The Mosso purchase was a good decision, with parts well ahead of its time

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

4.08.2021

                                                               XT deore 10 S groupset.  

After studying a lot of write ups and searching on line shops I found this much about the Mosso bike:

    1.  The XT group set alone would cost a midrange price MTB  (five numbers)

    2.   The disc is ice tech:

          1.  3 layers of metal for higher heat dissipation

          2.  Floating disc; (for lesser thermal conduction from the  metal contacting the pads and the 

               hub body)

         3.   Patented center lock technology by Shimano for sure fit, and easy removal (with a cog removal

               tool -  You have to tap out the rotor when removing gently with a tool)

         4.  The JO2 break pad is finned again for heat dissipation.  

   3.  Uses 7005 alum technology;    

   4.  The  WS is also an XT;   low weight

Studying well your bike purchase pays off in the long run; makes for a good investment

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

4.05.2021

This Mosso made it to a Google post    Mosso with XT group set

Nearly about a decade ago I purchased my first MTB from somebody in Batangnas City.   The price was steep one but the bike had xt group set, it had blue theme on the bolts and nuts of the crank, the cables, and had high grade frame 7005 alum which makes for the light weight of the bike.   

I had brought this to Baguio climb, Ambuklao adventure, Laguna loop.   I make a lot of kutingting though.  So maybe on the reverse Laguna loop, the hubs may not be working well, (had friction) that's why I struggled with the ride.  

Now I am reviewing the forks and was impressed by rebound control.   I did not realize when I went to a physical store, that the bike fork had rebound control...I was nearly tempted to purchase on line a 5k ish fork with rebound control.   

Continuous improvement (Kaizen) of the Mosso MTB

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

3.27.2021.

Jorgeusbiker Mosso MTB

There is not much to be done while under quarantine

I made improvements on the MTB:

1.  Changed the tires to 1.95 from 2.2 to make it ligther and have less friction (I placed talc inside the tires to lessen friction between tire and interior)

2.  Lessened tightness of hub to make the wheel turn faster.

3.  Changed the RD cable which snapped (a P20.00 repair)

Tried the MTB today.  Well it ran smoother and faster.  

S works Vias Venge: from Dreamworks to Assembly/Realityworks

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
May 1, 2018

                                                   Ayos ba upgrade, change?

                                                      Pang d/p lang sa S works

                                      At P24.5 K murang mura, pang DP lang sa frameset ng
                                                S works

                                      S 105 GS which currently sells at P16K panalo na buyer.
                                      Add the cost of frame and the RS 10 wheelset

                                               Ito kapalit na bike pero naka SRAM red

This post dreamt of having an S works after seeing the younger brother bring out two S works Tarmac bike: one in Vigan and one in Marinduque, and after Peter Sagan won the Roubaix Paris race on a Sworks Roubaix. After meeting Mr. Ronald Santos (Dianor FB account) with a fellow Recyclist Engineer Francisco regarding his purchase of   carbon frame bike, he suggested that I buy a 2nd hand slightly used S works for undisclosed low price.  And I agreed.

We had a deal with the  seller for an undisclosed amount that would equal the selling price of Mosso that I sold and I would add some more.   It was to be given to him last April 28, and he would deliver to me the frame on May I. I would give him the  DP (the proceeds of the Mosso bike) provided the bike is BB30 ready.  (It was after some guessing and after being surprised today. The mechanic and Mr. Santos also did not know hahaha)

The assembly took almost 5 hours.  And some bikers waiting for services of the mechanic: Alex had to leave. It was a big challenge to install the cables

     1   The cables are hidden in the handle bar and passes through the stem;
     2.  And to the head post. One had to pass through the head post expander.
     3.  The 3 other cables had to be inserted through the head post shell
     4.  Alex had to repeat the process, because he missed inserting some of head post parts  It took
          him another hour.

And since we were outdoors, we perspired and were dehydrated. I had to buy him and Mr. Santos several bottles of coke and mineral water.


Finally at 5 pm, the dream works on S works was all ready a reality... I had took a jeep from Sta Lucia to home and paid another P25.00 for the fare back to Angono.  Romeo B and  Mr. Long Henson saw the bike frame.  A Peter Sagan bike.

As I rode the jeep, I had the opportunity to feel and observe the bike frame.  It is all about aero dynamics (and speed).  No cables to obstruct air flow. No brakes.   The handle bar was blade shaped. The down tube is huge and aero too. The seatpost is aero.  The seat stay are thin and aero. Everything is aero. But is heavy. The SRAM made the whole set up lighter.  

I have an issue with the seat post which would not accept my seat.

I have installed the bar tape.   And the  water cage (Zefal) lang.

Selling my pre loved Mosso Falcon 3 MTB with XT groupset

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 19, 2018

This post earlier said that he will lessen his earthly bike possession.  I have sold the SAVA MTB, I planned and aborted the sale of Bianchi.

However I plan to sell the Mosso Falcon 3 7005 Alum Bike, specs:

                Light frame Falcon 3 frame; 26 er
                With XT group set:

                    front and rear derailleur
                    3 x 10 set up,    42-32 -24 chainrings,   11 - 36
                    XT wheel set
              Tires Kenda 26 x 2.25   80% pa puwede
               Specially purchased blue crank bolts and Presta valve covers
               With Cateye cyclo computer

              Still wrapped with bathroom tape
              Seldom used (I have 3 MTB:   a SAVA 580 carbon fiber, SAVA Ti and this)
              Occasionally used for antenna

              Mosso is famous for making light frames and can considered competitive to Giant and Cannondale for Alum bikes/frameset

See pics to appreciate further:

                                                                              CF spacers

                                                      XT shifter and brake lever

                                                                     Epicon fork

                                                              Ti skewers

                                                          Special blue  valve cover

                                                       Spd pedals, (hindi nagamit)

                                                XT rear brakes  with air cooling fin

                                                              Deore  XT wheelset

                                                 CNC blue crank tensioner bolt

Building a lighter bike (lighten up your bike)

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 18, 2018

                                                       Light frame:   alum or carbon?  Some alum
                                                       frames are lighter than carbon.

Parts that make most impact on weight;

After being in the bikers world for more than a decade, more or less I now know how to have a lighter bike. Some measures are cost effective. Some are not.  The biggest weight contributors, they more or less make up 25% of the bike weight are:

       1. Frame and fork -  from 1.5 kg to 2.5 kg

       2. Group set:    from         2.00 to 3 kg

       3.  Wheel set   from          1.3 to 2 kg+

With regards to other parts:   stem, head set, bars, gains can be minimal.  So for you to aspire for lighter bike, think again....

     1. Frame and fork:

        Alum frame +  alum fork       1.4 kg say Mosso and fork   .5 =                  1.9 kg

        Alum frame +  carbon fork    1.4 kg say Mosso  and carbon fork  .4 =      1.8 kg

                                                   1.1 kg   say  CAD 12  and carbon fork .280  =  1.380 kg

With the new CAAD12, Cannondale seems to be throwing down the gauntlet to the competition in high-grade alloy. The numbers are compelling: the frame weighs just 1098g, which is 52g lighter than the CAAD10, while the fork – based on Cannondale's new EVO design – weighs a mere 300g. More expensive CAAD12 models get the HM fork, a scarily light 280g.

      Carbon frame + carbon fork   1.1 kg    +   .4 kg                                     =  1.5 kg

      Superlite  carbon frame + carbon fork         900 gms.   + 400 kg            =  1.3 kg

       Take note:

       1.  That carbon is not necessarily lighter or sturdier;  some alum are lighter than carbon and lasts longer and dont disintegrate on impact. Such is the strength of brands like Cannondale.  Alum frame that is lighter than carbon

     2. Carbon fork gain is limited to only 100 grams.  It has something to do with the steerer

                                                    Fulcrum Racing Quattro Alum wheelset
  2. Wheel set:

       Generic wheel set  local                                                                       -    2.2 kg

       RS   10                                                                                               -   1.845

      RS    11                                                                                               -   1.750

      Fulcrum 7                                                                                            -   1.845

      Fulcrum Quattro   350 mm                                                                   -   1,700

     Zipp                                                                                                     -   1,300

     Campagnolo Bora 2                                                                             -   1,300

     1.  Most of the entry level wheel set are from 1.8 kg to 2.2 kg. The 1.5 kg weight is in the territory of carbon fiber.

     2. Sometimes the wheel sets are heavier for being aero say 500 mm. But experts say that at 35 to 40 kph aero counts. Being slick can save you  up to 50 watts of power and that means a lot in racing.  Weight give you momentum and inertia to move forward.  For a 200 grams difference the price difference is staggering P30 up to 150t.  Only millionaires and riders with sponsors can afford it.

3. Group sets:

                                    Durace is the most expensive P68,000 now but the lightest
                                    at mere 2,000 grams same as Campy Rekord and SRAM red

   The lightest group sets are SRAM red, Campagnolo Rekord and Durace.  Around 2.000 kg total weight

          SRAM and Campy would cost just about even P120 to P130t (may nagbebenta sa Toyota Shaw P80t only  paluugi) at sa Sabak  P30t only for SRAM red)

          Ultegra 6800 and 8000 weigh about 2,550 grams,  6800 is sells for P17 k,   8000 for P30k

          Shimano 105 is 2,700 grams is availablefor P13,000 only.  For 4,000 difference the difference in weight is 200 grams.  Ultegra 6800 is value for money and is slightly lighter than  8000 GS.

The  value for money:

1. Cannondale frame say CAAD 10 to 12 with carbon frame

2.  GS Ultegra 6800

3.  Wheelset -  fulcrum quattro (lalabas daw si Christy ng tig P15,000 soon)

Tracking my training ride for Vigan ride in February

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 7, 2018

Here is my log of rides for the  last 3 weeks:

1st  week                                                                       -   160 km

2nd  week                                                                     -    180 km

3rd week  (this week)

                        Jala jala ride                        100 km

                        Thursday ride                       60 km

                        Mambog  ride                      20 km

Still 180 km but the length of the ride today is 100 km.  I arrived 3 pm because it was too hot.  Plenty or rest
I guess I am on track. I feel I can handle the  stress the heat, and the challenge all. ready.

I practiced using the newly acquired bike:  a Mosso Alum bike ARC 710 weighing about 8 kg

1  I had to adjust for the first 20 km;  but things got easier and faster later on

2.  It it faster, tracked better and had less vibration

3. I would say it is even better than Fuji.

It uses latest Shimano group set.  105 5800 11 speed.

I was left behind with the latest tech.

In Hacienda pisong kape, at Lunch time, I met Ms. Liezl de Leon who had a Scott Carbon fiber bike  (CR ) 2014 model, and I tried to lift and was a bit lighter than the Mosso. I guiess I did a good buy.  I did not miss the Scott bike I was not able to get, while saving no less than  P18,000 in the process

Nakipaglaro sa isang TT biker (nakagiant na TT bike, a very young biker from Pasig with Durace group set and aero bars) and towed him from Tanay to Morong.   He allowed me to summit the Baras hill alone.   Di pa laos with this new steed

Happy with the 2nd hand bike purchase a Mosso ARC 710; no regrets over botched carbon fiber bike deal

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 5, 2018

 I finalized a deal for a 2nd hand said to be seldom used Mosso Super Lite Alum Bike with 105 5800 group set, with RS 10 Shimano wheelset.  It was revenge deal that I pushed through after the seller of a carbon fiber bike balked on giving a warranty on the carbon fiber integrity (who wont ask for the warranty knowing that carbon fiber has inherent weakness especially if second hand, is old and used hard.   The bike was owned by who used to be member of racing club in North America)  So it was botched and ditched.  It was a P44,000 deal for a bike that was supposed to be 7 kg in weight.  (The  frame set should be  900 grams)

Fortunately I saw this Mosso bike being sold by by the RBP group for a cousin.

And saw finally got the bike and tried to compute for its weight.  For a P26,000 deal,this was what I got:

                        Frame              -   Alum 705, ARC 710 Mosso                -   1520 grams
                        Alum Fork                                                                             700 grams
                     
                        STI                        105 5800  group set                               2549 grams
                        Seat post                Truvativ                                                   325 grams
                        Seat                                                                                       300 grams

                       Wheelset                  RS 10                                                  1845 grams
                       Tires                        Maxxis                                                   200 grams

                       Drop bar                  Laplace                                                  290 grams
                       Stem                        Laplace                                                  130 grams
                       Pedal                       105 carbon                                             240 grams

                                                       Total weight                                        8,099 grams

                                                                           x   2.2 lbs/kg                     17.81 lbs

  1.       This is a light bike considering that most carbon fiber bikes are 16 to 17 lbs. Compared to my botched cf deal, the price difference of P18,000 was for a mere 1.099 kgs or  2.2 lbs or P16.37/ grams

 2.     In the  UK Cycling Magazine there was comparison of Italian bikes features, weight and price:

         Colnago  CLX Ultegra              7.96 kgs            17.51   lbs       2,799 UK pounds

         Pinarello FP Quattro                 8.36 kgs            18.39   lbs       2,869  UK pounds

          Bianchi Infinito                         7.43 kgs             16.346            2,200 UK pounds

          Basso Laguna                          7.88 kgs             17.336           2,599 UK pounds

          Cinelli  Saetta                             8.20 kgs            18.04              2.579 UK pounds

       That carbons might is light is not true here.   The Mosso bike is lighter than Pinarello and Cinelli

3.    It was suggested that to lighten the bike, I should buy a Fulcrum 7 wheelset. The seller said that he  uses a Fulcrum 7 which seemed to be 2 kgs lighter.  But the facts do not agree with his claim. Both tip the scales at 1845 grams

4. The opportunity for me to lighten the bike would be to get a carbon fiber fork which should tip the scales at  300 grams:

Opportunities for weight savings

         Current weight of alum fork     700 grams    less 400 grams if  carbon    300 grams lighter
                    Cost about P3,000

         Shimano Group set upgrade    2,549          less  2,445 of Ultegra          104 grams lighter
                    to Ultegra     P15,000

                                          Weight savings                                                   404 grams

                                           Estimated weight of Mosso with the upgrade   7,695 grams  
                                                        8099 - 404 grams

                                                                                                                 16.929 lbs

          How about Wheelse?   An upgrade of about P50,000 would save only 300 grams

          Fulcrum 7 weighs   1.8 same as Shimano RS 10  Same for Fulcrum Quattro
          Vision Wheelset would weigh as much and cost P18,000

   So maybe if I buy a new carbon fiber fork, I would save about 300 grams.

   As of now, I have light bike.  I am not 40 kph rider and spending more than P50,000 would not make me a faster rider.  With the Fuji Carbon bike, I am not a faster rider.

Enjoying hill climbs with the SAVA ti MTB

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 27, 2017

I did not use the SAVA ti MTB for several months.   But I have been using this since Saturday:  for climb up Medalva, last Sunda for my ride to Bugarin, last Tuesday for the climb of SCH; and yesterday, for climb up to East Ridge.  I relish the ride because of the very low gears (24 lowest for chain rings, and 36 for the rear sprockets).   For Medalva, SCH, and Eastridge, I did not have to use the  24 only the 32 chain rings.  The 32 x 34 or 3 x 36, they were adequate for the climb without being  stressed.    For the Sunday ride, I only used the 42 chain ring even when doing Bugarin.

What did I relish with the SAVA:   it is light and responsive.   The Mosso MTB and the SAVA carbon fiber 580 felt heavy and sluggish.   The SAVA Ti was light and sprightly.  I could even outrun road bike and or run at the same pace as road bikes

Repairing the MTB lock out with additional air pressure

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 15, 2017

I noticed that the front suspension lock out of my Mosso MTB is not working;   it does not lock any more.
So I took this padjak owned by a relative to have the suspension checked.  Are they repairing the lock out?  No.   So please check the air pressure. And found there was none.   So the mechanic put in air 85 psi.  And presto the lock out worked.

It is that easy.

Bike ride today using MTB Mosso Falcon 2 with XT groupset

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal :Philippines
November 20, 2016

I did my usual Sunday long ride today (only up to Morong 26 km out and back) using my MTB Mosso Falcon 2 with XT group set (including wheel set)  I have not used it because of the poor braking performance.  I suspected its brake pads to have thinned out.  However, I had it fixed by Vitoy at Villamayor who added the mineral oil and bled it at the same time.

There are two memorable part of my ride:

1.  I was chased by two bikers from Pasig and the stronger one is named Encer.  Encer rested 2x after he overtook me and he rested once before Convention Center and the other near the exit of diversion in Cardona.  When he caught up with me in Morong, he said he admired me for being "Ang Lakas mo sir for an MTB rider and at yourage)  I was doing between 25 to 30 kph (my cyclometer was working well as well) That is a real compliment from a younger rider.

2. The other one is at diversion road and LLDA.  I negotiated the same using 34 x 28 onlyand 34 x 21 on the less steep part. However as I was about to the enter the main highway from diversion a  29 er overtook me and let by as much as 20 meter.  I patiently tried to catch up with me, and sprinted near the final bend.  The guy later caught up with me and said "Si Sir Jorge pala"  It is Louie de Guzman whom I joined going to Jarrell's peak.  He did not realize it was I who overtook him since I was wearing only slippers.  Ha ha ha nagulat ko siya