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

A used carbon fiber bike shoe given new life by Papa Ric and Gerry K

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 30, 2017

                                              May trade name pa ni Cataps

                                    Look at the handsome plastic buckle tongue
I have a carbon fiber shoe bought about 3 years ago.  Its buckle attachment broke, and so with the plastic buckle tongue.  Papa Ric, our oldest biker, 84 years old reattached the buckle hardware (for loosening and tightening).  However, the tongue was not made as well, His repair broke right after I tried it.  His repair cost me the equivalent of  $5.00

The plastic tongue was made by Cataps.  He made it from old pail, and he bought a new large cutter. It was well done and it fitted well.  My Scott bike shoe is as good looking as new.

Have your bike shoes and other shoes repaired by Papa Ric

For other plastic stuff, watches, and other electrical problems, go to Gerry Cataps

                                              The plastic buckle tongue made by Gerry at the left
                                                      the old one at the right which Gerry copied

                                               Mabuti di ko ipinamigay, carbon fiber kasi

                            The buckle attachment now new, hand sewn by Papa Ric

                                           The fully restored Scott carbon fiber shoe

Salamat Papa Ric;  salamat Gerry.  Marami pang magpapagawa sa inyo

Building a light mountain bike

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 23, 2015

I thought that MTB are not meant to be light because of the heavy duty work they do in the mountains and would typically be in the order o 13 to 20 kg.   Big tires, big frame, big cogs and heavy duty BB and axle.    However, MTB can be made as light or lighter than road bikes.

Here you can see an MTB that tips the scales at 6.54 kg or about l4 lbs.  My Fuji road bike would be 16 lbs.   Light Scott MTB

specs:

Frame: SCOTT SCALE SL
Headset: TUNE BUBU custom made
Stem: AX LIGHTNESS custom air brush painted 100mm
Fork: DT Swiss XRC Twin shoot custom brushed
Handlebar: Schmolke SL 600mm custom brushed
Barends: SLB CUSstom 90g
Grips: Extralite
Crank : THM Clavicula 42/32
Chainring: Carbon Ti
Cassette: SRAM XX 11-36
Chain: YBN TITAN
Seat:Parts od Passion
Seatpost: Schmolke TLO 400mm custom
Brake: Magura MT 8
Brakerotor: HOPE Race Edition
Derailleurs: Acros A GE
Bottle Cage: Tune
ALL Bolts and screws are made: Titan /ALU /bottecage carbon
Rims: AX Lightweight tubular brushed
Hubs: TUNE Princess SKYLINE
Hub: Tune Dezibel custom
Spokes: Sapin Superspoke carbon laminated

Bike frame carbon fiber manufacturing process

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 19, 2015

There are variations in bike making process.  Some bike makers would have tubes stays made of carbon and then join them with special glue to some metal parts like BB or head post.  Others like trek would have integrated manufacturing process done with mold and air pressure or vacuum assist to make the manufacturing stronger and more aerodynamic.

Thus Trek carbon fiber frame can be below 1 kg in weight (2.2 lbs).  The water bottle (with water) weighs more than the fiber.

5 best bikes for 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Five best bikes for 2016 -  high tech, high te

1.  Trek Madone (only 950 grams.  Whole bike weight only 7000 grams) Has specially Bontrager brakes integrated into the frame

2.  Cervelo R3

3.   Trek Venge (over 1000 grams carbon fiber frame

4.  Scott (only 13 lbs for full bike)

A cheap repair goes a long long way

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 14, 2015

                                         The Mavic biking shoes bought from VM

Last week I was on a warpath to buy a new pair of biking shoes. I all ready chose the model:   R107 which cost P4,500.00 and RS 171 which cost  P6,000.  So far it is very competitive at Christy's.  But what prevented me from buying was that they were charging the 6% merchant;s fee to me which would be a hefty P360.00 add on.

Why am buying a new pair?   My Mavic shoes soles which are carbon fiber have separated and the plastic attachment at the fabric disintegrated.    The Scott on the other hand, has buckle at the right side malfunctioning.

Christmas Gift for Me by Me - A Scott Carbon Fiber Biking Shoes

Bike for Health

After hearing from Armin that he got Giro carbon fiber biking shoes at Velocity  in Cartimar for only P6,500, I went today to Cartimar after slipping away from the School Christmas party in Makati City. There was large price differential between cash and credit card (It is P6,900 card price) { Hmm DTI might get a wind of this and call for them}, almost 10% so I said I will come back for it when I have the cash. (I saw that Giro and Bell carbon fiber helmet were P8 to 9t;  spyder is only P3t)

However, on the way home, I passed by Julie at Christy's and asked for their carbon fiber biking shoes and showed me her Shimano and Scott biking shoes.  The Scott shoes were lower.  She gave me for P4,770, the carbon fiber shoes and the Shimano cleats.  Wow.

So I carded it and I my biking feet will say goodbye to Boy Pepsi's very worn SDI shoes.  But Boy Pepsi's shoes, in fairness, were sturdy, entry level shoes.  Mine is 3 years old. I bought it for only Plt at John Wilkes in Marikina City. Thanks Mr. Boy Pepsi. I met him personally while on a bike ride to Jalajala. Dapat mag carbon fiber ka na rin at gumamit ng new materials.  Laban tayo sir.

Christy's Number:   +632-551-2828.  Contacts:   Julie, Honey or Lanie.  I hope this does not drive their sales to the roof.

Really, our prices of bikes and its accessories here are very affordable and competitive