Fixing my S works Venge Vias

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 15, 2019



I have not used  my Venge Vias S works bike shod with Cosmic wheel set Kenda tires, SRAM red groupset (which is light)  for a while  More than a year  Because 1. The bike is not that strong  it feels
vague compared to Shimno brakes (VV has built in V brakes)  2.  There is a clanking noise at the rear chain stay which is rather annoying.   I bought this bike from a Globe Electronic Engineer from Batangas who used the money to buy a Bianchi    Nakatawad ng mga P12,000 sa original buying price niya sa BN.  Now I know why. he disposed. it. Because of the internal brake cables at the handlebar and steerer, the cables are likely to get kinks and not function well....  He was obviously troubled by the braking efficiency.... The external bikes and external cabling works better.

When the bike news featured again the bike of Peter Sagan, a Venge S works, I decided I must bring out my S works again.  First I had to do something with the brakes   Many mechanics from the area, including the  Cainta area.   Some hope from #Dante of Lifecycle at Greenhills, Mechanics of Jay  Gotangco at Calumpang, and Jun of Christy's.

As stop gap measures:

1.  I adjusted the front brake adjustment so that the pads are closer.  It worked. Lumakas na preno. Sa
    rear, hinatak ko ang cable much tighter para mas dikit ang pads to brake line.  It worked too.  Maybe
    the brake efficiency is now 75% instead of 50% before.

2. As for the unwanted sound at the rear stays:  

   1.  I cut a plastic tube  about 3/8 in diameter  2 inches long  into two wrappped the  RD cable entry into            the rear stay so that it is not loose;

   2.  From the BB side, I cut a length of the same plastic tube wrapped the metal spaghetti cable of teh
       RD cable so that the clanking against the tube could be dampened.  Nabawasan na kalampag.

So you see, you do not have to bring all your problems to the mechanic or hope for a high cost solution like bringing the bike to Missing Link or Bikezilla (where the repairs may cost me a thousand)

I am happy now with my S works bike.  Naitravel ko na nang Morong.    Maasahan na

Many are now carbon fiber basher because of Geraint Thomas crash at Tour de France

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 15, 2019

Geraint Thomas defending champion crashes

                                          G. Thomas bike breaks as he lands on another biker

From Cycling weekly


Many saw the picture of  Pinarello  Dogma f10 which broke into two at Stage 8 of Tour de France. Geraint Thomas quickly remounted and joined the  Peloton.  and the accident did not cause any change in the  GC
classification of Thomas the defending champion.

Now there are many controversies and speculations regarding the accident and carbon fiber (in particular)

    1.  That the race directors car ran over the bike?  (This is incorrect look at the picture)

   2.  That the Pinarello frameset  is made in China.

  3.  That in general, for most bikers, Carbon fiber is not a nice material and subject to breakage and frequent purchase.

   Now let me advance some of my comments:

   1. Carbon fiber is a very strong material 3x stronger than stelel and 3x lighter. However high modulus bikes stiffer bikes are easily  subject to breakage especially if subjected to strong impact.  On the other hand, this behavior of the material absorbs most of the  impact, saving the biker rider from injuries and/or tauma.

   2.  The advantages of carbon fiber:

            1. Light (saves on watts of the rider)

            2.  Can be made more aero dynamic (saves on watts too);  can easily be shaped and moulded
            as they are manfacured

            3. Is more attractive being made of modern, space age materials like space craft, air craft, formula
          cars,..

    3.  In the race, generally the lighter carbon fiber bikes have less material (and consequently  more prone
         to breakage)  HM carbon fiber means they are brittle.  Pinarello uses 1100 toray, one of the highest
         rating and we can conclude that it is more brittle, but stronger with lesser materials...

   4. If a car ran over this about 3,000 to 4,000 lbs and may be at moderate speed, then naturally, the
     bike frame would break.

   You may have your opinions about the carbon fiber built bikes  but the  ones I had: a Fuji SL 10 (5 years), a Pinarello F10 (1.5 years), and S Works Venge Vias (2 years old) are still well built and strong.  Go ahead with your comments.  but may be you cant afford to have one...And the comments may be just sour graping... He

Bisikleta Iglesia by Angono Recyclists 2019 last Holy Thursday

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 21, 2019

The Angono Recyslists staged another Bisikleta Iglesia last Holy Thursday, April 18, 2019 that covered 7 churches;

      1.  St Mary Magdalene Parish Church in Pililla Rizal;
      2.  St. Ildefonsus Parish Church in Tanay Rizal
      3.  St. Joseph Parish Church in Baras Rizal
      4.  St. Jerome Parish Church in Morong, Rizal
      5.  Sto. Rosario Parish Church in Cardona, Rizal
      6. Sacred Heart Parish in Binangonan Rizal
      7. St. Clement Parish Church

Unlike the previous Bisikleta Iglesia, the format of the prayer this time was per church.

              First Church                                   Reading   John  17:  9 -73
              Second Church                              Reading   John    5: 51-58
              Third Church                                  Reading   John  15:   9-17
               Fourth Church                               Reading   John  15 : 1-4
               Fifth Church                                  Reading   John  14:  27 -31
               Sixth Church                                 Reading    John 14:  15 -21
               Seventh Church                             Reading   John   6:   51-58

After the St. Clement Church there was a lunch held at Jess  V residence but food cooked by Pres. Luis relatives.

Those who joined  were:   Jess V. Pres Luis,  VM Jun Vic, Bernadette T., Master Edwin, Gerry Y,  Sonny Jacinto, Netoy M, , Chito F, Richard Ang, Sec Noe, Joel J,  Ed Pama,  Kapt. Fort Flojo of Barangay San Isidro, Peter A and son...

Sec Noe and Engr. Capt Fort Flojo joined us all ready at the 3rd church

God bless all those who joined.  May live in the true spirit of the readings in our day to day dealing.   Not for ourselves alone...

                                                      Just arrived at Mary Magdalene Church

                                                   Mary Magdalene in Philippine colors

                                                  Jess V. leading the prayers (not the news this time)