Miles Per Gallon?
 

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[Closed] Miles Per Gallon?

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Why do we talk about a cars economy or lack of in MPG??

i have never worked in gallons only litres.

as the uk is "metric" and people get in trouble for selling weighed items in Lbs, why dont we talk about about a cars consumption in Miles per litres??


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:24 am
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LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

I'll let you figure it out.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:25 am
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Surely it would be Km/litre if you did it metric?
Car odometers still read in miles and road signs too in the UK.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:26 am
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we buy petrol in litres?? so why would it be such a silly question.

please share your knowledge!!


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:27 am
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Because we refuse to change.

Do you fancy coming to the pub for a 0.5683 litre of beer?


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:27 am
 Drac
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Oh Simon you spoilt it.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:27 am
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Because the country is over-run with Luddites.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:28 am
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oneoneoneone misses the point completely


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:28 am
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Sorry, I posted at the same time as SBZ!


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:29 am
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i understand that a mile is an imperial measurement as is a gallon.

but we buy petrol in litres!! so why cant cars use it in litres not gallons!!


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:29 am
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Also,

50 miles per gallon = 21.2571854 kilometers per litre

Bigger numbers are better, everyone knows that.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:30 am
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I think in "metric" countries they measure car fuel economy in litres/100kilometres, that really would confuse folk in this country.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:31 am
 Drac
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If we abolish miles what things do we need to change?

I'll give you a hint.

Most are motoring based.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:33 am
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speedos are miles and it is larger figure than l/km.
Older folk dont get l/km
ps miles per litre is not quite metric now is it
Mixing imperial and metric measures is a daft thing to do - what should we call these new units?
EC means they do also list in km/l iirc


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:33 am
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if any of you have kids around 16-24 and ask them what a gallon is.

i know its 8 pints which is about 4 litres.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:35 am
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if any of you have kids around 16-24 and ask them [s]what a gallon is[/s] if they care about fuel economy.

FTFY.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:37 am
 Drac
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My kids are 7 year old understands gallons and litres, well a little as she is only 7.

Anyone in their late teens to mid twenties who don't know what a gallon is needs a slap.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:39 am
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I am at this very moment getting 2.4 mpg out of the work car. That is about 10 mpl if that helps.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:39 am
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ask them if they drive cars based on fuel economy whilst you are at it will you 😉
Perhaps you could ask them what % of the population they are as well? I iwll accept a fraction as your answer 😆


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:39 am
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You mean that there are people out there who can't instantly convert from imperial to metric units and vice versa in their heads? Thickos.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:40 am
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yes it is about 76% of the population or 2/7 ths


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:42 am
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You mean that there are people out there who can't instantly convert from imperial to metric units and vice versa in their heads? Thickos.

😆


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:43 am
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my dad didnt know what a gallon was and he is 45ish??

im 24 and i didnt know until i asked my grandad.

why would kids get taught about gallons? its a unused measurement that is only used my the motor industry (publicly)

Also i care about fuel economy. as well as giving it some "beans"


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:44 am
 Drac
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i know its 8 pints which is about 4 litres.

So if I offer you 16 pints of beer or 8 litres which would you prefer?


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:44 am
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Not just the motor industry. Also used by large hat makers.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:46 am
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oneoneoneone, what age did you start driving a car? (assuming that you did), not sure what age I learnt about gallons but I've certainly known what they are since I started driving. (I'm 24 too)


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:47 am
 Drac
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PMSL @ greatape


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:47 am
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I'll take the 9 litres of beer thanks.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:47 am
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Drac - Moderator
My kids are 7 year old understands gallons and litres, well a little as she is only 7.

Anyone in their late teens to mid twenties who don't know what a gallon is needs a slap.

Hooray for your kids. My 10yr old daughter hasn't got a clue what a gallon is, apart from the fact it's a unit of measurement for liquids.

Why would anyone need a slap for not knowing anyway?


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:48 am
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I'm 23. I wasn't taught [u]any[/u] imperial measurements at school. I can't believe how otherwise intelligent people can't see how lovely and simple the metric system is, with all it's advantages.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:48 am
 Drac
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Sorry Zulu we only sell litres 8 litre containers or you can have 16 pints from our pint containe. 😀


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:49 am
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So if I offer you 16 pints of beer or 8 litres which would you prefer

either, all the same to me. but a pint does sound better


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:50 am
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16 pints is more than 8 litres.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:51 am
 Drac
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Zulu I'm feeling kind you can have a free pint thanks to oneoneone, how kind am I.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:51 am
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And you can have the other one. 😀


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:52 am
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oneoneoneone, what age did you start driving a car? (assuming that you did), not sure what age I learnt about gallons but I've certainly known what they are since I started driving. (I'm 24 too)

i got my licence when i was 17. i knew it was a measurement of liquid, that was about it. i had other things to worry about at that time!! 😉


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:53 am
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Aviation is largely imperial and Nautical based. Fuel generally based in Kg, but some operators choose lbs. Americans largely imperial, so things won't change for a long time!

Fuel consumption measured in (on my type) Tonnes/Hr, but also refer to SFC which is Fuel burn/Air Nautical Mile (when considering max range issues).

I think most people measure car fuel consumption in miles/tank fill-up.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:56 am
 Drac
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Ta Zulu. This ace I might open a pub but only serve for people that can't understand measurements.

"Buy 8 pints for the price of only 16 litres"


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 10:57 am
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my dad didnt know what a gallon was and he is 45ish??

im 24 and i didnt know until i asked my grandad.

PMSL @ that and the fact your dad says he didn't know. At 24 , aren't you a bit old to be asking your dad lots of questions? I bet he's dreading the birds and bees talk 😉

Quite remarkable that you can use the internet and yet have the inability to google a conversion.

I'm about to fit my 1 1/8" headset to my 56cm road bike with 26.0 bars


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:02 am
 Drac
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I'm 23. I wasn't taught any imperial measurements at school. I can't believe how otherwise intelligent people can't see how lovely and simple the metric system is, with all it's advantages.

I wasn't really taught metric apart from length but having some intelligence I can use both. I also see the advantage of using both.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:04 am
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bit of a chopper hey woody!!


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:05 am
 Drac
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Best ask your grandad Woody don't want the world to stopping spinning.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:05 am
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I'll take the 9 litres of beer thanks.

Despite adding a litre to Drac's offer you're still taking less than 16 pints.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:06 am
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my mazda 6 measured it in litres per 100km and I never managed to change it it did my head in on the other hand if it had actually told me the mpg i'd have probably had a heart attack (it was around 20mpg).

Nick


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:08 am
 Drac
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Hooray for your kids. My 10yr old daughter hasn't got a clue what a gallon is, apart from the fact it's a unit of measurement for liquids.
Why would anyone need a slap for not knowing anyway?

Cheers but like I say it's only a little about to the level of your 10 year old. She knows that liquids are measured in both gallons and litres. It's cooking with the mrs, me and her grandparents that she had little understanding as we teach her both.

They need a slap as it takes very little to work out or find out. Even smart phones can do it for you if your really lazy.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:10 am
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I also see the advantage of using both.

Which is?

I'm about to fit my 1 1/8" headset to my 56cm road bike with 26.0 bars

Stupid, isn't it?


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:12 am
 Drac
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Despite adding a litre to Drac's offer you're still taking less than 16 pints.

I'll top up by about 120ml for him.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:14 am
 Drac
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Which is?

Err both are very much still used.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:15 am
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It doesn't actually matter. As long as the unit used either side is consistent, it is all good. This is a relative measurement. As long as everyone uses the same, the comparisons still work. We could use 'lamp posts per bucketfull' as long as we had a common distance between lamp posts and the same size bucket.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:22 am
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That's the problem though isn't it? We don't all use the same, and it creates some issues. It seems very much a conflict between the old and curmudgeonly and the young and global-looking. 😉


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:26 am
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They need a slap as it takes very little to work out or find out. Even smart phones can do it for you if your really lazy

so now I need to slap my kids and buy them a smart phone ....when you publishing your good parenting guide 😉


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:31 am
 Drac
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It seems very much a conflict between the old and curmudgeonly and the young and global-looking

Which is why it's a good idea to understand both, use which ever you want day to day but knowing the other helps.

If we turn our cars to metric then how are those that can't convert going to cope if they know they have 80km left on a tank but want to know if they can make to they fuel station that the sign says is 50 miles away. Suppose they could post on here or ring their Dad.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:32 am
 Drac
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so now I need to slap my kids and buy them a smart phone ....when you publishing your good parenting guide

God no, they buy their own smart phone or they get a slap. At 16 they should be out working anyway.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:32 am
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bit of a chopper hey woody!!
All in jest young'un 😉

I'm old enough to have ridden one of these when they first came out 8)
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:34 am
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was a jibe at the name!! i couldn't help it


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:35 am
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If we turn our cars to metric then how are those that can't convert going to cope if they know they have 80km left on a tank but want to know if they can make to they fuel station that the sign says is 50 miles away.

Change the road signs? I know it costs money, but it's not like we're in a recession or anything is it?


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:35 am
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good point and the [lead]party in charge are so pro Europe they would love to. Perhaps big society could do it as well


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:39 am
 Drac
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Change the road signs? I know it costs money, but it's not like we're in a recession or anything is it?

True yeah should only cost a few £ for some stickers or we could use tippex and black marker. It's not like we'll even need to move them we'll just have 403m instead of 1/2 mile.

If it makes oneoneone and his Dad happy lets do it.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:40 am
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as i said it doesn't bother me at all. it was just a question of "why do they still use MPG as petrol is bought and sold in the Litre"

thats all


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:42 am
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I'm 47 and was ONLY taught metric when I was in school in the 70's. Imperial weights and measures have not been taught for years. Yes I have picked up the imperial system (well apart from Chains, Fathoms, Furlongs and can never remember how many yards are in a mile) but it is a dying system. When in Europe I have no problems in becoming metric.

The only real user of imperial measures in the US. However that does not help us because US pints are only 16 fl oz, hence their gallons are not the same as ours - which also messes with mpg!!

There will be a time - and probably in my lifetime - that the only item sold in a imperial measure will be a pint (beer & milk). (Note: Pubs sell wine and spirits in metric measures!)

I suspect the Daily Torygraph / Mail will be deeply upset about "losing our cultural heritage" - but for the vast majority of the people of the UK it will have sod all impact.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:43 am
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I love imperial, when I was a kid (I am 30 now) I used to pore over weights and measures, I know them all. I think the UK has to keep something that identifies it as an independant country, we are changing to a very homogenous state in Global terms and it's saddening. I will be teaching my kids imperial.

Keep imperial, don't allow shopkeepers to be fined stupid amounts of money for not showing things in metric, get this PC EU-led drive stopped and keep what makes Britain British. Where is the uniqueness going? Ok, most of the semi-professional IT/accountancy city geeks on this forum will disagree but they have been taught the global way, not the British way, and should get back to their Quashquais for the weekend trail centre jaunts.

IMPERIAL ALL THE WAY BABY!


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:44 am
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oneoneoneone

There is no such thing as "just a question" on STW......it'll turn into a political debate in a few minutes 😆


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:45 am
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My price for installing an unlit 600mm dia road sign on a post would be approx £150-200 - for a lit sign approx £450. Removal of old sign around £50

Add in the cost of electrical connections/trenching/cabling if a private supply, or £400 a pop for electricity board connections and you can be the best part of a grand for renewing 1no lit road sign.

Simply changing a speed limit terminal sign plate only on existing post would be upwards of £50 per single unit.

It would cost hundreds of millions to change the whole of the UK.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:49 am
 Drac
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I'm 47 and was ONLY taught metric when I was in school in the 70's. Imperial weights and measures have not been taught for years.

I'm 38 and as I say we only used metric for units of length. Weight was was still pounds and ounces, volume was varied between the imperial and metric.

as i said it doesn't bother me at all. it was just a question of "why do they still use MPG as petrol is bought and sold in the Litre"

The answer is there.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:49 am
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Stainypants - Member

my mazda 6 measured it in litres per 100km and I never managed to change it it did my head in on the other hand if it had actually told me the mpg i'd have probably had a heart attack (it was around 20mpg).

Nick


You sure? My Mazda 6 measures it in litres per 100 miles, which is silly really.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:50 am
 Drac
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My price for installing an unlit 600mm dia road sign on a post would be approx £150-200 - for a lit sign approx £450.

Can you do me a 1' 11.5" for the same price?


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:51 am
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My Mazda 6 ('53 plate) used to measure in l/100km


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:52 am
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The road sign changing costs are a good enough reason not to change.

It is however a bit bizarre that we still have this mixed units system.

Can I have 4.2 m length of 4 by 2 please!


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 11:55 am
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tiggs121 - Member

It is however a bit bizarre that we still have this mixed units system.

Can I have 4.2 m length of 4 by 2 please!

Like this?

http://www.building-supplies-online.co.uk/cls-timber-50x100-4x2-24m-treated-3064-p.asp


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 12:06 pm
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PMSL @ that and the fact your dad says he didn't know. At 24 , aren't you a bit old to be asking your dad lots of questions? I bet he's dreading the birds and bees talk

Quite remarkable that you can use the internet and yet have the inability to google a conversion.

Classic STW. Someone asks a perfectly reasonable question, ie, Why do we talk about a cars economy or lack of in MPG? And they get belittling smart-arse answers lacking any humorous content.

Fuel economy in litres/100kilometres makes perfect sense. Not only because fuel is actually sold in litres, but because it would allow us to have certain conversations about cars with "foreigners".

The road sign issue only exists because there was a deliberate decision many years ago to keep imperial signs. Resolving the problem need not be costly. It could be achieved by simply insisting that all new signs have kilometres written in small red numerals in a corner as well as miles ....... for example.

Over a period of a few decades all British road signs would show kilometres and new ones could start phasing out imperial. Of course it would no longer make Britain [i]different[/i] and [i]special[/i], even though it would actually make British road signs useful to "foreigners", so expect small-minded British Daily Mail type half-wits, not to allow it to ever happen.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 12:11 pm
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I've seen lot of road signs now using strange values - e.g. [i]Bends for 428 yards[/i] whereas before it might have said [i]bends for 1/4 mile[/i]. I did wonder of this was to enable easier conversion in the future.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 12:16 pm
 Drac
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And they get belittling smart-arse answers lacking any humorous content.

so expect small-minded British Daily Mail type half-wits, not to allow it to ever happen.

😆


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 12:18 pm
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Oh - and while we're at it, could we also change the side of the road we drive/cycle on to bring that into European standard too?

I realise that this will be costly and time-consuming, so I reckon we should split the conversion by having North-bound vehicles change one weekend and South-bound the following weekend.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 12:18 pm
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Classic ernie, absolutely classic 😆


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 12:22 pm
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In my experience the metric system makes scientific calculations easier (but you have to watch the decimal point) whilst imperial units are often an easier real world size to use - and improve your ability to do mental arithmetic!

Litres/100km is a silly unit. Km/l would be much more useful and would convert easily to MPG.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 12:23 pm
 DezB
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You'll be expecting us to measure penis size in cm next.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 12:24 pm
 Drac
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CM? Now your just bragging.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 12:26 pm
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😆

You see Drac, the "humorous content" of my post was not lost on you

.....makes all the difference dont cha ya know


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 12:26 pm
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Golf course holes are mostly still in Yards, some courses do refer to both metric & imperial.

Building trade is still a bit dodgy, as plywood & MDF are sold in imperial size sheets (8'x4') & plasterboard is sold in metric size sheets (2400x 1200), doors are sold in both imperial & metric sizes, I also remember you could buy plasterboard that was 8ft x 1200mm.


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 2:42 pm
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Will I need to re-badge my bike as a 736.6mm'er...


 
Posted : 19/02/2011 2:55 pm
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