What's your size?

There has been a long debate in the Mountain Biking World what is the optimum size for the bike. 26inch, 27.5inch aka 650B or the 29inch? 

This video will probably explain it further and with insight from the industry expert, things might get a little clearer here.



Courtesy from bikerumor.com

The Rainwalker!

Okay, I do have a confession that I am a geek when it comes to equipments and gears for outdoor sports. Boa Lacing footwears, Yankz Shoe Laces, Buff Headgear, Mountain Bike Shorts designed by riders...the list goes on and on.

So what am I going to review or talk about? Backpack! A waterproof backpack that is a huge fraction of the price of the high end branded backpacks...you know what I am talking about. 

Sometimes I just like those underdog products that does not have a strong branding but have design integrity in them that will last a long time. So, I am testing out the Rainwalker. Rain what??? Yes, Rainwalker. Design and made by a small German umbrella making company. The backpack a roll-top waterproofed back that uses the suspension cradle that holds down a 20 litre drybag. It is not something that is new. Many years ago, Dana Design now under Marmot design a back called the Racer X and Raid Z based on the same technology. It was later used by some of the top Adventure Racing Teams. The design then was pretty much a refreshing breakthrough. But, there wasn't much development after the Dana Design era. 

 Got myself a yellow one more for safety at night

 

Surprisingly, after some years of hiatus, Eberhard Gobel Co from Germany brought it back. So with less than $200, you can get your a well-designed drybag rucksack that you can use it for your hiking, and perhaps a little more extreme adventure. I am taking my new toy out for my numerous adventure (Hiking, Rock Climbing and Mountain Biking) to see if it live up to its reputation. Stay Tuned!

Green Corridor Partial

Decided to do a morning to noon right yesterday. I have walked this section of the Green Corridor about a year ago. That was a night walk and I can barely remember what happen as it is a group walk and seriously what can you see at night.

So, after much thoughts decided on going to try it out in the day and do it on my trusted Steed. The Pipedream Scion responded very well on this trail and I cannot really ask for more. The first section was typical a open flowing singletrack like trail with a little bit of bums here and there which makes the ride fun for those who like a bit of hopping around. What happen next is chance for you to have a top view of the road access to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. You just stand right on top of the bridge and have a top view of everything down on the road. Watch out for the rocky sliding session on the bridge and the remain track as a reminder of what it used to be.

Map of the Ride. Courtesy of Runkeeper.com

To cut it short, I managed to get my exit at the Rail Mall near to the Hillview and Chestnut Drive Estate and link my way back to the Bukit Timah Mountain Bike Trail and zip my way back to Rifle Range right before the end of Noon Time.

I would simply says that it is a good lunch time work out with fair bit of sun and scenery. Of course, a trusted steed makes a good companion that makes the ride sweeter.

Pipedream Skyline R931 Stainless Steel

Call me crazy, but I am having a love affair with Steel Mountain Bike frame. After building a Reynolds 853 Scion and then recently managed to complete the Reynolds 853 Sirius for my wife.

I was told that Pipedream is launching a 100pcs only Reynolds 931 Stainless Steel Frame. The frame is below 4lbs for my size. I just want to be the owner of a piece of fine steel workmanship. Only 100pcs. and it is only GBP1200. I WANT ONE!!!! That's all I can say.

A cut out from July Issue of Mountain Bike Rider from UK

Sirius Riding....???

Well well, I finally took my dearest wife for her first real mountain bike ride...and seriously or siriusly...the bike proves to be very responsive and hardy. But one issue here...the terrain is too daunting for her have the full confident to do it.

 After "Baptism of Mud", the Sirius is ready to roll!

Silly me! I should have know this is way too hard for her. After much trying and deliberation and of course fuel with a fair bit of frustration, we finally found one route that is moderately challenging for her to finish. Thank God! We managed to get things going and she eventually told me that she enjoys it.

What a day out with the new bike!

Post-Ride on top of USS Blackie!

Bike Build (Journey of the Pipedream Frame)

This project has been long overdue but nevertheless I still managed to pull this off. Bought this frame with the intention to build a Pipedream Cycles bike for my wife in December last year when we were on holiday in Wales, UK.

Met Stuart from Pipedream Cycles and he handed us the bike frame from his car boot in the middle of a golf resort. We manage to carry the frame around during our UK road trip for the next 2 weeks. Frame been to the Lake District, York, and then back to London and finally arrive in Singapore. That is together with 4 pieces of luggage before we hop on the plane.  I do not know how we managed to do it getting on and off the train from York to London and zipping in the Tube from King's Cross Station to Heathrow Airport. But we did!

Ok, finally we got it back to Singapore and I was excited about the frame and started showing everyone the frames and later I discovered that the frame I bought could also fit a bigger wheel size of 650B (27.5inch). After staring at the frame long enough, I decided to have a red and white theme. After setting up the initial setup with with seatpost, stem and handlebar, work started setting in and I was too busy to do anything about it...yes, yes...EXCUSES!

Alright, to cut the story short, I was becoming desperate as my wife is asking me where is her bike (Christmas and Birthday Present)...oops...I am so in trouble. I scramble to get my acts together, bought the drivetrain (Shimano SLX and XT), found a suspension fork, build a set of wheels and whip in the saddle. Finally after close to 5months, which is ridiculous in my opinion, I managed to put the bikes together. Phew!

Component:

Stem: Infinity 90mm
Seatpost: Infinity 27.2
Handlebar:Inifinity Riser Bar Aluminium
Wheels: Shimano XT (Front hub 15mm TA, Rear Hub 9mm QR) With Loaded AM/XC Rims (Red) and DT Spokes
Grip: Oury Lock-On Grip
Pedal: Kowa Platform
Fork: X-Fusion Velvet RL
Headset: FSA Orbit
Saddle: Tioga Spyder R

 Drivetrain:

Brakes: Shimano SLX with Shimano XT 160mm Centerlock Rotor (Non-Icetech)
Shifter: Shimano SLX
Crankset: Shimano SLX
Cassette: Shimano SLX
Front Deraileur: Shimano SLX
Rear Deraileur: Shimano SLX
Bottom Bracket: Shimano SLX
Cables: Brakes (Goodridge Braided Stainless Steel Cable - RED), Shifter (Shimano Red Cable Housing)

Chronologue of Bikes

I am not sure how many of you have keep tap of the bikes that you have ridden or at least your mountain bikes. Anyway, I have decided to put down mine since I have just looked back at the bikes that I used to own:

1) 1992 to 1994 - Marin Bolinas Ridge - Rigid Chromoly Straight Gauge with SR Suntour parts

2) 1994 to 1998 - Marin Eldridge Grade - Rigid Chromoly Double Butts with XT parts (Later Upgrade to Manitou 2) and Avid and Paul Component Parts)

3)1998 to 2003 - AMP Research B2 (First Full Suspension in my attempt)

4) 2003 to 2005 - Scott Pro Racing (Aluminium Hardtail)

5) 2007 - Ridley Cobra (Carbon Hardtail with Shimano XT and Disc Brake)

6) 2008 - 2009 - Tomac Automatic (Aluminium Full Suspension)

7) 2009 - 2010 - Tomac Carbide XC (Carbon Full Suspension)

8) 2011 - On-One Inbred (DN6 Chromoly Hardtail)

9) 2011 - Current - Pipedream Cycle Scion (Reynold 853 Chromoly Hardtail)

Guess, I did not go through too much bike in the span of close to 20 years of riding mountain bike after all. But I guess, I have kind of coming full circle. Started with Chromoly and now back to riding one again. I must say this love affair with the metal on two wheels have bring along not just the fun, pain and sure pleasure but also other more inward benefits.

Life on two wheels brought along the friendship forged that lasted and also a great perspective of the preciousness of life. It draws one closer in the spiritual sense of the surrounding environment and the importance of safeguarding those thoughts and gifts.

A bike is not just a bike but the personification of the owner and his love for the cycling and his appreciation of life.

The New Steed

This is a very interesting year. A year that I disregard weight, modern technology but went straight back to an all time classic in my choice of bike. Call it back to basic, I started going on a hunt for a steel bike that I truly and surely going to keep it long term in my arsenal of bikes.

My mountain biking love affair started way back in 1992 when I was 16. I was introduced to mountain biking by my then teacher. To cut the story short, we do not have many high end aerospace technology then. Carbon Fiber was available but then it was still in its infancy on the bike development, then there is the cool Aluminium and of course you have Titanium which to a 16 year old boy, the price tag will be too much to bear.

Scion fresh from the package

I was introduced to Chromoly, the steel material that was more common then as it has a very hardy property and beside rust and a little weight issue, it is consider one of the toughest. In fact, I start and went through 2 Chromoly Steel bikes before I migrate to Aluminium. So impressionally speaking, I do have a love; hate relationship with Chromoly Steel. Love the rides and dampening, hates the weight and the maintenance.

Scion, all setup and ready to roll!

I started the year with a good old DN6 steel frame called the On-One Inbred. I was enjoying it for about 3 months. Happily riding it and for a decent time and then, suddenly remembering that this british design bike is a little bit off on the weighing scale (a little of weight-weenie bug in me). So, I started on a quest to hunt for another piece because I know for sure that I will not be happy to keep the On-One Inbred as a potential Heirloom in my bike collection. So, I stumble upon Pipedream Cycles. I have known this brand for five years and was hoping to see some shop in Singapore would bring them in. Finally, a company decided to bring them in and I found them in a local bike shop.

Scion 2nd outing in Mandai

I picked the lighter and more slimmed down version of the Pipedream Steel range. It is called the Scion for the weight and it runs on the Reynold 853 steel which is extremely strong the weight is really good in terms of lightness. I am really satisfy with the whole hunt for the perfect love affair with a steel bike that I know I will hand it down as a heirloom, provided that it survive the punishment of rides that I will be putting it through.

One Year On...

It is exactly one year and today marks the one year anniversary of the departure of a close friend who had taught me everything I need to know about cycling in my earlier years of being a cycling virgo.

For one year, I have been just going about to get myself busy and rarely, put in a lot of time on the pedals. Building bike, doing cycling related events and doing personal stuffs...that is pretty much. I have not been thinking about the fact that I have lost my closest buddy on March 24, 2010 to an accident that took his life.

This morning, is a weird one as the biological and emotional clock rang once again that reminded me that today is the one year anniversary. I thought that I had forgotten all about it but the gut feeling and the subconscious memory knocks and tugs on my heart.

Today is the day, that I would celebrate the life of my dearest friend, my mentor and my closest brother...Ben, you will always be remembered as a close buddy, a dearest mentor and a big brother!

Ben Mok Pedal On!

Dirty Weekend Result!

Well, the results is out and yes, I DNFed the 100km mountain bike marathon. But that was just one part of it. I was pretty please with my results for the Sprint Duathlon. At least I came in 8th.

Went down to pick up the finisher medal today and was quite happy to see it and of course took some photo of the finisher medal.

Singapore MTB Carnival 2009-02-28 00:00:00
278 Dominic Loh
Team Buff Headwear
Dirty Duathlon Sprint Mens SOLO
Run1 (2.5km)	12:46 min
Bike (5km)	23:46 min
Run2 (2.5km)	15:35 min

I must say that I have improve on my run knowing that the run course is not easy. Thanks to Eugene Lee from Synergy Multisport, I don't think I can run this well if not for him. I have been struggling with my run for the last 3 years as I am either down with an injury or just too slow. I am slowly gaining grounds, all thanks to Eugene and he had taught me how to really run with pleasure and run with the proper technique. Thanks Eugene and Synergy Multisport, you guys are the best in this trade!

A pictures of the weekly drills for the right running technique

More Pics for Dirty Weekend

Alvin Lim from Adventure In Motion and Ryan Blair from The North Face Greater China Team

I have the privilege to catch a gleams of the Father of Mountain Biking, Mr. Gary Fisher and of course, the bonus is I get to take a photo with him before the start of the 100km mtb race.


Racing in the pack of riders

And here are some of the other pictures that has not shared.


Sharing a moment with Gary Fisher, Dinah and Eugene from Synergy Performance

One Dirty Weekend!!!

This weekend has been a much anticipated weekend for me. I must confess that I am very much a dirty person who prefers trail running over road running, mountain biking over road cycling. And this weekend, I dived in to one heck of a dirty weekend! The Eneloop Mountain Bike Carnival bring life to the usually pristine and tamed Tampines mountain bike trail.

The league of few great gentlemen who make the race happen (HM Lim and Max)

Instead of doing one event, I decided to do 2. One is a Sprint Dirty Duathlon comprises of a 2.5km trail run, a 5km Mountain Bike riding, and finished with a 2.5km trail run. The next is the ever illusive 100km MTB Marathon.



I was pretty happy with my morning duathlon attempt. I think I came in top 10 placing or something. The result that I have not achieved for the last few years, due to weight issues and injuries. Happy and contend! Thanks to Eugene Lee from Synergy Multi-sport who send me on a series of running drills and his coaching has definite brought my run back in order.


Picture Taken by Kenneth and Laura (Thanks Guys for the great photo)


Legends in Action, Gary Fisher and Tinker Juarez (Taken by Laura Liong)

Then comes the 100km MTB Marathon, I managed only 2 laps sadly compare to last year due to a very serious cramp and lungs were actually hurting badly. Probably I went out too hard for the first 2 laps as I was only interested to tick some of the riders off the list. But well, with ambition, comes the price of losing the coverted award. Well, have to wait till next year to attempt it. Thanks to Edwin Cheong from Tomac Coalition who supported me with Lights, Food and tonnes of mechanic support. Not forgeting Bryan who sends me home on his trustworthy SUV. And to my Trustworthy Tomac Automatic.


Tinker Juarez and the Father of Mountain Biking, Mr. Gary Fisher at the closing ceremony

Trail Work!

Left over Signboard from
The North Face 100


It has been a while since someone actually talk about Mandai Track 15 and Zhenghua Park or should I say, I haven't hear anyone really talk about it. Well, I went for a Post - TNF100 ride in the area after about 1 month. Well, there are still some nice remembrance of the event. But most of all, I realised that I am the only solo guy that rode that area.


Post-Ride Condition

So it has been a really nice feeling of non-restricted pace. The ride took me to the end of the Mandai Track 15 trail and then decided to make a U-Turn and head back to Bukit Panjang Zhenghua Park. Its a really interesting experience as I have not been doing solo ride for a while but the feeling is a good one. Sort of a nostalgia.

Ultimate Mountain Bike Downhill Expedtion

Everyone of us only know everest base camp is the mothership of all everest summit expedition. But do you know it is also the start of an ultimate mountain bike downhill adventure?

Descending from Everest Base Camp all the way to Kathmandu. Be prepare for the ultimate ride of your life.