Cycling is not only a hobby. It is a passion, a way of life.
This site contains information on the experiences i have encountered in my life as a cyclist.
Went for a really relaxed ride with Yio Chu Kang CC Cycling Club. The pace is slow. The turn out is approximately 8. Went through a couple of park connectors to reach Sembawang Park where the cyclist had a light snack of chicken wings and Tau Hoo, sponsored by Daniel.
This is one of the few times, cycling is really leisure, just your bike, your friends and you. Nothing else matters.
Night ride. This time in group, pace is okay, isn't terribly fast. Felt comfortable at the pace. After 60km, the quads felt sore the powerless. Might have gone through quite a few accleration to feel this way.
A leisure ride with YCK CC cycling club. 7 riders in total turned up for the ride. My voodoo felt slow on tarmac. Is it the smooth feel of my Cervelo that makes so much difference or is it the pack encouragement from TMP during all other training ride.
I went back to my Voodoo, can't seems to find the perfect fit between full suspension and my riding style. The NRS is great, but i felt slower on the NRS, the voodoo is fast, snappy and well controlled in most situation. I guess my Voodoo will stay, Steel forever.
It have been a long time since i have participated in night ride. The weather seems very humid. During the ride, i hardly perspire, could be i didn't take enough water.
I was hoping for a good ride, unfortunately, i did not do well in this ride. The run on Friday did quite a fair bit of damage on my legs, especially on the quads, hamstring and calfs.
During the ride, the NRS suspension took care of all the bump, it reacts well. I think it is a little bit slower than my previous Voodoo Erzulie on the climb, it may be my condition of fatigue.
Bought a Giant XTC NRS Team from a to9goparter (www.togoparts.com), i had a NRS 5 years back, sold the bike due to fanacial issue. I had alway regreted that. I did not come across another 16" NRS frame again.
Planned to ride in interval training format. Drove the car and arrived at the chestnut ave barrier, brought 7.5 litres of water this time. The trail is wet and muddy today. Felt not as strong as i was previously.
Training ride with TMP, the ride is fast and furious. Averaging on computer at 30km/h. The tempo is extremely faster, the pack is closely pack. On the coastal road, the pack pulled at averaging 40km/h.
The ride is one of the best training ride so far, i like the pace and distance.
The night training ride with TMP, the ride is fast, the group is tight. It feels more like a road race than a training ride. I like this route, quiet, with vey little traffic.
Drove from home to Chestnut drive. Parked the car and started the the training ride. 2 laps of T15 basic MTB trail route.
Tyre is one of the most important component on the bike. It make a lot of difference on the trail. The geometry is another area that will affect the speed of the bike. In the past I do not believe in this, often sporting a flat bar and a 18 inch frame. The ride is unstable, hard to control over more technical terrain.
After switching to tubeless. The bike dig and hold it line well. Pumping to 35 psi, the ride is wonderful. The grip is good. I believe the Skinny Jimmy sticks onto the ground regardless of the kind of abuse I threw at it.
The average speed is still slow at 17km/h. Hope to work harder to go faster. I aim to hit 20km/h next training session.
The last time i hit Ketam trail is on the days it was officially open, there was a race, a duathlon organised by www.togoparts.com I did badly. Came in last with a time of 3 hours. My fear of that trail and XC riding developed.
I went today to face the fear of the trail again. Though, i did not attempt the Black Diamond and the double black diamond. It was the start of picking myself up from where i fell.
The ride was relaxing, nice and slow. It was enjoyable. The unfamiliar terrain and the scenic view makes the ride a really good one.
Spent a lot of time fixing up my single speed. Finally it is ready for the test. The first few pedal stroke, a single speed feel so efficient. The lack of a shifting system forces me to go into "hardworking" mode. There is no chance i can outwit my bike with its multiple gears.
Each revolution feel different. The top speed tested is about 36km/h and the climb can be fast. Though taxing on the muscle and knees. The bike is fun.
The only draw back is that the torque generated by all the standing attacks and stomping caused the wheels, chain, left crank gave way.The chain dropped twice at Punggol road, the crank came loose on at Tampines road, I discovered the wheels are loose by the time i got home.
I could have got further, i was limited by my bike. They say single speed is good due to the ease of maintenance, i doubt so now, the torque is just too much for the bike to handle.
This is my routine training ride with TMP. Nice straight fast route. Hitting an average of nore than 36km/h on the coastal stretch. The feel of riding coastal is so good, windy, straight, no lights. In a pace line there is no better place than the coastal training route. It does get boring if you are doing it alone.
This is my routine training ride with TMP. Nice route, besides my seat clamp make a lot of noise. I thought it was my bottom bracket or headset. It was my saddle. After 20 to 30 out of saddle effort, it was confirmed.
The weather is clear and sunny, the route is well covered from wind.
First ride, it feel different, lighter than its actual weight, it just feels lighter.
After I've got my 2nd hand voodoo frame, i love it. The feel of a steel bike is something that I can not forget, it simply climbs very easily. Stomp on the pedals and the bike will react instantly. Parts are as follows:
1. Fame = Voodoo Erzulie "s"
2. Fork = Fox float 100 RL
Wheels
3. Wheels = Mavic Crossmax and Mavic X819 tubeless
4: Tyres: Skinny Jimmy 1.9
Transmission
5: Crank: Shimano XTR with Sugino rings 46, 34, 24
6: Brakes: Shimano XT disc
7: Shifter: Shimano LX
8: Front Derailuer: Shimano XT
9: Rear Derailuer: Shimano LX gold
Contact
10: Seatpost: Thomson 27.2 11: Handle bar: Amoeba Carbon Yan
A rider usually start off with a simple mountain bike. Those memories of exploring the trails and bombing through rocky terrains are unforgettable. Often on a hardtail. The cyclist wishes that he can go faster, he invested in a pair of clipless pedals.
On the trail, other cyclists with beautiful, high tech full suspension bicycle and disc brakes are make their way on the downhill rocky trail, at high speed. The cyclist wanted the same full suspension advantage the other cyclists are getting. The cyclist bought a full suspension.
As my circle of cyclist friends gets bigger, the ride becomes faster, a lot faster. Most ride was on the road, the mountain biker will switch to a pair of skinny slick tires to keep up with friends, or to beat their friends. The cyclist lock out his full suspension buy lightweight parts.
Slowly, the 26" wheels and the suspension fork can no longer satisfy the desire for speed in the cyclist, the road bike will be the next investment.
On the road bike, in a group ride, to gain more advantage, the cyclist bought a pair of aero bars. He hope his aerodynamic advantage can help him go faster.
The cyclist picked up the other discipline like swimming and running, combined then and went for races.
After 10 years of racing, the cyclist looked back and hope he have the same joy of just exploring the trails. After 10 years, the triathlete, became a mountain biker again, he hop onto his hard tail with vee brakes and explore the trail. His hardtail may weigh 13kg, he is happy, because speed is not what he is after, fun is. It is easier to satisfy the urge for fun, then the urge of speed.
The life cycle of a cyclist, speed and fun don't mix.
Bought a compact drop bar by FSA, also a 130mm stem from Control Tech.
After long consideration, finally i've made the change from 26.8mm to Oversize 31.8. I can't feel the stiffness that most people claim. But, i've certainly felt what compact bar can do. FSA compact are well made. The compact design meaning less drop, enables me to stay in the drop more comfortably and longer. Then of course, the trade off is the lost of aerodynamic position, staying lower means more aero.
After the change, my guess is, aero vs comfort, i will go for comfort. A race will not end in 10 mins, staying in the drop for 10 more minutes is what i have been looking for.
Go for compact if your current set up makes you feel uncomfortable in the drop.
Mavic Ksyrium is one of the top end product in Mavics product line. It is a aluminium wheelset. Its main feature is its weight, it is very light.
Experience on the wheels
This wheels accelerate very quickly. It reacts very quickly to any pedal activities. Its smooth sealed cartidge bearing spins fast and holds its speed easily at 35 km/h to 40km/h range. On this wheels, climbing is easy and comfortable. The bladed spokes are not tight thus giving it a very comfortable ride quality.
Truing this wheels requires special mavic spokes key. Truing is easy and fast. The wheels goes out of true fairly frequently. I guess it is because of its light weight. In comparison to 35mm profile rims, this 25mm profile rims are so much faster.
In my opinion, this is one of the better road racing wheels anybody can have. If you ride in groups, on road with lots of start, stop due to traffic lights, i recommend this pair of wheels to you.
1. Aluminium - Aluminium's density is 2700 kg/m3, it is a relatively light metal. Pretty high corrosion resistant. The disadvantage is low strength and fatigue life. The advantage includes its low weight, relatively easy to weld and join. Its modulus of elasticity is estimated at 10 000 000 psi.30 2. Steel - Steel's density ranges from 7850 kg/m3 on average. From the comparison with aluminum, it is heavier. When steel is used to make frame, the tube can be made smaller in diameter, thus reduce its weight. Steel can be welded quite easily. Older bikes have their tubes connected by lugs. Classic frames can be made with high quality steel. The disadvantage of steel is its high density and rust. A well taken care steel bike can last a lifetime. Its modulus of elasticity is estimated at 30 000 000 psi.30 3. Titanium- Titanium density is 4506 kg/m3.It have a high strength to weight ratio. It is highly resistant to corrosion. However, its disadvantage is its difficulty to weld. Thus, high cost of workmanship. It is the chose of material if cost is not a factor to consider. Its modulus of elasticity is estimated at 16 000 000 psi.30
4. Carbon Fibre - Carbon fibre density is lowest at 1780 kg/m3. It is easily molded into various shape, thus aerodynamic super bike are almost made of carbon fibre. It can be manipulated to be compliant and stiff and any direction depend on its weave. The disadvantage is cost of molding and should be not expose to direct sunlight for long period of time. carbon fiber heated from 2500 to 3000 °C (graphitizing) exhibits a higher modulus of elasticity (77,000,000 psi or 531 GPa or 531 kN/mm²).
One of the most effective method to compare gear ration is by the use of gear inches.
In the day of high wheeler bicycles, there is no gearing. The rev per min of pedal equates to the rev per min of the wheels. The load on the pedal is determined by the diameter (radius) of the wheels.
How to do it? 1. Measure the circumference of the wheel. There are a few methods a. you may measure the radius of the wheels with tires and multiply by 2xpi. or b. you may roll the bike on the floor starting from the valve and end at the valve. The distance travelled on the ground is the circumference.
2. Count the teeth on the cogset. For all sprocket
3. Count the teeth on the chain ring. For all chainring
4. Make a chart of chainring divided by sprocket and multiply by wheel circumference.
5. It is done.
The choice of bicycle used is predominantly determined by the format of ride chosen.
Road cycling is one of the most common format locally, bicycles used usually comes with 700c wheels, drop handlebar and double chain ring. Deviation such as triple chain ring, flat handlebar and 650c wheels are also available. Road bike comes with thin tyres ranging from 18mm to 25mm commonly. The seat angle is somewhere between 72 degrees to 74 degrees. It is suitable for smooth surfaces.
Above: An example of road bike
Another format of road cycling is Time Trial. Some of the cyclist call it Tri bike, however, the difference between the 2 is the seat angle. Sporting pursuit bar (bullhorn) with aero bar. wheels are either in deep V, trispokes or disc. The position of Time Trial bike make it every aero dynamic. Seat angle for TT bike is generally 72 degrees to 76 degrees, Tri bike usually spot a seat angle of 76 degrees to 80 degrees.Tri bikes are not UCI legal. While TT bikes are not Mass start legal.
Off Road riding is sub divided into a few discipline. Cross country, downhill, 4X, trial, etc
In this post i shall only describe cross country cycling. Cross country cycling or XC bikes are typically lighter then other off road bikes, it primary function is to participate in races traversing cross country terrain. Typically a cross country bike comes with a suspension fork. Some models come with suspension frame.
Frame with suspension is known as full suspension (full sus/ FS), frame without suspension is known as Hardtail (HT).
Fork is usually telescopic fork, in some models multiple linkage fork. Its travel ranges from 63mm to 100mm. Travel means the amount of verticle movement made by the lower of the fork.
Wheels are typically 26 inches, with the new standard of 29 inches. Tyres are fat ranging from 1.75 inches to 2.25 inches, with studs and patterns known as treads.
The drivetrain is usually 3 triple chain ring, with huge gear ratio. Sporting either a flat handlebar or riser bar.
Mountain bikes are meant to be ridden in cross country terrain. I am only exposed to cross country cycling in 2001. 5 years after I had my mountain bike. The experience is so memorable, I can still vividly remember the day and the scar it left.
My virgin ride is in T15 mandai. Some call it Gangsa trail. It is near the Singapore Zoological Garden and Night Safari. The road leading to the zoo, look the right, you will see a tarmac road leading to T15.
Cross country isn't easy. I rode my then Specialized Hardrock and meet up with a guy, i think his nickname is Fuzzybear in Togoparts. We met at the Seletar Reservoir park, there he showed me the way to T15.
T15 is perfect for beginners, not a lot of tight turn, just a couple of climbs. I would grade it as 2 stars out of 5 stars in terms of difficulties.
There i met a few other cyclists, whom I can still recall his nickname Fisher (Riding a Gary Fisher).
Unfortunately, the gathering ended very soon. The group went their separate ways. The group became too competitive as we get more and more experienced in cross country.
Honestly, I missed them and the rides with them.
Current bike setup
Frame: Cervelo Soloist Team Wheelset: Karbona Neo T2 Crank: KCNC with Rotor Q rings Pedals: Shimano Durace Drive train: Full Shimano Ultegra Handlebar: Bontrager X lite Stem: Unbranded Brakes: Shimano Ultegra Chain: KMC gold 9X Saddle: San Marco Bottle cage: Unbranded Computer: Polar S510 and Cateye Velo 8
Born in 1979 in a not so rich family. My family cannot a afford a car. My Father (who passed away in 2009)owned his only vehicle- a road bicycle. His way of showing the world to me as a kid is on his bicycle. As a passenger on his top tube.
My Father brought me far from home. In 1993, my Father bought a chinese made BMX at $80, even though the family is poor.
The joy of cycling is about freedom and independence. There is no better way for a young boy to go so far, all alone. The joy of cycling- remember how do you feel when you were a kid, riding all alone exploring unfamiliar places?
I hope i can rekindle the kind of feeling, that i had as a kid.
Bike fitting is probably the most important thing in cycling. Without a proper bike fit, a light weight super bike can be hard to ride.
There are a few contact points worth mentioning in bike fitting.
1. Saddle top to pedals 2. Stem length 3. Handle bar width 4. Handle bar drop 5. Saddle fore and aft 6. Cleats fore and aft (For clipless pedal users)
How to calculate saddle height. (Saddle top to pedals) 1. Wear you cycling shoes and stand against a wall and measure you crouch to the floor. 2. Take the measurement and multiply by 0.883 3. Make minor adjustment from there, it should be within 2cm of the most efficient seat height
Stem length. Drop a straight edge (plumb line) from nose. It should bisect the stem. If the position to too much forward, then the stem is too short. If the position is too aft, then the stem is too long.
Handlebar width. The handlebar should be the same as your shoulder width. Handlebar drop Handlebar drop affect comfort and airway. Therefore it is one of the most important measurement. As a guide, it should be 1cm top 2cm below the saddle. No doubt lower handlebar position improve aerodynamics, but, can you sustain in that painful crouch position for long?
Saddle fore and aft As a guide, when the crank is at the 9 o'clock position, a plumb line dropo from the knee cap should be inline with the axle of the pedals.
Cleats fore and aft As a guide, the broadest part of the feet should be on the axle of the pedals. Some individuals prefers extreme position. Personally, i love to have the axle nearer to the heels. It feels more stable and powerful.
Equally important is the geometry of the frame.
Personally, i had experience with different geometry. I can tell you, the difference is really significant. With a steep triathlon geometry of 77 degrees seat angle, i feel good in the aero position, however, on the climb, the quadriceps is unable to exert enough force onto the pedals, thus, on the climb, a steep seat angle is a disadvantage. On a 74 degree seat angle bike,the climb is easy, however, staying in aero position is painful.
Attack - An aggressive acceleration taken to open up a lead on other riders.
Blocking - Attempt to slow the progress of the pack in order to assist a breakaway group to create and secure a lead.
Blow up - To be unable to maintain a fast pace due to over exertion.
Break, or Breakaway - A rider or group of riders who sprint away from the pack.
Bridge, Bridge a Gap - An attempt to catch up with a breakaway.
Chaser - A rider who attempts to bridge a gap.
Drafting - Taking advantage of the slipsteam created by another rider by riding close to his rear wheels. Also called wheel sucking, sitting in and riding in tow.
Field Sprint - A mass sprint towards the finish line by the front of the pack.
Jam - A period of hard pedaling. Also called Hammering.
Jump - To accelerate rapidly, in a sprint.
Leadout - A tactic where one cyclist rides at his fastest pace to help his teammate in a tow. The second rider then jumps around the first rider at an even faster pace to sprint towards the finish line. Sort of like a catapult.
Mass start - A race which begins with all riders leaving the starting line in a group.
Motorpace - A training method where a rider rides behind a motor vehicle which breaks the wind.
Peleton - The main group of riders in a mass start race, also called bunch, group or pack.
Pull - To ride at the front of the group, to break the wind for the riders in the Peleton or Paceline.
Pull Off - To leave the front of the group so the next rider can take over.
Reel In - When the Peleton catches up with the Breakaway group.
Snap - To accelerate quickly.
Soft Pedal - to ride without apply pressure to the pedals.
The site is for all cyclists and cycling enthusiast. I hope to provide all cyclists with the most relevant information on cycling, as a sports, a hobby, a passion, a way of life.
In this site, hope to include
1. Equipment reviews 2. Science of cycling 3. Experiences in training, group rides and races 4. Bike repairs and links to bike repair sites 5. Races
Hope you can enjoy this site and its information useful to you.
