Biked longer yesterday up to Bugarin 80 km total

Wheels of Happiness

This post biked longer yesterday being Sunday and biked up Bugarin.   Since the electronic group set automatically prevents cross chaining by dropping the chain ring to 34 once the rear cog is shifted to 17 and lower, the bike ride was relatively easier

It is to be noted that the Biak na Bato is being widened and the atmosphere at that portion of Halayhayin is much much better

Cheap electronic groupset is giving me and mechanic headaches.

Wheels of Happiness

#bikerides, #seniorrides, #biking, #seniorrides

It may not be the groupset itself but the apps.  Its hard to get the apps to work.  It asks for so many things and by the time you receive the verification code, they say it has expired.    And then  the adjustment.  The mechanics was able to make the rd climb to 36 t.  Now tinopak:   the fd works only on small chain ring.  Its only at 01 and wont shift to 02.  What the.....

Still debugging the Wheeltop EDS Tx gs ; it does not shift to 36t

Wheels of Happiness

I am on my third day after Mario installed the Wheeltop DS Tax.  Its not completely debugged.

There were two problems:    1.   It does not shift to the big chain ring, 2.  The RD does not shift to 36t (allegedly the biggest cog that it could accommodate.

When Mario installed this all gears were working.  However the cranks set got loose, the highest gear 11t was not working well, so I made adjustment to the RD (and then the 36t) does no work anymorel

I waited to get the apps to function but it was quirky.  I got the gears all smoothed out all right, but the 36t still not worked.   So I have to go back  to Mario because it looks like its mechanical. Just minor tweaks.

But I am happy over all with the way the bike works.  It gave me added confidence and added ommph.  Speed.   

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    

Why investing in Japanese GS is a good and wise decision

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

5.28.2021

I encountered several riders who bought cheap MTBS with funny sounding GS and several weeks after, the shifter dont work anymore:  the front shifters are busted.

Early on this post invested in top of the  line GS - Shimano XT and  while they were cheap then, they are expensive now.  They work well, do not wear out soon enough and are trustworthy.  Shifts still remain sharp and fast.   I am glad this post did.  

The new Shimano 105 R7000 up from 5800

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 6, 2018

From Cycling Weekly News

Shimano launches 105 R7000 from Bike Radar

It was learned that 105 (and I agree) that 105 GS forms the bread and butter of bulk of Shimano users. It is reliable and affordable.  No wonder, it was the last model to be upgraded by Shimano

Shimano days ago announced the  launch of Shimano 105 R7000 moving the 105 closer to the more expensive cousin the Ultegra R$8000. We do not know yet the price.  But what are the key upgrades:

1.  The crank arm has been made wider - just like the crank arm of Ultegra RS8000.

2.  The hoods has been made smaller just like Ultegra

3.  Short shifts just like the Ultegra

4. RD to accommodate up to 34 cogs;

5.  Employment of shadow technology for the RD to keep this off harms way when crashing or falling.

We do not know yet the price.  But definitely it should be moving past P20k mark.  No more  14 - 15 k 105

Cycling news estimate the GS total price to be 505 British pounds or P35,000. (halos bumped price ng RS 8000?

Guide to Group Set Weights

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 4, 2018

Ever wondered why there is certain heaviness at the rear of your bike. It may be due to the GS:  the  crankset, the cogs, chain, the RD and the brakes.  Here is the  guide for  the GS weights:   you may spend more for the high end, but  saving weight makes for more  efficient pedalling, more watts for your forward motion, less tiring on your  part.

From Bikelane - Group set component weights.


Thus, Campy and SRA groupsets are generally across the board lighter than Shimano.  There is less weight variance among Campy GS,  big variance among SRAM GS and Shimano.

Thus for Shimano:    6800 is lighter  than 5800 by mere  91 grams;  Durace 9000 is lighter  than 6800 by whopping 409 grams!    Thus 5800 is  heavier than Durace by almost 1/2 kg!

For Campy:  Super Rekord is lighter  than Rekord by mere 99 grams,  Record  is lightervs Chorus by  only 81 grams

Across group set:  for the lightest:

          Durace                                 1,998 grams

         Super record                         1,940 grams (  58 grams)

         SRAM Red bb 30                1,741  grams  (257)   maselan for BB 30 frameset only

         SRAM GXP (standard)       1,845 grams   (153) grams

     

Weight comparison between Ultegra 6700 and 6800 mere 35 grams difference (lighter)

Weight comparison: Ultegra 6700 vs Ultegra 6800

	Ultegra 6700	Ultegra 6800
Chainset/BB	791g	765g (-26g)
STI Levers	447g	425g (-22g)
Rear Derailleur	189g	195g (+6g)
Front Derailleur	89g	89g
Brake Calipers	317g	335g (+18g)
Chain	267g	253g (-14g)
Cassette	209g	212g (+3g)
Total	2309g	2274g (-35g)

Comparison between RS 8000 and Ultegra 6800   -->   RS 8000 is actually heavier  (even vs Ultegra 6700)?

Weight comparison among 105, 6700 and  6800

Looking at buying a 2015 model Giant Defy Advanced, with either 105 5800 or Ultegra 6800 group-set. Did a bit of research on the group-set weights;

                      Ultegra 6700                Ultegra 6800                105 5800        Ultegra 8000
Chainset         791g                            765g                            736g                 674g
STI Levers      447g                            425g                            486g                438g
Rear Drlr         189g                           195g                             234g               200g  
Frnt Drlr            89g                             89g                               89g               106g
Brke Calipers   317g                           335g                            378g               360g
Chain               267g                           253g                            253g               253g
Cassette           209g                           212g                           269g               232g
Total                 2309g                         2274g                        2445g               2263

Ultegra 8000 is lighter vs  6800 by only 9 grams, and 6700 by  46 grams;   am I glad I got a 6700 for my Bianchi

Some knowledge on compatibility of various group set brands, 10 speed vs. 11 speed, wheel set freehubs.

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 2, 2017

I am experimenting with SRAM group set.   And my first difficulty was with the BB. The crankset was BB 30 and it could fit only BB framesets like Cannondale, Giant etc.  with BB 30 frames.  So I cant use the very light SRAM red crankset.   Money down the drain unless I can resell this (It costs P20,000 bn)

I was planning to buy a standard SRAM however it is only for 11 speed.  Seem to fit the rest of group set na 11 speed?  An expert in SRAM reminded me that it may not shift properly. My research shows that it could be noisy:   a wider 10 speed chain running along a thinner blade of 11 speed.  Compatible may be but not perfect.

1.  Brands compatibility:     SRAM and Shimano are compatible:   for cogset, they are interchangeable and the  spline accepts either Shimano or SRAM.  However Campagnolo splines are different and so are their chainset.

2.  Chainset compatibility  SRAM vs Shimano no problem provided both are of the same speed.

A guide to groupsets: Shimano, SRAM Campagnolo


Mixing groupsets: what works and doesnt work

Temporary repair of STI hoods

Wheels of

Rizal Philippines
February 12, 2018

                                            Made cut from old unserviceable MTB interior

I came across the suggestion/post of Bobby Cruise on how to make temporary repair of STI hoods, especially if  you cant find the hood. The hood also costs a lot: P550 to P600.00 if you find one.  Orlando Mendoza, and Mr. Cancejo sell these stuff.

I wanted to buy a new GS (while mine still works fine) for the simple reason that the hood is ugly,sticky, it soils the mitt and I feel uneasy about this.

The  kapadyaks made recommendation to invest in a new group set. (kay Per Marquez of 168 P21.499 only? Mas magaan 6800 kaysa RS8000)

But that desire to buy a new one has diminished because  I made a great repair. Hindi na ako agressivo na magcanvass ng bagong group set The first try was disaster.  As they say, try and try until  you get it OK 100%

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)