Review: The Mosso Fork

Now the legendary Mosso fork. I have had it for a while, on my above commuter, I was using it in conjunction with Schwalbe Big Apples 2.0 (before I fitted it to knobbies above). The most popular review on Eightinches.com on the same fork made note on the following points:

Positives:

Stiff
Light
Cheap
Can be used with v- or disc brakes
Durable
Zero maintenance (due to lack of moving parts & aluminum construction)

Negatives:

Stiff
Difficulty installing star nut and bearing race
Low axle-to-crown height (394mm from axle center to top of crown)

Negatives:
The fact that the author put "stiff" in both the pros and cons was really what pretty much sums up this fork, it is crazy stiff, and yes I had read his review before going ahead with the purchase. Since I knew it was going to be so stiff, Schwalbe Big Apples was the natural choice for the front tire (Whatever for the back). I ran about 30-35 psi and this made the ride more comfortable than my road bike. The air inside my tubes eventually deflated slower till it hit single digit psi (<10 psi) and if felt so fun, like having some travel in the fork. So I guess the stiffness (or harshness) was no longer an issue for me.

When I was selling this fork, a buyer highlighted that the shape of the prongs of the fork are really bladed and knife like, while other higher ends fork are rounded. A rather good observation! Because it's so thin, vibrations are really hard to diffuse into the fork and are transferred straight to your hands. Just imagine the Mosso fork is your skating shoes, not really meant for anything other than perfectly flat ice rings! Of course you can help alleviate that by wearing think comfort socks (the Schwalbe Big Apples).

As for the crown race/bearing race I couldn't even get it anywhere near the bottom of the steerer with a hammer, down to the bike shop than... I needed a star nut anyway, so yes it's hard to get it down, but nothing a bike shop can't do for a small fee.

Low axle-to-crown height, this is actually a "Pro" for me. I ride it on road mostly, and wanted something low and aerodynamic! It fits perfectly! What's more, due to the lack of distance from the front wheel and in combination with how light the fork is, steering is incredibly light. It's so light that I wish all mountain bikes handle like this fork. Effortless is a understatement! Probably one of my favourite qualities of this fork

Price? I paid less than SGD $80 (USD $65) for it, you can get it cheaper from wholesalers and if you get it in bulk, but that is another story...

I also rather the disc brake mount be a IS mount instead of a POST, since I had to spend on a ridiculously overpriced Shimano adapter...

Final Verdict? It's great! Light and therefore fast! But the most compelling factor has to be it's price. Cheers!

OCBC 2012: After thoughts

I went down to the F1 pits, to check out what OCBC 2012 has to offer for the bargain hunter in me and to check out the Professional Criterium that was heavily publicized that involved a "invite only" start grid of Pro riders.

Right after arriving I saw the Men's Open Crit (above picture), I didn't know what was happening and the commentator didn't help much. So after a few clicks of the camera I proceeded on the the booths where I heard Shimano was having a big sale!

 

Loots from OCBC! From left, free Spin (old issue) magazine (no time to read omg), Pro 3 gloves from Shimano booth ($15), 700c spare tube ($5), Free stickers from Spin booth.

I shall leave you with some eye candy:

 Oh gosh, the disc wheel acts as a great banner, and look at those TT bars!

 

Might need one of these when I go overseas with my bike... Hmm...

 Some electric bikes on display... But... Their range pretty much sucks. Compared to this baby.

 

Skate bicycles?

 

Of course some decent locks.

By the time my friends and I finished browsing through all the booths, the Pro Crit had alrdy started. We got some chairs and sat infront of the huge ass TV, and Mr. Yuva bought us beers! Thanks dude, great atmosphere with beer? Couldn't beat that anywhere. We watched as some attacks took place... Some of us went to the barriers just the experience them blazing through and get right into the action!

There was a break away by a solo Japanese rider, who unfortunately had a puncture! Talk about dramatic. And the worst? His mechanics struggled to change his rear wheel.

By the time the mechanics were done, the peloton had caught up, as if to show us that he was crazy strong or just plain crazy he broke away again! Apperantly just before the special stage horn was sounded, securing a small prize money.... Maybe that was his plan all along... The peloton caught him and subsequently dropped him later on... But interestingly a 3-men breakaway formed as below:

I don't know who they are, but this guys really put in some hardwork!

3 other men caught up with the breakaway! And they worked their asses off! How hard? Well, this 6-men breakaway (above) was never caught by the main peloton! Insane.

Resulting in a mad sprint at the end by the 6-men:

 

This guy leads them out from the final turn, cranking the speeds up!

 

The decisive moment! This was the guy right behind the first guy coming out from the final turn, blasting out from the rear wheel of the lead man, he sprints and manages to out sprint everyone else to take the win!

I was wondering if the 2nd guy could last till the finish line... It seemed pretty far to me! and look at the current third guy! It would seem to me he had enough to edge 2nd guy for the win! But not to be! hahahaha, exciting!

So what was so fun about this? Well, next time... I would go early to the booths and grab bargain deals before they are sold out, avoid the crowds and of course watch the exciting Pro Crit! Over beer! Damn, if you missed this... Come next year!

What do you get when you combine Girl, Bike and Van?

It's the end of the school semester and works piling up. Probably taking a hiatus till its all over. I got a new bike and hopefully will have the time to write about it, cheers!