Is it the bike or the rider?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
October 1, 2018

At Pisong Kape yesterday VM Jun Vic was making kuwento of their Teresa ride last Saturday where he overtook 4 out of five Bianchi riders - (the one he couldn't was a Dr.)   But he was wondering was it because of the bike or because of him. He has a large tummy and slightly overweight

I disposed off my Bianchi because I think Pinarello is a better bike than Bianchi:  in terms of weight, geometry and being aero shape

He had Pinarello F10 with Campy 12 groupset. I would say it is because of the bike. I was on F10 last Sunday. Having gone first from Morong, nobody was near me up to Pisong Kape and even managed to get past by RB and MTB who were much much ahead. I was only at 36 x 11.

On the way back, I got off slightly ahead at Biak na Bato and they caught up with me only at Maybancal Titing Kabayo for the buko juice drink.

At Cardona  up at Callahan I was with the leader.   With VM, Pres Luis, Netoy and Jess.   That was not so bad.   The F10 is a good bike for flats and hill climbs.

I am glad I have one.   No  wonder it is the world's top selling expensive bike.  Wala ka nang hahanapin pa
(Kaya wala na akong motivation for a new bike project or upgrade)

                                              My PInarello took me to Real with the Maws

                                                   Top of the line Groupset  Campy Record 11S

                                                            G3 lacing for CULT Campy Ultra 2 WS

The Real long ride can be divided into just 4 hill climbs

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
August 28, 2018

                                                        The riders at Famy crossing

Most of us are intimidated by the Real ride because it is a real ride.  It is long and heavily punctuated by long hard climbs.  However if you analyze it well there are only 4 major hard climbs:  Bugarin of course (the usual climb we practice) at Laguna. Then just 3 at  Laguna Quezon:    1 between Famy and Siniloan before the quarry.  Then from quarry to the DENR check point, and  the last one from Llavac to the crest going downhill to the Real town proper.

I would like to think that going home ride is more difficult and challenging.  The Llavac to the crest of the hill would be about 5 km only but from Real to the pasalubong center is about 15 km.  They are not very steep but long.  With 36 chain ring, I had to shift to 28 and 30.  (Which was noisy as noted by others)  The B screw was not screwed in sagad kaya the jockey wheel was scrubbing the 28 and 30 sprocket.  

                                                  Resting after hard ride at Larry's store

                                                            Nagchain rub ako kahapon

                                                      Naka 3 kami Sunday evening nito

Testing the Pinarello F10, and the Campagnolo Bora Two wheelset at the Real Long ride

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
August 28, 2018

The long ride last August 26 -27, 2018 to Real was the opportunity to test the efficacy and durability of my newest project Pinarello F10, Campagnolo Bora Wheelset and the  Campy Record 11 speed GS.  The bike passed with flying colors

The frame was light, the wheelset was slippery and very low in friction.  For some up and down hills, I could free wheel and climb another hill without pedalling. Climbing up in the right gears was effortless.  If I were younger, they would not be able to pass me.

Downhill, the cricket sounding free wheel was great.   The  Campy brakes were responsive and I could counter steer.  The 28 wide tires that expanded well beyond the 25 mm of the rim functioned like MTB tires contributing to stability when cornering and even buzz less riding of pebbled roads.

I could catch up with leaders,  even on hills and most especially on flats.  My back did not ache despite the slammed postureof the bike.

Over all I was happy and very satisfied with this bike set up.   Recommended to friends and acquaintances

(To the supplier I said that with payment, I am still doing the test drive and doing the marketing for him with this post)

                                               Team Sky bike