why...why...why

Why do you ride a singlespeed?!

Why do you ride rigid?!

Why do you ride a 29er?!

Those are probably the three most oft-asked questions of me when I meet people when I ride. My answers would range from:

Why do you ride a singlespeed?!
"I like the simplicity, the challenge of it"


Why do you ride rigid?!
"I like to feel more-connected to the trail"
"The bike's more responsive that way"

Why do you ride a 29er?!
"The bigger wheels smooth out the bumps"
"They give more traction"
"I'm compensating!"

Maybe I should just direct them to this post, by fellow SS/Rigid/29er rider Evil Kojiro.

An entertaining read. Go click it.

put on the lobster bib, ready the drool bucket...

coz Interbike is currently running!
Interbike 2006 showcases upcoming bikes, parts, accessories, you name it. enough to get all our chamois(es) in a bunch. Wonder when we'll get to see these goodies on our shores?

here are some links to specific coverages:

Twentynineinches: For everything about the big wheels. Man, that Salsa Mamasita looks hot! Carbon and geared...arriba!


MTBR's live coverage: Due to the amount of traffic, expect some s-l-o-w-d-o-w-n-s.

Cycling News has got more general coverage too.

we're in!

the photos I submitted to the Singlespeed Gallery have been published online!

snap o' da day

hahaha!


Polly snapped this before we headed for our second serving of Duck Trail last Sunday. Ride went well as it was a bit overcast. Inner trails were a bit muddy but rideable. Jay is still fine-tuning his 1x1+Mary combo, so the verdict is still out.

I made the mistake of adding more PSI to my Kenda Klaws - while they did still grip well, they didn't absorb the bumps as much as the last time. Will tweak settings again for this weekend.

Crank is still a-creaking, and I definitely have to grab a new one soon. Hmmm...maybe a White Industries ENO crank will do...something to track down when I leave mid-October for the US.

NYCVELO, here I come! I have a day or so of free time in New York, and I plan to rent a bike and see the sights. Despite this article from the New York Times. Could riding there be as bad as here in Manila?!? But thanks, Lara, for the heads-up :)

link o' da day

Check out the Singlespeed Gallery, folks!

World Car Free Day 2006

Allow me to quote all-around good guy Ricky Pineda of the Firefly Brigade:

"Bikers of the Philippines!

World Carfree Day is an annual celebration of cities and public life,
free from the noise, stress and pollution of cars, and the beauty of
the alternative- biking! Each year on September 22(or close to that
date), people around the world organize events of all sizes to
showcase alternatives to the automobile.

Join this year's Philippine celebration of
World Car Free Day on
September 23, 2006 (Saturday).

Meet-up with other bikers at 4:00pm at the UP AS Parking Lot.

Let's have a fun celebration of our love for biking . Bring your
helmets, blinkers, friends and your sense of humor. Let's bike around
the Metro and show them folks trapped in them cars how cool it is to
ride bikes in the metro. Wearing of costumes is highly encouraged."

hmmm...costumes!!!


Route details:

"START at UP AS Parking lot, out to Commonwealth( Iglesia ni Kristo)
via Vanguard Bldg. Rd., Right to Commonwealth, left to Tandang Sora,
left to Visayas Ave., right Congresssional, left to Mindanao, left to
North Ave., right to Agham through BIR road, right East Ave., pass
through EDSA to Timog, left Morato, right E. Rodriguez, left Gilmore,
straight to Ortigas, left EDSA, right to P. Tuazon Cuabo, left to 20th
Ave., right to Aurora, left to Anonas, right at Maginhawa. End at
Pulot-Pukyutan- a row of small restos just outside the UP Diliman Campus.

Estimated route length is 20km. Estimated speed is 10-15 kph.

Route may still change depending on the riding and traffic conditions
on the day of the ride.

Again, a reminder that this is a night ride . Bike lights and blinkers
are highly recommended and encouraged. Helmets are a must!"

spanky got a date

After two months of planning, anticipation, and rainchecks (literally), my Monkey finally gets set-up with JM's GF. By GF we mean his ca. 1994 Gary Fisher Advance, which was immaculately restored to it's original color. Hmm, if I ever need Spanky repainted, I know who to go to for sure!

JM resurrected his old ride by converting it to a singlespeed. He runs a 38x18 gear combo - which a higher ratio than my standard 32x18. Suffice to say JM is a strong rider to push that gear, and he left me behind in the climbs! Spanky couldn't keep up with his GF. However, in tight singletrack and fire road downhills, the Monkey led the way.

Quick report onthe Kenda Klaw XT's - I LIKE EM! Seems to have a bit more sidewall bite - especially on off-camber trail sections and ruts. I think I'll keep em on for a bit. Slightly more rolling resistance than the Ignitors, but I appreciate the added traction in sketchy conditions, even though the Kenda's seem be a bit narrower.

Another thing - the blasted creaking is still there, despite the new Titanium bottom bracket. Seems like the crank arms are a bit worn down where they connect to the bottom bracket spindle. Looks like I'm going shopping for a brand-new, old-stock, square-taper, 4-arm crank. Preferably powdercoated red!


Spanky and I.


JM and GF. Ganda ng GF niya, no?


Spanky and GF getting to know each other and admiring the view.

Next project: a threesome with Jay's 1x1. Hehehe

P.S. I reverted to my tried, tested and tattered WTB SST-XR saddle (which was the saddle on Schwinndy), for the following reasons:

1. Leather saddles are more comfy than synthetic types.
2. Titanium rails soak some of the vibrations from the trail
3. It's lighter!

:-P

The Monkey's Klaw !!!- what's your style?

Instead of riding this weekend, I decided to give Spanky some loving attention :)

For starters, a new saddle to replace the aging WTB SST Ti one.



Yep - the Wrench Wench! Nice and comfortable too.

I also slapped on my second set of tires - Kenda Klaw XTs. They've got a m ore aggresive tread pattern than the previous Maxxis Ignitors, which are taking a sabbatical and will be re-installed when it's the dry season again. Unlike the Ignitors, the Klaws have front and rear-specific treads. It should make for an interesting comparison. Small caveat, though - there's a slight wobble with the rear tire. It seems like it wasn't molded in a perfect circle. My rear wheel is aligned, by the way.


Kenda Klaw XT rear tire


Kenda Klaw XT front tire

Finally, in an attempt to get to the bottom of an annoying clicking sound fromt he drivetrain, I've put on another FSA Ultimax Ti BB - this time with a carbon fibre shell and a wider, 113mm spindle. The old FSA Ti BB is still in tiptop shape, however. So I guess the only way to find out is to GET OUT AND RIDE!

1x1 inaugural

Well, it's finally fully-built. The mean green singlespeed machine, Jay's Surly 1x1, is fully operational.

It feels solid, yet light - considering Jay put in a pair of huge Maxxis 26x2.5 tires in there.

So for its baptism of dirt, we took it down to Sta. Rosa.


Mannito decided to wear his vintage (say early-90's) race shirt from the Survival Race series. As you can see, it fits him nicely. Dig the day-glo colors.



Hey, it's me!


Jay hasn't been riding regularly, thus, he is allowed a discount on mountain tax.



Taking advantage of the dry weather, we cut into Pinyahan Trail - a nice singletrack stretch that passes through some pineapple plantations.




It's tight and here I am trying to manage a switchback and climb. Tried three times to clean it, but I failed to pedal all the way up.



Ain't he a proud daddy?


Near the end of the ride we "sessioned" on a set of dirt stairs. Mannito took his Santa Cruz Heckler down, and I did it too on Spanky. Jay decided not to, so he bought us lunch. Well, at least that was the arrangement!