Mikee

Not in the way that sport encourages

Sport is generally associated with health and fitness, not animal welfare and the environment. So I think that’s a different matter.

It was purely hypothetical, if Marlboro held such events. I get your second point, but I think getting paid to promote something “negative” is worse then showing your “negative” lifestyle choices. Promotion vs art in a way.

@aener I'm not disagreeing with you, but could you say that about any product/company? "But buying cigarettes is a personal choice. Sure, they might not have thought to if they didn't see a certain video or attend a certain event, but without Marlboro supporting them, a lot of the less socially accepted sports wouldn't be anywhere near where they are right now." I know cigarettes have more of a stigma than energy drinks, but the principle is the same. My concern is not with red bull and their right to advertise, but with the responsibility of role models, a lot of whom probably don't even drink the stuff at the request of their dietitians or coaches. I think @Ali C made a good point about whether in the future energy drinks will be stigmatised, like cigarettes. Imagine today the reaction if half way through a biking video, the rider opened a pack of cigs and lit up, because their contract says they have to. That might be how people feel in 10 years about red bull.

Red Bull sponsor these athletes and put on these events for one reason. To sell more drinks. The athletes may not be directly telling people to drink lots of red bull, but they increase red bull's perception with active, healthy living. Vast sums of money are paid to these people and to put on these events because it is very effective advertising.

@aener Just had a look at Red Bull athletes page and it includes athletes from disciplines such as running, triathlons, athletics, cricket, rowing, road cycling, fitness training, squash, swimming and hurdles. Just to name a few, quickly scrolling down the page. Yes, a lot of the athletes are from extreme sports, but a good chunk of those sports require the athlete to be at the top of their game with strength and fitness (enduro for example). Do these athletes endorse red bull? Or is it just a pay cheque?

I do wonder how many of the energy drink athletes are actually drinking the stuff. I don’t think that athletes shouldn’t be able to have such sponsorship deals. But since athletes are generally associated with healthy lifestyles, I am simply questioning the ethics of it. I believe people would see a sponsorship deal with red bull differently to Marlboro. But is there much of a difference? Obviously cigarettes are more addictive, but energy drinks can do serious damage very quickly.

I was having a conversation with a MTBing friend about red bull hardline earlier, which then turned into a conversation about red bull and the athletes. This friend of mine used to drink a red bull almost daily (sometimes more) and was hospitalised with an irregular heart rhythm. The doctor blamed it on the red bulls and said that it’s quite a common occurrence with young people. He since stopped drinking them and has been fine ever since. Consiering how bad red bull is for people’s health (and all other energy drinks), are athletes who have a partnership with them immoral?

@forteh What makes 9 speed chains stronger? I've heard that chain strength isn't affected by the different speeds, but by the material quality and design.

I have always used it primarily for messenger and add friends as more of a contacts directory. I never post and rarely look at things on there. So I said no to the poll. My New Years resolution last year was to remove all “social” media apps from my phone and turn off a lot of app notifications, to stop me glancing at my phone when with other people. It’s literally only messages and calls that get through now. I had FOMO for a little while, but that soon wore off. And I still check in on Facebook notifications and browse Instagram on my computer at home a few times a week.

@Ali C I had a hex and disagree. As a true all rounder, It was just too far street leaning in my opinion. Everything seems to be either one extreme or the other, with nothing in between anymore. Ashton justice was always my go to all rounder. And especially since you know you like them, I would try and find one second hand.

@Adam@TartyBikes Not cool. I’m heartbroken.

Everyone moved on to BMX riding, on their Inspired bicycles.

Very nice, love the colour. It’s refreshing to see a 24” bike that isn’t a photocopied Inspired build.

I had one of those tensioners and modded it to push up. It was a long time ago though. I made a new spring out of a spoke, as the the original spring (in mine at least) couldn’t be flipped.

A small length of spoke with a spoke nipple on the end works good as well, to keep things aligned. I do like some home engineering.

Who said there wasn't? My argument is about bias. I will be happy to be proven wrong when the Khan baby flies.

@Mark W I wasn’t comparing them. The Trump balloon was approved as being a demonstration of free speech. But with the far left, free speech is only ok if they agree with it. I’m saying that if a Sadiq Khan balloon was made, I bet it would be blocked.

My brother was interested in the Pixel 2 XL. I asked my friend who works at EE what they are like and he said they get bit a lot more returns than other phones for hardware related issues. He advised going for Samsung. I can't speak for the switching process though, as I have been an iPhone user for years.

I don't get what these people are "protesting". I wonder if the Sadiq Khan balloon would get approval.

I broke 2 pairs of those forks above the disc brake mount. Never bent them.

No, the other ones.

I think if you had the red forks and/or red seat, it would be too much. But with the black parts and being the only red bits other that the graphics and rim tape, I think it looks amazing!

I need me some red brakes for mine. Nice job Bob Ross.

My car failed it's MOT, but when being repaired for the failure faults at another garage, some major rust around the rear seat belt mounts and a broken spring was discovered (neither were found on the MOT). Where do I stand with the test station? The car hasn't passed an MOT, but dangerous faults were missed.