smallwheelsbigsmile: slow and relaxed

Showing posts with label slow and relaxed. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Relaxed geometry for riding.

This is how I like my riding, slow and steady. Like my mascot on my TSR:)

I like steel bikes

After riding and writing about cycling for over 5 years, I have an idea of what my personal riding style and the bikes I like.
To be frank, it wasn't really a deliberate scientific rational planning but an organic free flow way of things just happening. And also ...ahemmm a very supportive wife:)
I like Velo Orange and Rivendell approach. They are simply old skool bike geometry. Much more upright cycling with long wheel base. Key is relaxed, non-competitive and low/non tech. Recycle if possible. We have a Chinese term for this. Its called 慢慢骑

These are thumbies or thumb shifters. They work irregardless of whatever speeds cluster (7-10speed) as they use friction rather then SIS(index shifting)

They are almost extinct but u can still find it here

Not a glam thing but it really helps to know whats coming from the rear. I think they are more important then helmets

Usually the bicycles are made of Steel or Chromoly which is heavy compared to carbon. But their defense, they dampen road vibrations pretty very well. Also they are quite robust. Some times we would experience a bike drop on the floor due to careless positioning when leaning on a curb or wall.
Steel bikes also wear well with age and develop a patina with regular use. I am a product designer by training and this is something which I feel that most modern products have failed miserably. Modern products just don't wear well.
Now, this entry is not about dissing off the folks who want to go fast or love carbon. It's different strokes for different folks. I am just sharing what works with me. Here goes...

My fleet of steel horses

As with all cyclists, it start with one bike and then the "fleet" will slowly grow. I don't know why but they do...else, you are not trying hard enough" ha ha.
There are subtle ride differences in the ride quality and yet some how they feel also similar. So I took out 4 bikes in random and try to do some quantitative study. The bikes are
1) 1990s Trek 930 with a surly LHT fork

Looking ready for a tour. Rigged up with Top Peak rear, Carradice Pendle and Tubus Tara front.

Really nice Nitto front rack which u can put a safety kit or rain jacket

Wide bars by Velo orange

2) Late 80s Old Road bike NOB

My first bike I bought using my holiday work as a book shop assistant. Its being Singled speed-ed by Lynten

You sure can touch this!

3) Tokyo Bike

Birthday present by Wife and the basket helps me "tar bao" dinner. The front pouch holds my wallet and phone.

Rattan basket is from some hamper which I recycled

4) Alex Moulton TSR

Propriety front rack and Beach road canvas bag with DIY Beeswax waterproofing.

Road bars installed by Rebound Centre, previously was a mustache bar

As scientific as it can get from me

measure and check....

I took 3 basic measurements to understand my bikes.
A) Reach- from Seat tip to steering stem
B) Handle height
C) Seat height
What I found out is they are very similar with I measured!
No wonder I felt Tokyo bike felt abit too short. The seat was lower compared with the rest of my bikes.
This measurements would be also very useful when u bring ur bike overseas and u need to dismantle them for easier packing.

I also love the quote by Velo Orange which sums up what I feel on cycling.

Chill and ride. Learning from the best of the best how to drink kopi ( uncle KC)

"Most cyclists don't race, yet they ride uncomfortable racing bikes and try to go too fast and so miss much of the world around them. Our emphasis is on a more relaxed and comfortable style of riding, and on refined bikes that are comfortable on a century ride, an inn-to-inn tour, or even on a ramble down your favorite dirt road.
Chris Founder-President Velo Orange"
I know this kind of riding will never be main stream as say road riding. There is simply no commercial intent big enough to do do. This is why I share my opinion on my blog and hight light this small sub-cycling culture.
Hope one day you could also try out this relaxed type of riding someday. See yah!

Monday, April 1, 2013

LCSG family ride at Garden by the bay 31st March 2013

Family and friends under Benjamin Sheares Bridge

Young Champ leading the way

Young and old. All welcome!

Over looking these!! so nice and it's free!

This is a special event ride for family and kids. The idea – come together; meet at a nice place to have a picnic. And yes, also to ride abit, with the kids. No agenda, no fund raising, no “Lelong” day. Just a simple picnic with friends and family. That’s what we did on 31^st March 2013

Desmond(big guy) with Tyrone(little policeman), Cayla, Momo and Kimi

Thanks to Desmond Chia who kindly stepped up to organize the event, we have a chance for family, friends, kids to mingle over some breakfast and just have a relaxed day out. Desmond led the group from Kallang Mac Donald’s and followed the PCN towards Tangjong Rhu. A relatively short ride for adults but it must be quite an adventure for the little ones.

Wives sharing and chatting over food

so much to eat...

Wong family

Vincent and family

Father and Son

Reaching the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, they met up with the mummies and smaller kids who were waiting for their arrival. It wasn’t as windy but pleasant enough to have a nice picnic.

We also brought the kids around Garden by the bay and rode close to the Marina Barrrage. The place was quite suitable for children. It was really good to see them having fun. They zipped around , without a care in the world, shouting laughing happily. Exactly how children should be. Parents sitting down, have a bite and chatting among themselves while Daddies would be looking at the bicycles talking about the latest mod.. .”poisoning” each other. Nice!

Paper airplane contest!

Bubbles!

Muffins for u sir?

Desmond and Shelby even prepared additional stuff for kids so that they can have even more fun. "Bubbles solution" bottles and paper airplanes. Simple stuff but it made the kids have so much fun.

My personal Dummy was also “pressed” into service by giving big and small kids joy rides. Judging by the smiles, I think they have a better understanding of the long bike and what fun it is to be just having ride.

Momo and kimi enjoying the breeze

Tian mi mi

Tang circus in action

Ah mo "summon" to Tyrone aka little police man :)

Meeting after 20 years!!

Uncle KC also met his long lost friend over 20 years ago from PSA! It was pretty amazing to see them reminisced over good old time. Mr Wong came today as his Son, Roy was in LCSG and asked him along. Here's a nice pic of Uncle KC and Mr Wong.
Looking at the event, I am glad to be a part of Lovecyclingsg. It is not about how far or hard we ride, nor about bicycles. But treasuring the simple friendship and family ties…. All made possible with the love of the humble bicycle! Lovely isn’t it?

* Photo Credits from Steven Tang, Uncle Roland(GV Sea Lion) and myself.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Getting lost @ Queentown 24th Feb 2013

I studied at Temasek Polytechnic Stirling Road Campus. That was in 93 and about 2 years back I revisited with Francis and afew of my friends. Today, I went back again with new friends. Many places were gone.

The hawker centre @ Margaret drive. Gone. The old hdb beside Queenstown MRT. Gone.

Still it was quite a nice ride with a twist. No plans, just roam and get "lost". Literally. Like how it was when we all started back in 2010.

We saw many places which I never went and even had a MTB moment. All around Queentown area. A quiet neighbour hood in Singapore. Try it one day... get on a bike and get lost :) Do it quick because these places will not be the same very soon.

More photos of the fun fun ride we did today