CS bicycles and cyclist thread II

[pinholecam]

Yesterday I got a flat tire while riding with my 3 year old son at the intersection of Serangoon road and Kallang PCN (near Serangoon x PIE). It's in the middle of nowhere with no sight of any bike shop.
I tried to wave so many taxis but all refused as soon as they see my bike.
But luckily there was this nice driver stop by. To my surprise, he asked me to put the bike in the back row as the trunk cannot fit the bike with child seat on.
We struggled to fit it in with one wheel removed and some padding on the seat. Mr Teo Sheng Huat (SHB 2286Z) was a rescuer for my son and I. I paid him double the fare to show my appreciation and not sure if it's enough.

How do you guys prevent such thing from happening? Not sure if I'll be that lucky next time

Best is to carry a spare tube, 2 levers, 1 handpump.
But in SGP, generally you will certainly find some sort of transport within 1-2km walk to a road.
Just a matter of waiting time.

 

[simon6z]

JK, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...532714806.77994.264142036930889&type=1&ref=nf

Is this the one you bought?

 

[pinholecam]

JK, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...532714806.77994.264142036930889&type=1&ref=nf

Is this the one you bought?

Frame is the same, but your link is in Red color (too bad MV8 version was in silver and white ).
Your link has a MV8 frame, but MV7 config.

Differences :
1. Non-Quick release wheels on MV7
2. Rear D (MV8 is a Shimano 2300; MV7 is a cheaper MTB type)
3. MV8 has 8 speed cassette;
4. MV8 - 130bcd crank which is easy to replace chainring with any road bike chainring. MV7 is a fixed one.

Its worth the cost delta to me.
However, if you intend to swap out most of these stuff, like BB/rear D/wheels/etc, then MV7 might save you some money.
As a commute, I'm pretty happy with the MV8 as it is, though I think I will be hand itchy to change out some parts over time.

 

[simon6z]

wonder if u ride from your home to somewhere around 7km, will you feel damn tired n sweaty? Uncle got me a mtb which I tried to amk and back to bishan I was damn out of breath. Maybe will get the one you recommended and save the headache

 

[pinholecam]

wonder if u ride from your home to somewhere around 7km, will you feel damn tired n sweaty? Uncle got me a mtb which I tried to amk and back to bishan I was damn out of breath. Maybe will get the one you recommended and save the headache

Might be that its your current fitness level.
Just cycle more.

That said, IMO, I find that bikes under $120, certainly something's got to be traded off (lousy brakes; not too good wheels that don't roll as well; shifters that don't work too well, etc).
I've had good experiences with bikes $280 and above.
Nothing to shout about, but they usually do the job adequately.


My commute is 7km to office and 25km on the return route (longer on purpose).
Just did 70km on the MV8 last Fri before work, to see how it fares for a longer ride.
IMHO, its pretty decent.

 

[ManWearPants]

wonder if u ride from your home to somewhere around 7km, will you feel damn tired n sweaty? Uncle got me a mtb which I tried to amk and back to bishan I was damn out of breath. Maybe will get the one you recommended and save the headache

referring to the below picture extracted from Wikipedia, I have the chain ring changed to a bigger diameter, crank arm and pedal changed to slightly longer and stiffer material, and the ball bearing inside the part where the crank arm is attached changed to one with higher viscosity. All these made a huge difference to the direct power transmission from leg to pedal. And if you change the tire to a narrower one, it add to the speed but more prone to flat. I also discovered if you wear a shoe with a stiffer outer sole, more power is being transmitted.

So you do have to see what goes into the bike. I was checking out a Trek bike. Even the spokes of the wheel are aerodynamics. Of course the price is chilling too.

Do be aware of having disc brakes on your MTB if you are using it for roads. The lightweight of bicycle and disc braking may be quite dangerous to the rider.

 

[simon6z]

Well actually I just need a non flashy easy riding for travelling and sometimes exercise or go sembawang hill fc eat wanton mee look at chio bu. Ride along thomson area for macro photography or supper somewhere near but if I listen to funny people asking me get 1plus k bike doll it up to 15k bike I might as well get class 2B better

 

[pinholecam]

Well actually I just need a non flashy easy riding for travelling and sometimes exercise or go sembawang hill fc eat wanton mee look at chio bu. Ride along thomson area for macro photography or supper somewhere near but if I listen to funny people asking me get 1plus k bike doll it up to 15k bike I might as well get class 2B better

Ha.. ha...
Sort of reminds me of my 'requirement' years back.

Got a $85 market bike and took it around the neighborhood.
Cycled on the pavement.
Thought it was fine.
Then one fine day, I 'chio' some colleagues to go eat prata at Casurina Rd (by cycling)
Man! what a punishing ride on the bike.
Slopes turned to mountains on the bike.
My friends on their still cheap but decent ($200+) mtb seemed to do much better and I knew it was not fitness.
Got myself a 2nd hand Giant MTB and things when on from there.
So never say never

 

[ed9119]

wonder if u ride from your home to somewhere around 7km, will you feel damn tired n sweaty? Uncle got me a mtb which I tried to amk and back to bishan I was damn out of breath. Maybe will get the one you recommended and save the headache

need to work on the fitness more lol!!

 

[ManWearPants]

Well actually I just need a non flashy easy riding for travelling and sometimes exercise or go sembawang hill fc eat wanton mee look at chio bu. Ride along thomson area for macro photography or supper somewhere near but if I listen to funny people asking me get 1plus k bike doll it up to 15k bike I might as well get class 2B better

not so much lah. Just top up $100+ to make a difference in cycling experience. And the best part is your bike will still look cheap as no one will notice the changes.

 

[ed9119]

My recent build based on a Felt Urban X hybrid frame and 8 speed internal gear Nexus
Ride is mostly upright Ah Pek style

 

[simon6z]

need to work on the fitness more lol!!

Yes sir noted and will be trying to work out

My recent build based on a Felt Urban X hybrid frame and 8 speed internal gear Nexus
Ride is mostly upright Ah Pek style

nice but seat too high for me, I have uncomfortable butt on high stands and seats but mini velos should suit me since its seat can adjust

 

[creampuff]

Do be aware of having disc brakes on your MTB if you are using it for roads. The lightweight of bicycle and disc braking may be quite dangerous to the rider.

This is definitely not true. Disc brakes offer better modulation (feel) and I don't see why disc brakes pose any danger over more common V-brakes.

 

[darkhorse00]

I am thinking of getting a trek dual sport with a disc brake or the FX, which fits my budget. Does disc brakes have a lesser braking effect? I thought it is the other way round??

 

[simon6z]

This is definitely not true. Disc brakes offer better modulation (feel) and I don't see why disc brakes pose any danger over more common V-brakes.

Well if he say v brakes better than disc brakes I don't see why motorcycle on disc rather than on v brakes. Disc brakes have better stopping plus if you are heavy weight like 100kg on the bike I think more effective. I am not a good rider so anything is safety first so disc brake will be better if have but MV 8 doesn't but if pinhole ride no problem so should be good. I seen Kalaq Q5 300 bucks on disc brakes and can fold hahaha

 

[creampuff]

Well if he say v brakes better than disc brakes I don't see why motorcycle on disc rather than on v brakes. Disc brakes have better stopping plus if you are heavy weight like 100kg on the bike I think more effective. I am not a good rider so anything is safety first so disc brake will be better if have but MV 8 doesn't but if pinhole ride no problem so should be good. I seen Kalaq Q5 300 bucks on disc brakes and can fold hahaha

Can't say about other people but I deal with bicycles on a regular basis.
In an urban riding context, V-brakes or caliper brakes are adequate for the majority of users.
For disc brakes, cable actuated mechanical ones are usually inferior to hydraulic. Most mechanical disc brakes imo offer few advantages over V-brakes.
In the context of rider weight, V-brakes do have sufficient stopping power even if the rider/load combination exceeds 100kg.

In our local context a folding bike offers plenty of advantages (space saving, portability, ability to bring on public transport, easier to travel, etc.) but obviously there are plenty of brands and models to choose from. My recommendation is to buy a reputable brand that offers a warranty and from a retailer that offers good service. Avoid the overly cheap and cheerful because they are very often crap and cumbersome.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Share some pictures of my ride:

 

[Royale With Cheese]

works in progress, re-built of a classic road

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Well if he say v brakes better than disc brakes I don't see why motorcycle on disc rather than on v brakes. Disc brakes have better stopping plus if you are heavy weight like 100kg on the bike I think more effective. I am not a good rider so anything is safety first so disc brake will be better if have but MV 8 doesn't but if pinhole ride no problem so should be good. I seen Kalaq Q5 300 bucks on disc brakes and can fold hahaha

The whole ideal of disc brakes is wet/muddy conditions stopping.

In the trail, when you entire rim is coated in mud, dont think you V brakes are going to work honestly but the hydraulic disc brakes do work very well when even the entire rotor is coated with mud

 

[simon6z]

The whole ideal of disc brakes is wet/muddy conditions stopping.

In the trail, when you entire rim is coated in mud, dont think you V brakes are going to work honestly but the hydraulic disc brakes do work very well when even the entire rotor is coated with mud

not sure actually but I kind of tapping on my brake like i stepping brakes by tapping only to slow it down then foot in to utilise brake system so that my father's vio's brake disc won't wear out so fast.
1 thing on bicycle is just got noted that mv8 sold out so left mv 7 so which retailer and which brand offer the best overall I really not sure, may go into foldie and visit rodalink