Regearing my SARS roadbike

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 11, 2016

                                         FSA carbon fiber chainwheel crank 53 - 39


I regeared my SARS road bike, inspired by the Mt. Province, Banawe Sagada ride last June to lower gears. I had 3 x 10 set up, with Deore triplet 44 32, 22 set up with 11 to 36 rear cogs, medium cage rear derailleur.  It had so many issues though. When at 44 x 32 the chain jumps to 32 without provocation resulting in loss of timing or failed climb.  It wont go down to 22 when asked for.  So it was better to use a mt. bike.

But you have issues with MTB:  it is heavy (none can match the lightness yet of road bike even the wt of iron bikes.  And the friction with wide tires easily tires you out.  So the ideal is the road bike that has low gears when elevation gets high.

The solution according to experts and mechanics is to go to 2 x10 or 2 x 11.  But such are expensive proposition even for a MTB. Your 2 x  10 crank, xt will set you back by 7t.  And you are not even sure.

So I experimented with putting back the original chainwheel/cranks set of FSA 53 39. I hope it will fit the chain.  Fortunately I had to buy a new chain for `10 speed. The mechanic said that the chain was pretty worn out (I could see the clearance of the chain in some section of the chain wheel to be from 0.5 to 1.5 mm.) That was after 4 years of use and long distance riding to Laguna loop, Real, Atimonan,

It is not really about the bike or the latest parts; it is about the rider

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 21, 2016

At the bike shop in Angono this afternoon, a pamangkin said if I had upgraditis.  No I did not.  I just wanted to have 3 links added to the chain of my SARS bike (I had a complaint of the chain jumping from 44 to 32 when I shift the cogs to 32 and 36.  The mechanic said that I simply should not shift to that cog when at 44 because of the limitation of the changer.  However, I solved that by raising the FD level by 5 mm above the chain line instead of the usual 2 mm. The only problem was the chain length which could be increased by 3 links)  I spent P30 for the job; I could have bungled the job because I waste a lot of links trying to get the chain axle out right.

The solution that I had before as suggested was to try to get a 2 x 10 set up.  It does not come cheap though.  A Deore 2 x 10 will set me back cheapest by P2,700.  A Deore XT upgrade would be about P6,500 (quoted by Christy)  A SRAM or Truvativ set up would be about P20t plus.  All that I spent was P30 and some imagination.

I also observed in my ride yesterday to Sampaloc Tanay that the MTB rider from Morong, Edwin had a top end equipment, XT, 2 x 11 set up with 42t gear.   He was struggling though vs my SARS 6 year old bike with a 3 x 10   11 - 36 gears.  I did not have to use the 22 front chain ring. Only 32 x 32 combination.  I did not struggle.  So its not about the equipment, it could be the rider on the bike

(That was my fourth ascent in 2 weeks)

The more my SARS bike became valuable to me after the Regina Rica ride

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 19, 2016

I could have sold my SARS Ultegra laden bike last month in exchange for a mountain bike. However when the offer to buy was only P10t, I preferred to have to used to the ground,  I kept experimenting on what the gearing would be and improving it.

And so I used it in my latest ride to Sampaloc and Regina Rica and it did well, much better than a mountain bike. The ride was relaxed and I did not have to exert too much effort.  Kayang kaya.  The more I loved and appreciated the bikes value to me.  Mabuti di nabenta.

                                      The SARS  was ahead of an expensive MTB with latest tech

The bike ride of the Magnificent Four to Tagaytay yesterday, February 28 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 29, 2016

                                                I brought this veteran roadie for this ride

Gerry K planned the ride yesterday.  He invited me to join as a preparation he said to Baguio ride on Holy Week.   However, it has to be via Sta Rosa.  Last Friday, I saw this as an opportunity to view a project which was for sale.

I prevailed upon Gerry to go the usual route, Daang Hari to Paliparan, to Greenwoods, then Silang  It was shorter and probably less chance of failure (just to make sure I will able to fulfill my goal)

And so were 5 gathered together at INC:  Val, Gerry, Weng, Master and myself  Magnificent 4 or Quadro de Jack?.  Master was there but he begged off.  We passed Baytown, floodway, High Way 2000 and C6.   They wanted C5 since C6 was badly rutted. however I said that it is only for 2 km.  C5 would be much longer by 3 to 5 km and much less safe because of more high speed traffic.

We left at 6:20 trying to have Alan join us but we was on night duty before and may not be in the best condition to join us for the long ride.  We were at Camp Bagong Diwa at 7:00 am, at Daang Hari cor Alabang Zapote road by 7:30 and 8:00 am at Bacoor.  No stopping.  We had breakfast by 8:30 at Paliparan road about 5 km to GMA.  I spent only P60.00 with one rice, one viand, one coffee, and one Lemon l liter softdrink.  We were in GMA by 9:00 am.  We had fast pace. I tried to chase an MTB just after the breakfast who passed us right after the first bypass.   And we were in Silang by 10 am and in my destination at KM 47 (Emerald MP) by 10:10.  The meeting did not last long because of some breach in protocol and misunderstanding



We were in Tagaytay by 10:45.  We stayed at 7-11 (former place because it is now demolished) and biked some 5 km to the Sta Rosa Tagaytay road.  However, it rained as we arrived there and ate buko (which was P25.00 and paid for by Weng)  We warmed our bottoms sitting down on the bench in front of a store where there was shade. from 11:30 to 12:30  We conversed with 4 young riders on fixie.  Val enjoyed watching a Nelso Prince Albert Pagara fight which lasted for 12 rounds.   The rain stopped finally at 12:30.

  And we started a slow but probably slipper descent to Sta Rosa.  A lot of new businesses are here and especially at the industrial Greenfield Paseo, Arcadia,  Robinson, All Home area. If you were 5 years ago, you would not recognize this area.  We had lunch at 2:00 pm near the Coca Cola Plant, and we took off at 2:30. At that place, our distance covered was 100 km.  to go via the Provincial Road to Binan, San Pedro, Muntinglupa, Alabang service road, then Sucat, C6 and  Floodway and then to Baytown and home.

Starting practice rides for Baguio climb on Holy Week

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 24, 2016

I started my preparation for Baguio climb this morning.  I rode the SARS bike with Ultegra group set however with big gears at the back (up to 36) and Deore triplet in front.  On the way, I acquired a biking companion in Tayuman.  He has a Cannondale road bike with Ultegra group set and an P18t SIDI shoes.   We did rubber band riding.   He overtook me and caught up with him in Island gas and then we were together.  He overtook me at Convention center, however I pulled up going up Mambog and until  Callahan.  I leave him on the uphill.   Then he overtook me downhill and then I tt up to munisipyo and I left him again.  I waited for him at the market and overtook me.

I chased him and overtook him up Namay.  He signaled to me to continue and left him again ;until Baras hill and we were together again at KM 55.   I left him again at KM 56 and up until Pisong Kape.  I again remembered he is a painting contractor in Taytay and we talked about business while having lugaw and egg;   he had coffee and two eggs.  I had to leave him because he was waiting for a companion who went up Bugarin.

I tried to speed up on the way back using only heavy gears even at Biak na Bato 44 x 13 and even at Baras hills.  Somebody overtook me downhill and I chased him and we nearly bumped a Fortunner swag vehicle of  some bikers (not the one who overtook me.  I chased him and caught up with him until KM 50.  He rode a Titanium bikee and he hails from Cubao and they have a pick up at Phoenix station in Morong.  Then his companions arrived and caught up with us.  One has a Pinarello Dogma.  However, I proved that it is not about bikes because I overtook the Pinarello guy.

What a way to prepare for Baguio ride

Removing the slight play from the fork of my SARS Ultegra bike)

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 20, 2016

                                       This had plenty of fine sand and other grit, I had to sandpaper to
                                           remove some rust and imperfection

While resting at Maybancal barangay hall in today's ride, Val noticed that there is some looseness in my front fork steerer.   He said the integrated headset could be defective all ready. He tightened it. To my discomfort, the steering was difficult and was resisting me and I could meet accident.  He loosened this at Teresa lugawan.  It was better.  He suggested that I clean the bearings and all the parts.  It could be very dirty if this has not been serviced.

At 3 pm today, I opened the head set (removed the fork from the other parts) and cleaned with kerosene the dirt and grime.  I sand papered the   the fork steerer and the bearing surfaces. There was some rusting and then I greased the parts that would come in contact.

I had to disassemble because the condition did not improve.   The second time I assembled the bike it was much better.  No need to buy a new integrated headset.

                                                Note the rust, it has to be removed by fine sandpaper

                                   The upper bearing

My bike ride today to Antipolo December 24, 2015

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 24, 2015

It is a day before Christmas.  Merry Christmas tomorrow.

Today I rode up to Antipolo City and rode my SARS roadie.  What a big difference between the MTB and the road bike.  It was faster, lighter, albeit harsh on the butt.  But I rode up Antipolo faster and downhill faster.  The two bikes have their specific purposes and function.

There, in the mass (I finished the mass) I met Jeff Libunao who is from QC.  He owns a car paintworks near the Mother Lily Building near Timog.  He is a lay minister of their church, and found out he likes car (like BMW 320i and the Forester (that is how is got him on conversation because he wore a jersey with Subaru words on it) which he has now and which we have in the house)  He rode on a Pinarello Dogma, one of the best looking and most expensive carbon bike in the world,  VM has two.

Those who more numerous were the MTB.  I passed in Taytay to buy item for the exchange gift at the Recyclists Chrismas party at Jess Verchez house on December 26, 2015,   Birthday din ni Echo
Happy birthday.

My bike ride yesterday August 9, 2015

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal   August 9, 2015

Upgrade of my SARS roadie into a Cyclocross (RB and MTB)

Wheels of Happiness


I have finally completed the Hill Climber bike project. I did the following: replaced the chain wheel 53 x 39 with 44 x 32 x 22 Deore with 175 mm arm, installed a 3 way STI (sora), had a long cage RD (sora) and 10 speed 11 to 36 cogs: 11 13 15 17 19 21 24 26 32 36. I chose the STX, the more expensive but lighter cogs (with holes and spider arms) vs Alivio which is heavier.

The whole project cost me P7,800 for the sti, cogs, and the rear derailleur. I still have to find a 3 plet front derailleur. (The one I use is an old sora for 2 chain chain rings only)

Why do I have this project:

1. I have to use friendlier gear ratios as I am not getting younger.

2. When we go back to Banawe and Mt. Data, I will not run of gears.

3. I plan to join the guys who go on island hopping tours using cylocross bikes (I still to buy 25 mm wide tires) O I may go solo in August to Mindoro and up to Panay island

4. Convenience.

Test trial of my SARS Hill Climber

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal Philippines

                                               Deore triplet crank

                                       Sora rear long cage roller, and STX ten speed 11 x 36

                                        Rear view of the finished project

Ever since we came from Benguet, Mt Province, and Sagada where we quit some of the stages, I vowed that we would return with a bike with gears suited to the grade.  MTB only will do.

So I upgraded/converted my SARS bike to be my hill climber:

Here are the mods:

1. Removed the FSA 53 x 39 crank and replaced it with Deore triplet with 175 mm arm, 44 32, 22

2.  Outfitted a 3 way SORA sti, removed the front left Ultegra 2 way STI

3.  Replaced the ultegra rear roller with a Sora long cage rear roller

Practicing hill climb with my upgraded SARS roadie.

Wheels of Happiness

My SARS bike is  now equipped with triplet, 44 32,22 Deore and  12 to 28 105 sprocket.  I used this for bike ride this morning to Mahabang Parang Angono (between Angono and Antipolo)  I did 5x using 44 x 17 to 21 to a hill climb 200 meters from gate of La Farge to the hill crest of Memorial Park.

Then a hill climb of some 500 meters from the river up to the steep Mahabang Parang pass.  I pedalled slowly using 32 x 21 and  felt bette compared to doing this with 34 x 25.   My project upgrade is now paying off. I was not tired doing this.  I could do this 3x.

The only remaining part of the project is to have the triplet work with a Sora 3 x 9 to make the front derailleur visit the 3 chain ring.  I would not with the current Ultegra STI.

I saw one in Cainta but it will set me back by P6,000.  Medyo OP kasi the others sell the same model for  only P4,500.00. I contacted Marauder and promised to let me know by Weds...

My two bikes ascended Baguio last January 26, 2013

Biking and health

                              Jess near the Lion's head at my GTS bike          

                                JB at the rear on his Fuji SL-l bike, the chain ring is 34

That may be strange but true.  My two bikes made it to Baguio City from Urdaneta city last January 26, 2013.  These two bikes were:    White GTS, and Black Fuji SL - with campy group set and Mavic wheel set.  Jess rode the GTS;  I rode the Fuji.  It would have been just the Fuji;  but Jess bike's fork was discovered to have broken in Angeles city.

At Urdaneta, at 5 star apartalle, Jess sheepishly pa inquired if you could borrow the GTS.  Since I brought two bikes;   one was a spare just in case like this, this was easily agreed to.

So, that was  a great feat for my bikes.  Three bikes had gone up Baguio.  The one left behind, a SARS bike, made it to Baguio 2x

                       Jess sad after learning that his bike's fork is broken; the kitchen fork will not do!

                                At the far left is my Fuji SL-l bike next to the Dogma for Baguio ascent

                       Jess has adjusted the GTS bike to his measurement for Baguio climb