Commuted to school!

The ride to school was relaxing, despite the occasional heavy vehicle. It was somehow calming.

The whistling of wind, the rhythmic spin of the cranks, the unending breeze and the greenery which accompanies soothing thoughts of how awesome nature can be.

Looking forward to the ride home!

On an unfortunate note, I will be on a short hiatus due to exams and will continue blogging in December. Ride safe all!

Team Time Trials

Since I came back from Japan in June, I wanted to take part in the Individual Time Trials (ITT) in Sept. So I got myself a Time Trial bike ($600) from Fusion cycles (back in June):

Unfortunately, I was obligated to pass my IPPT before September and I only narrowed did so. And so with insufficient time to train up for the ITT and decided to set my sights on the TTT.

That TTT was today, NTU Cycling Team sent in two teams 36km Sports and 24km Fun Quad:

Finishing times were 53mins27secs (5th place, 40.4km/h) and 41mins31secs (6th place, 34.7km/h) respectively! This is my second time in a race and my first Time Trial, some people say you either love or hate Time Trialing... I say, it is the fastest form of human-powered two wheeled transport (After the velomobile), and the rush you get when hitting speeds of 40km/h and above is pure ecstasy.

I will be back for more (and hopefully a medal)!

Tags: Cyclone Race Series Team Time Trial Pictures October 23rd 2011 (23/10/11)

New part: Mosso Rigid Fork Aluminum

In my requirements for my commuter, I said I wanted a rigid fork. I went around researching... For a cash-strapped student I wanted something cheap, secondhand is fine. So a quick search at togoparts yielded me a $120 carbon fork(800+g) and a already sold (@$105) Mosso fork(665g). Carbon was a no-no due to it's bling factor, the weight difference in the two was a little surprising in the age of carbon bikes that weigh 2.7+ kg(Not a typo,see World's Lightest Bike).

So I figured, if a 2nd hand seemingly weight weenie(for the budget) fork cost $105, the Brand new price shouldn't be that far off... And since C2C did bring them in I went down to ask, just so happens they are out of stock and off me a carbon wrapped version for around twice my budget. Went home and found some on ebay than Alibabaexpress and made an order.

Below was the unboxing process:

I bought two to save on shipping...

One of the protective skewers broke...

The above that didn't break...

Thick cardboard with lots of tape, bubble wrap followed by a thin foam padding. Not bad for free shipping!

Tags: Mosso Rigid aluminum fork black unboxing alibaba expreses singapore supplier

Stolen bike : My old Aleoca XT

My neighbour's bike got stolen yesterday (15th Oct 2011) at Blk 982 Buangkok Crescent.
Please help keep a look out for especially if any of you are staying nearby...
A Police report has been made.

Please contact Alan if you have any information at 8311127 nine.

Bike: Red Aleoca XT Aluminum 6061 (Triple triangle frame)
Drive-train: Shimano SIS parts
Fork: Chromoly Rigid (Most normal Aleoca XTs have front zoom suspension)
Grip: Foam with black and white checkers
Tires: 2008 Schwalbe Racing Ralphs
Stem bolts have actually been soldered to avoid theft...

Appreciate it to those people who help! Thank you!

Commuter changes: Sticker up!

One of the ways to discourage theft is to make you bike ugly, and stickers can do that!

My dad had some free stickers for his car that he wanted to throw away (because he finds them ugly, go figure), so I took them and and started sticking them.

Ok, some how because the stickers are not randomly positioned it seems to look decent! Not as ugly as I intended, well I have more stickers and will stick more when I have the time.

Trying out .gif file I created. hope it works (gave up, here's the 2 pictures instead):

Tags: stickers and bicycles, make your bike ugly with stickers

New Commuter Found!

The Polygon Xtrada 3.0! Behold!

You can take a look at the bike's specs here.

I paid about $350 for it, although it was $50 more than I originally planned the seller gave me a lot of incentive! Lights, a Abus cable lock (He said it's a real solid cable lock, not those cheapo kinds!), saddle bag, spare tube, tire patches, tire levers, hand pump, bell, bottle cage. And the real deal breaker? The bike was in real mint condition! (Not good for parking outside though...)

So the first step to parking such a minty new bike outside?

1. Remove all things that can be quick relieved! (Quick-released)

2. Add good sturdy locks and lock them skillfully! (Refer to Guide!)

Isn't she a beauty? Now to slowly transform her into the commuting dream I envisioned her to be! Fears of losing her will be much higher than my once treasured Aleoca XT, I am putting my money where my mouth is. And let's see if my guide is actually full of crap, or you can can safely follow it and let your mind be at ease.

Tags: First steps after immediately getting your bicycle, preparing your bicycle for commuting, locking your bicycle after buying it, Polygon Xtrada 3.0

Experts at cycling infrastructure.

You know how the Singaporean Government always employs/consult experts to improve on various issues? You can't help but stop and wonder, if they actually consulted anyone on Singapore's cycling infrastructure. It's either that they are a little too brave and maybe naive or just plain ignorant to think that Singapore can come up with a new system to tackle the issue.

Well you know what? Just use what has been proven to work and implement it! Consult the Dutch!

Tags: Cycling experts Dutch Cycling Embassy, Singapore Cycling network

News: Vehicle growth rate to be cut

(source: futurepundit.com)

"... Along arterial roads and within the CBD, the average speed was 24.6 km/hr in 2002.

In 2010, the speed improved to 28 km/hr. ..."

-Quoted from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1156998/1/.html


Well damn! That's pretty slow! Looks like the best place to bicycle commute is right in the heart of the country! In the CBD area!

If the world is looking towards bicycle ownership instead of cars, I don't see why the Singaporean government still doesn't want to give a kick start to bicycle commuting.

1. Numerous Park Connectors have been constructed
2. More bicycle parking spaces have been allocated (In the cases of Tampines & Pasir Ris mrt, both "cycling towns")
3. Police efforts on bicycle theft have been on the rise (More articles of bike thieves being caught and more signs alerting residents are being seen)
4. Bicycle ownership is relatively easy. (Look at the NTUC superstores, $49 for a bicycle! Many many local bike shops within walking distance)

So what exactly is left to do? Lots really!
1. Education on correct locking methods for bikes! All it takes is to spend a few seconds of Singapore's TV broadcast time, for a little as a month! (E.g. Ride-a-bike to work! Save $ and keep fit! But remember to use a good U-lock (20% of your bicycle's value) and you are good to go!)

If everyone locked their bicycles up nicely, would there even be thefts?

2. The higher ups have to set the example, without experiencing it first hand they would not know the problems at ground zero. If a boss cycles to work daily, the lower downs will definitely give it a try (Boss can give incentives!) And Boss here can mean anything from the CEO of SMRT (TAKE A HINT), to Ministers of Parliament, to Minimart & Coffeeshop Owners.

Endless list of advantages here, productivity, less MC, less congestion, etc.

I have more to say but no more time! School is usual excuse. Cheers guys ride safe!

Let the search begin

I have decided to retire my Aleoca XT and will be searching for a replacement!

Some of the criteria/requirement I would like my next commuter to have:

• Disc brakes!
• Second hand (So if it is stolen not so heart pain!)
• Aluminum frame (Less weight)
• Rigid fork (Less weight, no bobbing=less effort wasted)
• 7 spd/21 spd
• Not a GT (Too attention grabbing for thieves IMHO)
• About $300