Author: StephenM

The time has come to look to part with my much loved Berlingo after 7 faithful years of carrying my family and bikes all over Scotland. It is a diesel 2.0 HDi, good for 50mpg average, low insurance and tons of room (5 bikes in back is not unheard of). It looks like a van, drives like a car and becomes a van if you want, it is the top spec desire model which comes with air con, glass roof, overhead lockers and a modubox in boot (a trolley dolly)! It has done 92k miles – nothing for a french oil burner, and has FSH with all receipts, tyres are good, next service due in 10.5k miles and timing belt is done. The negatives? not much, slightly sticky central locking on back door (it locks manually), a few very minor scuffs but overall great condition. It gets cared for and polished as much as my bikes! I looked up ‘book’ price for private sale and its around £3,200-3,400. As Tax and MOT are due end March, and I have seen something I like, I would take £2,900 (less than most ’53 plate versions or about same as a very nice bike!). It has been a very reliable car and owned by me since new.

Even the cool kids love the berlingo

Going for a lighter wheel as I am changing bike to be a bit more xc friendly. I have a really tough rear wheel in excellent condition to part with – built by the legend, Big Al at wheelcraft and has been true ever since it was built. Rim is the Mavic 321CD (now called 729), the ‘CD’ coating is dark grey and very resistant to scrapes. Built with 36 plain gauge spokes, brass nipples of course and uses a Hope XC hub in bling gold colour. The hub has had some fresh bearings last year by alpine and not used much since then. Freehub has been oiled and cleaned regularly. If you are tough on wheels, then this is all you need – it is the strongest rim you can get built up and is in great condition, its heavy compared to a 717 for instance, but will last a downhill course or big jumps. Cost me about £180 or so a while ago, would accept £60 or £65 with 8 speed cassette included (still loads of life left).

Clearing out the shed and I have a set of 2.1 Trailraker mud tyres (wire bead) – really good for winter rides and only used twice. Paid £20 each – sell for £20 a pair.

Bontager chromoplastic mudguards (black) – like SKS, cost £30 new – for 700c road bike (or cross) fit tyres up to about 30c wide at most. Proper mudguards for winter roads. Pretty good nick – £10.

Pair of Continental cyclocross race tyres (wire bead) – came with bike, hardly used, was going to sell them but what the hell – someone can have them for nowt. 700c x 35c. 🙂

Bought in error as it is not what I though, this is more of a storage stand that can also be used to work on bikes, but needs fixed to wall so rules it out of the spare room. Ideal for a garage or a room that has not just been decorated. It is unused, just built and then taken apart. Cost £30 but would take £20 if anyone wants it – they sold out really fast last month.

Check http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_20816.htm

Here is the stand - bikes not included!