Build a versatile performance bike: 3. a touch of retro.

Sometimes lovely bicycles evoke feeling of freedom, independence or/and even nostalgia for whatever memory awaken. It connects emotion rather than be a purely utilitarian.  Moreover, the vantage frame carries the  traditional style and classical handicraft thank to it's flat top tube and lug joint. It can be an unique, refined and chic alternative to just road rage or race machine.

Hence a minimalism, elegant and retro style is a natural choice for this bike building.

A handcrafted leather saddle is almost the symbol of  traditional bike, not only it has been existing the same  way for about one hundred year, it's still considered the most comfortable solution for a long distance riding.

All those old school silver colour seat post, stem, handle bar and even the Campagnolo Veloce brake calipers contribute a touch of retro. 

note the seat far higher than the handler bar, it keeps a aggressive position to ride according to my own riding habit. It should be an athlete in casual suit. 

The small stainless front rack not only gives a classical looks, it's also the best utility of carrying casual stuff for daily use.

The whole bicycle is still at fairly light about 19 LB.although there is some weigh penalty for it.

Build a versatile performance bike: 2. frame and wheels

The performance mainly comes from bicycle's frame and wheel set. The frame's geometry and material both play importance role in it's performance. 

the geometry of the frame can be described in the last photo in the post. the seat tube length(D) represents the size of the frame. usually Head tube angle(A), seat tube angle(B) and stay length determines if the bike is aggressive or leisure style. other size changes proportionally.  Roughly, more straight seat tube ( say 75 degree angle) and shorter rear wheel to the seat tube distance, more efficient riding due the designed riders position and resulting bike's stiffness. more comfortable other wise.

The geometry of this frame usually can be seen in the entry level race bike, and the material of the frame, which is chromoly steel , is stiff enough also supposed to provide more comfortable riding. 

the wheel consists of white industries oversize hub laced with Mavic open pro rims.  The hub was designed for rough condition such as touring and unpaved road usage but with race hub's lightness and ultra smoothness. the rims are also strong and light. the wheel set is versatile enough to be training or touring wheels. Hub is 8-9 speed compatible, while I configure it as single speed for daily use.


Based on this frame and wheel set,  the idea is to get ride of all none-sense to achieve the simplicity, elegance hence the performance. if needed, with cassette and bar end shifter, it can be easy converted to the multi-geared touring bike for long distance.  

A   Head Tube Angle
B   Seat Tube Angle
C   Top Tube Length
D   Seat Tube Length              
E   Chainstay Length              
F   Bottom Bracket Drop  
G   Fork Offset
H   Total Fork Length    
I    Head Tube Length              
J   Wheelbase

Build a versatile performance bike: 1. repaint the frame.

The cycling season just finished,  the ski season has yet 1 or 2 weeks to start. Now it's just the time to rebuild my versatile performance bike. Having checked the weather forecast, it would be a warm week since this Sunday, which  makes a perfect opportunity to repaint the frame in the following  days.

It's actually a late 80's Fiori Modena triple butted and lugged chromoly steel frame.  The Fiori bike and its frame is rated in a decent middle level  category. Comparing to the high end race steel frame such as made from Columbus, Reynold  tube which are about 2000- 2500 g, this  frame weights above 3000 g. Compromising some lightness, it's  still a excellent candidate for city , light touringbike  due to its stiffness and geometry and decent build quality.

Most importance, the 54 cm is right my size and the 80's steel frame is almost the only option for the modern retro-style bike building( or rebuilding). Based on this frame, will build a versatile all around for city commuting, light touring or touring when full loaded performance bike.

Thanks to paint stripper spray, it took about 1 to 2 hours to remove the old coat and painting and sand for completly clean. I actually have been done  2 day ago.  Today sprayed  the primer as the first layer covering and for rust proving  as well. after several fine sanding and re-applying ,  the  frame is ready to paint.

I chose the "recreational white" color for retro and clean looking. leverage the precious warm weather , will paint it in garage and then heat it to dry beside the fireplace.

As expected,Sunday is warm and also a little windy for ventilation, good timing to do the job.

(click to enlarge)

Sprayed  the fork first, but  since did too fast,it generated some bubbles and spots on the surface. So the result is not ideal, need  sand it after it dry and repaint the 2nd layer. seems need more patient to achieve mirror flat result.


Patient does work!  Carefully sprayed little by little and let it dry, apply over and over, it's done and it does look clean and simple.  Thought it twice, instead of further apply the final clear coat, I just leave it as it. I prefer it home made style rather than a commercial product alike.


Having installed a race bike wheel set, It demonstrates the start point of my concept.

Cycling in Taiwan

I had a few days to my own in Taiwan so I thought I'd bike around. Biking is certainly a better way to see a city, faster than walking but slower than driving. Taiwan has a cycling culture, supported by Giant the bike manufacturer.  Rental places like the one shown below are easy to find.

At the hotel I was staying, there was a fleet of Giant folding bikes that are free for guests to use. You know that I had to take advantage of. So on the day I was free, I borrowed one of these nice bikes and got on my way.

The bike is complete with a basket, a front and a rear light, a bell and a working kickstand. You can see these features better in the following picture. My laptop bag actually fit well in the basket.

The city, Taitung, has a nice bike path, a loop actually. The whole loop was built by connecting several stretches of old bike paths, one converted from an old railway going through the city, another along the ocean, and yet another through a forest park and a botanic garden. The loop is named the Mountain-Ocean Bike Path because you can see both the mountain and ocean doing the loop. Here is a typical sign on the bike path,

and a map.

You can see the ocean,

and the mountain (actually both).

Here is a gps track file from my phone with additional pictures.

Taitung Moutain Ocean Bikeway at EveryTrail


I ended my cycling adventure by sampling local food at one of their night markets. Yum...

I took a picture of the following dish after devouring most of it. What's the bamboo shoot like object in the middle?

寻访小镇Merrickville

或许中长距离的骑行给人日后远行的信心， 周末一人去了６５公里开外的小镇Merrickville，也算是周末的休闲吧。

开车来到市郊西南的riverside， 然后跨上自行车， 沿着市郊river road, 伴随身边车来车往，很快来到了出城最后小镇--Manotick.

Manotick小镇依在Rideau河边， 桥上眺望---今天的旅程就将沿河蜿蜒而下。

Manotick太小， 上主街刚加速，就已穿城而过， 眼前豁然开朗的则是广阔田野,蓝天白云和无尽的乡村路。 

路上几乎没人，间或驶过一两辆小车， 剩下只有我的影子，和这辆破车.

独自在这一里路狂奔，每个上坡起身似乎摇动世界 踏板在这没完没了的乡村路上仿佛拉动地球－－大地在退后，偶遇的车队在退后,伴随我心飞翔；

行过Rideau Park的大桥后， 柳暗花明的是一片田园诗意。

 这段路程应是此行的目的之一吧？ 如同置身世外桃圆，一边是古树掩映下的老房子，一边是青纱帐； 我闻到花香，听到虫鸣，车轮翁翁脆响；

这样走过了一村又一村；... ...,经过 这一段令人留恋的Rideau heritage trail

看到标记牌后的两公里，古镇Merrickville就在眼前了。

这是有着两三百年历史，未受现代工商业冲击和污染的历史小镇。

这里有乡村工艺店。

这里有老教堂;

这里有古建筑,

这里繁花似锦;

这里有古色古香的石头房;

这里有人骑单车，

。... ... ??

这里曾有我。

Carp-T.A. Dolan loop -Sept 16

It was a typical fall morning, clear and chilly 5 Celsius. Jack was on his summer cycling outfit, short sleeve jersey and fingerless gloves while  I had my icebreaker on. We rode along Carling to Terry Fox and 2nd line, barely saw any cyclist . With only two in a paceline,  it was hard to keep 30+ all the time. Near  Carp , an elderly on his way to Almonte for his 2nd breakfast caught us, he was a strong rider, we drafted him for a few kilometers before T.A.Dolan.

Jack on Thomas A Dolan

Today we decided not to go beyond 6th line to the river, one of our cycling friends had a broken dérailleur  there last week. We took a detour to Pinhey's Point, just sit on the bench and enjoy the scenery and the sun.

Piney's Point

 We flew down the newly paved 6th line at 40+, that felt good, you know.

Our Cycling Practice

This Blog post records cycling best practice and experience. Please feel free to comment, modify and add. Experienced riders are welcome to specify each item, share knowledge and help us improve faster :)

We will keep on updating this post.

Our Routes:

Classics 1. Gatineau Park Bike Loop: 

Route: Gatineau Champlain Outlout

When: we usually do this loop in the summer

Where to meet: P3 

What to expect: Uphill+Downhill+Beautiful mountain view 

Duration: 1:30-2 hours/42 km

Classics 2.  West side Loop: 

Route: Kanata - 2nd line - cap rd - 6th line-...

When: we usually do this loop in the fall

Where to meet: corner of March and Terry Fox,  In front of Burger King

What to expect: Drafting+Scenic country side

Duration: 2 hours/40 - 50 KM

Classics 3.  West side extended Loop: 

Route: Kanata - 2nd line -... to Fitzroy provincial park

When: we usually do this loop in the fall or early spring and occasionally.

Where to meet: corner of March and Terry Fox,  In front of Burger King

What to expect: Drafting+Scenic country side

Duration: 3 hours/80 KM

Cycling Best Practices:

On the Road:

1. Safety is the first priority.

2. Trust the riders in front of  you in the pace line.

3. Pass the signals back to riders behind.

4. A squad moves faster than so much a single rider.

5. Get WIDER observation falling on ride, a rear-view helps When

peeling off from the lead.

6. In front of a stop sigh, Should not we rush. the leader need

observed to make safe the whole group safe then pass together.

7. When leader peels off, the one behind the shoulds keep pace, not

to accelerate right away.

8. When riding with traffic, Should not we switch the leader too

Often, it breads the rhythm, and can be dangerous. Lead a minute or

two shoulds be good enough, if you can keep the same pace, longer lead

as you wish.

9. Practice makes improvement.

.....

Food:

1. Eat well ride well. ....

Drafting Practices

I'm a casual rider. I enjoy going at my own pace, stopping to smell the roses once in a while as the saying goes. This past weekend, however, I practised drafting or riding in a peloton with a few friends. I learned a few things that I didn't know before.

Before starting, Yingbiao and Yang explained the hand signals. I knew most of the signals but always signalled with my left hand. It was awkward to signal with my right hand since I am most comfortable with right hand on my rear brake just in case. I am also not used to my vision being blocked.

Trusting the riders before you is definitely the 1st thing to learn. Without trust, fear takes over and that makes riding half-a-wheel behind riders before you impossible. I had chances to draft behind others before so this wasn't so tough for me. What's new was passing the signals back to riders behind me. I don't respond fast enough, especially the "obstacle ahead" signal.

A peloton moves so much faster than a single rider. I tried leading the pack for a bit but it was tough. I also felt uneasiness when peeling off from the lead since I couldn't be sure if there were cars coming from behind. Yiming suggested a rear-view mirror and I will definitely look into that. A couple of times, I missed the end of the peloton by just a few feet after peeling off from the lead. I couldn't catch up no matter how hard I tried. That shows the power of drafting. Yang explained that the new lead should keep pace instead of accelerating. With more practices, I am sure the transition will be smooth and seamless.

At times we were flying down the newly paved 6th line road at 40+ km/h. I've never ridden that fast before and enjoyed the speed. Most of all, I enjoyed the camaraderie of the group. It was such a beautiful morning.

满足，完美的今日之行

常常一次最平常的行动，因众人的热情变得满足与完美。今天的 Gatineau Park Champlain Outlook常规 42公里骑行就是这样的难忘之行。

如同往常，如不能成行特别的路程， 就约定来Gatineau park Champlain outlook做常规训练。头天陶勇竟然往组里发来回顾的Email, 还要带他的坦克车参加，作为他今夏的结束之行。他的热情也引来准备继续养伤的Ben的参加，Jack也自买来新车后，立马从后进变先进，次次不漏，所以这次共计6人参加了。

早8点多一点点， 一众人就顺利出发，短暂的热身后，相继换上行进档，飞奔起来。Yiming果然年轻体力过人，不太费力的跑在了前面一溜车里，一路聊天不知不觉快到Pink lake，一回头，后面一组拉远了些，意料之外的是陶勇竟然开着铁锚般的70年代Sekine的坦克车轻松的一直跟着组成快组，我们的在 Pink lake的一路攀爬，陶勇因车没法快速变速，才落后一些。

过了Pink lake的路有些平，Yiming能量源源不绝地持续快速行进，陶勇也越骑越勇的开着坦克冲到最前面， 想想我骑着陶勇眼里的“真家伙”（法国 la pierre x lite-400 赛车），应该抛下他才对，于是起身加速将他抛在后面，但刚坐回车座调整气息时，这家伙又哼哧哼哧的赶了上来，于是干脆跟着他后面休息得了。看看满路上的高端赛车，而这家伙却在坦克车上骑得如此神勇，猜想是不是跑来踢场子的？。。。 ：-）

第二个长坡爬得不算轻松，但这个路程骑得太多，就如去自家的后花园般闲庭漫步般的对付过去。然后到达顶峰，才一会儿，“慢组”跟了上来了，其实慢组不慢，只差一分多种，其中还有带伤的Ben.

在顶峰陶勇掏出手机留影时，又巧遇来同程骑行的刘浩，刘浩跟一老外混在一起，开始竟没认出来，接上头后，见我们照相，刘浩毫不见外地挤了进来，并笑得很灿烂。 ：-）  

如果说“小合影纪录幸福旅程”，见证"今日之行的满足与完美"，这并不包括孙扬的； 孙扬上坡虽然骑得哼哧哼哧，其满足与完美是在拍完照的下山路上 ；

如果拿个支点给阿基米德，他就去撬地球，那么拿个陡下坡给孙扬， 他则会厥起屁股猫起腰，一路见人过人见车超车地俯冲而下。每次下山时如猛虎下山般的风驰电掣, 这次也不例外，我也赶忙前移重心放低身段，躲身其后地贴地飞翔，才不至于眼睁睁地看他从眼前消失。

这样象风一样地冲下Pink lake段，发现陶勇的坦克也紧跟了下来， 是有那么一点神奇！

随孙扬陶勇心满意足地回来后，一分钟左右，大家也都陆陆续续地回到了出发地,回顾此行成绩不错，大家精神状态也不错，然后简单商议下次行程后就满意回家，到家打开电脑，就见到陶勇发来这“今日之行，满足，完美”的“纪录幸福旅程的小合影”。

                                                           （点击图片放大）

                                     

Insight the bike

This post is to keep the index of the bike knowledge from internet. and  keep updating 

(All the pictures and links are from internet )

=========================== bike hubs ==============================

Most of time, when people buy the first bike, more attention paid on the frame material and the level of the component, and take it for grain that all the wheel is the same, just rolls. Therefore, almost all the entry to "intermediate"  which cost $1000 to $2000 bike, equipped very basic wheelsets.  However , wheel sets, which only consist of hub, spoke and rim, plays an very importance role of performance of the bike. It's said for recent 40 years history of bike, the performance maily gains from the improvement of the wheel sets. The intermediate to high end wheel sets can easy priced more than $1000, even hubs itself can cost more than $200 each.

   What is the difference?  How a hub can enhance the performance through the material, structure and maintenance?  The 28 hub's review Hubs review give an insight of 28 popular high end hub.

How the things work

white industries front hub adjustment

white industries rear hub adjustment

========================== Frame material =============================

  What's really make a difference of the bikes?  Stiffness, Lightness and Riding quality.

  For a frame,  Better one can be stiffer so that transfers the power more efficient,  lighter for more responsive and easier to ascend, more importantly ,   more comfortable to ride with.  And of cause also aesthetic, cost and maintenance  etc. are other issues need to take into consideration.

 The steel , the traditional material,  considered better riding quality with a little weight penalty.  The lugged steel frame has traditional aesthetic. the cost can be low or bloody high based on what type of steel tube used and who built it.

The titanium is consider similar attribute with the steel and just better due to the lightness and stiffness. titanium usually exclusively build the high end bicycle.

Aluminium, now become the low cost material for the bike frame, it can be light, but not always, it;s considered not have the high riding quality.

Carbon fiber is a better material due to its stiffness, lightness and ride quality but expensive and not easy  to repair when damaged.

here is the basic knowledge to understand the bike frame material.

========================== wheel building ===============================

It's said, you wouldn't fundamentally understand the bike until you build the wheel by yourself.

 The resource how to build a wheel set.
 And the book           the art of wheelbuiding.
                                  The Bicycle Wheel
 Some popular race wheel sets review        best road wheel upgrade from bikeradar.com.

======================================================================
crankset review   (Scotch-Weld™ DP-460)

ride with friends

   It's not so often that most old friends are able to ride together, let along with some new friends on this classical Gatineau park Champlain outlook loop.

   Jianbing and Gary,with whom we rode together regularly couple of years ago, now has been moving out of Ottawa, or quite busy on the work. this time they have precious chance to join last Sunday's ride. seems it won't happen so often.

  Jack eventually bought his new and decent bike--Conondale caad10, and it's his new bike's debut.

  Yang, who is the avid cyclist, always be there with the group as long as he can.

  Also, two new fiends joined this ride. they are strong.  and looks like all the young numbers joined in the  group ride this year are avid and very strong, let me feel ----


                 江湖已不是原来的江湖；

                                   (thanks Jianbing for providing photo)

单车生活

闲着闷了，今天起早了; 临时溜进车库，抓起一辆自行车，

随便赶上哪条路就是哪条路，

比如这样的乡村路，。。。独自在路上边骑边拍,

来到２０公里开外的河边等喂鸭子，不发一语，

鸭子还没起床，当既骑回家吃早饭，当没事发生过。

突然觉得, 这他妈的才叫生活!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~后记~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
今早６点， 独自骑车去了上次因故未能到达的pinhey's point 。

早晨气温凉爽， Pinhey's Point historic site空无一人，如沉睡般宁静。河面无风无浪，如镜如画。不知什么原因西北边的云层泛出朝霞，让人忘了季节，忘了时间。

没去推门打扰那栋遗址里的古建筑，随手拍了几张照片后，飞车返回。

此时在室外气温３０度的下午鼓捣这篇BLOG时， 早上的骑行惘然如梦；以梁朝伟“这才叫生活”体信笔涂鸦，取名＂单车生活＂。