Issue when folding Tern or Dahon

For the Tern and Dahon owners, do take note on the cable position when you fold your bike, if the handler is being fold outwards.

The brake/shifter cables have a tendency to go in between the folded stem and head tube. If you rest the bike sideway with the handler at the bottom, the weight will cause a pressing on the cables (by the stem and the head tube). I have seen my bike cable a bit damaged due to this. Here are some pictures.

Cables tends to go in betweem the stem and headtube

Cables resting without being pressed

                      

As you can see from the left photo, the cable is in between the two metals. The original folding call for the bike to rest on the handler side, thus the weight will cause a pressing on the cables. Remember to move the cables away by giving it a slight push away from the gap. The right photo shows the cables resting away from the stem.

Safety first when cycling in Singapore

It is never enough to emphasize the on safety when it comes to cycling. Just like motorcycle riders, cyclists are always in a disadvantage when collision happen.


5 cyclist killed when a white saloon car ramp onto a cycling path in Tantai City China on June 22 2012. It might be the most unexpected thing especially when you think riding on a cycling pathment is safe. 


No matter what, lets protect ourselves as we enjoy cycling. 


Video Link:
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDE4NjU1Njcy.html

Singapore bike Discount and Promotions

Thinking of GSS for bicycle stuffs or components? Maybe you will be disappointed because most of the local bike shops (lbs) didnt come out in force for the GSS. Well, nevermind, there is always online shop. However, if you wanna get some personal touch and service, you should take note of the following discount with ocbc card:


- Ban Hin Chan Trading
  5% OFF all regular-priced bikes and accessories 
  Valid till 31 December 2012.
- Tay Junction
  10% OFF for any purchase of cycling apparels, helmets, shoes, gloves and eyewear
  Valid till 31 December 2012.
- Cycle Craft
  15% off Ziener Cycling Apparel, Carrera Cycling Helmet and Yepp Child Seat
  Valid till 31 December 2012.
- Bike Haus
  10% off 2012 Bikes  
  20% off 2011 Bikes  
  40% off 2010 Bikes
  40% off BMXs
  Valid till 31 December 2012.
- Integrated Riding
  10% off regular-priced items with a minimum spend of S$50 
  Valid till 31 December 2012.


Happy shopping!

Cleaning the Tern D8 brake pad

If you see a scratch mark running along the tyre metal rim, it could be due hard particles stuck inside the brake pad, that is if you are using a v-brake, cantilever or side pull brakes.

Rim scratch line

It is hard to totally avoid such scratching to your precious bicycle as we could not control what is on the terrain. To prevent further damage, it is neccessary to remove the brake pad and do a cleaning. 

1. The tools required are the standard household DIY tools. Before removing the brake pad, do take a picture so that you know the alignment of it when it fix it back. Arrow indicates the direction of the wheel rotation. Do note there is a slight tilt. 1mm gap for pad-to-rim at front and 2mm gap at the other end of pad. This is to prevent squeak.

Brake pad alignment to wheel

2. Using a allen key, loosen the bolt and the whole assembly of washers and spacers. You can take out the brake pad and check which culprit has caused the scratching to your rim. 

There might be some metal/rocky debris stuck inside the pad. Remove them and if it is too deep, use a pen-knife and cut a portion of the rubber pad. You should see something like below after the cleaning.

If the brake pad pattern is worn out, you can buy a replacement pad. Brands like Avid, Swissstop, Clarks, Tektro are common replacement pad brands with price ranges from $5 to 30. 

Brake pad after cleaning.

3. Now you can put the assembly back where it belongs. It is a bit tricky on getting the right alignment, you may have to exercise a bit of patience here. Anyway, do take note there is a toe-in gap for the pad surface to rim surface. 

Washers and spacers of brake pad

4. Tighten the whole assembly with the allen key. You should ensure the right and left side has about the same gap, else the breaking will be uneven. There you go! No more scratching... Now, will someone please help scratch my back..

Back to original

Helmets that fit asian head

I have tried several helmets in Singapore, but most of them, cheap or expensive, do not fit well. Especially if there is a pressure point at the temple, it will give you headache quite soon. So what is the point if a helmet-maker promotes a cutting edge, ultra light, aero dynamic, anti-bacteria, amour-like protection helmet, if it does not fit!!

Each individual has his/her preference of what is important in selecting a helmet. On my list of criterias are adequate protection, good fitting, good looking and not too expensive.

So there is this thing call asian fitting for helmet. You can roughly gauge your head, use a phone and snap a picture from the top of your head. Imagine without the hair, if your head is quite circular, that is a asian fitting. My personal research narrow down to a few helmets might have a higher change to suit such a, hmm, head.

- Lazer O2  ~ S$150
- OGK Kabuto series S$245 ~ $350 (very light and comfy)
- Cratoni c-bolt ~ S$150
*Quoted are retail price.

You can google for the distributors in Singapore.

I hope the helmet-makers define the shape and cutting of their helmet, so that bikers know what fit them. Maybe they have not realised that the asian consumers are a important group of spenders.

My Grey Tern D8 foldie

Here it is, picture of the my Tern D8. 


East coast park is a must-go place for cycling in Singapore. Firstly it is windy and u get to enjoy the sea view. Secondly, there is really not much other choices in Singapore.


The ride quality of D8 is similar to a full size bike. Stiff frame, smooth transmission, 8 cogs, slick tyres, gripping v-brakes etc. 
However, there are some minor adjustment or refinement to the components required to realise its full potential. 


31km to-and-fro from carpark E to changi village. Oh do note that the hawker center at changi village is shut down for a major renovation. I hope it will be less smoky after the renovation. We had a quick bite at Jacob restaurant in the evening. Chicken wings (3 full wings) and potatoes wedges for $9.90 and $6.10 respectively. Better value could be found elsewhere.


Anyway, back to the bike. I want to test out how the D8 fare under stress test. After this ride, the brakes, shifter and deraileur, chain, crankset are still good! On the other hand, some noise developed from the pedals (a heavy original suntour foldable). It sounds a click every revolution. I also reckoned the deraileur need to be fine tuned. Otherwise, the bike lives to the 600$ quality!