical Performance TP75: www.trespass.com/advice/trespass-tp-ratings-guide/ Lost right hand around 2018/2019.
2017 Muddy fox cycling Jersey, orange, polyester, Large, cheap. Works well enough I guess. Could be a bit more tight fitting.
2017 www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254646634761 Karrimor X Lite Run Black Headband. I think I lost it 2022-04, already had a hole in one ear.
2015 UNIQLO tights 53% cotton, 32% polyester, 15% elastane. 2020-08: after riding it a lot, it ripped a bit near upper inner tights.
2015 Odlo top and tights, polyester. Not sure exact model, not necessarily meant for cycling. Top does not fit tightly, did not feel like it was removing sweat effectively.
In degrees Celsius:
  • 25+
    • palm tree shade and coconut water. Seriously though, if there's some shade or earlier morning/later afternoon it's OK, but if it's on an open road at midday, be careful, and stop early if you start getting slightly dizzy, it only gets worse!
  • 18-25
  • 15-18:
  • 10-15:
    • dhb Classic Thermal Bib Tights 10 and under. TODO this is a bit too warm for the upper range, need something more intermediate
    • "dhb Lightweight Mesh Long Sleeve Base Layer"
    • Castelli Perfetto RoS Long Sleeve - Cycling jersey. TODO this is a bit too warm for the upper range, need something more intermediate
    • "Karrimor X Lite Run Black Headband"
    • "Nike academy hyperwarm gloves"
    • "Nevica Skuff". A bit too hot on upper range, but easy to take off.
  • 0-10:
    • dhb Merino Long Sleeve Base Layer
    • Castelli Perfetto RoS Long Sleeve - Cycling jersey
    • dhb Classic Thermal Bib Tights 10 and under
    • dhb Dorica MTB Shoe (2020-12)
    • "Karrimor X Lite Run Black Headband". Head a bit cold on lower range.
    • "dhb Neoprene Nylon Overshoes". Feet a bit cold on lower range.
    • "Extremities XDRY gloves". Hands a bit cold on lower range.
    • "Nevica Skuff"
Black EUR 44, 1 smaller than normal size as recommended by website.
Bought SM-SH56 cleat to accompany.
When it arrived, it felt a bit too long, around 2cm maybe free space after toe, and when I walk and the front part touches ground, heel comes off a bit, which is annoying. But I was too lazy to give it back and take the risk of a second try, also it felt correctly tight on sides. During first test ride it felt good.
It is slightly water proof. But if it rains a lot, it will get soaking wet. And once it does get wet, it feels like it is very very hard to dry, there don't seem to be any holes underneath.
2021-01-28: used this show for the first time after wearing dhb Dorica MTB Shoe (2020-12) exclusively for a while. It felt much much more comfortable, the Dorica is too narrow. Also this one is much more recessed, and walking with it is much easier. Also, I notice that the intentional asymmetry I had put on cleats is not necessary anymore now that my saddle height is not way too high
It is not possible to do long walks with this, unlike some websites suggests, especially on hard surfaces like rock, that would be very dangerous because the cleat area will slip. But it is good for shorter walks on grass/mud, and that does open up some good short walk exploration possibilities compared to a road shoe.
Color "Black/Red 20" (but it's actually orange), size 46 www.wiggle.co.uk/giro-rumble-vr-off-road-shoe (archive). Manual says to use Loctite 243 medium strength, first 2.4 Nm bolt torque to test it out and find good position, and then final bolt torque 5-6 Nm unless cleat says less. Starting with Shimano SM-SH56 cleats (archive), which also says provisional torque 2.5 Nm, tightening torque 5-6 Nm.
Bought: 2022.
To remove pedals when they get stiff.
To remove and install Shimano and ISIS Drive splined 20-tooth bottom bracket cups.
Bought: 2020-11-07. Also getting a park Tool PAW-12 adjustable wrench to use with it.
Bought: 2020-10.
Bought: 2020-10.
12-inch adjustable wrench.
Bought: 2020-11-07 initially for using with park Tool BBT-22.
Worked with Kross bicycle (2017) Shimano FC-M311, I managed to remove the crank arm.
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VL2MLYY DECARETA Pedal Spanner Bike Pedal Wrench Three-in-one Function Bicycle Pedal Spanner 24mm Front and Rear Axle Spanner Pedal Install Spanner Repair Tool with Anti-Skidding Long Handle (Silver) £10.99.
Got dented the first time I tried to use it in the Kross bicycle (2017). All Amazon reviews say the same thing, should have read first, and bought instead known brand like Park And Tool which is the same price. Material advertized on Amazon: "Steel alloy and rubber".
Maybe I'm an idiot and should have bought a much smaller rear wheel stand, only thought of that later, e.g.: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00G7ZO3GE or www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00SD7NL44
Rope attached to rear rack + door knob: www.youtube.com/watch?v=teUsJt1WL1g
20 pounds. Works on both Schrader and Presta.
2020-01 "Heat Gun, SEEKONE Professional 2000W 50℃- 600℃ Variable Temperature Control Hot Air Gun Kit with 2 Temperature Modes 7 Accessories for D" www.amazon.com/dp/B078S5QMFG Initially for for cell phone repair, but later learnt they are also useful for heat shrink.
2020-11 BOA 13-2612 Strap Wrench, 6-Inch Capacity 8-Inch Long Lever www.amazon.com/dp/B00096JDKS Official: www.boatoolcorp.com/our-products/boa-constrictor-range/boa-constrictor/
2019-09 "Draper Redline 68001 160 mm Heavy Duty Pliers Set with Soft Grip Handles (3-Piece)" web.archive.org/web/20190903191215/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071JL6LLL (archive)
2019-08: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000LFRYG2 (archive) "Silverline SP1236 Combination Spanner, 8-19 mm - 12 Pieces" 8.48 pounds. Because I needed the 15mm for bike pedal, and the price of 1 and the full set were very close.
6 10/11/12/13/14/17 mm Combination Wrench Set WRENCH SET COMBINATION Open-Ended Spanner/Ring Spanner Set www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BZLVGX8 (archive) But they sent one wrong, 8 instead of 11. Chrome Vanadium Steel. Markings: "DROP FORGED A". Quality feels crappy, not very smooth.
2017: Teng 621011 Double Open Ended Spanner 10x11mm www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0001P0VP8 (archive)
2017: Magnusson AMS49 5M TAPE MEASURE 5m retractable flexible rule. www.screwfix.com/p/magnusson-ams49-5m-tape-measure/5315v (archive)
2019-09 "AstroAI Digital Multimeter, TRMS 6000 Counts Multimeters Manual and Auto Ranging; Measures Voltage, Current, Resistance, Continuity, Capacitance, Frequency; Tests Diodes, Transistors, Temperature, Red" www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071JL6LLL (archive). Manual: web.archive.org/web/20190904200759/https://static.astroai.com/manual/Astroai-Digital-Multimeter,-Trms-6000-Counts-User-Manual-en.pdf. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDGCs1G0Tx8 AstroAI WH5000A Digital Multimeter some basic features
2022-10 ELEGOO Upgraded Electronics Fun Kit www.elegoo.com/products/elegoo-electronics-fun-kits-4-versions Manuals:
Breadboard power supply module MB‐V2:
  • Input voltage: 6.5-9v (DC) via 5.5mm x 2.1mm plug
  • Output voltage: 3.3V/5v
  • Maximum output current: 700 mA
TODO center positive or center negative?
Does not come with AC adapter, getting this one: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08ZN476FW output: DC 9V 1A Power Supply Adapter, Plug 5.5mm x 2.1mm, Center Positive,B rand: Security-01, input: AC 100-240V 50/60 Hz, Cable length: 1.8m
LEDs:
  • maximum Continuous Forward Current: 50 mA
  • under 20 mA
    • Forward Voltage: 2.0 V typical, 2.5 V max
20 mA appears to be the typical operation. So with the 2.0 V drop on 5 V power we want a resistor such that:
for the max 50 mA we would instead have 60 Ohms
Bought in the late 2010s.
Feels quite good.
Bought: Paris 2015, about 180 euros.
The model number is 41075.
Label markings:
V78003007 00 LH 11440482
41075 1173 CNU SPINNER 77/2
EXTERIOR: NYLON 56%
POLYESTER 44%
INTERIOR: POLYESTER 100% Made In China (LH)
Wheel hole separation:
  • bottom two: 3.55cm
  • bottom two: 3.4cm
  • bottom to top: 4.3cm
Trying to buy a replacement: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08KVZQSTG
2019-11 www.amazon.co.uk/B00I8JC4WC Mr Muscle 5 in 1 Shower Shine, 500 ml
2019-11 www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FGOY51A Lakeland Moth Stop Moth Killer Carpet & Fabric Spray, 500ml
2019-10 Mykal Sticky Stuff Remover 250ml. Helped remove sticky tape adhesive from surfaces. Still required a lot of elbow grease, but worked. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000TAT4GM (archive).
Bought: 2018, 2021.
Seems to work OK. But you're fighting the symptom, and it will eventually come back.
2020-12: buying Miele SF AP 50 AirClean Plus filter www.miele.co.uk/e/airclean-plus-filter-sf-ap-50-10107860-p. Once it arrived, changed the filter, which fit comes with plastic casing and accordion shaped filter. Also changed bag. But the bag full meter still goes to red on carpet even with everything new while vacuuming. Is it supposed to be checked while not vacuuming?
Bought circa 2017.
30L tall pedal bin light blue. Liner type: "Tall Bin Liners 30 L".
Primarily bought to make borlotti beans!!!
ARTISAN 2-SLOT TOASTER 5KMT2204 Onyx Black
Bought: 2017-09
Impossible to open to properly clean.
Bought around: 2017-09.
TEFAL Multicook 8in1 RK302E15 MultiCooker - 4 Portions / 5L.
Markings say: "SERIE R13-B REF: RK302E15 / 79 A - 1017"
How to open videos: can't find any, but the hard part (remove top lid) was the same as the video for joyoung rice cooker (2014), can be done by inserting a thin metal and going around it.
Bottom opens by taking off a single screw on the bottom and pulling it out (not obvious, a little bit of force).
2021-01: while making congee it overflowed without us noticing it, and next time we were going to cook something, it started to burn bits of congee that stuck to the heat plate. Opened it up and tried to clean everything.
2020-03: E01 error, looked up on manual and it is a top wire broken, opened up and confirmed one of the three wires going up broken, exactly like the previous one joyoung rice cooker (2014). Managed to fix easily with heat gun and Solder Seal Heat Shrink, no soldering iron, that thing is amazing: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B085415G8N Let's see how long it lasts.
2019: broke with sign number 6. Ciro Santilli opened it up a bit destructively.
2022-02: Kiea Barlast floor lamp: www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/barlast-floor-lamp-black-white-50437810 Bulb: LED bulb E27 globe opal white.
Fridge: Lamona LAM6800 fridge freezer.
Bedroon door glass pannel dimensions: 36cm x 59.6cm
Middle separator length: 2.5cm.
So total glass area: 36 * 2 + 2.5 x 59.6 * 2 + 2.5 = 74.5 x 121.7
Bin: TODO size.
Washing machine: Lamona, someting along LAM8603: www.manualslib.com/manual/1049371/Lamona-Lam8603.html
2021-08 bedroom battery out, 7.29V out of 9V duracell duralock. Buying pack of 12 Energizer nine-volt batteries. Measurement on new battery: 9.68V.
2019-12-26: scraped off some of the likely soap scum from standing bathtub with hard plastic rice cooker spoon.
2019-12-26: applied Ronseal mould killer on external north east living room walls, had widespread light brown mould spots, and more localized black mould spots. The water insulation here is bad, possibly due to being on the last floor. Also applied next to window sills on those walls.
Searching by th epart name "GF03FC" leads to other sellers besides Elica however, which could reduce shipping costs: www.cookerhoodsupplies.co.uk/filters-and-lamps/188-metal-grease-filter-gf03fc.html
Brand on extractor glass: Elica: elica.com
Dimensions: 45.9cm x 17.6cm on the exterior. Too long to fit into any container that we have.
Brand on filter itself: "ARMA Filtre a.s." based on markings: www.armafiltre.com.tr/uygulamalar/7/3/en/Home-Appliances.html Cannot find any model on website however... looks like Elica's B2B supplier only.
Marker inside after removing filter: 12NC: 208298104403 Model: CIAK GR/A/56.
2018: noticed that it was unbearably greasy, tried to clean, but even boiling water didn't help.
July 2019 message:
Aluminium extractor filter for 208298104403
Hi there,
I'm trying to buy a spare aluminium extractor filter for an Elica extractor, but I can't find the right size on the website.
My 12NC is : 208298104403
My filter looks a lot like this: shop.elica.com/en/accessori/filtro-grassi-in-alluminio-cod-GRI0077330A.html but the dimensions are different: I measured 45.9cm x 17.6cm on my old one.
Do you have that for sale?
Brand according to documents: SMEG.
Most similar models I an find: www.smeguk.com/products/UKC8173N1F and www.smeguk.com/products/UKC81721F, the keyword are "built-in" and "integrated", other very similar ones: www.smeguk.com/refrigerators/built-in
Looks like this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c_LBVnU4ec and that's how to unclog the drain.
2020-11-28: defrost. Some small Styrofoam was broken lose from top, noticed small burn or rust marks on top grid nearby.
SMEG, cannot determine exact model.
2020-11: started sparking by itself once every 5 minutes. Knob controls dirty in hole, but can't find out how to access. Seems slightly glued insulated around edges.
Looks a lot like: Bristan Monza EF Sink Mixer Chrome www.bathroomsensations.co.uk/Bristan-Monza-EF-Sink-Mixer-Chrome.html
Kitchen: 2021-04: nine-volt battery battery at 8.79V. Not sounding.
2021-01: kitchen extractor right lamp burnt. Replaced with another Eveready.
2021-01: left back bulb burnt, put in another LE GU10 LED Bulbs
2020-11: kitchen extractor left lamp burnt again. Did I forget to report a right side burn earlier, or is there something wrong with the left one? Also can't find the second bulb that was likely bought last time, so likely the right one burnt and the other bulb was used for it. Buying www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00LOBUDSS "4 x Eveready 20 W 12 V G4 Dimmable Halogen Capsule Light Bulbs Pack of 4" for 3.66 pounds. Worked, felt a bit more yellow than the previous one. Packet documents 2000 hours, 2800K color, 8000+ switches.
2020-08: kitchen right back had been out for a while, bought: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00LN0RPA4 LE GU10 LED Bulbs, Warm White 2700K, 50W Halogen Lamp Equivalent, 4W 350lm, 120° Wide Beam Angle, Recessed or Track Light Bulb, Pack of 5 (Energy Class A++), 5 for 10 pounds.
2019-11: front right kitchen lamp burnt, Sylvania GU10 50W. 50W was likely some useless "incandescent equivalent" measure. Replaced: GE LED 5W 345 lumens 2700K Warm 15k hours, which looks exactly the same.
2019-05: kitchen extractor left lamp burnt. Was: DURA G4 12V20W: www.amazon.co.uk/Halogen-Light-Bulbs-Lamps-5watt/dp/B003IVP12A Replaced: Sainsbury's halogen G4 20W12V.
When I came, two Bell GU4 (MR11) 20W 12v.
One burnt. Put in an ASDA halogen one.
ASDA burnt, put in TopLux on right, old Bell left.
2019-01-24, right one burnt a few days ago, old Bell still works. Inner part black, and black dot on the wire. Putting new TopLux again, but this time on the left, old bell on right.
2019-01-24 toilet top lamp also burnt a few days ago, but not at the same time as mirror. Diall, 240V 40W, GU10. Putting in IKEA 240V 35W.
2019-02-02 toilet mirror lamp left (TopLux) burnt. Don't know what to do anymore. Only the magic Bell lamp works.
2019-03-06 toilet top lamp left burnt, IKEA 240V 35W GU10. Putting in another one.
2019-03-28 toilet top lamp right burnt, IKEA 240V 35W GU10. Waiting for people to come to look at transformer, there is definitely something wrong.
2019-04-03 top lamps: replaced with LED (LAP GU10 3W) since lower power, transformer not changed. Mirror lamps: transformer changed, left one replaced with Homebase Halogen 20W 12V. When I came back lamps flickering badly and sometimes not turning on, recalled technician.
2019-04-12 mirror lamp: it was just he connector that was bad, it was changed, also put LEDs there to make it less warm and hopefully have less tear on connector.
2021-04 clogged
£112.99
Buying October 2023 as an immediate backup phone after the Google Pixel 3a (2020) touchscreen died, and Motorola Moto G6 Play (2018) wouldn't connect to giffgaff.
Still working checks: May 2024.
Bought: January 2020 from store.google.com/ for 350 pounds.
Front camera video on Android 11: about 100MiB / minute. The encoding is however super inefficient, a FFmpeg re-encode without any options reduces it by 1/3.
For Fastboot mode: Power and Volume down simultaneously for 10-15s. It is OK if screen sleeps. On "no command", power then volume up to see options.
2023-10: touchscreen not registering touches anymore. Still displays images. Manage to regain access with wired USB mouse + a simple USB-C adapter. RIP. Will attempt replacement: store.ifixit.co.uk/products/google-pixel-3a-screen-genuine?variant=42388954448071, partly to get Authy access which I had never properly tested... Replaced screen, but at exact same status as before: shows image but no touch. thus I wasted my money and time (minus the learning) something else is broken.
This is crap, became slow very fast. The battery is IMPOSSIBLE to remove!!! youtu.be/kO-RwIQ_i1w?t=162 Battery was 4.163V when thing wouldn't turn on anymore. But topbattery.co.uk/product/original-battery-for-tablet-lenovo-yoga-tab-3-yt3-x50fyt3-x50m-sl20076-2/ says it is 3.6V. What?
Circa 2020, a bowl fell on it from about 25 cm height and broke the screen. £159.99.
2023-10: unable to connect to Giffgaff. "Network unavailable". Same SIM works in other phones. So annoying. Update APN to match: www.giffgaff.com/help/articles/internet-apn-settings-guide. Went next to a tower and then got signal. So the receiver is much worse than the pixel one. Vibration appears to be broken.
Authy sync worked: 2023.
Machines used extensively while developing the Linux Kernel Module Cheat will be documented there for reference performance.
Takes two AAA rechargeable batteries.
2021-08: rechargeable battery charges were in, nominal marked 1.2V nickel metal hydride, measured as 1.38V and 1.42V.
Bought May 2024 to be my clean crypto-only computer. Searched for cheapest 1 TB disk 16 GB RAM not too old on Amazon with Ubuntu certification, and that was it at £479.00.
Some reviews:
  • the keyboard is kind of crap. Notably the key "a" is very hard to press!!
  • the lack of a sleep state indication LED and "I'm powering on LED" compared to Lenovo is really sad
  • it gets way too hot doing work (Monero bootstrap) with lid closed, likely brought system down
OPSEC: will run only cryptocurrency wallets and nothing else. Will connect to Internet, but never ever to a non clean USB flash drive.
The OPSEC for this machine supposes:
  • no supply of chain attack on USB hardware, Laptop hardware, pre-installed Windows and Ubuntu ISO
  • connecting with browser to a few well known websites to download stuff (Ubuntu ISO, Monero software) is safe
Bootstrap OPSEC:
It must have taken about one week running full time to sync the Monero blockchain which at the time was at about 3.1M blocks! I checked on system explorer, and CPU and internet usage was never maxed out, suggesting simply slow network. But the computer still overheated quite a bit and froze a few times.
Bought: November 2023 during Black Friday sale for £1,323.00 to be Ciro Santilli's main personal laptop.
Six years after, and we are 2x on every key spec (except processor Hz ;-) at about 1/2 the price and 1/2 the weight (though smaller 14" screen for greater portability), so not bad! Customized to max out each hardware spec:
Specs:
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 7 PRO 7840U Processor (3.30 GHz up to 5.10 GHz)
  • Operating System: No Operating Systemselected upgrade
  • Operating System Language: No Operating System Languageselected upgrade
  • Microsoft Productivity Software: None
  • Memory: 64 GB LPDDR5X-6400MHz (Soldered)selected upgrade. Specs at: www.lenovo.com/gb/en/p/accessories-and-software/memory-and-storage/memory-and-storage-hard-drives/4xb1d04758 quotes "64 Gbps", i.e. 8 GB/s. dd count=1M if=/dev/zero of=tmp gives only 255 MB/s however.
  • Solid State Drive: 2 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 Performance TLC Opalselected upgrade
  • Display: 14" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), IPS, Anti-Glare, Touch, 45%NTSC, 300 nits, 60Hz
  • Graphic Card: Integrated Graphics
    The Ubuntu 23.10 "About system GUI describes its graphics as: Radeon 780M Graphics × 16, which e.g. www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-780m.c4020 documents as running the RDNA 3 microarchitecture.
  • Camera: 1080P FHD RGB/IR Hybrid with Microphone
  • Color: Thunder Black
  • Factory Color Calibration: No Factory Color Calibration
  • Wireless: Qualcomm Wi-Fi 6E NFA725A 2x2 AX & Bluetooth® 5.1 or above
  • Integrated Mobile Broadband: No Wireless WAN
  • Ethernet: Wired Ethernet
  • Near Field Communication: No NFC
  • Fingerprint Reader: Fingerprint Reader
  • Keyboard: Black - English (EU)selected upgrade
  • Battery: 4 Cell Li-Polymer 52.5Whselected upgrade
  • Power Cord: 65W USB-C Slim 90% PCC 3pin AC Adapter - UKselected upgrade
  • Electronic Privacy Filter: No ePrivacy Filter
  • Adobe Elements: None
  • Adobe Acrobat: None
  • Adobe Creative Cloud: None
  • Security Software: None
  • Cloud Security Software: No Cloud Security Software
  • Warranty: 3 Year Courier or Carry-in
Identifiers:
Upon arrival:
  • Weight: 1490 g
  • Charger weight: 323 g
  • Firmware according to sudo dmidecode -t bios:
    Vendor: LENOVO
    Version: R2FET33W (1.13 )
    Release Date: 09/08/2023
Buy research:
Log:
2024-01-17: firmware update:
Vendor: LENOVO
Version: R2FET36W (1.16 )
Release Date: 10/24/2023
Actually fixed performance mode: askubuntu.com/questions/604720/setting-to-high-performance/1343879#1343879
On Ubuntu 23.10, under Settings > Displays, Mirror works, but "Join" does not allow to Apply with message:
Changes Cannot be Applied. This could be due to hardware limitations.
Works on X Window System, it is a Wayland bug.
glmark2 -b build:duration=3:model=horse
~22K
The P51 is a bit too heavy, and the battery could be better!
Bought: 2017 for approximately 2400 pounds to be Ciro Santilli's main personal laptop.
Specs:
  • screen: 15.6 inches, 16:9
  • weight: 2691g (self weight in 2023)
  • charger weight: 700g (self weight in 2023)
Identifiers:
lspci
output:
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Xeon E3-1200 v6/7th Gen Core Processor Host Bridge/DRAM Registers (rev 05)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 6th-10th Gen Core Processor PCIe Controller (x16) (rev 05)
00:08.0 System peripheral: Intel Corporation Xeon E3-1200 v5/v6 / E3-1500 v5 / 6th/7th/8th Gen Core Processor Gaussian Mixture Model
00:14.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 100 Series/C230 Series Chipset Family USB 3.0 xHCI Controller (rev 31)
00:14.2 Signal processing controller: Intel Corporation 100 Series/C230 Series Chipset Family Thermal Subsystem (rev 31)
00:15.0 Signal processing controller: Intel Corporation 100 Series/C230 Series Chipset Family Serial IO I2C Controller #0 (rev 31)
00:16.0 Communication controller: Intel Corporation 100 Series/C230 Series Chipset Family MEI Controller #1 (rev 31)
00:17.0 SATA controller: Intel Corporation Q170/Q150/B150/H170/H110/Z170/CM236 Chipset SATA Controller [AHCI Mode] (rev 31)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 100 Series/C230 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port #1 (rev f1)
00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 100 Series/C230 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port #3 (rev f1)
00:1c.4 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 100 Series/C230 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port #5 (rev f1)
00:1d.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 100 Series/C230 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port #9 (rev f1)
00:1d.4 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 100 Series/C230 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port #13 (rev f1)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation CM238 Chipset LPC/eSPI Controller (rev 31)
00:1f.2 Memory controller: Intel Corporation 100 Series/C230 Series Chipset Family Power Management Controller (rev 31)
00:1f.3 Audio device: Intel Corporation CM238 HD Audio Controller (rev 31)
00:1f.4 SMBus: Intel Corporation 100 Series/C230 Series Chipset Family SMBus (rev 31)
00:1f.6 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation Ethernet Connection (5) I219-LM (rev 31)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation GM107GLM [Quadro M1200 Mobile] (rev a2)
01:00.1 Audio device: NVIDIA Corporation GM107 High Definition Audio Controller [GeForce 940MX] (rev a1)
04:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation Wireless 8265 / 8275 (rev 78)
3e:00.0 Non-Volatile memory controller: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd NVMe SSD Controller SM981/PM981/PM983
3f:00.0 Unassigned class [ff00]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTS525A PCI Express Card Reader (rev 01)
lspci -t
output:
-[0000:00]-+-00.0
           +-00.2
           +-01.0
           +-02.0
           +-02.1-[01]----00.0
           +-02.2-[02]----00.0
           +-02.4-[03]----00.0
           +-03.0
           +-04.0
           +-04.1-[04-63]--
           +-08.0
           +-08.1-[64]--+-00.0
           |            +-00.1
           |            +-00.2
           |            +-00.3
           |            +-00.4
           |            +-00.5
           |            \-00.6
           +-08.2-[65]--+-00.0
           |            \-00.1
           +-08.3-[66]--+-00.0
           |            +-00.3
           |            +-00.4
           |            \-00.6
           +-14.0
           +-14.3
           +-18.0
           +-18.1
           +-18.2
           +-18.3
           +-18.4
           +-18.5
           +-18.6
           \-18.7
PCIe TLC OPAL2.
sudo hdparm -Tt /dev/nvme0n1p5 on Ubuntu 20.04:
 Timing cached reads:   29812 MB in  1.99 seconds = 15007.00 MB/sec
 HDIO_DRIVE_CMD(identify) failed: Inappropriate ioctl for device
 Timing buffered disk reads: 6328 MB in  3.00 seconds = 2109.00 MB/sec
Nominal maximum sequential read speed: 3,000 MB/s
1TB.
sudo hdparm -Tt /dev/sda3 on Ubuntu 20.04:
 Timing cached reads:   29594 MB in  1.99 seconds = 14893.89 MB/sec
 Timing buffered disk reads: 386 MB in  3.01 seconds = 128.07 MB/sec
....
Nominal maximum speed: 140 MB/s
  • battery life:
    • 2023-04: on-browser streaming + light browsing on Ubuntu 22.10: about 2h45. Too low! Gotta try buying a new battery.
  • 2022-01-04 updated firmward after noticing that ubuntu 21.10 does not wake up from suspend seemed to happen every time when not connected to external power. dmidecode diff excerpt:
     BIOS Information
            Vendor: LENOVO
    -       Version: N1UET40W (1.14 )
    -       Release Date: 09/28/2017
    +       Version: N1UET71W (1.45 )
    +       Release Date: 07/18/2018
    used the "Ubuntu Software" GUI as mentioned at: support.lenovo.com/gb/en/solutions/ht510810-how-to-do-software-updates-linux. Kudos for making this accessible to newbs.
    After doing that, another update became available to: 0.1.56, clicked it and was much faster than the previous one, and didn't auto reboot. After manual reboot, dmidecode diffed again:
     BIOS Information
            Vendor: LENOVO
    -       Version: N1UET71W (1.45 )
    -       Release Date: 07/18/2018
    +       Version: N1UET82W (1.56 )
    +       Release Date: 08/12/2021
    plus a bunch of other lines.
  • 2021-06-05 upgraded to Ubuntu 21.04 with a clean install from an ISO. Selected
    • "Minimal installation"
    • "Erase disk and install Ubuntu". Notably, this erased the Microsoft Windows that came with the computer and was never used not even once
    • "Erase disk ans use ZFS"
    • Encrypt the new Ubuntu installation for security
    After this, the GUI felt fast, who would have thought that erasing a bunch of stuff would make the system faster!
    lsblk contains:
    zd0               230:0    0   500M  0 disk
    └─keystore-rpool  253:0    0   484M  0 crypt /run/keystore/rpool
    nvme0n1           259:0    0 476.9G  0 disk
    ├─nvme0n1p1       259:1    0   512M  0 part  /boot/efi
    ├─nvme0n1p2       259:2    0     2G  0 part
    │ └─cryptoswap    253:1    0     2G  0 crypt
    ├─nvme0n1p3       259:3    0     2G  0 part
    └─nvme0n1p4       259:4    0 472.4G  0 part
    and lsblk -f:
    zd0               crypto_LUKS 2
    └─keystore-rpool  ext4        1.0   keystore-rpool
    nvme0n1
    ├─nvme0n1p1       vfat        FAT32
    ├─nvme0n1p2       crypto_LUKS 2
    │ └─cryptoswap
    ├─nvme0n1p3       zfs_member  5000  bpool
    └─nvme0n1p4       zfs_member  5000  rpoo
    Then:
    grep '[rb]pool' /proc/mounts
    contains:
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq / zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/USERDATA/ciro_czngbg /home/ciro zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/USERDATA/root_czngbg /root zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq/srv /srv zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq/usr/local /usr/local zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq/var/games /var/games zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq/var/log /var/log zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq/var/lib /var/lib zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq/var/mail /var/mail zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq/var/snap /var/snap zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq/var/www /var/www zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq/var/spool /var/spool zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq/var/lib/AccountsService /var/lib/AccountsService zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq/var/lib/NetworkManager /var/lib/NetworkManager zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq/var/lib/apt /var/lib/apt zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    rpool/ROOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq/var/lib/dpkg /var/lib/dpkg zfs rw,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    bpool/BOOT/ubuntu_uvs1fq /boot zfs rw,nodev,relatime,xattr,posixacl 0 0
    which gives an idea of how the above map to mountpoints.
    Had two GUI freezes since installation, a fixed images shows no matter what I do, possibly graphics only, but impossible to tell (next time I'll try SSH access). No Nvidia drivers installed yet.
2020-06-06: dropped some lemon juice on the bottom left of touchpad. Bottom left button not working anymore... I'm an idiot. There are many other alternatives, but very aggravating, I'll replace it for sure. Can't find the exact replacement part or any videos showing its replacement online easliy, dang. For the T430: www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3lzV9uXRjU Asked at: forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-P-and-W-Series-Mobile-Workstations/P51-left-bottom-button-below-trackpad-mouse-left-click-stopped-working-possible-to-replace/m-p/5019903 Also I could not access it because you need to remove the HDD first: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Klawxc7T_Y and I can't pull it out even with considerable force, unlike in the video... And OMG, those button caps are impossible to re-install once removed!!! Then when I put the whole thing back together, the upper buttons were not working anymore. FUUUUUUUUCK. When first opening I pulled on it without properly removing the cap and it came off, but it didn't look broken in any way and I put it back in. Keyboard works thank God, so right black connector is fine, left white one oppears to be the one for upper keys and trackpoint, both of which stopped working. The hardware manual confirms that they are both part of the same device, so basically a mouse :-) TODO can it be bought separately from te keyboard? Doesn't look like it, photo of keyboard part includes those buttons. The manual also confirms that the bottom buttons are one device with the trackpad "trackpad with buttons", thus forming the second entire mouse.
2019-04-17: popup asking about "ThinkPad P51 Management Engine Update" from from 182.29.3287 to 184.60.3561, said yes.
Ubuntu 17.10 setup after buying it:
Battery life shown by Ubuntu battery app after installation:
  • before NVIDIA driver setup: 8h
  • after: 6.5h
glmark2 -b build:duration=3:model=horse
~4.8K
Monero 0.18.3.1 hashrate: 2.6 KH/s
Board LED does not turn on (turned on on first plug, Ethernet always turns on):
Now just HDMI does not work. Possibly a monitor vs television problem:
General information: Micro Bit v1
The file:
/media/$USER/MICROBIT/DETAILS.TXT
contains:
DAPLink Firmware - see https://mbed.com/daplink
Version: 0234
Build:   Oct 12 2015 14:53:22
2022-10-14: stopped being able to connect to Ubuntu 22.04. Was trying to do a UART video demo, connected USB, disconnected, connected, disconnected several times on different filming attempts. Was working some of the time, Ubuntu did recognize it, I even saw UART output for sure, but was a bit unstable. But then at one point it just stopped getting recognized by Ubuntu 100% of the time. The board is still being powered by USB, and the previously flashed program still runs, but nothing showed on sudo dmesg -w at all, and I can't reprogram it!
A day later, managed to get tit to connect once more with a different cable, but just once!
[15310.385055] usb 1-5: new full-speed USB device number 38 using xhci_hcd
[15310.534996] usb 1-5: New USB device found, idVendor=0d28, idProduct=0204, bcdDevice=10.00
[15310.535000] usb 1-5: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
[15310.535001] usb 1-5: Product: MBED CMSIS-DAP
[15310.535002] usb 1-5: Manufacturer: MBED
[15310.535003] usb 1-5: SerialNumber: 9900023436424e45001d30150000005d00000000cb8928bd
[15310.541267] usb-storage 1-5:1.0: USB Mass Storage device detected
[15310.541643] scsi host4: usb-storage 1-5:1.0
[15310.542658] hid-generic 0003:0D28:0204.000A: hiddev1,hidraw2: USB HID v1.00 Device [MBED MBED CMSIS-DAP] on usb-0000:00:14.0-5/input3
[15310.543121] cdc_acm 1-5:1.1: ttyACM0: USB ACM device
[15311.549969] scsi 4:0:0:0: Direct-Access     MBED     DAPLINK VFS      0.1  PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
[15311.550273] scsi 4:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg1 type 0
[15311.550825] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] 16512 512-byte logical blocks: (8.45 MB/8.06 MiB)
[15311.551052] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Write Protect is off
[15311.551054] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode Sense: 03 00 00 00
[15311.551204] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] No Caching mode page found
[15311.551207] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
[15311.572160] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI removable disk
[15316.317438] usb 1-5: reset full-speed USB device number 38 using xhci_hcd
[15316.445093] usb 1-5: device descriptor read/64, error -71
[15316.681102] usb 1-5: device descriptor read/64, error -71
[15316.917102] usb 1-5: reset full-speed USB device number 38 using xhci_hcd
[15317.045028] usb 1-5: device descriptor read/64, error -71
[15317.281149] usb 1-5: device descriptor read/64, error -71
[15317.517154] usb 1-5: reset full-speed USB device number 38 using xhci_hcd
[15317.517466] usb 1-5: Device not responding to setup address.
[15317.725358] usb 1-5: Device not responding to setup address.
[15317.933042] usb 1-5: device not accepting address 38, error -71
[15318.061027] usb 1-5: reset full-speed USB device number 38 using xhci_hcd
[15318.061347] usb 1-5: Device not responding to setup address.
[15318.269270] usb 1-5: Device not responding to setup address.
[15318.477018] usb 1-5: device not accepting address 38, error -71
[15318.477153] usb 1-5: USB disconnect, device number 38
[15318.652912] usb 1-5: new full-speed USB device number 39 using xhci_hcd
[15318.785044] usb 1-5: device descriptor read/64, error -71
[15319.021068] usb 1-5: device descriptor read/64, error -71
[15319.257030] usb 1-5: new full-speed USB device number 40 using xhci_hcd
[15319.385075] usb 1-5: device descriptor read/64, error -71
[15319.621147] usb 1-5: device descriptor read/64, error -71
[15319.729170] usb usb1-port5: attempt power cycle
[15320.384941] usb 1-5: new full-speed USB device number 41 using xhci_hcd
[15320.385176] usb 1-5: Device not responding to setup address.
[15320.593188] usb 1-5: Device not responding to setup address.
[15320.801023] usb 1-5: device not accepting address 41, error -71
[15320.928909] usb 1-5: new full-speed USB device number 42 using xhci_hcd
[15320.929073] usb 1-5: Device not responding to setup address.
[15321.137244] usb 1-5: Device not responding to setup address.
[15321.344947] usb 1-5: device not accepting address 42, error -71
[15321.345173] usb usb1-port5: unable to enumerate USB device
[15321.384929] FAT-fs (sdb): unable to read boot sector to mark fs as dirty
Exact same USB and port could still mount the Raspberry Pi Pico.
About the brand: Raspberry Pi
With pre-soldered male pin headers.
>>> machine.unique_id()
b'\xe6ad\x08C8%$'
As of 2018-12, I believe that I might have fried the UART on this board when I burnt my last UART to USB converter by connecting ground to 5V.
Linux kernel logs don't show, but do show with the exact same components on the Pi 3 (SD card with enable_uart=1 + image Raspbian Lite 2018-11-03 and UART cables).
Serial from cat /proc/cpuinfo: 00000000a50c1f69
Datasheets: Raspberry Pi 2.
Linux on SSH and bare metal blinker both work on this board, so the rest of the board seems alive.
Serial from cat /proc/cpuinfo: 00000000c77ddb77
Datasheets: Raspberry Pi 3.
The cartridge is number 33 or 33 XL.
27 Inch QHD (2560x1440) Monitor, 60Hz, IPS, 5ms, Ultrathin Bezel, 99% sRGB, DisplayPort, HDMI, 5x USB, 3 Year Warranty
Home 2017 TalkTalk 38Mbps nominal, Google M-lab speed test:
  • 36.4 Mbps download
  • 9.15 Mbps up
  • 58 ms latency over 80km of first world
Home 2023:
  • cell phone wifi: 260 Mps download
Bought December 2023 for 300 pounds, so 15 pounds / TB. Needs power supply unfrotunately besides USB, the largest one without needing power supply was only 5 TB at the time so not worth it, given that my P14s alreay carriers 2 TB. 10x is a must for the external crap.
Noise: it has a constant pleasant hum, with a not so nice click every 5 seconds or so. Reasonable, but not amazingly incredible.
The size is reasonable, not megaportable, but definitely reasonable.
~1TB.
Internal hard drive likely removed from some old computer I lost track of, kept in a crappy case, incredible stuff.
Ubuntu 20.04 gnome-disks benchmark, NTFS partition: 40MB/s.
~1TB.
Has a separate power cord, not USB powered. Unbelievable. Edit: actually high ends are still like that as of 2023, e.g. at that time, a the max non-cabled was 5 TB, but top of line was 20 TB.
Disk label: wd1t.
Ubuntu 20.04 gnome-disks benchmark, ext4 partition: 37MB/s.
Marked read speeds up to 150 MB/s
Write speed burning 5 GB Ubuntu ISO from Dell Inspiron 15: 5.4 MB/s
For clean Dell Inspiron 15 3520 cryptocurrenty laptop bootstrap and backup.
~8GB, lsblk reports 7796176 * 1KB = 7983284224 bytes.
We got a handful of those from École Polytechnique at the end of studies I think.
They are shaped like bicornes, which is super cool, but also super impractical!
Markings: "AX ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE PROMOTION X2009"
20.04 gnome-disks program reports it as: "SMI USB DISK".
From Ubuntu 20.04 on an ext4 formatted one:
/dev/sdb:
 Timing cached reads:   28656 MB in  1.99 seconds = 14421.31 MB/sec
SG_IO: bad/missing sense data, sb[]:  70 00 05 00 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 00 20 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
 Timing buffered disk reads:  42 MB in  3.03 seconds =  13.88 MB/sec
With Linux Unified Key Setup + ext4 the results are similar, maybe hdparam bypasses it?
/dev/sdb:
 Timing cached reads:   28326 MB in  1.99 seconds = 14251.55 MB/sec
SG_IO: bad/missing sense data, sb[]:  70 00 05 00 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 00 20 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
 Timing buffered disk reads:  38 MB in  3.11 seconds =  12.23 MB/sec
gnome-disks LUKS + ext4 benchmark with default params also gives about 14 MB/s.
Skullcandy earphones, first one circa. 2016 most likely. Used them a lot, these are good.
2023-07: one of the sides broke near center, rebuying.
2021-07: wire half broke near connector, only works in some positions. The funny thing is: only voices seem to be blocked out! Rebuying.
2021-06: a small bottom piece of the left earpiece broke. Wire seems find, that is like a little extension to protect wire. Let's see for how long.
2020-20: wires at one of ears broke, not sure how.
Tech specs:
Weight: 4g
Connection Type: 3.5mm AUX Cable
Impedence: 32 ohms
Driver Diameter: 9mm
THD: <0.1% (1mW/500Hz) (0.0234)
Sound Pressure Level: 95 dB (1mW/500Hz)
Frequency Response: 20kHz - 20Hz
Headphone Type: In-Ear
Bought: 2022.
Noticeably worse than the Skullcandy Smokin' Buds 2 for a similar price.

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