The Day After / Road Test - Upgrade Report, Prognosis and Critique

31Aug2014 - The Day After / Road Test - Upgrade Report, Prognosis and Critique

Feeling excited today to do my road test of "Black Beauty" after her upgrade last 28-29Aug2014. I was up early preparing for my ride at 4am doing my early morning routine of blood sugar test and blood pressure recording. At 5:04am I was on the saddle and hitting the road.

Meantime, let me back track on what were upgrades about in particular and who were tasked to do the job.

There were two shops that I was considering, BPM in Makati and Coolstuff1608ph at La Loma Quezon City. With the former, the plus factor was that the location was near my residence and that the bike mechanic JR and shop manager Maryann are known to me and of which I have a great rapport with. However, the con side is that I do not know the shop owner.  For the latter, main consideration was Philip Tan although not personally known to me is an active chat buddy with Brompton Club Philippines (BCP) and by me on FB and they have done a number of upgrades for me. The con side is that their shop is very far from my residence and that the mechanics are unknown to me. I guess the main tipping factor on the decision was Philip Tan.

Having decided on Coolstuff168ph, I made firm contact with Philip Tan and agreed basically over the phone over the project, As requested by Philip, I wrote a Job Order so as not to forget anything. Listed hereunder was the INITIAL Job Order;

(1)  Upgrade installation work from 3 speed to 6 speed BWR. Complete wheel kit part 19449 inclusive retro-fitting manual (owner supplied)

(2)  DR gear cable set complete M type LW B Part 9012053 (owner supplied) required for upgrade installation item (1) above.

(3)  Two (2) pieces Schwalbe Marathon Plus (owner supplied)  to be installed on front existing wheel and on the wheel set of upgrade 6 speed BWR.

(4)  Installation of RIDEA Head Set (owner supplied) purchased with Coolstuff on 27Aug14.

(5)  Coolstuff to supply and install RIDEA brake levers (GOLD).

(6)  Coolstuff to supply and install BikeFun Chain Tensioner and pulleys (GOLD/Coppery) instead of what is included on upgrade kit as per item (1) above.

(7)  Install Bike48 Handle Bar Catcher Bolt Gold (owner supplied)

(8)  After completion of the above, test bike for functional gearing and folding mechanism.

During the course of repair additional work/upgrade were decided as follows;

(1) Supply and install RIDEA Oval Power Chain 48t

(2) Supply and install Gold Bell

(3) Upgrade to Ti Bolt for handle Post

      During the course of the upgrade Philip was constantly communicating with me via messenger as if I was physically present at Coolstuff168ph shop. He provides updates and pictures on how things are moving and any problem encountered is discussed immediately for shift decision. This part of the service is highly commendable of which personal touch was provided to the job at hand. On Friday 29Aug14 at around 4pm I already had Black Beauty in my possession.

     On Saturday 30Aug14, Teddy Trajano, the buyer of my replaced Schwalbe Marathon Tyre coordinated with me to pick-up the item at my residence at 10:30am. When time came that Teddy was announced by our reception lobby and proceeding to my unit, it was only then I have the tyres taken from storage and brought out. To my surprise I noticed that the tyres were marked "Schwalbe Marathon Plus" I am pretty sure that my old tyres are not PLUS but the regular ones. I looked at the bike and saw that my old tyre were still the ones installed. I could not believe it because Philip sent me a picture (pictured above) of the PLUS fitted. Although, we have had issues to resolve during the period of the correct snag fitting as pictured below, we both assume that the tyres fitted when I collected the bike were the Marathon Plus. Being a Saturday Coolstuff were closed. However, I messaged Philip of the situation and requested him to call me of which I would like to know why and how things happened. Meantime, Teddy arrived in my unit and had to explain with embarrassment to him that item sold to him were still fitted on the bike and sorry for him but lucky for me I did not turnover the Marathon Plus to him.

      After ten minutes so, Philip called and he himself cannot believe why the Marathon Plus was not fitted. Without too much ado, these were the words of assurance from Philip;

"Sorry sir. I am thinking nagkalituhan kasi we kept trying to mount and dismount the tires. Sorry talaga sa hassle"

"But i will take this as a challenge to improve our service"

"Yes sir thats what i will do first thing if i have to do it myself i will"

      How I wish things trend out perfect, however, short of the same, I am very much comfortable of the words and assurance from Philip.

      Meantime, maybe just as an unsolicited advise to Coolstuff, it would be a best operational practise to designate a staff as "Quality Auditor" wherein he/she is not directly involve in the mechanical work or project and whose task will be only to do the final check on any work order and making sure that things were done as per JO. As they say any good thing can still be improve, you need only an open mind.

On the matter of the test run and the upgrades, I would like to site the following;

1) The upgrade from 3 speed to 6 speed BWR Hub was worth the effort and the money. However, for those buying their next B the best advice is always go for the 6 speed the price different from the 3 speed is only about a $100 but you know you have more rather than less gears when needed. 

2) RIDEA Oval Power Chain - I am really happy that I decided to have this upgraded. I felt during my test ride the power it gave me. There was no dead spot as you tackle the hills. Definitely worth the money and would recommend to others.

3) RIDEA Head Set - I would not be an authority as to the mechanical advantage, but, aesthetically this looks great i my bike and or the small cost a define yes.

4) BikeFun Titanium Tensioner and Pulley - This item is very expensive unless you are very extravagant, it is not a essential one. Looks great but cost great as well.

5) The Schwalbe Marathon Plus - they say that the most important part of the bike is the one that touches the ground as it gets the major beating. I still have to see how this tyre functions, but, reading from the net, I feel happy to pay for P3,500 per piece.

6) The RIDEA Brake Levers - again not necessary and essential as the Brompton brake levers are good, but, because of the Gold colour again only for cosmetic purposes.

7) Others - Bell, bolt, etc. purely for cosmetic purposes.

       My test ride took 35.37 Kilometers in 2h 14m 45s. 

       Monday's schedule bring back bike to Coolstuff168ph and have the old tyres delivered to Teddy Trajano. 

Folding Bike Philippines (FBP) - MUP MAh Ride

August 25, 2014

Folding Bike Philippines (FBP) organised for 25Aug14 the MUH MAh Ride of MOA-UP-Makati ride. Riders were given options on where to start their ride either at Makati with meet-up at Tryon Bike Shop at 6am and ride out at 6:15am or at Aing Tonya sat the Jetti MOA meet-up at 6:45am and ride out at 7:15am. I opted for the Makati start.

As I was coming from Paragon Plaza at Reliance EDSA in Mandaluyong I left my place at 5:40am to give ample time for the Makati meet-up at Tryon Bike Shop.

True enough I arrived Tryon with plenty of time to spare although most of the group where already there. At exactly 6:15am with 20 or so plus riders the group proceeded to MOA to join the main group for the UP leg of run. At a moderate and relax speed the group arrived at the Jetty MOA at around 6:50am.

The main peloton had its ride briefing conducted by Carol STiamzon 7:05 and proceeded to ride out destined to UP at 7:15am. Mustering of riders was undertaken in which 48 riders were accounted for.

The group was originally destined to have its breakfast at BULALO REPUBLIC after UP, however, as the ride was behind schedule and that the restaurant is only open to serve buffet breakfast till 10am, it was decided that breakfast was to be taken first before UP.

Upon reaching Tomas Morato all riders stopped at BULALO REPUBLIC for breakfast. I was surprised that this restaurant serves buffet breakfast for P100.00 per head with a good variety of food. I guess the owners are banking on the volume of patrons to earn. As they are still open and serving I just assume that business is good although I have my doubts.

After breakfast the group proceeded to UP with a small number already opting to say their goodbyes due to work or appointment commitments. At around 10am the group arrived at the UP Oblation for picture taking and horse playing.

The group will still be riding back to Makati and end their ride at Tryon Bike Shop. However, I bade farewell to the group so that I could reach home before 11am .

Riding solo fromUP to Paragon, I mustered enough strength and  took Kalayaan Flyover to shorten the ride.As expected it was a lung buster but I manage the height of the flyover with strength to spare. From Valle Verde 6 took a right turn to Ortigas Avenue and again it was a lung bursting uphill climb all the way to Meralco Avenue. Thereafter, it was easy ride to Paragon Plaza.

At exactly 11am I arrived home.

Great ride 48.09 km. Thank you to all riders and am looking forward to join the group next time.

Here is a collage of the pictures taken during the ride. As they are too small to view those who are interested my view the complete picture folders at this link;

 https://plus.google.com/photos/100678127252451474640/albums/6051349158844126913?banner=pwa

Saturday Bike Ride - 23Aug14 32.07km

August 23, 2014 - 6:00am

Considering I already had my once a week ride last Thursday being a holiday, I was contemplating on having a short and easy ride today as I have plans to join the FBP MOA-UP-Makati ride on Monday (holiday- National Heroes Day) as organised by Xander Chua.

Going through my usual pre-ride routine check-up, I switched on my Polar V800 and waited for GPS lock-in, however, for whatever reason I have been standing still to lock on a satellite feed for almost 10 minutes, but, could not get the right signal. This normally takes only less than a minute. After a while I finally obtained and locked on the signal, however, barely a kilometer away,  the signal was lost. I had to stop and lock to GPS. Again, after some time the signal was back and proceeded to bike.  Again, barely 4 kilometres or so,  the signal was again lost. I got annoyed and just switched off the GPS. I do not know what was really wrong hopefully its not the gadget, but, I times the satellites are having signal problem.

I told myself that I just make use of the MapMyRide Software and trace the route I have taken to obtain the mileage for the whole ride.

Today was the first time I passed Aurora Boulevard from Anonas all the way to after crossing EDSA. I thought that traffic in Novotas Sagandaan was terrible when I last joined the firefly brigade ride, but, this sector of Aurora Boulevard is worst. Too many jeepneys and no sense of traffic rules that they just stop any where along the road either to load or unload passengers. Given a choice, I do not think I will again pass this route.

After Cubao things were back to normal and the remainder on the ride was uneventful.

The ride was 32.07 kilometres. Not bad for a Saturday Ride.

Ninoy Aquino Day Bike Ride - 38.72 Km

Today 28Aug14 is Ninoy Aquino Day and is an official holiday in the Philippines. Being able to ride "Black Beauty only on a Saturday or a Sunday, a holiday is an added opportunity as it is as well a bike ride day for me, a very welcome respite from daily grind.

The night before I was not able to make any plan as to the destination and distance, so,  I had to on the spot make a decision. The following was my complete route taken;

Started at Paragon Plaza in EDSA to
Meralco Avenue Pasig all the way to Meralco Ortigas
Ortigas Avenue passing Galleria, La Salle, Greenhills and all the way to Gilmore
Gilmore/Aurora Blvd to SM Sta Mesa all the way Nagtahan
Crossed Natahan Bridge to UN Avenue and right to SM Manila and City Hall
City Hall to Intramuros then to Anda Circle
Roxas Boulevard all the way to Baclaran then to NAIA 3
NAIA 3 to BGC passing 8th Avenue to JP Rizal Extension
JP Rizal to Guadalupe the EDSA until Reliance at Paragon Plaza ..... 38.72km

The ride was pleasant and enjoyable. Aurora Boulevard was being asphalt over laid so that a certain portion of westbound lane from Gilmore to UE was closed. Thinking I need not follow the rerouted route, I passed the newly overlaid asphalt and my front tyre just dug-in and got embedded. Wow, the workers did not know how to react, but, before they could get angry,  I had so many sorry and apology expressed that they instead just let it slide. Bad of me, will not do it again.

Just after Intramuros, what I normally just hear over the news I was able to witness first hand, the long queue of trucks carrying containers, wow, I have no words to express the traffic it creates although they only occupy the left most lane. I think the problem is that the container port cannot be situated in the heart of the city itself. The only solution is relocate the container port of Manila either in Batangas or Subic. The early they do it the better. There is no magical solution at hand.

Lastly, although my 3 speed was just enough, I was hoping I have more speed in my gears so that I could have an easier climb on areas needed. I cannot wait for my 6 speed BWR upgrade which I have already ordered from SJScycles in UK. Hopefully it arrives next week.

Enjoy the rest of the day and here is a collage of photos taken during the ride.

Paragon - Rosario Jct - Marcos Hway - GreenHills - Paragon 30.68Km

August 16, 2014 5:36am - 30.68Km

After a five work week, Saturday is a much anticipated day for me as its only on this day that I am able to ride "Black Beauty". However, I do not know for whatever reason I was not able to get a good night sleep last night as I was awake and looking at the clock every other hour so much so that when it was time to wake up at 4:30 my head was spinning and appears to have a hang-over.

The night before I did some planning and mapped my intended route using "Map-your-Bike" which was supposedly be;

as intended the route was only 25Km without passing Greenhills. However, hallway to my bike run this morning I decided to include passing Greenhills from Katipunan.

"Black Beauty" has only 3 speed as such I am avoid stiff hills/climb as the gearing is not enough. It is for this reason that I have already orders from the internet SJS Cycles in UK a replacement 6 speed BWR hub so that I can be able to negotiate stiff/reasonable hills.

The climb to Katipunan at Marcos Highway was a struggle which I need to dismount and walk as I could not take the hill climb. However, before then and from thereon it was all mounted ride. I cannot wait to have that 6 speed BWR hub installed soonest it arrives.

From Greenhills I passed via Wilson thence to Shaw Boulevard and back to Paragon. The distance covered was 30.68 Km and time duration of the ride was 01h 52m 46s. It was worth a wait of a week for the ride. Now another week to await.

Brompton Club Philippines - Sinag Jersey Ride to Eat (Wai Ying Restaurant)

Brompton Club Philippines - Sinag Jersey Ride to Eat August 9, 2014

BCP had its regular membership ride on 9Aug14 with a unique theme of "Ride To Eat at Wai Ling Restaurant at Benavidez".

The group was to converse at the "Jetty MOA" with contingents from Greenhills to meet-up with contingents from Makati at Ayala Triangle and then both group to join the main group at the Jetty.

The Ride was not as well participated comparative to previous month's ride, however,  it was a good ride and jolly fellowship at Wai Ling Restaurant.

The group met Mono Bob who has taken it to himself a charitable work in "Feeding Street Children". Thank you for being so helpful to our needy less fortunate brothers and sisters in the streets of Manila.

I share here below a collage of pictures taken during the ride....

For those who may wish to see the individual photo in the collage please check the link below and should by any chance you want to grab something fell free and go ahead. Link to the photo is at;

https://plus.google.com/photos/100678127252451474640/albums/6045429394077415217?banner=pwa