All 3 bikes now functional: S works, Sava Ti, and Pinarello F10

Wheels of Happiness

Before, only the Ti was usable functional bike.  Pinarellos hood was ripped off after a dooring accident;   the Sworks SRAM changer was toast, as well as its rear tires whose side walls had puncture holes. 

For the Pinarello, this post had DIY make do solution for the rubber hood cover:   just wrapped old bike interior to make the feel on the right STI (brifter smoother and for aesthetic purpose), 

For the S works for the tire used super glue to bond the rubber patch on to the sidewalls.  Now am more confident that I will not get puncture as a I ride.  For the shifter, I bought an electronic changer for the the bike.  Though its not perfect, I can use most of the gears I need:  the front chainring, big and small, and the 36t large cog.   

Solved.  Now happy

My ride today on Sava Ti MTB to Medalva Hills

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 2, 2017

The PE of our office mates took us to Medalva Hills at Botong Francisco Highway.   It is a challenging uphill climb.  However I had my SAVA Ti bike 3 x 10  XT group set.   There were 3 sections of climb:   one after highway, next is the 500 meter long climb to the crest, and another two steep climb at the subdivision

I had to use 32 x 36 gears to make it easy on myself...

I have my usual 3x ride for the week:   one on November 30, one yesterday and one today.   Ti to Morong on November 30 Sava carbon yesterday to Mahabang Parang, and today's ride.

                  Loyola Retreat House at the background

                    My office mates playing badminton

                                  My Ti Bike and sunrise

My bike ride yesterday November 30 2017 on a Sava Ti MTB

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 1, 2017

                               My Ti bike atop a mountain

Only 24 days before Christmas.   We hope many got their 13th  month (bonus) all ready.

Belated Andy Bonifacio day. It is too sad, another Andy (the former Comelec boss) did not see Christmas while in office.

Yesterday, I rode to Morong on a Sava Ti.MTB This post has not used this for a while.  In Darangan, a roadie overtook me, and I gave chase and was with him side by side until Morong. The rider in a Dogma P look alike was alone and is from Taguig. He said it was his first time to ride again in so many days. He overtook me downhill at LLDA because he overtook a jeep, I did not.   I caught up with him before turning right to Cardona munisipyo and were side by side in Callahan.  He overtook me again downhill, but I passed him and several MTBs at the flat.

On the way back I took the diversion road, at Cardona, and before turning left I was at 42 x 28 before shifting to 32.

I was on that gear while going up LLDA.

In Binangonan, I came across MTBs who were 29rs. I proved that 26ers are not lame because I kept up with them and passed them  in a sprint before Island gas where I sprinted.

It was a great biking day

Still strong at 66?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
August 22, 2017

Of the six riders last Sunday to Jariel's Peak, 5 had road bikes.  I brought a Ti Sava MTB.  This helped a bit because it was lighter.

As you can see in the video, I was abler to keep pace with Jess Verchez.   But I was sitting down.

That was great accomplishment for me considering that my farthest bike ride for the last two weeks was only to Morong or Antipolo.

Watch the video taken by Pres. Luis Genavia

Pleasant day today for a bike ride; slightly overcast and light breeze

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 30, 2017

Today was a very pleasant day for biking.   The skies was overcast (not much direct sunlight) and light cool breeze blowing from the south (but sometimes it got very windy) due to a reported typhoon system in the north.  It could have a been fine day for biking at US.

I left later than usual, about 7:30 because of  digestive system disorder.  Again I bought the SAVA Ti and rode side by side by a former fellow Taytay rider (whose name I forgot, friend ni Joel)  He had a Ridley carbon fiber bike and he noted that what I had was a Ti.  I even left him at times.  And also I took the Cardona diversion and he took the usual route. He said it was malupit.  Going up Namay Morong, I left him and another companion.

There was no more lugaw at Simples when I arrived (a little over 8:00 am) and just said hello to the husband of Ms. Simple who is having challenges with diabetes.

And then I decided to return home via Teresa and Antipolo.

I happened to ride with two young MTB riders who had Eagle SRAM group.   I was able to catch up and even overtook them really going up Teresa.    But well they were young.  So a 70,000 gear set can not leave you far enough. It is about strength and endurance.  (Am I beginning to lose some of that)

In Antipolo, and going home there were patches of  strong rain, or showers and dry roads. I was able to get home before real rain started to pour  

Hill climbs with Sava Ti

Wheels of Happiness


Rizal Philippines
July 30, 2017

I had 3 hill climbs this week SAVA ti:  2x  Eastridge;   and once for Antenna San Carlos Heights last Tuesday.   And they looked easy for me, because I merely used the low gears.   I was able to climb the sites using only 32 chain rings and max of 36 for the sprocket

I have two other MTB:   a SAVA 580 carbon fiber and Mosso Falcon 4. But this one is the best so far.  It was a good buy

I learned from the video at You Tube that you do not have to over exert nor race going up because you can blow out and not finish the climb.  At East ridge yesterday, a young MTB rider had to stop often and said it was his first time.   Going down was perilous:  the roads which were moss filled were difficult to negotiate going down hill:  the tires skid and the bike despite the knobby was difficult to control - you could ditch anytime. But thanks God,these were uneventful climb and descent

Enjoying hill climbs with the SAVA ti MTB

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 27, 2017

I did not use the SAVA ti MTB for several months.   But I have been using this since Saturday:  for climb up Medalva, last Sunda for my ride to Bugarin, last Tuesday for the climb of SCH; and yesterday, for climb up to East Ridge.  I relish the ride because of the very low gears (24 lowest for chain rings, and 36 for the rear sprockets).   For Medalva, SCH, and Eastridge, I did not have to use the  24 only the 32 chain rings.  The 32 x 34 or 3 x 36, they were adequate for the climb without being  stressed.    For the Sunday ride, I only used the 42 chain ring even when doing Bugarin.

What did I relish with the SAVA:   it is light and responsive.   The Mosso MTB and the SAVA carbon fiber 580 felt heavy and sluggish.   The SAVA Ti was light and sprightly.  I could even outrun road bike and or run at the same pace as road bikes

Climbing Botong Francisco (Medalva) yesterday together with office mates

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 23, 2017

Our PE yesterday was jogging to Medalva (Botong Francisco highway)  I took the opportunity to test the Sava Ti bike with XT group set, WTB wheel set  and  Manitou fork.  I did 3 x ride up the hill.  I used 32 chain ring and max of only 36 for the steepest part.  For the hill, I used 32 x 32 and it was easy riding.  I did not have to catch my breath, nor be in distress.

I rode it 1x before the ladies climbed;  then I climbed it again as they were walking at the climb;  Then as they were descending, I descended and climbed again the hill  (that is the 3x time)

The weight and  the gears of Sava Ti were perfect for the hill climb.  There were others whom I saw negotiating on an MTB with platito gears (24 chain ring) walking.  The others used 24 chain ring for the climb.

Bike ride today, July 23, 2017 to Bugarin; rode together with Gerry and Vhen

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 23, 2017

Sava Ti Bike at Ali Express

I rode to Bugarin today. I brought out my Sava Ti.(MTB)   On the way from Tayuman to Morong, I rode with Gerry Cataps. We tried to chase a roadie with white and blue Jersey.  I overtook him for a while in Cardona, but he overtook me at Callahan and so with Gerry.   We had lugaw in Morong   and those who came were:  Alan, Netoy and and  Echo (long time no see)  We decided we would ride to OL.   And so we rode together with Taytay riders.   I did not see much of Gerry, but I remember overtaking Alan.  And towed  Gerry for a while.  At Baras hill, the tropa overtook me and may be they were ahead by about 500 meters at Pililla.  I did not see Gerry  and Alan but later on I saw them  going down all ready at km 67.

I rode up to km 68 (Bugarin na) and at heavy gear.   42 x 18 to 28.    That was a hard ride on a big chain ring.   On the way back I saw Vhen.  He said he was chasing me from Morong, and then from Pisong Kape to Bugarin and from OL up to  km  57 of Pililla.  We rode together alternating tranco.  We had some buko and turon at store near the intersection of diversion and road from Cardona.  We met many Mambog riders there.

However at  Binangonan Convention Center rain started to fall, and we had to seek shelter from the rains, after being exposed to very hot environment. We spent about 30 minutes for two episodes or rain.  We were home by 12 noon

Lack of practice makes the knees and thighs weaker?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 12, 2017

Last Thursday, I went up with a group of trainees (two ladies) up East Ridge.  We walked from Manila East (7 11) till Unamonte where we did the calisthenics.  Then I let them walk, as tried to climb up using the SAVA carbon fiber MTB.  I seemed to lose lung capacity easily and the pedaling seemed tough.  I have to stop some 20 meters away from Unamonte gate 2.  We rested there and I  rode again.  Again the pedaling seemed tough and I had to put the chain ring down to 24.  I usually do not stop and use only 32 to get up to the top.

What seemed to be wrong?  Well lack of practice.  I did not do a lot of East ridge or San Carlos or Medalva climbs.  I guess I have to do more of that.  I neglected hill climbs

Although today I rode to Antipolo Church using a roadie, I think I did well and managed the fiber tex and Beverly portion well.  (As a matter of fact I passed many MTB who seemed to relish on frequent stop)  On the way home I passed the diversion.  Pero sagad ang sprocket sa 32 (x 39)

I finally got the ultimate of all bikes - a titanium MTB

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 12, 2016

Happy independence day.

After a month long research and campaign to get funding for the purchase, I finally got yesterday the much coveted SAVA Explorer Titanium bike from Mars Kingdom c/o Kiam and Luds. I got the bike cash for a little under P50,000.

It is equipped with the following:

Sava titanium alloy frame

WTB seat, WTB rim and tires

Titanium seat post (oversized)

Titanium handle bar

Titanium pedals

XT group set:  brakes, crank, FD, RD,  cogs

11 -36 cogs (I was not able to get the 11 to 42

Manitou magnesium front shocks

I assembled the bike myself last night in 30 minutes.  All you need to do after unpacking from the box are:  install the handle bar on the fork, install the front wheel and the pedal.

Adjustments were made on the fine tuning of the derailleur (the cable needed tightening) and the derailleur needed alignment (the high adjustment).   Save for a bolt that tightens the clamp to the handle bar, (na bilog ang allen groove) The bike is a OK, it  is light and looks like a jewel

I understand that there are just 3 more units remaining for the sale. (50% discount on the list price of P89,000). The unit with Deore groupset and SAVA only fork sells for P43,000 cash (+ 5% if bought with credit card.)

Go to Mars Kingdom Quiapo (the one with maroon and green painting) right after the overpass, and contact Luds or Kiam 02 242 4484

All titanium parts

                                       Titanium seat post

                                            Titanium pedals

                                                Titanium handle bar

Checking out the SAVA Titanium bike at Mars Kingdom - great value for money

Wheels of Happiness

Angono Rizal
June 6 2016

Happy double six (6) my destiny number.

I went to Mars Kingdom building in Quiapo today, arriving some 2 1/2 hours later after I left Angono to check out the Titanium bike that they are offering for 43t (50% discount from the all ready discounted price of P89,000.)   I was disappointed with the P19t promo of Sava 550 MTB.  It was quite heavy and ugly  (That is why it is on discount promo)

August Concepcion, the father of the owner of Pajak, and an avid MTB recommended that I try the SAVA titanium now on sale for only P43t at Mars Kingdom

My contact person there is Luds and she showed me the bike at the second floor and it was truly impressive:

XT group set:   brakes, changer, FD, RD (not shadow though)   with 36 cogs, 3 x 10,
WTD wheelset and tires 1.95
Titanium handle bar, seat post (oh I did not check the seat)
Manitou shocks  (Maybe Marvel subrand?)

At 49 t asking price for this model (the 43t applies to Deore only group set and different kind of shocks) this is a great value for money.

XT group set -                                               P23,000 (only P19,000 at their store;   on sale)
Manitou  shocks ($350,00) x 46/$ -              P16,000

Total                                                                 39,000

The balance of P10,000 is just for the frame, seatpost, headpost and handle bar.  How much would be a titanium frame, handlebar and seat post, What about the wheelset and tires?  And so I say and recommend that if you have money, buy this now    (Sadly, it must be cash;  Credit card would set you back by 5% or roughly P2,000.)