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

I got myself a pair of Outland Keo Compatible Road Pedals from RutlandCycling in UK. These are the only ones I found that has wrench flats! I need this as the Sante crank on the fixed gear does not have a through hole on the 9/16" pedal mounting to allow use of an allen wrench. At SGD70 shipped, I did not hesitate much on it since the lowest end Keo Pedals (which are molded plastic, these are forged aluminium) already command almost SGD90 at the LBS here. First impressions, looks to be quite well finished. Chromoly spindle. Weighs 326g (pedals only) and comes with Red Cleats (6 degrees float). Here are some pics. UPDATE : Tried it out this morning for a short 20km ride. Definitely feels more planted on the pedals compared to clips. Hence more reassuring, especially when standing up and pedal!

Stumbled upon this bike at Weightweenies and was instantly taken! This frame is just awesome, in its matt black scheme. I've never seem a frame that is so perfectly and correctly match to its paint scheme! Did some research on this and apparently it comes from China, made in the same factory that does Storck and Pinarello frames. The latest line up for these frames comes in 2 forms, the Neo Exile and the Neo Exile Ultimate. The difference being in the material used to build up the bike; T700/800 for the former and full T1000 for the latter. Enjoy!

Okay, I admit it. I'm sorta addicted to ebay-ing and for the past month been scouring the web for deals on Dura Ace 7800 parts. The drivetrain in particular. Was not so keen on the DA7900 even though there were quite a few good deals on them over the net. The DA7900 looks a tad futuristic (I like it actually) but it won't look right on this 1991 frame IMO. Also, I was not too keen on the ability to only shift 2 gears down compared to 3 gears on the older DA7800. I already have a DA7800 shifter in place which I am very comfortable with especially with the smoothness and short throw required to shift so I figure if I could get some deals on the FD, Crank and RD, why not? The FD (FD-7800) is brand new and Crank (FC-7800) was supposedly mounted on an LBS showbike and have seen very little use. I love the cranks. They look great and just oozes quality and workmanship. The finish is really good. An to protect them from my notorious crank-rubbing feet, I bought a set of Crankskins. Th...

Got some time in the morning this week due to the fact that I do not need to leave home earlier (school holidays!). So actually 2 days of morning rides, kicking off at about 6.15am and back about 7-ish. No biggie, just a 20km ride on the fixed machine, in my sleeping attire. Start off from Macs and via the park, go all the way to the end of the park then make a u-turn and make my way along the same path to Big Splash then back to Macs. A good 20-21km in a little over 40 minutes. Today was interesting, started off as usual at right about the Chalet area before the seafood centre, a roadie passed me at quite a high speed. I can't resist (as usual) and gave chase. He was doing a good ave of 33km/h up to the food centre but upon realizing I was on his tail, he upped the ante, going up to 35-36km/h at the park! No problems for me, still haven't hit LT yet so I continued to stick to him, at a safe 1-2 bikes distance of course. Then we hit the straight service road at the sailing club...

I was prepping myself up for the ride (though I was very reluctant to even register in the first place but no thanks to peer pressure, I succumbed) on Sunday but came down hard with a fever on Friday night which came with muscular aches. This went from bad to worst on Saturday so I had no choice but to ask KL to have fun rather than to just waste my slot away. Anyway, I feel much better now, aches are almost gone and itching to get on the bike. It looks like the weather is gonna get a little wet in the coming weeks.....

SATURDAY COMMUTE Last weekend, I had to be back in office on Sat so decided to do a commute on my fixed. The route is via Kallang Park Connector. Well, I though it would be a smooth ride. Man, was i wrong! Started off from Macs ECP to Fort Road. Then to Tg.Rhu area cutting across the longkang/river to Kallang Stadium. All are good until you hit Kallang MRT. From then on the connectors so-called, are mostly blocked, under construction etc etc so had to weave around the HDB estates. If not for this portion of the ride, actually its good 40mins commute for 16km. No biggie where I had to carry bike over 3 overhead bridges as I had normal shoes on. Good thing about this route is that is safer than the car infested roads. Once I got through all the up and downs, upon reaching Whampoa area, everything was smooth sailing till Toa Payoh. Took me a good hour to do it (well I did get lost a bit). Coming back was faster at 50mins. Still, as I said, minus all the blockages, 40min is a good time for...

......very boring! I don't understand the hype surrounding it and never will. However, I can't complain cos it means 4 days of holidays! So this morning (CNY 1st Day), I got up at 7+am, thinking whether I should do a short jog or take my fixed out. Decision was a now brainer actually......fixed la! Just did short ride at ECP, without all the gadgetry and road gear; Just me in my sleeping gear and my old adidas shoe. The feeling of cruising around the park in the morning sun and sea breeze was wonderful... Did have to adjust my saddle tilt and height after previous day's ride experience with KL, pushed saddle about a cm toward the handlebar and up about another cm or so. Feels sweet. I'm astonished that getting onto the toe straps is no longer a biggie. I can normally (statistically correct) strap in within the 2nd or 3rd turn. Still far from being an expert but the phobia of struggling and fumbling to get in is long gone! I'm really enjoying riding fixed. The simpli...