Any question answered...

I dont want aluminium

I don't think this would be suitable for a winter commuter as it's a carbon frame

The new BMC Roadmachine in either Alu or carbon, have hidden mount for mudguard and reasonably priced.

Or just get a Pinnacle and be done with.

this is exactly how i feel!

I just built a carbon bike for winter that has hydro discs and mudguard mounts ..

Y u no cantis?

I have them on the pub bike ;)

I'm more worried about my dodgy wrist, but I'll probably ignore that too.

Scaphoid? They can be extremely slow healing and also the bone can "die" if it isn't treated in time as it has a really weak bloody supply. I'd check that out if I was you. (I fractured mine 4 years ago, took a year until it was back to normal. Needed it cast up in the end though)

What happened by the way?

I ride crabon through the winter, but I'm a total badass.

Polo, wrist has been dodgy for years, although more so of late. I'm might get it checked out over winter.

do you not worry about the frame getting damaged etc? thats the one reason i have been told to have a 'winter' bike.

Which balance bike for my 18 month old godson?

Damaged from what?

Islabike Rothan. I got one for niece #3 and was very impressed by it. Nearly as good as the balance bike I made niece #2:

Islabike Rothan

+1 @NurseHolliday

He might be a bit young for a proper balance bike. The toddlerbike, I think it's called, is a great first step on the road to cycling. But, if he is set on a balance bike then as danstuff and mdcc said, the Islabike is excellent.

If he is too young for a balance bike, then @Cycliste's nephew has a PUKYlino 4 wheel wobbly bike. Daft name, but it appears reasonably sturdy and he loves it. Even went onto a skate park on it, much to his mother's voluble alarm.

Only if you ride like you would in the summer.

The toddlerbike, I think it's called, is a great first step on the road to cycling.

@NurseHolliday this all day long.

http://www.toddlebike.co.uk/

Ours had his from about 18 months. Is now about to turn 4 and is on a full pedal bike cycling a full 1/2 mile each way to and from pre-school. Many of his 5 year old friend are still on balance bikes.

Toddlebike

Surly Troll 2017 long distance touring; what's the most effective price/durability dynamohub? 36h and 6 bolt disc

Edit: leaning towards the Shutter Precision PD-8, any reason to steer clear?

Only the bearing need servicing regularly otherwise fine.

Read that you need to send them back to the factory to get that done, but they're supposed to last 10k+ kms so it'll probably be fine. I see lots of people here have one.

Thread locker or anti seize on cleat bolts?

Loctite, because you're clamping soft material. If you applied enough bolt tension to prevent loosening by thread flank friction, you'd probably damage the cleats or the shoes.