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.