.... the jackal rides and run....

So it begins, the hardware war! BP acquired a Specialized Venge with top of the line gruppo (Di2) and wheels (lightweights). Francis acquire not one but TWO Pegorettis (Responsorium and Marcelo)....lord knows what he's gonna get to build them up. KL 'upgraded' to Reynolds DV46 wheels and Super Record Gruppo. Now I consider my equipment to be wonderful (and it took me along time to think and build it up, with much research and personal rethinking prior to buying) but wow, these guys blow me out of the water in a heartbeat in terms of procuring exotic parts! Did 2 usual rides around coastal over the weekdays. Nothing special. I've made a u-turn on my initial plan of equipment choice for the coming Ipoh trip. This trip a bit special unlike last year's TOP; there is a massive 100% climbing day and an pure Flats Century ride. I initially planned to take my DA + Mavic wheels, compact crank and 12-27 cassette. This configuration is my pure climbing setup. Great if that was...

Vpost sucks! I took it upon myself to collect the wheels from the post office after days of waiting for the courier! Well here they are : scary deep profile. Fierce looking. The seller (Josh) did not put in the spare pads so I have to source one myself....no riding until that is done. He's offered to refund 15USD for this. Installation was not simple....the brakes *just* managed to open wide enough to let the wheel in and after that, I had to adjust the brake cable again. No joke...these wheels are wide! (28mm apparently...5mm wider than the 23mm wheel sitting on it right now! Very nice though. The brake surface looks ok except for a long streak which does not seem to be a problem. No visible cracks. Rear is pretty true but the front is off by perhaps 1mm or so but thats ok. Weighs light! On the scales, the bike now weighs ~7.5kg, not that it matters but thats still a 300g savings over the DA sets (which now hangs as backup!). My spare evo corsas are here as well...along with the 6...