{"id":946,"date":"2009-04-07T09:01:47","date_gmt":"2009-04-06T17:01:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nargalzius.com\/blog\/archives\/2009\/04\/07\/bike-pr0n\/"},"modified":"2017-02-11T08:16:24","modified_gmt":"2017-02-11T08:16:24","slug":"bike-pr0n","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/nargalzius.com\/blog\/archives\/2009\/04\/07\/bike-pr0n","title":{"rendered":"Bike pr0n!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Here&#8217;s some bike pornography as promised. But before that some <em>kwento<\/em> and breeze-shooting.<\/p>\n<p>Cris and I were biking last saturday along her area and she stopped early <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_1');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_1');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">1 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_1\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">she had been practicing before I got there<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> and I continued on for another hour alone and went for another 15km (I know because I bought a cyclocomputer). Then we biked in UP sunday afternoon and put in a good 18km. Then I&#8217;m going with Elaine, Paul, etc. to do a <em>&#8220;Bisikleta Iglesia&#8221;<\/em> <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_2');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_2');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">2 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_2\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">It&#8217;s funny; it took a girlfriend to get me going to attend church again&#8230; and it now takes a bike to make me do another &#8220;religious&#8221; activity.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Apart from wishing it was easier to &#8220;prepare&#8221; for such activities, <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_3');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_3');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">3 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_3\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Literally, it takes so much time to <a href=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3647\/3373086882_a88e785ac4_o.jpg\">mount\/unmount the bikes to\/from the car<\/a>, and get my gear ready, and the rituals to go through when we&#8217;re done<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> I&#8217;m surprised as to how I&#8217;m enjoying this new hobby. I mean given the obvious fact that everything was so sudden, I do admit the possibility of a hype\/fad. But then there are a lot of other things which I hope would make this a long-term thing.<!--more--><!-- \/\/ --><\/p>\n<h1>Reasons<\/h1>\n<p>First, I really liked biking when I was a kid&#8230; those were my BMX days; road\/mountain bikes were extremely uncommon in our neighborhood as far as I can remember. My second bike was actually an <em>el cheapo<\/em> road bike (we called it a <em>&#8220;racer&#8221;<\/em>). All this happened from kinder to grade school; in fact I&#8217;m feeling the only reason I stopped was because I physically outgrew my bikes and my parents didn&#8217;t find the time (or budget) to get me new ones&#8230; or <em>better<\/em> ones for that matter. So the appeal of the sport has always been there.<\/p>\n<p>Second is what I mentioned in a past post:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><code>(a)<\/code> I&#8217;ve always thought cycling was a very practical hobby to have. Unlike the gym, you can get in shape while travelling, so it has both a practical and healthful purpose if you really think about it. <code>(b)<\/code> It&#8217;s also a pleasant socializing tool, as groups of cyclists seem to be like Mac users&#8230; you get together and you tend to easily break the ice by talking about your stuff hahahaha.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>I had mentioned those two &#8220;merits&#8221; before I actually got my bike and rode it (pre-<a href=\"http:\/\/www.nargalzius.com\/blog\/archives\/2008\/06\/19\/synthesizing-happiness\/\">synthesizing happiness<\/a> I guess)&#8230; now that I&#8217;m cycling; I confirm it truly is the case. <\/p>\n<p><code>A:<\/code> I tend to do a &#8220;routine round&#8221; of walking from my place to various destinations every month to do various &#8220;grown-up stuff.&#8221; These destinations are too close to bring a car to, and in my opinion, too far and numerous to be walking to under the sun. So I have to plan\/prepare for it, because while I don&#8217;t mind walking, <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_4');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_4');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_4\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">4 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_4\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Cris and I walk to Tiende a lot when we&#8217;re bored at night<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> I do mind the <em>time it takes<\/em> to walk in the sun. <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_5');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_5');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_5\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">5 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_5\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Because of course I&#8217;d rather be doing that stuff in broad daylight, duh!<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>With a bike, it&#8217;s not even an issue, I could be done with everything and back home in about the same time it would take me to do a one-way trip. It&#8217;s even better when I want to do a quick random visit to the hardware store. Wasting so much time walking just to buy a single insignificant item isn&#8217;t that appealing to me.<\/p>\n<p><code>B:<\/code> It&#8217;s even more than I had anticipated. Not only cyclists, but I&#8217;ve had people approach me asking about my bike from all sorts of situations. A gas boy would ask about it when I have my car filled up; <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_6');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_6');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_6\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">6 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_6\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Assuming I have it mounted of course<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_6').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_6', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> security guards would ask about it when I leave it with them. When I was having it assembled, the shop owners would ask &#8220;what group I was in,&#8221; etc. That has got to be is probably the most common question; but the most uncomfortable one for me to answer. It&#8217;s strange having to answer &#8220;I don&#8217;t have a group yet&#8221; &#8211; while both of you are staring at a competition-ready bike. It is a nice bike to look at I have to admit, I just hope it doesn&#8217;t attract the <em>wrong<\/em> people.<\/p>\n<p>Third, the minutiae in cycling is just as appealing as IT gadgetry&#8230; that and the fact that it extends beyond the hardware and goes into the physical (and mental) stuff; which is my point in mentioning why I prefer cycling over other forms of exercise. <\/p>\n<p>I particularly appreciate the mental aspect of it. When you learn something, new synapses are created, and all the new stuff I&#8217;ve been learning about myself and cycling in general has been awesome. It must be the geek in me that&#8217;s preventing me from having information overload.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, it&#8217;s a wonderful &#8220;all around&#8221; activity for someone like me who likes understanding the &#8220;little details&#8221; in everything. I&#8217;m one of those people who actually hate doing something I don&#8217;t understand. You can&#8217;t imagine how dismayed I get when I see people with a DSLR (or gadget) who don&#8217;t intend to use the fucking thing the way it&#8217;s supposed to be used. <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_7');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_7');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_7\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">7 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_7\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Why spend that much on something you can&#8217;t even use properly?<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_7').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_7', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> I always believed that if you do\/get\/use something, at least take the time to really know what you&#8217;re doing. You don&#8217;t even have to be good at it &#8211; as long as you put in the effort learning about the concepts that apply to whatever it is you do.<\/p>\n<p>If you buy say a DSLR, and weeks\/months later you&#8217;re still on <code>P<\/code> (or whatever full-automatic\/idiot mode it has)&#8230; you don&#8217;t deserve to be carrying that camera. Seriously, you&#8217;d be doing that fine piece of hardware a great <strong>disservice.<\/strong> You already got <code>P<\/code> on point and shoots, why the hell would you go get a DSLR to do the same thing your point and shoot can do? <\/p>\n<p>Having said that, with biking, it may be a fad (or not) for me&#8230; but at least anytime I come back to it, I know I&#8217;m not doing my bike an injustice. Because by now, sans the actual physical development, I probably already know <em>more<\/em> about it than your regular hobbyist <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_8');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_8');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_8\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">8 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_8\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">I&#8217;d say I probably know just as much as enthusiasts by now<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_8').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_8', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script>; and that knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge when needed will never go away once you learn it &#8211; so take the time to learn \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<p>From the time I started building the bike, to today I&#8217;ve developed the keenness of noticing the value of body geometry in proportion to the size of bike and its different components (stem length, handlebar height\/width, seatpost height, seat angle, seat horozontal distance, crank arm length, <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_9');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_9');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_9\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">9 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_9\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">In fact, my current cranks (standard 170cm) are technically too long for me, but no stock of the shortest<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_9').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_9', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> etc.) to physiological aspects (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sheldonbrown.com\/gears.html\">cadence<\/a>, <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_10');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_10');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_10\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">10 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_10\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Thanks to the computer, I found that my current &#8220;ideal cadence&#8221; is about 60+ RPM, I&#8217;m gunning for 80 hahaha good luck with that.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_10').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_10', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> hydration details, etc.) to hardware (adjusting\/tuning gears, bleeding hydraulic systems, applying proper torque, <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_11');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_11');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_11\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">11 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_11\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">especially important for carbon components<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_11').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_11', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> etc.) and the mental exercise of anticipating proper gear combinations <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_12');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_12');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_12\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">12 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_12\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Which is important to prevent premature wear of the mechs and chain<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_12').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_12', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> on sloping roads&#8230; and the all important <em>&#8220;making sure to remember to disengage cycling shoes when stopping&#8221;<\/em> (something I <em>still<\/em> have to constantly practice on).<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h1>Bike Porn!<\/h1>\n<p>Alright, here it is. Click on the image below to view the gallery (hahaha how&#8217;s that for a cop-out?)<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nargalzius.com\/gallery\/set\/72157615207738367\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"visit gallery\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3571\/3372267965_af374846b4_m.jpg\" class=\"wb\"><\/a><\/div>\n<h1>First Carbon Casualty<\/h1>\n<p>I noticed this while adjusting my seatpost:<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3357\/3418164184_c15f1f9d68_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"You may click on the image for more details\" rel=\"noflickr\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3357\/3418164184_8a5129b59a_m.jpg\" class=\"wb\"><\/a><\/div>\n<p>I hoped it was just the laminate\/finish wearing out, but I found it was <a href=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3353\/3417355087_9a6f4aefa9_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"You may click on the image for more details\" rel=\"noflickr\">indeed a crack.<\/a> I was incredulous as to why this would happen &#8211; since I don&#8217;t recall ever over-tightening anything. I researched on possible causes and found this:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Seat post clamps and seat tube split tops are not round. That is to say they are not round at the bolt and at the seat tube split respectively. When the clamp is tightened, it forms a flat spot where the broken ring is drawn together. Hence, if the bolt and the seat tube split are matched up, they form a flat spot, and the overall clamping action is not round. The edges of the seat tube split are forced directly inward where they chafe on the seat post, gouging the delicate carbon fibre. When you spin the seat post clamp around half a revolution the seat tube split is under the\nround portion of the seat post clamp. This portion of the seat post clamp does not flatten, so the edges of the seat tube split remain round. The round part of the seat tube is under the potential flat spot of the seat post clamp. The overall effect is to make the entire assembly as round as possible.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Simply put: when installing carbon seatposts, it&#8217;s advisable to have the bolt of the collar <em>opposite<\/em> the slit of the frame&#8217;s seat tube. This meant that the shop <strong>assembled my bike wrong,<\/strong> because I never adjusted the collar position <em>ever.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3605\/3418402476_37da6926c1_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"You may click on the image for more details\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3605\/3418402476_566636b692_s.jpg\" class=\"wb\" align=\"right\" \/><\/a> However, I didn&#8217;t want to make stink about it and just charged everything to experience. I decided to tune the components myself henceforth. <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_13');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_13');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_13\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">13 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_13\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">If you want something done right, do it yourself<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_13').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_13', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> So I replaced it with a similar seatpost and got myself a thicker collar to further distribute the clamping force (instead of the <a href=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3590\/3368955495_ddd51248dc_o.jpg\">stock collar<\/a> concentrating all that force in such a narrow area)<\/p>\n<p>I also decided to invest in a specialized wrench for good measure. Even had to call in a favor; since local distributors seem to sell these to bike shops exclusively:<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3579\/3391296702_0947ce91bc_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"You may click on the image for more details\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3579\/3391296702_79c3493696_m.jpg\" class=\"wb\"><\/a><\/div>\n<p>A <em>&#8220;torque wrench&#8221;<\/em> is what it&#8217;s called, and it makes sure you tighten stuff to a specific torque setting. Since 95% of my components are carbon, I have to make sure I do not over-tighten anything. <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_14');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_946_1('footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_14');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_14\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">14 <\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_14\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Over-tightening = cracking = catastrophic failure involving impalement and\/or death <em>hehehehe<\/em><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_14').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_946_1_14', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> It was a choice between spending $250 for the tool&#8230; or spending up to four grand later because of not using said tool (or not spending at all in exchange for your life). The choice was pretty obvious.<\/p>\n<h1>Other Modifications \/ Accessories<\/h1>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3464\/3401558224_02e6421c84_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"You may click on the image for more details\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3464\/3401558224_ae04087087_s.jpg\" class=\"wb\" align=\"right\" \/><\/a> I installed a wireless cyclocomputer system to have some information handy while riding. If you don&#8217;t have some form of entertainment with you (iPod etc.), it can get quite unnerving when you&#8217;re just toiling on the bike and not having some realtime feedback. Knowing your speed, cadence, etc. makes any tiring &#8220;trip&#8221; a bit more interesting and bearable as you can keep yourself occupied. And knowing your cadence is also extra useful when you plan to exercise using the bike; just maintain an RPM level that keeps your heart rate up and you&#8217;re basically doing some &#8220;cycling at the gym&#8221;&#8230; but with better scenery and <em>loads<\/em> more fun.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m contemplating reversing the assignments of the brake-levers. Standard is left\/front right\/rear. But considering what <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sheldonbrown.com\/brakturn.html\">Mr. Brown<\/a> had to say about it; I&#8217;m on his side. Just like with cars, the primary brakes are the front because most stopping power is there. And it also makes sense to have the primary brakes assigned to the <em>most skillful hand<\/em> so it could control\/modulate the brake accordingly. I&#8217;m right handed &#8211; hence I want my front brakes on the right.<\/p>\n<p>The danger of doing an <em>endo\/stoppie<\/em> and flying forward past your handlebars is a possibility, but is rare, and only happens if you don&#8217;t take the time to learn how to brake properly (or if you panic, which can be catastrophic no matter which brake you&#8217;re using).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3607\/3369780170_cab52fe34c_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"You may click on the image for more details\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3607\/3369780170_8916d6c830_s.jpg\" class=\"wb\" align=\"right\" \/><\/a> Since I&#8217;m on hydraulics, I&#8217;d have to re-bleed the system &#8211; which I intend to so myself; as soon as I get a 50-100mL syringe to complete my DIY bleed kit.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking of brakes, I also replaced the hydraulic reservoir screws. The stock\/original [phillips] screws were so flimsy that the threading is easily worn out. The new allen bolts are much easier to operate, and more durable.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3324\/3411001070_eb6893cbcc_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"You may click on the image for more details\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3324\/3411001070_8204c6ee7b_s.jpg\" class=\"wb\" align=\"right\" \/><\/a> And after having some difficulty with getting hydrated during our initial rides, I acquiesced to the fact that you do need a hydration pack if you plan to do anything more than recreational riding. So in preparation for the Tour of the Fireflies, I got myself a <a href=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3324\/3411001070_eb6893cbcc_o.jpg\">hydration system<\/a> (and plan to get Cris one as well)&#8230; I&#8217;ll be trying it out during the <em>Bisikleta Ilgesia.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>For normal weekend rides around UP, etc. where I can easily go back to my car, a 20oz bottle with a coleman to refill it stashed the car will suffice&#8230; otherwise, I&#8217;m using the Deuter.<\/p><div class=\"speaker-mute footnotes_reference_container\"> <div class=\"footnote_container_prepare\"><p><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_label pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_946_1();\">Notes<\/span><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button\" style=\"display: none;\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_946_1();\">[<a id=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_946_1\">+<\/a>]<\/span><\/p><\/div> <div id=\"footnote_references_container_946_1\" style=\"\"><table class=\"footnotes_table footnote-reference-container\"><caption class=\"accessibility\">Notes<\/caption> <tbody> \r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_1');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_1\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>1<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">she had been practicing before I got there<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_2');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_2\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>2<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">It&#8217;s funny; it took a girlfriend to get me going to attend church again&#8230; and it now takes a bike to make me do another &#8220;religious&#8221; activity.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_3');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_3\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>3<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Literally, it takes so much time to <a href=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3647\/3373086882_a88e785ac4_o.jpg\">mount\/unmount the bikes to\/from the car<\/a>, and get my gear ready, and the rituals to go through when we&#8217;re done<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_4');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_4\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>4<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Cris and I walk to Tiende a lot when we&#8217;re bored at night<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_5');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_5\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>5<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Because of course I&#8217;d rather be doing that stuff in broad daylight, duh!<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_6');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_6\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>6<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Assuming I have it mounted of course<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_7');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_7\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>7<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Why spend that much on something you can&#8217;t even use properly?<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_8');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_8\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>8<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">I&#8217;d say I probably know just as much as enthusiasts by now<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_9');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_9\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>9<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">In fact, my current cranks (standard 170cm) are technically too long for me, but no stock of the shortest<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_10');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_10\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>10<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Thanks to the computer, I found that my current &#8220;ideal cadence&#8221; is about 60+ RPM, I&#8217;m gunning for 80 hahaha good luck with that.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_11');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_11\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>11<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">especially important for carbon components<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_12');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_12\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>12<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Which is important to prevent premature wear of the mechs and chain<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_13');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_13\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>13<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">If you want something done right, do it yourself<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_946_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_946_1_14');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_946_1_14\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8673;<\/span>14<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Over-tightening = cracking = catastrophic failure involving impalement and\/or death <em>hehehehe<\/em><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> function footnote_expand_reference_container_946_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_946_1').show(); 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jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } }<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here&#8217;s some bike pornography as promised. But before that some kwento and breeze-shooting. Cris and I were biking last saturday along her area and she stopped early 1 she had been practicing before I got there and I continued on for another hour alone and went for another 15km (I know because I bought a &hellip; <p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"http:\/\/nargalzius.com\/blog\/archives\/2009\/04\/07\/bike-pr0n\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Bike pr0n!&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,4,13],"tags":[473],"class_list":["post-946","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cycling","category-general","category-technology","tag-general"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/nargalzius.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/946","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/nargalzius.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/nargalzius.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/nargalzius.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/nargalzius.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=946"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/nargalzius.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/946\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1874,"href":"http:\/\/nargalzius.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/946\/revisions\/1874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/nargalzius.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/nargalzius.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/nargalzius.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}