What a 11 -32 cogs using short cage RD only??

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 24, 2016

                                                   Parang ito na usong set up

                                                A la Contador bike for the Alps


I passed by the Villmayor bike parts in Pag asa Binangonan Rizal to consult Bitois, their and my mechanic for  the last 7 years to inquire on how to remove the chatter on my front Bianchi Campagnolo wheelset (there are some dents, I bought it used;  I would like to think the owner figured in a collision or some accident)

Well afterwards he showed me a road bike which he just assembled and which was price tagged at P120,000.  It has 105 group set, has  Zipp like aero wheelset, and carbon fiber frame.  I could swear too that my Bianchi is lighter than this expensive bike.

What caught my attention was its 11 32 cog set.  But it had a long cage.  And they are no selling long cage RD without the group set.

As soon as I got home, I removed the 6600 Ultegra 12 28 cog set and replaced with xt ten speed 11 to 32.  And I initially thought it would not fit  Its RD is short cage. (The hub is 9 speed only)  It did

The B screw was only set at one half and there is still plenty of room to spare.

Where would I get the P120t to get that handsome bike.  My Bianchi would do.

I now have best of two worlds with this Bianchi bike.   The high speed of 53 x 11, and the climbing ability of 32 cogs.  Just like Contador.  Hahaha

Bike ride to Jalajala today June 24, 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 24, 2016

Tomorrow is a job day.  So no chance to bike.  So bringing the Bianchi bike, I rode out to Jalajala, 50 km one way (100 km out and back)  I started out 6:45 and was  in Pililla by 8:10.  And in Jalajala by 9:30.  (That is 2:30 for 50 km)   But I ate Lugaw in Morong and stayed there for about 20 minutes.

I swear I was faster. The bike is light, and perhaps I am stronger.  The weather was fine, there were not too many vehicles. It just rained last night so it was a pleasant ride.

I rode with 39 chain ring and tried to spin as I rode. I tried surging and trying to reach say 30 kph with 39 chain ring.   I however, did not change my cogs much perhaps moving only up to 15 t going uphill.

I did the following:

1. Standing going uphill for say 300 to 400 meters
2.  Riding the drops
3.  Sprints as usual, or HID occasionally say every km post.

Now I realize there are plenty of things I still to have know and experience riding the bike.
Now some hills do not seem so tall and intimidating after all.   The hill going up from Jala jala up to Malaya does not seem too tall.  You have to read the hills well too.  The Jala jala hills seem false flat.

Improvement in the use of gears; why 1 x 10 (or 11 makes sense)?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 23, 2016

I notice in my ride yesterday to Bosoboso that I used only one chain ring - the 42 and only shifted the lowest gear to 32 even if I was climbing Antipolo or Boso boso.    With 32 cogs, the gear inches is 35.4

Thus it makes sense really have 1 x 10 or 1 x 11 set up.

Thus if I have a  1 x 10  set up the gear inches for a 38  or 32 chain ring would have the following gear inches:

                                 32                        38

11                             75,63                   93.27

13                             64                         83.07

15                             55.46                    71.99

17                            48.94                     60.22

19                             43.78                     54

21                             39.61                     48.88

24                             33.28                      41.04

29                              28.68                     36.66

32                               26                        30.87

36                               23.11                    28.49

Thus if I use a 38 chain ring, the equivalent would be using 38 x 29  (36.66 gear inches)

For the my SARS bike which has 53 - 39 chain rings and 11 - 36 cogs,   that would be 53 x 36, or  39 x 28.   Wow.  I really have a strong hill climb capable road bike which I can depend on flats ( (the 53 chain ring has 130 gear inches which they say can do 53 kph at 100 rpm)

Improvement in the use of gears; why 1 x 10 (or 11 makes sense)?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 23, 2016

I notice in my ride yesterday to Bosoboso that I used only one chain ring - the 42 and only shifted the lowest gear to 32 even if I was climbing Antipolo or Boso boso.    With 32 cogs, the gear inches is 35.4

Thus it makes sense really have 1 x 10 or 1 x 11 set up.

Thus if I have a  1 x 10  set up the gear inches for a 38  or 32 chain ring would have the following gear inches:

                                 32                        38

11                             75,63                   93.27

13                             64                         83.07

15                             55.46                    71.99

17                            48.94                     60.22

19                             43.78                     54

21                             39.61                     48.88

24                             33.28                      41.04

29                              28.68                     36.66

32                               26                        30.87

36                               23.11                    28.49

Thus if I use a 38 chain ring, the equivalent would be using 38 x 29  (36.66 gear inches)

For the my SARS bike which has 53 - 39 chain rings and 11 - 36 cogs,   that would be 53 x 36, or  39 x 28.   Wow.  I really have a strong hill climb capable road bike which I can depend on flats ( (the 53 chain ring has 130 gear inches which they say can do 53 kph at 100 rpm)

My bike ride to Bosoboso this morning; June 22, 2016

Wheels of Happiness

June 22, 2016

I read in the MMS group site at FB that Dindo Narciso is planning a ride this morning, 6:30 at Shell Marcos Highway Marikina en route to Sierra Madre.  So I planned an intercept by riding to Antipolo and to Bosoboso.  It is going to be a challenging ride because of the hills to be ascended:   from Tikling to Fibertex, Beverly HIlls, Antipolo, and then to Bankers Village, to the Memorial Park, and then to Bosoboso.

I brought my Mosso bike.  I left at 6:30 and was in Antipolo City by 7:30.  I was in Bosoboso by 8:15.

I had my breakfast at the resto for bikers owned by Mr. Noel.  I got my complete package:   fried rice, fried egg and hot dog for P50.00

And then rode back.  I passed by the store of Jam Santiano bike parts ph at Sumulong highway, some 100 meters away from Masinag intersection, right after Petron..

Then left turn to Marcos Highway.   Up to McDonald where I climbed the overpass to go to Imelda.  At Marcos HIghway, I chased a roadie and MTB who were sprinting.  Luckily and was able to surge and overtake them.  We were doing 40+ may be.   At Imelda, I kept pace with the JP which were probably doing 30.

It was a fine ride for me.  However I found out from Tintin, the husband of Long (kasama ni Dindo) that Long went to work today and might push through with their ride this Saturday.

Project Bianchi

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 19, 2016

I did not have this plan. But Reymond who got the Orbea carbon fiber frame at Fairview (from Armand) for P13,500, offered me the newly acquired Bianchi alum frame he just got from Jr, (a racer rider from 711).  So I reluctantly got it under an instalment plan (two gives ang nangyari 2 +3 in 4 days ha6)

Bianchi is a well known Italian bike and was made famous by Tour riders who liked Bianchi. It is still a famous brand and Bianchi Infinito full carbon would set you back by 2,200 pounds   Bianchi has 100 years of tradition.

I took inventory of what I had:   two Sora brakes on stationery trainer, two Ultegra STI, two Ultegra brakes, FD Ultegra, RD Ultegra, two Campagnolo wheel set with 105 hubs 9 speed, one 12 to 28 ten speed cogs. I lacked rhe tires and interior and the crankset.  The crankset I had were 3 x 10  and a Durace 8 speed old crank.  So will not do.

Problems:

1.  The 105 hub/freewheel  is only 9 speed.  I tried putting the cogs which are ten speed and they fitted (puwede pala).  The mechanics and the publications/you tube says it can do.  Problem solved

2.  The Campagnolo was put in storage because Pres. Luis said that using this is dangerous.  But I measured the thickness of the edges and they were still about 2.5 mm and there were no cracks nor defect.  So I could be used again.  Problem solved.

3. The cranks and the tires.  For the crank, my mind was debating based on the offerings posted:

     1.  Gossamer FSA for P1,800.  But I found it weighed 800 grams +

    2.  Ultegra 10 speed 50  34 P4,900 without bottom bracket.  The owner said it is supposed to be light very light being made from titanium.  But the weight winnie says that Shimano cranks are heavy.  The ultegra cranks weigh almost 800 grams.

   3.  50 34 or 53  39

        You can buy a 50  34 crank with 110 bcd and can be fitted with a 52 outer ring. (That means you still have to buy a 52 crank

        The 50 34 is being junked by many puriut racer becasue at 100 rpm, the 50 ring can only do 50 kph and spin out.  The 53 can reach 53 +.

        Since this will be for road ride only I opted for the 53 39.

        My choice was FSA K force carbon and would be supposed to weigh only 660 grams.

4.  Tires.

     A Panaracer would cost about P850;   a Maxxis tire would set you back by P1,200.  The high end Conti would be between P1,800 to P2,200 a piece.  The Conti tires are light, easy to install and sevice when you have a flat, and long lasting.  The 2nd hand Conti I had is more than 2 years old.  The Panaracer would last about 6 months tops.  So Conti more expensive tires make sense.

    I saw a post by Wilson bike parts which is only P2,700 a pair.  I got the Conti GP from Germnay.  Each tire would weigh only about 150 grams

    Thus I started assembling this last Thursday and finished Friday.  I tried it Friday pm but the Conti tube had a leak. I realized it had bleb from whence the leak occured.  It had a bleb.  Made in China.



The finished bike

                                     Without bar tape yet

                                     At Shell gas station

                                              More beautiful with water bottle and bar tape

The tires

                                                Limited Edition frame

                                                    Made in Germany, not China

                                                  105 222 grams very light pedal, carbon

Biking for good health and long life

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 13, 2016

Today I biked to San Carlos Heights using the Ti. MTB.  I did 3x up and down Tolentino up to the paved portion of the road till the 2nd way of the cross.  That is lung busting.  I must have seen about a dozen MTB climb up the antenna.  I saw Atty Arceo whom I initially mistook at Ego Villamayor.  He had fat bike MTB with him.

Down at Angono, near lugawan, I saw the biker who did the Gate 2 climb doing a cross stitch.  He said he used 24 x 15.  Wow.  He said his name is Jake from Taytay and was with 3 others

This is a way of washing away from my mind the death of a kumpare last Saturday from complications of diabetes.  He died from lockjaw because of infected gangrenous leg, which he refused to be amputated.  But it smelled of dead carcass according to his wife and had fly larva all ready.

I hope biking will give me longer life and lower my blood sugar.  I pray

I finally got the ultimate of all bikes - a titanium MTB

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 12, 2016

Happy independence day.

After a month long research and campaign to get funding for the purchase, I finally got yesterday the much coveted SAVA Explorer Titanium bike from Mars Kingdom c/o Kiam and Luds. I got the bike cash for a little under P50,000.

It is equipped with the following:

Sava titanium alloy frame

WTB seat, WTB rim and tires

Titanium seat post (oversized)

Titanium handle bar

Titanium pedals

XT group set:  brakes, crank, FD, RD,  cogs

11 -36 cogs (I was not able to get the 11 to 42

Manitou magnesium front shocks

I assembled the bike myself last night in 30 minutes.  All you need to do after unpacking from the box are:  install the handle bar on the fork, install the front wheel and the pedal.

Adjustments were made on the fine tuning of the derailleur (the cable needed tightening) and the derailleur needed alignment (the high adjustment).   Save for a bolt that tightens the clamp to the handle bar, (na bilog ang allen groove) The bike is a OK, it  is light and looks like a jewel

I understand that there are just 3 more units remaining for the sale. (50% discount on the list price of P89,000). The unit with Deore groupset and SAVA only fork sells for P43,000 cash (+ 5% if bought with credit card.)

Go to Mars Kingdom Quiapo (the one with maroon and green painting) right after the overpass, and contact Luds or Kiam 02 242 4484

All titanium parts

                                       Titanium seat post

                                            Titanium pedals

                                                Titanium handle bar

Am I getting better as a rider?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 7, 2016

I think I do. This morning I rode to Antipolo City.  I planned to go up there using the lowest gear:   32 x 36.  But that did not happen.  I used only 32 x 25 and 28.  (mostly higher gears) and I reached Antipolo church at a much lower time 35 minutes vs. 40 minutes before.

In the ride last Sunday to Fairview, I was able to catch up with  a rider who passed us in Tikling. I passed him near the Marcos Highway, JP Rizal junction near Katipunan.  He did not give chase.  I was also able to get ahead of the champs by about 5 minutes at Marcos Highway and Katipunan.  I waited for them near Myriam.  That is not bad for 65 years old.

Sharpening for criterium racing

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 7, 2016

I am no coach but from what I hae read and read, several things can be done to level up the performance of some of our riders who would like to race:

1.  Improving sprinting ability. This should be part of the daily dose of young riders aspiring to race.  5x sprinting at 15 to 30 secs to the max should be part of ride; The ability to sprint at top speed say 50 to 60 kph should be tolerated well by a champion rider wannabee.

2.  Hard interval training.   A champion Filipino rider advised young riders to do hard interval training where ever you are flat, downhill or uphill some 100 metes away from km post.  See how this improve your overall strength and speed.  I found out that those who lose out in the final spring lack #1 and 2

3.  Training in criterium riding.  An out back road race is a constant speed riding.  While criterium rading consist of riding irregular speed, mostly surges and sprint.  Your body should be able to tolerate near heart rate max riding (say 50 to 60 kph) and down to 30 kph on turns.   A famous Dr.Arnie Baker cyclist coach calls for 40 mini sprint practice of 15 seconds surges with step down interval (from 1:30 rest) down to only 15 seconds rest as you end the near of the session (This is for stationary bike)

4.  Team work.  No man is an island.  You need team members to win using strategy and tactical measures:

      1,  To draft and wheel suck so that you are not overspent. Your wise opponents will take turns in tiring you out using different riders (team mates) to confuse and annoy you.

      2.  To use as lead out in final sprint.  The lead out will slingshot you if you are the fastest;  This lead out practice clears the way for the champ to be and confuses further the adversaries

     3.  Two aspirants -  a team mate would sprint at the other side of the road.  This creates dilmenna in the mind of  the opponent as to who will be the sprinter and final  champion rider

    4.  Gapping (this is too long complicated to explain here, but our riders must be briefed on the strategic aspect of racing

Checking out the SAVA Titanium bike at Mars Kingdom - great value for money

Wheels of Happiness

Angono Rizal
June 6 2016

Happy double six (6) my destiny number.

I went to Mars Kingdom building in Quiapo today, arriving some 2 1/2 hours later after I left Angono to check out the Titanium bike that they are offering for 43t (50% discount from the all ready discounted price of P89,000.)   I was disappointed with the P19t promo of Sava 550 MTB.  It was quite heavy and ugly  (That is why it is on discount promo)

August Concepcion, the father of the owner of Pajak, and an avid MTB recommended that I try the SAVA titanium now on sale for only P43t at Mars Kingdom

My contact person there is Luds and she showed me the bike at the second floor and it was truly impressive:

XT group set:   brakes, changer, FD, RD (not shadow though)   with 36 cogs, 3 x 10,
WTD wheelset and tires 1.95
Titanium handle bar, seat post (oh I did not check the seat)
Manitou shocks  (Maybe Marvel subrand?)

At 49 t asking price for this model (the 43t applies to Deore only group set and different kind of shocks) this is a great value for money.

XT group set -                                               P23,000 (only P19,000 at their store;   on sale)
Manitou  shocks ($350,00) x 46/$ -              P16,000

Total                                                                 39,000

The balance of P10,000 is just for the frame, seatpost, headpost and handle bar.  How much would be a titanium frame, handlebar and seat post, What about the wheelset and tires?  And so I say and recommend that if you have money, buy this now    (Sadly, it must be cash;  Credit card would set you back by 5% or roughly P2,000.)