Sunday 20 August 2017

Upgrading

The problem with longer distance cycling is the pain the the wrist due to fixed hand positions.

The previous setup was straight handle bars. Its great for handling and control because of the wider width.


After reading into hand positions, i believe the bull horn would be a good choice.




I didn't have any sti levers then, so the previous brake levers and trigger shifters were mounted onto the bull horn.

The Shimano shifters were a bit costly, so the search yielded a pair of Microshift SB-R472 from Aliexpress for USD 45.24


At the same time, to continue using the existing V brakes, a Travel Agent or Problem Solver was needed to exploit the mechanical advantage as the STI style shifters didn't have a large cable pull distance.


Problems faced:

The threading of the cable into the travel agent is tedious. When it does not fit, i had to use the older cables to expand the hole via friction rubbing to create a larger hole. It is easy since the wheel is made of aluminium, a softer material.

While changing the cables and cabe housing, initially i used the housing purchased from Lazada. Oh, those chinese made cable housing were horrid to use. Cable wise, they were the Decathlon branded Btwin French made cables. There was so much friction on the housing that the rear brake running a longer length of cable had trouble retracting after squeezing.

Hence, i decided to go after brand named Shimano's Standard Brake Cable set.


The quality of cable is different and can be felt when i tried to cut the cable. Its very difficult to cut compared to the normal cables. Also I observed that the cables do not collapse after repeated tightening of the brake nut. It is of good material. More importantly, the cable slides easily in the housing.




I would have opted the caliper brake, unfortunately the frame does not allow the proper clearances.

Lastly, i upgraded the rear derailleur from the Shimano Sora to Shimano Claris, as the stock one came without the B screw.



The shifter cables were renewed as well.



So, here is the final look of the bike after a round of trial ride before my longer ride.


Saturday 8 July 2017

66km - July 8, 2017 - East Cycle

Great to see improvements to the PCN network. more convenient and safe for cyclists!


Due to NDP rehearsals, I decided not to travel past the floating platform and took the eastern route which i have not done some time now.

The thought of crossing the two overhead bridges across Aljunied and PIE put me off and i cycled through Sims Avenue / Geylang Lor instead.

New additions:
East Coast Park to PCN Tanah Merah Coast Road (Red Line)
PCN connector linking Pasir Ris Drive 3 and Pasir Ris Farmway 3 (Blue Line)

 The new PCN Pasir Ris Dr3 & Farmway 3 connector which previously was an unlit canal path.


The cut through saved lots of time and safer to transit vs the pavement and roads.

Bedok Jetty looks really beautiful from the facelift with red patterned tiles. Lots of Anglers on site.

It took me 60 mins to cycle from Bedok Jetty to Changi Beach.

Total distance 66km, 6am to 12.20pm



Thursday 6 July 2017

Litepro Kinetix 74/130 adaptor


The Mini Velo front fork width is 100mm, much different from the 74mm fork width found on folding bikes using V-brakes.

Thankfully, my Litepro Kinetix wheel set has the adaptors which can extend the width from 74mm to the 100mm width.



 (Left) short cone for 74mm. The shaft is 0.25" or 6.35mm
(Right) long cone for 100mm




Here you can see the difference. Left is the 74mm cone and the Right is the 100mm cone.

The QR skewers would have to be changed out.

Much blessed i can use back this set of wheels.


Saturday 1 July 2017

Updated: Proper Mud guards - DIY Mud guard

Today was a wet day.

I have updated the mudguard from a second hand purchased SKS german made mudguard.
This was previously installed on a Tern folding bike.
It fitted my MV7 nicely.



A mud guard is a very useful butt saver during wet.

Below are photos of my DIY mudguard for the rear only until the availability of proper mudguards came at an affordable price and opportune time.





83km Mini round island cycling

Mini round island cycling

This is my attempt of the round island cycling which i was looking forward this week.

Credit goes to the uploaded route on Mapometer (link below).

As i wanted to evaluate the route, i decided to omit the Pasir Ris - Loyang - Changi Coast Road - East Coast Park because i think that would really exhaust me greatly.

Total distance: 83 km
Time taken (inclusive rest breaks): 10.5 hr

From Paya Lebar to Yishun, the journey took 6 hr.

I did struggle a bit as i got disoriented especially the Bukit Batok leg.
The pedestrian path was also slow to navigate.

It was great fun nonetheless!

One surprise was the rustic nature track called the "Ulu Sembawang Park Connector"
This links Mandai Road and Woodlands Avenue 12 .
 

https://sg.mapometer.com/cycling/route_2477177.html



 The Marina floating platform

Marina Bay Sands 

The CBD 

Cavenagh bridge (Boat Quay)

Clark Quay 

 Alkaff Bridge




 Alexandra Park Connector

  Alexandra Canal Linear Park


 Commonwealth Road

 Commonwealth Road

 Ulu Pandan Park Connector

 Ulu Pandan Park Connector

 Overlooking PIE

 Ulu Pandan Park Connector

 Bukit Batok Avenue 1

Choa Chu Kang Park Connector

 Woodlands Road

 Woodlands Road

Ulu Sembawang Park Connector
This links Mandai Road and Woodlands Avenue 12

Ulu Sembawang Park Connector

No monkeys seen today

Woodlands Avenue 12

 Woodlands Avenue 12