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by thatsnotmyname
5 Jun 2020, 8:07pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hallett's Howlers
Replies: 95
Views: 7240

Re: Hallett's Howlers

mjr wrote:As I wrote earlier, he has written about some products used on bikes displayed in Hallett Handbuilt's web shop.

Please note the "might" and "potentially" in the definition of conflict of interest and that no-one has accused him of having vested interests, contrary to a previous post.


So you've got nothing but bluster, then. I also note you insist on repeating this absurd 'webshop' nonsense, despite his website not actually meeting any of the conventional definitions of a web 'shop'. In any case, he builds bikes to customer spec - not his own spec, so if he is recommending a certain product, then I would guess that is simply a coincidence, or can you not see that?


mjr wrote:Then how do you know he is not in a position to defend himself?


Oh, I dunno, possibly something to do with the fact that he has not replied to this thread - you know, the one which calls into account his personal and professional integrity. I'm sure if someone impugned your personal or professional reputation on here, without proof or evidence, you'd be all over it like a rash...

I'd like to finish up by saying that ordinarily, I would call you a master of diversion, were it not for the fact that you're not actually very good at it.
by thatsnotmyname
5 Jun 2020, 6:35pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hallett's Howlers
Replies: 95
Views: 7240

Re: Hallett's Howlers

mjr wrote:So you're denying that he has any commercial relationships covering any products he writes about in Cycle?!?


I have no idea whether he does or not - but you obviously do, so why don't you provide the evidence for us all to consider, like I've asked you to do previously.

mjr wrote:Stating that someone has a conflict of interest is not by itself any kind of smear.


Accusations of conflict of interest are usually accompanied by some actual evidence. See above. Still waiting.

mjr wrote:The sin is usually failure to declare the interest when relevant, but that's a pretty straightforward absence to check.


So check it - and let us know.

mjr wrote:How is he not in a position to defend himself? Are you saying he's been banned from here?


I don't even know if he has a user account on here. Do you?
by thatsnotmyname
5 Jun 2020, 1:03pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hallett's Howlers
Replies: 95
Views: 7240

Re: Hallett's Howlers

Jdsk wrote:
thatsnotmyname wrote:If you can explain why that might be relevant, or if you can explain why you think I've been anything less than completely level on this thread, I'd be glad to answer.

It's relevant for me because if I was told that you had a connection to Hallett or his commercial business that I hadn't known about I'd then reread the entire thread knowing that to be the case.

I hope that's enough to make you glad to answer.

Thanks

Jonathan


He is an acquaintance. I have no commercial, technical or business involvement with him. That said, I would offer the same defence of anyone else subject to the kind of smears and insinuations that people have levelled at him here.

By all means criticise his technical advice. I don't read the CUK mag, so have no opinion on it. But the way some people are treating someone who is not in a position to defend themselves here is an absolute disgrace.
by thatsnotmyname
5 Jun 2020, 12:16pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hallett's Howlers
Replies: 95
Views: 7240

Re: Hallett's Howlers

Carlton green wrote:With your post here above the thread started to drift in an unhelpful direction again. As far as I can tell you somehow resurrected comments from Colin 531 so that you could then challenge them again in what’s seemingly a trivial and distracting argument about a relatively small point. If the way that I read things is correct then IMHO the Mod’s would be perfectly correct to place you on the naughty step. I think that it would be good if you were able to just let your issue drop so that others members aren’t distracted from discussing more constructive aspects of the original post, any chance of that please?


My only issues are accuracy and balance. Suggesting that someone has a vested interest in influencing the advice they give is hardly a 'small point'. And as long as people here persist with that line, I will try to balance it.
by thatsnotmyname
5 Jun 2020, 11:59am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hallett's Howlers
Replies: 95
Views: 7240

Re: Hallett's Howlers

Jdsk wrote:I'd like to see that other interest declared every time that advice is given. The fact that it has been declared somewhere else doesn't help me to know that it exists, although it certainly suggests that it hasn't been kept secret.

Jonathan


If he's recommending that everyone buys a Hallett frame, then that would be fair enough. But I doubt if he is doing that, and if he was, I'm sure the CUK mag editorial board (assuming there is one), might have something to say about it.

Otherwise, if he suggests someone goes out and buys a Shimano rear mech - is he going to get criticised for not declaring an interest as he previously fitted one to a bike he built for a customer?

Surely you can see that the speed/absurdity curve is going to increase rapidly if we go down that route..
by thatsnotmyname
5 Jun 2020, 11:22am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hallett's Howlers
Replies: 95
Views: 7240

Re: Hallett's Howlers

Carlton green wrote:
Having apparently not accepted the moderator’s judgement it must surely be not much longer before you are placed on the naughty step.


The moderator has already amended Colin's comments, at my request for a fair and balanced debate, rather than the one-sided pitchfork riot which others would clearly prefer...
by thatsnotmyname
5 Jun 2020, 11:19am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hallett's Howlers
Replies: 95
Views: 7240

Re: Hallett's Howlers

mjr wrote:Because of his other activities and commercial relationships with other businesses, he is potentially unable to render impartial advice, or his objectivity might be otherwise impaired, or he might have an unfair competitive advantage.

Without declarations, it's a pretty textbook example of conflict of interest. Do you disagree, or just take the view that it doesn't matter?


You have never actually been able to identify what these commercial relationships might be though - and how they have influenced the advice he gives. If it is a 'textbook example', then presumably you have specific evidence which you can link to?
by thatsnotmyname
5 Jun 2020, 10:47am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hallett's Howlers
Replies: 95
Views: 7240

Re: Hallett's Howlers

Jdsk wrote:
thatsnotmyname wrote:
531colin wrote:Apart from duff technical advice, the man < . . is an ad hoc frame and bike builder working purely on a private commission basis>.
How can that not be a conflict of interest with being CTC technical officer?


Perhaps you could explain why you think it IS a conflict?

I've no idea if there's any conflict of interest or not. But transparency is essential, and I didn't know this.

Jonathan


One of his bikes was featured in the CUK magazine. It had his name on it and everything. I think he was even standing next to it. How much more transparency do you need?
by thatsnotmyname
5 Jun 2020, 10:45am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hallett's Howlers
Replies: 95
Views: 7240

Re: Hallett's Howlers

squeaker wrote:
thatsnotmyname wrote:Actually challenging the source of the information directly is a pretty novel idea. Especially since the OP has apparently been bottling this up for six years....
??? IMHO, CJ, having been made redundant, IIRC, has behaved exceedingly well towards his former employer by not sniping constantly at, shall we say, differing advice of variable quality that has appeared in the CTC mag. over the ensuing years. I welcome his post above and hope CUK issue a rebuke to Mr Hallett ASAP.


I'm not with you. A rebuke for what?
by thatsnotmyname
5 Jun 2020, 10:07am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hallett's Howlers
Replies: 95
Views: 7240

Re: Hallett's Howlers

rotavator wrote:So is someone going to contact Dan Joyce, the editor of Cycle, to point out the bad and potentially dangerous advice? Then it will be interesting to see if any apology, correction or change in technical advisor is forthcoming.


Actually challenging the source of the information directly is a pretty novel idea. Especially since the OP has apparently been bottling this up for six years....
by thatsnotmyname
5 Jun 2020, 10:06am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hallett's Howlers
Replies: 95
Views: 7240

Re: Hallett's Howlers

531colin wrote:Apart from duff technical advice, the man < . . is an ad hoc frame and bike builder working purely on a private commission basis>.
How can that not be a conflict of interest with being CTC technical officer?


Perhaps you could explain why you think it IS a conflict?
by thatsnotmyname
4 Jun 2020, 7:10pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Are you on Google Streetview?
Replies: 63
Views: 8136

Re: Are you on Google Streetview?

mercalia wrote:they should use drones so you can fly across country. who wants to follow roads?


You get the 'Streetview' bit, right?
by thatsnotmyname
4 Jun 2020, 12:42pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Because of Covid-19 I had to put my bicycle in the Balcony with a trainer.
Replies: 5
Views: 395

Re: Because of Covid-19 I had to put my bicycle in the Balcony with a trainer.

clickclocks wrote:Because of Covid-19 and my Gym is Closed I had to put my bicycle in the Balcony with a trainer ( that I just bought ) is very quiet so this issue had nothing to do with noise. Next Day concierge asked me to please move my bicycle to the Bike Storage area of the bulding, I explained him that it was on a Trainer that I'm using to do exercise during Covid-19. It never respond back so I assumed all was settled. Until this morning (3 weeks later) that I saw him and he told me again that because Covid-19 lockdown is been relaxed I should removed the bike from the balcony. I didn't respond anything.

I read all the "lease agreement" of the building and there is not mention of this or anything similar (The only thing is not to hang clothes in the Balcony Area)

Can They really do anything about this to force me to removed the bike from my balcony?


Simply ask the concierge to specify the rule that he/she believes you are breaking by having your bike on the balcony. Ideally by referring to the written lease agreement.
by thatsnotmyname
3 Jun 2020, 2:26pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Which is fastest hybrid?
Replies: 4
Views: 353

Re: Which is fastest hybrid?

Not really a question anyone can answer, IMO. 'Faster' is a relative term and open to interpretation. But as a general principle, riders are fast - bikes aren't.

What is it that you don't like about your current hybrid?
by thatsnotmyname
3 Jun 2020, 10:15am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Does 3cm make a difference for frame size?
Replies: 31
Views: 2057

Re: Does 3cm make a difference for frame size?

Height guides are notoriously vague and tend to over-compensate. Someone's actual height is usually less relevant than comparative leg length or torso length, for example. In other words, even if you are 3cm under the height recommendation for a given size, it's quite possible that size might still be the best for you. The only way to be completely certain is to try it.