Giant XTC NRS Team

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.

Here's how my bike is built

Fork: Fox Float 100RL

Wheels: Mavic Crossmax and Mavic 818

Crank: XTR with Sugino ring

Cogset: XT

Brakes: XT

Seatpost: Thomson elite

Handlebar: Amoeba

Stem: Easton EA50

Pedals: Shimano PD540

Tyres: Kenda Kharisma Tubeless

Training Ride on 30th Mar 2010 Starting 2100

Time: 2100

Date: 30th Mar 2010

Bike: GT Single speed MTB

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.

Total distance: approx 36km

Total time taken:2 hours

Speed: less than 18km/h with breaks

Training on SS on 300310

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

Voodoo!!!!

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

12: Pedal: Shimano PD-520

13: Stem: Easton EA50

14: Saddle: Velo

Materials used for bicycle

Common materials used for bicycles are

1. Aluminium - Aluminium's density is 2700 kg/m^{3, 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/m^{3 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).

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.










Credits: http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/russian/images/beijing/Levi-TT-Bike.jpg



Track cycling is rare locally. It have its fans in other country. Usually sporting a fixed wheel with single speed. Track bikes are super bikes.
















Credits: http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/attachments/f120/28499d1148139464-lotus-super-bike-lotusbike1.jpg

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.












Above: Cross country bike

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