Rode yesterday up to Km 57 for a 60 km ride, came home via Diversion

Wheels of Happiness

After a pause of 3 days (last ride was last Saturday) I rode 30 km one way for  a 60 km out and back ride and then came home via Diversion road in  Cardona.   Was happy with this achievement and probably contributed to my strength and longevity

Increasing longevity of Filipinos

Wheels of Happiness

Philippines rank 21st in longevity at an average age of 72.  I have surpassed that boundary.   Tops is Japan with average longevity of 82.   That speaks well of our health care and concern for the seniors.

We however should be cautious about this because that means heavy burden on working class to pay retirement, pension of the seniors.

Attended last night high school reunion (on a Monday? Yes)

Wheels of Happiness

I attended a reunion of HS schoolmate, class 68 of Rizal High School.  I did not attend many parties before.  This time due urging of text messages, I finally gave in.  And in December I looked for vehicle, a driver and what I planned to bring:    two bottles of wine for exchange gift, and Fried Itik for potluck.

The venue was in Bambang Pasig, only 7 km from my place (Google Map had a shortcut via Barkadahan bridge and Labao (base of Napindan bridge)

Out of 40 who signed up, only 33 came.   Mostly ladies.  Romy Manahan as usual was the caterer.

I sat with Boys of about 6 and had several bottles of beer.

After exchange gifts and sharing some food, the reunion ended.

One of the things we agreed was to aim for 15 more years (many are 73-74) and thus conversation shall focus on health, longevity food exercise and well being

My thanks to sir Rico Torres, formerly of SMB for heading this event

Riding stronger (and maybe faster)

Wheels of Happiness

This post rode up to Bugarin KM 69, and Nanay Rina last Tudesday, using 50 chain ring, and 28 cogs until KM 66, and  50 x 32 up to KM 69.   That is quite hard gear

Before I used to climb Bugarin at 34 or 36 x 28, or 30t.  But now as a senior, I climb up using hard gears.  They say that is the best way to get stronger.  And feel like young again.   Stopping or getting lazy or easy will not do anything for your physique.  You will get weaker, you get osteoporosis, and back pains

How long does carbon fiber frame last? Urban legend says 5 years

Wheels of Happiness

Most of the bikers I have met say that carbon fiber frames last only for 5 years.  I had a Fuji carbon fiber frame and it was ok for the 5 years I owned it.  I sold it and about 3 years have passed and it seems to be still OK

The video says a good carbon fiber frame lasts for 20 - 25 years.

The advantage of carbon fiber is repairable and its easy even with DIY (carbon fiber kits are cheap and available at many places)

Carbon fiber bikes have been paraded as fragile.   They could have figured in some really bad crash or accidents.   I have had 4 carbon fiber bikes and they are strong and durable.

Other urban legends to be corrected:

1.  The original bikes from Europe are better because they are hand made.    -->> All carbon fibers even those made in China and Taiwan are handmade.  The carbon fiber are cut automatically but they are pasted with epoxy on molds by hand.

2.   China Taiwan OEM carbon fiber unbranded frames are suspect.

Not true.   Taiwan and China have had 20 years ++ of experience in building carbon fibers.  One of my bikes is Taiwan OEM.  It is great.  Carbon copy of the real McCoy.   

Learning how to repair your bike - benefits

Wheels of Happiness

Some would consider it rather unusual to learn how to repair bikes.  Better leave to the mechanics and let them earn a living: But there are certain benefits when you learn to repair your own bike:

1   Self reliance.   When you are in a middle of nowhere,, you can repair and get home.  For instance, if           your break your derrailleur, how do you get home?

    If you have spares, ,can you replace:  brake pads, cables, screws, or even repair a flat?

2.  More learning -  you can be useful to your bike mates if you know how to take care of minor repairs.  

 Bike shops and reliable mechanics are hard to come by in remote places.   All they need and know  are  hammer and plier to repair your bike.  Will you allow this?

     Knowledge is power.   You are higher in the pecking order of the group if you have this advantage

3.  You train your mind to:

     1.  To be clean.   Most bike foul ups are due to dirt and grime accumulation

     2.  To be meticulous in parts:   part number and measurements, proper orientation when installing

           (better take pictures)

     3.  Be process oriented.  Proper sequencing.  Wrong sequence means you have to repeat the

          entire process.   Better take pictures and place the parts disassembled in proper order you

          took them apart

    4.  Have proper tools.  No tools can wreck you bike

    5.  Plan your repair:      1.  Have complete parts,   2.  Have complete tools   3.  Review the YT

         Video, manual

    6.  Be patient.  If you commit mistake, be willing to repeat the whole thing.  Dont throw away

         the repair, and or rush to the mechanic

4.    You definitely save money.

       The mechanic in remote barrio charges P200.00 per item.   The nearby mechanic charged

       me for a hub removal and bearing reinstallation.   A workshop charges P1,500 for taking bike

       from their house and redelivery.  The repair and parts are exclused.

5.  You lengthen the life of your bike

     1. You can be careful with your bike as you repair, and as you use it.  You do not expose the 

         elements that could wreck or destory the bike:   wading the bike in flood waters, streams

         to extreme heat.   You do not water the bike that lets water seep into the bearings and metal

         parts that could rust.  You do not cool disc brake by pouring water.  You do not shift when

         the chain is under tension.   

        Since you can disassemble:   you can chain your wax, change the chain when needed

   2.  Some parts can be recycledd:

        1.  Bearings can be regreased.  You dont need to buy a  new one

        2.  You can make the bearing new again by refreshing its old bearings.   Balls are cheap

6.  You become more connected to your bike.  You learn to appreciate its complex engineering and functioning. so you take care of it more closely.   So its not just a bike.  It is a product of the teamwork and the passion of those who put it together. So you must too

Why fear China made carbon fiber components?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 24, 2018

The post on carbon fiber bought by Ed de los Reyes from Lazada drew a number of comments, some of them expressing fear of breakage because it is from China  I dare say, there is no need for worry.

The Toseek the TCTH brand in China might be trusted name all ready testing the  Phil market.

Are you aware that FSA (Full Speed Ahead) GTS, SRAM are Taiwan based? And yet do you fear their failures.    China manufacturing has come of age and many of their products can be trusted and are reliable.  Sige matakot kayo. Enjoy lang kami ng murang piyesa.

1. What is carbon fiber material?

    It is space material that is 3x lighter than steel but 3x stronger. It is made by impregnating carbon fiber with resin having this dried naturally or baked.  Vacuum is employed to remove bubbles while the polymer is drying.  It is very much doing things with fiber glass.

   While it is very strong, it is also very brittle. We see formula cars breaking into small bits when they crash. The nice thing about carbon fiber is that it can be shaped, to any shape you want.    The biggest source of carbon fiber is in Asia with most of the supply dominated by Toray, based in Japan

Properties of Carbon fiber

10 things you many not know about Carbon Fiber

2. Hence most of the carbon fiber supplier are also from Asia:   2/3 of world"s  supply is from Mitsubishi.  Toray is the most popular brand Taiwan and China.  Most OEM suupliers are in Taiwan and China.  OEM means original equipment manufacturer. They are outsourcing, subcontractor of say Italian or UK bike sellers/marketers:  they make the frame in Taiwan with specs coming from UK or Italy OEM ship them back without label  but maybe painted, and the branded supplier brands the frames.  In other words, the technology to make the frame is in Taiwan and China

Asia Pacific supplied 40% of worlds carbon fiber with China  and Japan leading the way followed by Taiwan and South Korea

Many bike manufacturers lack the capability to make carbon fiber parts/frames.

The most reliable and experienced carbon fiber parts manufacturer are from Taiwan and China.  They have big factories molds and oven. They know what they are doing.

Making carbon fiber parts is not big deal. Again, it is like making fiber glass. I know of subcontractors who make carbon fiber exhaust for MC and exports them to Singapore.  We have local manufacturers who make carbon wheels (carbo nation) CNC and many repairs are undertaken by them. What frames  wheel set or components do they repair? China or orig?   All breakdown.  We see videos of carbon wheel set exploding as the riders run over a dog, or bikes disintegrating  after a crash.    Are they China made or original

Carbon fiber has an inherent weakness;  it has a lot of bawal:

    1.  Heat
    2.  Pressure. Do not clamp the bike on a bike stand.  So most breakdown occur at TT where the
         bikes are held by bike stand;
   3.  Corrosion:  where metal and carbon fiber meet as the attachment of water bottle and frame, the FD the seat post.    Some say that it has 5 year expiry period What is the life span of carbon fiber frames? Most manufacturers give a five (5) year warranty.  But most say especially the CF engineers that CF can actually last you a  lifetime.

   Some warning:

   1. Avoid buying 2nd hand frame;  sellers also do not give warranty;  they cant warrnt anything on carbon
       fiber

  2.  Avoid cf bikes used under too much stress:   off road,  rugged roads, racing. They are likely to be damaged at the stays.  Inspect very carefully when buying.

  3. Do not keep your bike in the car under the heat of the sun for long.

  4.  If you have carbon fiber bike, avoid cooking your brakes, whether it is aluminum or carbon brake line.  The heat is likely to degrade the carbon fiber.

  5.  Some carbon frames might be heavier than alum or other alloy.

  6. Watch for signs of corrosion especially where metal and carbon fiber meet:    seat post, braze on on for FD. That is where due to galvanic corrosion,  weakness, and cracks begin to appear

Our oldest biker but with youngest get up.

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 18, 2017

Papa Ric and  Edgar were in attendance of Christmas party yesterday.  Papa Ric is our oldest rider and is probably one of the oldest in the circuit today (?)

Can we still reach his age - 85 and ride as strong as he does.

Look at his T shirt;   you might get an idea of secret of long life and biking till 85 and beyond

Pay Attention to your Waistline

Bike and Save the Earth

The lifespan of people is affected not so much by weight, but by the waistline.  The life span is inversely proportional to the size of the waist;  the bigger the waist, the shorter lifespan.  I can think of 4 whose waistline are in the danger zone.  e, v, a, a,....

If you have big waistline then there are fatty deposits in your heart, liver, and lungs and that will prevent your engine from running smoothly.

Do crunches and refer to exercise for abs.

Can you guess who among Recyclists whose tummy are in the danger zone.?