A more affordable electronic gs?

Wheels of Happiness

 
Let us continue to be friends with China, Ride not war!

This can fit my S works,  It is difficult to service this because cables go in from the handlebar to the fork.   This has been the cause of head ache.  Servicing the gs can be much simpler now.   And I can get a new gs.  Experience electronic shifting    

Do more expensive bikes make you faster and superior?

Wheels of Happiness

No they dont.  Although psychologically they can motivate you to bike harder and faster, in reality maybe they dont.   Its mind over matter.  And if owning a championship bike does that, then it is motivation. 

For me a senior, this is a great plus.   But its the inner drive and enthusiasm that count.  Ti, Steel, Alum bikes are the same.  Its the engine that count.   The core muscles and physical conditioning

It pays to have your bikes clean, properly maintained, greased and adjusted

Making a carbon fiber Colnago - popularized by Pogi

Wheels of Happiness

Changing the drive train of a carbon fiber MTB imported from the Mainland

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

6.24.2021

1/3 of the new bike which this post bought from a e commerce platform has been changed - its drive train:  the rear derrailleur, chainset, the chain ring and crank the chain, the cogs, the brake set and the changer  with xt Shimano group set, a preloved group by an MTB rider from Marikina.   I nearly had the scare of my life when the axle of the crank was seen as short by a mechanic I saw earlier,  yesterday.   But the mechanic I saw today, analyzed the problem and was able to deal with it.  He simply clamped further the  

the bb pressfit.  The seller recommended having spacers (but would further shorten the reach of the crank axle)   He would have scraped if there was a machine shop:   2 mm from both sides of the bottom bracket and 1 mm from the crank arm (for a total of 5 mm which  was the estimate of the first mechanic.  I would be disappointed if the crankset would not fit.   That would be nearly 2/3 the cost of the purchase.

The more challenging part was the removal of old brakeset since the bike frame is internal cabling.  It meant that the brake hose had to be cut, removed, reinstalled with the fitting and bled;  the new one had to be cut also, and inserted from the back, reinstalled. and bled.  I came prepared because I had the pressfit tool for the barb and the olive.  Now I know how to use this firsthand. 

I removed the  42t chain ring and reinstalled the CST shimano 11-36 cogset.   

I must have shaved off:

      1.  Cogset    -        300 grams

      2.  Crankset          500 grams

      3.   Shifter             200 grams

which could further reduce the bike weight to only 11 kg.  If I use a ridgid fork, this would remove about 2.4 - .6 or 1.8 kg.  reducing the weight of the bike to less than 10 kg.    And 24 holes wheelset.  But the mechanics said I would remove the fun out of MTB if I make this very light.    (And very expensive.

        Cost    -          wheelset P8,000;    rigid fork, carbon   -   P4,000.00  but would negate the                                                                                advantage  of RTL

The upgrade which cost a good low 5 figures adds to the prestige and riding experience - smooth shifting and riding.   

What remains is to have an xt brakeset because it appears to be generic now.   The illusion can be made by buying an XT brake lever.  

It should be said that the mainland sellers are very good in marketing,  They oversold me and many others on the Carbon fiber and its technology, on the German design.  But the actual performance and the sales transaction has not been up to par:    they gave me the wrong color size, and groupset.  Their current groupset while it performs normally has a derailleur that is about to give up being thin and weak in it fabrication;  the crankset is heavy and made of tin cans (hahaha -  iron unlike Shimano which is alum) ragged in construction.    They invest much in bloggers and the e commerce platform.   

Young riders agog over a Chinese Carbon fiber brand

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

5.08.2021

While waiting for a biking companion to have the bike repaired somewhere in Antipolo, a number of young riders clustered around my newly acquired carbon fiber bike acquired during the birthday of an e commerce platform.  This post got this unit really cheap, albeit with the unit being wrong.  I ordered 27.5, I got a 29;   I ordered yellow I got black.  I ordered Shimano GS, I got Retrospec.

Rather than  engaging in negativity and returning the bike, this post elected to stay put, swallow my pride  Anyway it us cheap (it costs about P45K;  it has remote lock and the Retrospect WS works fine.  The crank employs hollow tech.  However, the bike characteristically Chinese, was a heavy unit despite the brochure claim of 11.7 kg weight.   Defintely my Mosso bike with XT groupset was a lot lighter.  I would guess its weight to be around 13 kg.

The young guys 1,  wanted to touch the bike   2.  experience the bike 3 and buy the bike and joked about selling his kidney  

One of the Recyclists who saw this wanted to buy a Twitter CF too.  

It is available at VMP.  Available models are Storm, Mantis.  One display unit has a SRAM SX loaded into it.  Its discounted price is about P45K

Alum MTB Twitter

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

5.06.2021

I passed by a bike shop and learned that their store (VMP) is selling MTB alum T...er bikes for 19,600.  vs my carbon fiber which I got for P26K+     Exactly the same package except for the:   remote fork lock out,  and the  carbon fiber.  But it had Sugek cogs, Retrospect FD and RD, and crank.   How come the price difference for carbon is only P5K+

I wonder.

But the said bike brand is all over the place, it is available in many places - Tarlac, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal (Pasig City)

And in many categories:  road bike, alum MTB, alum road bike, carbon fiber road bike, titanium bikes. 

Is it the brand to watch?

The same time last 3 years ago, I got a Sava Carbon fiber for the same amount  3 x 9; but I eventually disposed off the same for being heavy and with so so groupset.  I guess the more desirable units are shod with XT, Shimano, and SRAM group sets

Planned improvements (upgrades) for the Chinese carbon fiber MTB

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

4.11.2021

This post ordered through his daughter a Twitter Carbon fiber MTB via the Ecommerce platform on its birthday.  It was listed at P30K but after the birthday discounts etc, the net price was P25K

It is 3 x 10 with Shimano FD and RD, Shimano M200 hydraulic brake, but Restropec crank, 24, 32 42 but with air shocks and remote lockout.   All with other Twitter parts:  hub, seatpost, saddle, handlebar, stem (and maybe the headset) and weighs in at light 11.7 kg.   (light)  It is colored yellow and expects to arrive this coming Friday.  It shod with Kenda Tires  1.95 inches wide.  

All ready I have plans on what I can improve:

      1.  Order a rear quad piston brake for the rear;    Shimano Zee quad piston brakes

      2.  Order a 2by Deore for the crank (if it will make the bike lighter further)

           or convert the retrospec to one by with a Deckas chainring.  

EPS Nano Technology

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

4.07.2021

Twitter bikes - eps technology

The videos of Colnago carbon fiber manufacture, and the other videos by some of local vlogs left me confused. 

Looking closely at the explanation, it is nothing more than technology for molding of carbon fiber.  The internal mandrel are made of ethyl polystyrene,  making it possible to come out with single unitary frame (unlike the colnago method of pasting together carbon pipes).   The internal surface of the frame is smoother and there are less stresses. 

The bike which I ordered, an MTB leopard is equipped with Shimanao groupset 5100 (Deore) with 11-42t, 10 speed, remote lock.  There are other models that come out with 1 by with SRAM GS.   

They also have RB and these will give the high end bikes a run for their money.  Many can now buy carbon fiber framed bikes at affordable price.   The net price I got for my bike, after deducting the e commerce platform, Credit Card discount is lower than the price of the frame.   

The earlier Chinese carbon bikes  of yore.  were heavy (because they want these to be strong and sturdy)   They must have upped their learning curve on carbon technology.  I had to sell my carbon MTB because it was heavy.  But probably it was sturdy.  Its GS was not inspiring.         

We exactly do not know what type of mold forms are being used.      

(Nothing high tech about the eps - just mold making technique) But marketing game make the whole thing so unique and revolutionary leaving many of us guessing and confused.

But in terms of cost, maybe they can make frames cheaper, and faster and more affordable.  And nothing can beat price

Look at their marketing  product package too.  Early in the game, they are making their bikes so affordable and so attractive.     They are also one of the two bike firms that came out with 13 speed. (theirs cost P40K plus )  x by.  (The other is Forever alum though at  25K?)

    1.  It has a remote controlled lock out;

    2.  It has an air shock;

    3.  It comes equipped with Kenda 1.95 tires;   

    4.  Hydro Shimano M200 brakes,  

    5.  Shimano changer rd, fd, albeit sunrace cogs.   

EPS technology at Twitter factory

                                                   

                                                    With 5 years warranty?

Improvements in Chinese bike and bike parts technology

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

3.28.2021

We often associated Chinese bike parts for shoddy quality, one day life span and for low end plastic products -   horns, lamps, plastic accessories. and others like seat posts, saddles, handlebars.  

But it is no longer true today if you follow the e commerce platforms.   They are into the mainstream of bike technology and may have overtaken the rest of the world

The progress is observed in the following

1.  Low end mountain bike:     ASB, Foxter, Trinx

2.  Middle end mountain bike:   Mountainpeak,   Sunpeed, Phantom, Batallion, Forever Toseek.  

     You find two brike brands with 13 speed (only Campagnolo has that in the west)    Twitter Storm is

     13 speed and Forever.       Forever Coolf MTB   Can you beat that?   only P28,500!!!

     13 speed GS about 700 grams and $780 by S Ride.  (Aside from Campagnolo, the other Western             producer is Rotor)

3   China producers of MTB among world's top 10  Pardus

4  Cogs:   Sunrace, Z race  Sagmit, Ztto.   Even lighter than the original manufacturers  You can find much lighter cogs at 300 grams + only but with hefty prices

5   GS -  LTWOO, Senshah. Restrospec.  LTWOO was established by former head of R & D of SRAM

Even for rear lamps of Rockbros (they are now into Q5) you find advanced features as:  stop light, automatic shut off at daytime, on at dusk, etc.   I only have the q3 

Now is the time to take advantage of low priced products while Chinese producers are trying ot build brands and market share (it means while prices are still low)

We are not pro Chinese.  This post is pro savings pro more money in the pocket/bank

Got a carbon fiber bike yesterday at an E commerce platform for the price of a frame

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

3.28.2021

This post usually ignores the special events/date sale at a very popular e commerce platform.   Yesterday was its birthday. 

I wanted the bike because it is 1.  carbon fiber.   2.  3 by -  it fits my age   3.   its equipped with Shimano M5100  4  relatively low price.   An MTP of the same specs costs about  P42,000,  and locally the same model is priced at P33K at its distirbutor.

The Ecommerce lists its price at P30,000+  However my daughter who has cc discounts as a preferred customer of a Unibank was able to close the deal for only P25 k plus.   

My carbon fiber wheelset can be repaired by a local Fiberglass fabricator

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

3.26.2021

Our colleague whom we sent to scout for the carbon bike wheel repair just came and reported that the wheelset can be repaired.  All that they have to do is to build up the rim and sand paper to be flat.

That is nothing compared to big job repair of cut and/or broken wheelset, stays, and even tube.

The workers according to the staff are very young,, and hopefully they will not charge much.   

I can only surmise this is their site?    https://rj-bodykits-carbon-fiber-fiberglass.business.site/

However I was quoted a steep price P2,500 for the job.    I negotiated.  Last price is P2,000.  But they will make sure the repair leaves the wheel balanced and flat/even.  

                                                    The more high end alternative

However, I just learned that all that they can do is:

1.   Build up the rim;

2.   With another color (not the original one) and the friction part cant be redone

3.   The wheel seem to be a bit twisted (arising from the motorcycle collision last February 1 2020  at Mabalacat.  

Better more advanced features of the carbon wheelset with Bora sticker that I just bought

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 28, 2018

I compared the Cosmic 50 mm wheelset that I got 5 years ago that came with Fuji SL from VM with the recent acquisition that I got from an OEM supplier.   It is a Bora Ultra copy  and its features are:

1. Solid carbon construction.  It has carbon brake line and pad (I had to replace the Shimano rubber lining with Basalt pads brown)    The cosmic wheelset has only paper thin carbon cover 50 mm in width between the aluminum brake line and the spokes line.  You can press the carbon cover of Cosmic and will be pressed down upon your touch

2. U shaped rim spokes line vs V shaped for Cosmic.  According to the pitch this makes for better aerodynamics less dirty air and better crosswind performance.

3.  25 mm side rim vs 17 for Cosmic.  Thus when you install 25 mm wide tires, the tires really look big and massive.

4. Nice authentic stickers.... Bora Ultra 2

5. Great looking carbon R36 hubs. Noisy too....

6.  Lightweight.   Mere 1.6 kg.  (vs 1.4 kg for the orig) hehehe.

For me it was money well spent... Great looking  with Pinarello F10 frameset

                                           Carbon R 36 hubs, bladed black spokes

                                                               3k Weave glossy

                                                U shaped spoke line

                                                       G3 lacing 21 spokes for the rear wheel

                                             Ceramic Light Ultimate Technology  (CLUT)

                                                             Carbon hub

                                                     Glossy 3k weave finish

                                                Basalt Carbon pads (rubber pads of RS8000 replaced)

                                        Puwede na 6 cm na interior pero may sapi na Mediplast
                                                     para di kumalog

Being one with the bike and being a better biker

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 24, 2018

It is only lately that I feel that I am one with my bike.  After nearly 10 years of biking. That comes from:

     1.  Constant use of the bike, and knowing its quirks and capability;
     2.  Being happy with its parts and performance: 

          1.  The fit:  TT tube 50 cm
          2.  Weight due to 1.2 kg alum frame, 1.435 wheel set, lightweight seat post,  stem, and drop
                bar:  short reach, (compact) and  120 mm drop.

          3.  The addition of Jagwire nipples for the cable leading to crisper shifting, and better
                braking

Hence, I on several occasions can pace with the paceline (or even lead the peloton) or lead other similar age riders.  And I do not get fatigued as it was before.

With a good bike and with great appearance, you are more motivated to bike, and bike better

Cost analysis of carbon fiber frames and wheelsets, financing study

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 20, 2018

Engineer  June and I gamely tried to negotiate with a local dealer of carbon fiber frameset and all we could get from him are  (best price)
         



Bianchi XR 4   $600

Pinarello carbon frame $555

                                             Kulay ng F10 ni VM

                                          Specialized Venge Vias  $700.00

Improving bike ride quality even on an alum bike frame with Carbon fiber stem and drop bar

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April  13, 2018

                                 Aero, shallow reach, compact design, 12 k ang weave ng carbon

Its April 13, a Friday.  Ingat po sa bike ride kung naniniwala ka sa mga superstition of Friday the 13th.

Two days ago I installed the  carbon fiber stem and drop bar I ordered from Lazada:  branded Toseek. it set me back P1,800 for drop bar and  P1,000 for the carbon fiber stem.  It would have set me back  P5,000 for the handlebar, and P4,000 for the  stem.  (That is about 3x) if bought at commercial bike shops.

The bar is carbon 12 k ata, aero, but a little bit fatter so it was so easy to insert the cable.   Wala pa ng 2 minutes tapos na.  Sa other model na P1,500, kalahating arawa bago maitusok.  Hiwalay ang cable line ng shifter at brakes.  Walang ligaw ang cable outer.

It is compact in design (shallow) 80 mm  ang reach, 120 mm ang drop

The stem weighs in at 120 grams, and only 60 mm in length.  Tamang tama...Dahil small ako

I did not realize what a difference a carbon fiber drop bar makes.   Parang bumili ka ng carbon frame in terms of bike ride quality. Smooth and vibration less.

It removes the buzz from the road, as does a carbon frame, the ride is more comfortable (since the vibration are insulates the rider from the  frame) And being that you can focus on pedaling and riding faster.  I should  have installed prior to Marinduque ride para di matagtag.

Who says  kailangan mo mga vibration damper ng Specialized at CV ng Bianchi to have smoother ride.

It can be unnerving though sa hindi sanay kagaya ko kasi the drop flexes and parang nasa barko pakiramdam mo pag nagdrop ka....

                                               Stem is mere 60 mm.   Tama sa short reach

                                          Completo nang bike:  aero wheels, carbon fiber seat post
                                           stem, at drop bar.  Branded alum frame - Freccia mere
                                           1.2 kg in weight.   Parang carbon na rin total weight

Videos on Carbon Fiber production and testing

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 31, 2018

A roadshow of You Tube videos on Carbon fiber production and testing:   frames and testing
mostly in Taiwan and China (as most think are center of illegit, or fake carbon fiber frames) Judge if their
products are fake or of poor quality:

Fuji ta/Battle OEM - China's largest bike manufacturer for Global market

Look at the process and the testing by Americans.  Were they able to break the Chinese carbon fibers, thought to be fakes?   Do videos like?  Puwede na ba sa mga mayayaman at maselang?  The orig and legit crowd.

Growing consciousness and awareness for beautiful, quality, lightweight bike frames and wheelsets

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 29, 2018

                                       The OEM disciples are all setting to spread the good
                                         news about OEM frame and wheel set so that
                                         more will enjoy beautiful bikes at affordable price

This post did a number of posts on his OEM bike project;  and pictures of his finished project. I brought this in our Bisikleta Iglesia today. With the  number of people touching the bike, making suggestions, or joking about riding the bike by mistake, and openly saying that the bike is nice and beautiful I could judge that a number are really aspiring to get one.   An OEM bike.  No less than 5 may be out of 20 who biked today would, if given the chance get one.

Same thing about the readers at the net and social media. I got inquiries about: supplier of the OEM bike frame, how much is the budget, where did I get the  Direct Mount brakes, I would  say about 2 dozens are ready to start an OEM carbon fiber bike project.  For 1/5th the cost, you could  have a super bike lightweight shod in high end group and wheel set.

             Say frameset     CF                         P35,000.00
             Wheelset           CF                          25,000.00
              Ultegra RS 8000                              30,000.00
                            Total                                  90,000.00

 An orig legit sourced (mas mahal tubo ng reseller)  would set you back by P400,000.00.   4x ang mahal and most of them goes to the profit of the trader.

Why prevent those who are PHP challenged to enjoy super bikes at limited budget. Yong mayayaman ayaw ata.  Privileged sila ... kaya nilalait OEM at replica.   I tell you they perform just the same.  I have an orig carbon frame/bike and this OEM. Mas magaan at mas pleasant iride ang OEM...Mas guwapo at mas Oh ahh