Am tempted to purchase the Wheel top electronic shifter, with offer of P24k at an shoppers platform for 12.12

Wheels of Happiness

Am temp;ted to purchase on line the electronic gs Wheeltop at a famous shopping platform.  It is priced even lower at 24k (down from 27k, and from original 46k listed price)  This roughly just  $400 vs $700 listed price.

Its because the SRAM red shifter I have (mechanical can take in only 26t cogs max; the electronic can accommodate 36t (which I used to use).  And the STI hood is now loose and torn.   Its hard to find the hood for SRAM.    

I can charge this to  my card.   Ha6

Had difficulty with SRAM groupset at S works, spent with the mechanic but finally was able to tune the GS myself

Wheels of Happiness

I had challenges with the SRAM red 10s gs at the S works RB.  First it would not shift to the biggest gear (36t).  I brought the bike to nearby mechanic;  said I need to change the cable:  outer and intter.  Paid him P100.

I brought the bike to the master Mario.  He changed the cable and later recommended that  a cable be brought out from the head set because it crimps the outer and makes the shifting  hard and might damage the interior of the  sti.  He recommended to change the cog to the 26 or 28t and remove the goat link because the larger gear is hard on the RD

I requested Mario while at it to fix the  headset which at times seem to have micro rattling.   Which he did.  He noted the wiggle of the front wheel to which he attributed to busted bearing.   Later on I found out that the QR was not well tightened. Iits OK now

I changed to smaller cog.  But again  it would not shift to the largest  gear (this time 28).  I found out later that I was loosening the wrong limit screw.  For SRAM the low was at the top , and hight was at the bottom.  Then horror of horror, the shifting went down to ontly 4 cogs.   I found out that the outer slipped and the inner cable was loose.   Did some fiddling and got it right.

Now my desire for the electronic gs is not as high anymore.   Because the shifting of the SRAM is now smooth.  Many of those who went electronic are now returning to cable shifters

It is so satisfying to be able to figure out yourself the problems and solving it yourself

Repair of sram Red shifter. I only spent P800..00 for this with Mario

Wheels of Happiness

I encountered the same problem with the same problem with my SRAM red shifter.  The drum cylinder where the head of the cable shifter was inserted.  The outer lip shattered and the cable head would not get installed_  it would slip.

The solutions available were :   buy a new shifter, or get a new nylon drum cylinder.  But it SRAM does not support its old shifter with parts.   There was one available at Bike Inn which would set me back by $500.00 (same at Ebay)   We paid all ready but Bike inn notified that it ran out of stock. 

So I ran out of solution.   Just buy the new SRAM 22, or wait for SRAM shifter at the Marketplace.   

I brought this to Mario and he came up with a brilliant solution.  He plastic welded the drum nylon cylinder.  SOLVED.  Only for P800.00.  It could have been P25,000.!!

(I let him do this because the other problem I had was threading the internal cable at the internal cabling system -  it is too much of a hassle)

Some of the upgrades being marketed at e commerce - are they really functional and needed apt for my age?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

4.09.2021

I have been browsing a lot lately the e commerce for the following:

1.  Much lighter suspension fork that could set you back by about  P5k to P10k  (a brain suspension can set you back by about a P100K)

2.   A quad piston brake system  (a low end Shimano generic would cost about P9 to P20K, a Weapon by about P3K (but critics say this isi not good)

3.  A one by upgrade 11 to 12 speed (with RD, shifter, cogset and crank)  would set you back by P15 -20k for SRAM, and almost same amount for Shimano

But really do I need these for my age;  maybe I have illusion of being a trail rider and with dream of still continuing to ride for the next 20 to 30 years.  I pray I will be able to do that still.  

I am tempted.   

SRAM cogs 12 speed compatibility with Shimano 10 speed hub

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

4.15.2021

This post was contemplating on investing in the present bike with a SRAM SX, GX and NX.  GX and NX are much more expensive by 3 to 5k, the only difference being the pulley on top side that assists the cable.  Otherwise  they are almost the same.

The GX and NX are in the 20k range local (P16 to 17 at e commerce platform) , the SX could be as little as P14K (local)

The more important thing with the 12 spd is the wide range of teeth:  there is little jump on number of teeth between gears and therefore less stressful on the legs:

• 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 28, 32, 36, 42, 52 teeth  (@2 spacing 10 -18);  3 spacing between 18 to 24;  @4
• between 24 to 42,  and 10 between 42 and 52  (Thats where the sudden jump is )
• Weight: 350g

The relevant questions that could prevent me from investing:

1.  Will the 12t cogs fit into 10 speed Shimano cogs..   Both the mechanic and Mr. Google says yes.  

      The situation is different with road bikes where it is difficult to fit a 11 speed on the 10 speed.   Its 

       because most of the cogs of higher number of teeth is on the wheel side

2.  Do you need an XD drive for your drive train to accept  the 12 speed.   A.  No need.   The sales

     person from VMP showed me it fits.  

The question being raised is how come SRAM was able to make the 12t cogs fit into the same space as a 10 speed   The answer seems to be in th echain.   So I guess for the system to work, you have to buy the SRAM chain.  YBN or China chain will not seem to work

New Free Hub technology that we may not be aware of

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

4.14.2021

This post came across new free hub technology (I was not aware of this)

1.  Old tech:  the shimano free hub with narrow and wide spline.

2.  X drive by SRAM (to accommodate their 10 -42 developed in 2013

3.  Microspline developed in 2018 for the 12 speed cogs

New freehub tech

My Campy Ultra Bora 2 was injured by wrong brake pads; have to have the right expensive pads

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

4.08.2021

Kapadyak beware.  Be sure you get the right brake pads for your rim brake in your carbon fiber wheel set rig.   

The compound I used was a sram pad, it was hard, and did not take pity on the rim;   The experience left  deep gouge on the rim.  I sent it to a carbon fiber shop, at Morong Rizal,  It took them days to do this plus a hefty charge.

It will be taken by one of our staffers, and tomorrow, I will get from my brother the correct, albeit, expensive pads.    (The repair and brake pads cost the same -  not good during time of pandemic)

                               

                                                                      Yellow king

Learning a lot from building/completing the OEM Bike Project

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 17, 2018

My superbike  carbon bike project sourced from Eastern Visayas and Taiwan is nearing completion.  All I need  to do is to make the FD STI work (it does not work now -  cause ? I inserted the sti cable wrong)  I have to go to Marikina to look for Erning at John Wilkes bike shop for repairs.

The bike is drawing raves:   ohs and ahs even from bike shop owner and fellow kapadyak  I was able to build a very light bike, probably 6.7 kg.   It will be lighter once my Campagnolo Bora 2 35 mm wheelset arrives.   (1.3 kg)

It is not  so much of a beautiful or lightweight bike being as the ultimate result, but the tremendous amount of knowledge and skills that I obtained that really mattered.   I built this bike with my own hands, with only 30% coming from outside:    the press fit of the BB, the solution to the loose headset.  I can talk sensibly about many things thanks to this project:

1.  Prepaid order of bike frames from far away places
2.  Carbon framesets
3.  Are Taiwan framesets fakes, will they break easily?
4.  Ordering carbon frames and bike accessories from Lazada
5.  Bottom brackets:  BB 30, BB 386, BB Evo, BB 865 etc
6. The SRAM group set;  how not to buy cranks at various groups
7. Weight weenies:  weight of various components
8.  Internal cabling difficulties and challenges
9. Headsets and aluminium expanders for head sets.
10.  Tuning the bike derailleur
11. Direct Mount brakes:   installing and making this work

So I really learned a lot.   I was able to make a lot of posts at this blog and even comment sensibly at threads on the above related topics.  Even at the very simple machine like a bicycles, a lot can be learned. If you are interested

Some discussion

1. Prepaid order of bike frames and parts from far away places.

   The same as Lazada experience.    For me ordering prepaid from a City in East Visayas was risky and fearful experience.  I have always believed that when you buy, there is an instant exchange of PHP and goods.  But in this case, I have to send PHP first prior to him ordering from Taiwan, and full payment prior to delivery from Visayas to here.

  Thus as counter measure, I have to do the following:

        1.  Bike the guy who is selling and ask for references from the previous persons who bought. Sec. Noe Bought a Pinarello from the outfit;
       2. Write a contract (which I hope he would honor)
       3. Got the phone number of the guy and talked to him, got PM of the picture of the item, plus his ID.
       But there were times whenn I really got scared, right after I sent the complete payment.  He could not be contacted at FB nor  his phone.   I was frantic and I had to call Sec. Noe. Fortunately I got the bad news that he drowned his cp and he acknowledged via PM his receipt of full payment.  For the delivery, he came here to Manila last Feb 17, the day after Vigan ride and I had to hurry back to Manila from Vigan to take the delivery of the bike frame.  Since I was commuting, I paid extra for the large package at the AC bus from MoA and from Crossing to Angono.  (no choice.  hindi naman ako marunong ng Grab Taxi at Uber)

    Now I ordered a Campy Bora 2 wheel set (1.3 kg) It has SRP of P130 k.

  2. Carbon framesets:

      Carbon technology is almost generic now and everybody who does this seem to have mastered the  technology.   And mass production is in Taiwan where they have large manufacturing facilities.  70% of CF are made in Asia:  Taiwan and China.  The raw material:  carbon fiber is made  and supplied from Asia:  and the best Toray is supplied from Japan (Mitsubishi)

    Making carbon fiber parts is not much different from fiber glass:  only you use carbon fiber (which is just like a cloth) which is more expensive:  P500/yard and you have 20 to 30 layers per part

    All carbon fiber is made by  hand:   ie the  fiber in many layers are laid by hand on molds. The high tech part there comes from pattern making from cutting, and the manner of laying down the fibers. I learned also about the various types:  3k (the first generation) 12 k (where the  weave is almost not noticeable) and UD. The manufacturing high tech is about the ovens, the molds and the vacuum process (to remove the air bubbles) from in between layers of the  fiber.

    Carbon fiber is strong and light  (10 times stronger than steel but weighs only a third)  It is a space age technology and used initially for race cars, at outer space, aircraft parts for strength and weight savings.

N. B   Not all carbon fiber parts are light. Those  who go on sale have carbon frames circa 2011 and they weigh 1.4 kg.  much much heavier than Cannondale CAAD 8 or  10 which tip the scales at only 1.2 kg. The really very light frames are Helium from Ridleys (about 600 grams) and Trek Domane (the lightest production bike in the world at about same weight)

    While strong, cf is brittle.  It will break when a certain part is subjected to high impact.   Carbon fiber  wheels suffer when subjected to high tension tuning/truing.  And some can pop out.  But many  carbon fiber bike owners suffer 3 to 5 times crash and their bikes are still good.

  Will Taiwan made cf frames easily break vs the orig?  I doubt.  95% of cf bikes are subcontracted by Europeans and American and Taiwan. There are videos of Sava frames being thrown and hammered on the floor and they do not break. There was a demo of handle bar breaking.  I doubt the authenticity of the video and they may be sued.  They must have sawed of the handle bar before doing the stunt.  I sawed to size (removed 10 cm) from a seat post and I had hard time sawing.

    Does it have expiry:  five years?Some say it has.  But others doubt it.  For bike, there is challenge when there are metal parts getting in contact with carbon fiber like the bottle cage and FD attachment. Just check frequently for rotting and corrosion.

   Keep your carbon fiber parts: wheel set and frame from heat. Say trunk or inside the a parked car because they can pop out

3.  Are Taiwan  framesets or parts fake?

        There were group discussions on these topic and long threads of conversation appeared at groups.   It appeared that many have old and outdated opinion on Taiwan, as if they are a bunch of shady individuals typical checkua who cant do nor produce quality products. This is difficult because we have scores of  Fil Chi who can be from Taiwan.  We have thousands OFW working in Taiwan factories.  Taiwan is only some hundred km north of Batanes islands. and their aborigines are not much different from the natives of Batanes.

     Taiwan has state of the art manufacturing facilities. It is globally competitive country and it built its wealth exporting to the world.  Some bike parts manufacturer:  SRAM, FSA, Kenda, Giant are from Taiwan

   95% of  bike frames:  alum and carbon fiber are sourced from Taiwan.    Even high end frameset:  Pinarello, Colnago, Orbea etc are made in Taiwan.  Why do they buy from Taiwan:  because  they are cheap:  costs only $200.00 and then the marketers can sell these between $1,000 to $5,000.  Typical Dogma frames, Bianchi sets you back by P220,000.  Wow

   A bike shop owner who saw my OEM bike warned me that the frame or fork could break That is pretty much an indictment of his wares most of which are carbon and probably made in Taiwan.  He is doing a disservice to fellow Chinese.  I am not friend of Chinese but we  should realize that they are masters of manufacturing now.

4. Ordering from Lazada.

   I request my order be done through my daughter who is a regular Lazada buyer.  She can order by Credit card, enjoys monthly discount and has free delivery to boot.  I got my first order:  a handle bar (Toseek at 220 grams) a Toseek seat post, alum jockey pulley wheels and seat post clamp (wrong size)

  Thus the handle bar which costs P1,500 set me back by only P1,300

 It takes time to have delivery and you have to be careful when ordering. When you get a wrong size of item thats it.  You have 7 days to return, and you have to pay for shipping.  They occasionally run of stock. So be patient if you get a cancellation.  So be patient.  They have delivery dates which could be 2 to 3 weeks from the time you ordered.   COD options are available.

5. Bottom brackets

  It was a simple thing before one bottom bracket for all cranks that were either:  ISIS, square  type but now no more.  You have to make the  3 match:  the crankset, the BB and bike frame width.  Thus if you have  BB 30 frame, you have to have BB 30 crankset, and BB 30 BB. I made the mistake of buying a BB 30 crankset (clearly imprinted on the spindle) and yet I bought a 86.5mm wide BB shell.  Useless purchase.  I had to buy another GS.

I made a separate post on BB.  There are BB 30,  BB 38.6, BB evo, BB 86.5 BB 91. Before we had threaded BB,English or Italian.   Knowing the difference can give you head aches.  This is is true for MTB too.  Otherwise you have to look for adapters and they are not available locally and they are expensive.  Some are available at Ebay and they warning that they do not ship to PH.

6.  SRAM group sets

    It is one of the expensive group sets.   However,  watch out for the crankset.  It may not fit your bike. They sell BB30 BB36, Standard (GXP)  That should fit many of our bikes They are light lighter than Campy or Durace.   The lightest portion of the GS are the  crankset which is about 555 grams, and the shifter which is about 290  grams compared to 440 grams for Ultegra.

The technical support is nil; they wont repair shifter that were sold by another group.  Its difficult to contact  their distributors:  Bikezilla, Missing Link and Lifecycle. The GS that I bought will be entirely useless:  the left shifter does not work.  and the BB 30 crank does not work...

7.  Weight weenies

     The most important part to shave weight is the drive  train which consist of shoes, pedal, crank, chain, the cogs, wheelset and  tires and tubes.    Since you rotate this drive train so many times, when you add up the weight, they could total a ton. Say shoes:    you bought a 1 kg shoes from Boy Pepsi that sets you back by P2k  and the other guy uses a SIDI costing  P10k but weighs only 500 grams.   Over a week end ride the and the rotation  of  is 20,000 times, that would be 10 tons difference in effort. That is a lot of effort.

    You also lighten the tires and tubes. Tires and tubes could  weigh as much as 1 kg.  But if you buy more expensive tires say Michelin pro 180 grams x 2  =  360 grams +    super light tubes  90 g x 2 = 180 grams = total weight -  540 grams vs.  1 kg of heavy cheap tires.   Think about this

    You may spend 2k x 2 =   4k +  200 x 2 for superlight tubes =  4,400.  But the weight savings of 500 grams over heavy tires and tubes is equivalent to weight saved from a frameset which will set you back by  P30,000.

8.  Internal Cabling.  

   This is a bane to many mechanics. I found out  why.   I personally saw the difficulties.   Just  to install the cable in the drop bar, I spent 1/2 day and spent two hours fabricating the tool to catch the outer cable.  . It was easy installing the brake outer since there was a flexible end.   However when there were two outers, the space within which to work was narrower and the visibility was poor.  You to have to hook the  inside opening of the cable and pull this out.

  Installing the cable within the frame.  There are plastic guides.  However, when you commit a mistake and to remove the cable you have to follow up with plastic guides again. The guides  have to be secured by a masking tape so that they wont slide inside the frame.   When you lose the guide, you have to catch the cable with the tool fabricated earlier:   a bent spoke that was sharpened at the end to hook the cable inner and outer.  But each time you make an error, you  have to reinsert the guide when you remove the cable. Otherwise, you will spend endless time looking for the cable.  It could go elsewhere.  This is tiring

9. Headsets and aluminum expander.

   Since this a carbon fork and steerer the normal flower headset expander will not work. It has to be the aluminum expander that costs P500.00 each.  My initial installation was a dud and the fork was loose.  So I have to bring it to the bike shop in Marikina.  He initially tightened the expander so that it is flush against the  fork steerer wall. Then he removed some of the spacer.  And then asked me to place thin shim over the bearing so that the rotation of the fork will be lighter.   The lip of the steerer fork has to be 1/2 inch lower than the lip of the stem.  I bought a LaBici stem which is 60 mm and very light too.  This is my second time to have headset challenge with a Bianchi bike


10  Tuning the bike derailleur

    Last night I was waiting for my turn at the bike shop because I gave up on tuning the rear derailleur.  Only 2 or 3 gears worked.   So there was line and was third.  I was 20 minutes past 7 and I would imagine it would take at least one hour to complete the work:    assembling a rim set, tuning the bike, changing the cog set.  So I decided to go home and just return today.  However I was not  content with that.  I analyzed the problem.   The stopper made of plastic installed by  Celso, mechanic of John Wilkie broke and therefore the cable was stuck.  I unstuck the cable and replaced the cable stopper.  And I tried to pull the cable hard.   It gave way and maybe about 1/2 inch was pulled from the RD side.  I noticed that the RD would work only for downshift if you apply tension on the cable.   And lo all of  a sudden the RD worked:   all ten speeds. But then I had to adjust the limiter screw for Hi so that I can use 11 and 13.  Well done JB.   I saved P50 to P100 mechanic fee.  And was able to sleep well last night.

   Today I brought the STI for FD to mechanic to Erning at John Wilkie who promised he can repair my SRAM red and Ultegra STI shifter and would charge me P300.00 per shifter.  I would be able to come back for them tomorrow.  I pray ma repair niya.

11.   Direct mount brake

     First, the  mechanic Celso said that I should exchange the front and rear brake because they would not adjust properly.  Baka the former owner placed them at wrong boxes.  So pinagpalit ko and the brakes worked properly.  Before kasi and I could get the brakes accept the wheels. Dikit na dikit and the wheels would not turn.   May secret pala.  If you turn the mounting bolt to the left, bubuka caliper.

  You will have to really use the adjustment barrell to get right clearance between brake pads and brake line.  You need not pull the cable hard when you tighten the cable.  And then the cable must wrap around the anchoring bolt   The brakes are strong and works with lightest touch

Unsolved challenges with the the the head set of bike repaint project

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 11, 2018

I thought that with the buying and installation of new Ragusa head set at my bike repaint sticker project (I stopped calling this with the  brand name) my woes with the rebuild project would end.  I finally rode on this today up to Morong.   And the mentors the gurus had their suggestions:

1. Invest in a a new group set.  The current Ultegra 6600 with its its tattered hood (new hoods are not available)   Agree.  I have been canvassing.  Replace with SRAM red or 6700 shifter.

2. The headset:   there is still a play. Peter said the bearings are not well seated.  There is still about 3 mm gap.

Jeff A. suggested that I bring the bike to his house for repair, reinstallation.

As soon as I got home, I looked for the parts of Ragusa:  a bearing and two circlips.   I disassembled the bike's fork and removed the bearings.  I experimented various combination until the bearing was well seated:  there has to be two circlips top and bottom, and may previous installation of the bearing was upside down. The tapered portion has to be at the bottom. I followed the advice of Jeff that I should tighten from the top first to get the parts pressed (he is a lathe operator) and then fix the side bolts.

I followed the instruction and I got it right this time.  I texted Jeff that it is OK (I hope)

Comparison of weight of groupsets for the weighty weenies

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 29,2017

                                            Magaan subalit mahal   mga P140,000 php Red 22

I compiled a list of the weight  of the groupsets. I am repeating that if you want to a have light bike (a light bike translates into an efficient and sometimes fast bike)  If you must upgrade, its not only the looks or the brand but consider  the weight:(cost to weight ratio)

        1.    Frame sets

          Not all carbon frames are light review of a carbon frame circa 2011 showed a carbon built bike
          weighing 8kg +.  The Bianchi of some of RBP are said to be tipping the scales at 8.5 kg.  Some alum
          bikes by Cannondale, Giant Merida are light.

     2.  Wheelsets

         Typical wheelsets weigh over 2 kg.  Some more expensive branded weigh over 1.85 kg, those over
         P15,000 tip the scales at 1.7 kg.   Most carbon frames are 1.5 kg.   The branded ones are at 1.5kg.
         Am Cla came out with 1.4+ kg alum wheelsets.  The 350 and 420.   Light bikes.   Even Ursu, the
         Italian company have wheelsets weighing in at 1.6 kg.  But they have beautiful wheels   Aero wheelsets
         are expensive but their wind cheating features are what you pay for.  at 30+ kph, your ability to cut
         through the air is what counts, not the weight.

         Orig 450 carbon wheelset weighs 1,500 grams. SRP is at P30 k.

       Novatec Jetfly (which I bought) weighs 1,435 gtrams making my Freccia really sub 8 kg alum bike.

       Some Italian carbon fiber wheelsets weigh 1,300 grams and cost over P130K.

   3.  Group sets:    Component Weight Comparison from Total Cycling

        There are three major manufacturers:  Shimano, Campagnolo and SRAM. Their average weight is
        2 kg;   Shimano group sets are heavier, Campy is lighter than Shimano, and SRAM is the lightest.
        SRAM was the first with SRAM red 22 to be sub 2 kg.  (1.7kg)

        Weight comparison

        1. Shimano                                                                     PHL price

           105                               2.498 grams                         P18,000

           Ultegra 6800 8000        2,294 grams                           30,000

           Durace   9000               1,998 grams                           64,000

Tour de France feature from You Tube - Mark Cavendish crash

Real Cyclists

From You Tube







Mark Cavendish bike with hydraulic brakes