Prepped the rim brake Pinarello - replaced the Ergo shifter and the crank c/o Jess Verches and VM

Wheels of Happiness

The source of my pride the RB was in bad shape in 2026 and had difficulty in sourcing the parts and the budget

     1.  The ergo shifters.   The right side had torn  hood, the left had broken padel and therefore effectively the bike was 1x

     2.   The crank, a 52 -36 had shark teeth all ready.  I need a crank.   The 52 -36 was replaced by 50 -34,  I found out that both combination had same bcd 110

Fortunately for VM who maintains inventory of parts, he supplied me, no payment first (very expensive) and had Jess Verchez install this for free.  Now the bike has bn parts and look rejuvenate -  like brand new.  Thank you VM and Jess

Much cheaper way to rejuvenate your BB by buying bearings

Wheels of Happiness

                                       Just the bearings or entire  bb for replacement?

The bottom brackets of my two road bikes seem to be acting up.   The Pinarello's crank play was 2 to 3 mm.   The s works bb bearing has not been replaced since its acquisition.  I have read that the BB can be replaced cheaply.

The Pinarello is bearing is 6805  with 25 mm holes and 6 mm thickness.  You have to find the 6 mm.  The 7 mm is thicker and will not fit.   For the BB30 of S works it 6806 with 7mm thickness and 24 mm holes.

Both the bearings  4 pcs set cost P250.00++ delivery included.  I had the 6805 installed by Mario because you need a special puller and/or the bearing is difficult to remove.  I changed the 6806 for the s works myself.

The BB would be very expensive say 2 to 4k.  How much did I save.

I did not get ceramic bearings because they are expensive and I do not see much difference is friction.   Am not a superbiker

/

When you disassemble your crank, be sure to watch your FD adjustment

Wheels of Happiness

This post always neglect this and after a crank disassembly, the FD could not shift the fd to the large chain ring  More specifically the crank has not been tightened well or got loose when this post used the bike.  All this post had to do were:   1.  tightened the crank bolt,   2,  loosened the high adjustment screw of the FD adjustment screw.  

It seems that with Campy super torque crank has this common problem.  It does not fit most of the BB and there seems to be about 1 mm of play - hence the need for wave washer.  But still there seems to be some side to side movement that is why sometimes the chain falls off.   The video maker recommends using loctite to fix the crank.

Its all very detailed and all complicated that is why many just let their mechanic do the job;   pay them well and let the mechanic do the worrying.    That is why I had to bring the 10 mm hex  crank bolt tightening too.  

Removal and reinstallation (swap) of Campy crank bearing 6805 5 mm

Wheels of Happiness

The Pinarello bike all ready had lateral movement on the crank,  While Mario serviced this about 6 months ago, long time has a way of saying the bearing is old and needs replacement.   From the video, I saw that the crank need 6805 (24 mm) but has to be 6 mm. Most that are available online is  7 mm.  The original bearing is Cult and cost $100      

My first problems are the tools:  the 10 mm removal tool, the puller and the press fit.  No hammer, no drift as per video.

1. For the 10 mm hex, my difficulty was that the short end will not fit into the crank so it has to be a long arm to fit  None is available at DIY or Wigo.  So I thought of fitting a 10 mm socket at the short end of the hex and use that to remove the nut.   And so I did.

2.  For removal and installation, I had the bike mechanic nearby do the job  Paid him P100.00.  I did not have to buy the tools

Lateral movement solved

Avoid using your bike in the rain or flooded area; be sure to disassemble and remove grit and rust afterwards

Wheels of Happiness

Went to Mario Toledo to have my expensive RB serviced.   I thought that it was due to for servicing since it has been 5 years since it was built.   

You only need a 10 mm hex to remove the crank assembly (for Campy) But the difficulty was due to it being stuck and a lot of convincing (pounding softly) was needed.  There were lots of mud at the spindle and the left bearing was busted.  

This must have been caused by the 400 km bike to Bicol because the first 2 days was rained out.    

So he advised that the crank bolt must be removed reinstalled periodically or that crank servicing will be made more frequent.

The rear wheel also had slight play.   It turned out that an end cap needed tightening.   

Installing the brake pads on campy bike

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

4.09.2021

Because of economizing on brake pads (I lost the two pads before - wrong installation?) I used SRAM swiss stop which may be too hard on the carbon rim.  Result - ruined rims at the back wheel - Bora

It costs me a fortune to have the carbon repair.  According the shop, there were 3 places were the wheelset was crooked.   (Result of the MC collision at Mabalacat last year)

This post inquired from Sir VM this spare brake pad and he sent me two sets (of 4 pads each) and this must cost a fortune.   

This post finished the installation under two hours.     VM warned me it would take herculean effort to install this.  But I sprayed alcohol and detergent and this was no problem.   

Challenges with my Carbon Fiber wheelset

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

3.25.2021

I have troubles with my Bora carbon fiber wheel set.   The bearings are toast and I have to replace this.  There is a humming sound when free wheeling.  The mechanic confirmed this.  I have to find out the bearing number.

The other one is the rim is worn out.  I used the wrong brake pad and the pad has eaten into the rim.  It is good that there is someone in a town that specializes in carbon wheel repair.   I hope he can do the job.  

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

Smooth bearing for Bora wheelset shod by F10, mahaba matagal ang free wheel downhill

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
August 23, 2018

The short ride I planned today took me until Pililla Km 58 or 62 km out and back. I planned to ride only till Maybancal

What was the reason? Well, it seems to me that the wheelset, the Bora Campy Two I have on the F10 works very well.  As Joel had said madulas bukod sa tunog mayaman (cricket sound)

I tried riding down a hill to test how far it goes.   From Baras Tanay boundary going home Km 52, I tried free wheeling.  The bike stopped  some 50 meters short of Km 51.  From atop the hill of KM 51, I freewheeled to KM 50 this time 100 meter short.  Imagine freewheeling for 900 meters

I tried a sprint on flat. After sprinting for 10 seconds on flat from km 57,  I tried to reach km 58.  The bike stopped some 150 meters form km 58. That makes the bike very efficient, I save a lot of watt power and enable me to enjoy my ride.

May bago silang model WTO. Essentially the same:   ceramic bearing, U type not v as in Bora one.
WTO is just ramble of TWO (hindi ba) Wheel Technology Optimized.  Kita mo parang Pinoy sa naming
(GMA, PNoy, Du30 galing nating magbuo ng acronym)   Marketing game talaga

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

Too much DIY can create problems; if you are not careful

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 5, 2017

I could not use my Fuji carbon fiber well lately.  It would not shift well between 21 to 23  and 12, 13 and 14 at the cogs.

I found out today:

1. That the  nut for the cogs was not tight  (the tool that I used Taiwan made does not fit well the Campy cogs.) Fortunately today, I found the Shimano tool that fit;

2.  I used the wrong spacers:   between 21 and 23, it had to the wider spacer with the groove;  I saw that the distance between 21 and 23.  The correct spacer was between 12 and 13, both would not shift well.  

Compared to Shimano, even if you interchange the spacer, there would be no problem

So I had the spacers interchanged, tightened the nut.

Tomorrow, I could use the bike well?

Now I understand why some bikes and group sets are more expensive than others

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
May 20 2017

Last Tuesday I rode to Km 53 solo with my Fuji Carbon bike shod with Campy group set and Cosmic wheelset.  For the first time, I appreciated its smooth and silent operations.  As if I was riding a V8 TLC.  No sounds of chain on the sprocket, the wheels were whirring smoothly. I and the bike were one riding the smooth asphalt surface.  I swear I could be faster by say 2 kph vs the other bike I have. Couple with the fact that I relubed the chain with wax.

For an extra one hundred thousand more, experience ride of a life time (ha6 really?)

Project Bianchi

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 19, 2016

I did not have this plan. But Reymond who got the Orbea carbon fiber frame at Fairview (from Armand) for P13,500, offered me the newly acquired Bianchi alum frame he just got from Jr, (a racer rider from 711).  So I reluctantly got it under an instalment plan (two gives ang nangyari 2 +3 in 4 days ha6)

Bianchi is a well known Italian bike and was made famous by Tour riders who liked Bianchi. It is still a famous brand and Bianchi Infinito full carbon would set you back by 2,200 pounds   Bianchi has 100 years of tradition.

I took inventory of what I had:   two Sora brakes on stationery trainer, two Ultegra STI, two Ultegra brakes, FD Ultegra, RD Ultegra, two Campagnolo wheel set with 105 hubs 9 speed, one 12 to 28 ten speed cogs. I lacked rhe tires and interior and the crankset.  The crankset I had were 3 x 10  and a Durace 8 speed old crank.  So will not do.

Problems:

1.  The 105 hub/freewheel  is only 9 speed.  I tried putting the cogs which are ten speed and they fitted (puwede pala).  The mechanics and the publications/you tube says it can do.  Problem solved

2.  The Campagnolo was put in storage because Pres. Luis said that using this is dangerous.  But I measured the thickness of the edges and they were still about 2.5 mm and there were no cracks nor defect.  So I could be used again.  Problem solved.

3. The cranks and the tires.  For the crank, my mind was debating based on the offerings posted:

     1.  Gossamer FSA for P1,800.  But I found it weighed 800 grams +

    2.  Ultegra 10 speed 50  34 P4,900 without bottom bracket.  The owner said it is supposed to be light very light being made from titanium.  But the weight winnie says that Shimano cranks are heavy.  The ultegra cranks weigh almost 800 grams.

   3.  50 34 or 53  39

        You can buy a 50  34 crank with 110 bcd and can be fitted with a 52 outer ring. (That means you still have to buy a 52 crank

        The 50 34 is being junked by many puriut racer becasue at 100 rpm, the 50 ring can only do 50 kph and spin out.  The 53 can reach 53 +.

        Since this will be for road ride only I opted for the 53 39.

        My choice was FSA K force carbon and would be supposed to weigh only 660 grams.

4.  Tires.

     A Panaracer would cost about P850;   a Maxxis tire would set you back by P1,200.  The high end Conti would be between P1,800 to P2,200 a piece.  The Conti tires are light, easy to install and sevice when you have a flat, and long lasting.  The 2nd hand Conti I had is more than 2 years old.  The Panaracer would last about 6 months tops.  So Conti more expensive tires make sense.

    I saw a post by Wilson bike parts which is only P2,700 a pair.  I got the Conti GP from Germnay.  Each tire would weigh only about 150 grams

    Thus I started assembling this last Thursday and finished Friday.  I tried it Friday pm but the Conti tube had a leak. I realized it had bleb from whence the leak occured.  It had a bleb.  Made in China.



The finished bike

                                     Without bar tape yet

                                     At Shell gas station

                                              More beautiful with water bottle and bar tape

The tires

                                                Limited Edition frame

                                                    Made in Germany, not China

                                                  105 222 grams very light pedal, carbon

New wheelset for the Fuji Bike - now a complete expensive bike

Wheels of Happiness

                               Bike guapo


Angono, Rizal, Philippines  |  February 23, 2014

The Fuji bikes now has now  Cosmic aero wheelset.   I bought it on credit at 1/2 of its original price.  It looks guapo.  However, when I tried this for Antipolo Teresa ride, it had "sometimes"  When ever I ran over a bump, it would squeak.  I tried to oil the hub (the front hub)  it disappeared for  a while, from Morong to Binangonan.  But at convention hall of Binangonan, the squeaking (like the bearing was seizing) returned.  I put WD 40 when I got home.  Or maybe I would put some grease.  I hope that disturbing noise disappear.

But the bike looks guapo and now is drawing comments, as when I was at the Antipolo church.

Electric Shifters from You Tube

Have bike, we will help save the earth...

Shimano Durace D12 First Ride



Shimano Ultegra Dl2 prototype




Dura Ace Vs Ultegra D12



Shimano Electric Shifter at Trek Madone



Q Rings (old concept with Shimano Triplets)



Campagnolo Electric Shifters



Campagnolo Electric Shifter prototype

Why Campy Parts are Expensive

I have often asked myself why Campagnolo bike group sets are terrribly expensive.  At $2000+ purchase price, its worth twice an lower end COMPLETE bikes.  But, when I got campy group set at a fraction of the price, I began to understand why. When I got the box containing the Campy parts, I did not want to install;  I just wanted to look at it.  They are works of art:  made of titanium, a space age material and lightweight carbon fiber.
The STI weighed mere 300 grams vs their counterpart. And you can upshift and downshift up to 5 years at time:  a feature not available with other brands.  I am not a marketing/sales rep for Campy.  But their parts are quite admireable.  Thank you Campagnolo.