Which Front Headlights To Use?

For the last six months, I have had the front headlight mounted on the lower bars of the P-bar. Have always wanted to mount it at where the front reflector is so that some space can be freed up on the handlebar.
When the local distributor told me that it is possible to do so via an adapter, I immediately said yes. Had to use another front headlight on the new adapter.

This is the new front headlight, Silva Velo.

This is a comparison of the diffusion of the light output from three of the front headlights I have. The light output among the three is almost the same.
The top shows the light output from the Silva. It is the most diffused among the three. The middle is a Lezyne Micro Drive. Light output is more centre focused but still pretty diffused. The bottom shows the light output from the current front headlight I am using, NiteRider 300 Plus. It is the most centre focused.

Depending on what one’s criterias for a front headlight are, all three front headlights are actually very good. I need something which is very centre focused as the primary light source to light up the immediate area in front of me. Thus I tend to lean more towards the NiteRider 300 Plus.

In the end, I removed the Silva and installed the NiteRider 300 Plus, as my primary front headlight, at where the new adapter is. The Lezyne Micro Drive acts as a secondary front headlight and the Silva Velo is my backup.

Here’s how it looks like. Had to stretch the elastic band over the adapter. Two issues. One, the top end of the elastic band rubs against the lower corners of luggage block when the handlebar is turned. Two, with a bag mounted onto the luggage block, the front headlight cannot be tilted too high up. Something I will have to live with.

In addition, the need for speed also tempted me to upgrade the stock 50T chainset to a higher 54T chainset.

Difference in diameter between the two chainsets. Stock 50T on the left, upgraded 54T on the right.

Time to bring out the B for a spin soon to test its new modifications.

Posted from WordPress for Android. Image/s taken by Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Gorgeous Sunday Ride

Started off pretty late for today’s ride. Left home for the starting point at about 7am. By the time we reached the starting point, the Sun would already be blazing in the sky.

Halfway through the ride, we reached this bridge where we saw this scene. Nowadays,  very seldom we can find a river or a stream with lots of greenery on both banks.

We headed for breakfast soon after and after breakfast, continued on the planned route.

At this juncture, we are on the final stretch of the route. The road in this image actually connects the main island to another island, called Coney Island. It was only built in recent years during the development of the area on the main island.

This is where the adventure for today ends. Any further, everyone we know will read about us in the next day’s newspapers.

Beyond these gates lies Coney Island. Before this entire area was developed and the road built, we would only be able to access Coney Island via kayaks and canoes from a jetty where we started today’s adventure. Now, everyone is simply waiting for the completion of the development of Coney Island, which is actually part of a masterplan to develop this area into an eco-town, capable of providing housing and recreation all within a town.

Before heading back to the starting point, I simply cannot resist taking a couple more images of our Bs with the gorgeous blue sky.

Final image to end this morning’s adventure.

Posted from WordPress for Android. Image/s taken by Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Holding Water Bottles on a Brompton

There are many ways to carry enough fluids for a ride. On a Brompton, there is the option to put the bottles into a Mini-O bag. Some install the water bottle cage system on the handlebar stem to hold a water bottle.

I have both options on for some months. With both the Mini-O bag and the Monkii Bottle Cage system, I am able to carry at least two water bottles.

The Monkii Water Bottle Cage system.

However, the weight at the front increased a lot, with two water bottles, and when folded with a water bottle on the handlebar stem, the B tends to tip to the right even easier. A couple of times, my B almost fell flat on its right side.

At the same time, the handlebar stem is also very cluttered (a battery pack for the NiteRider 300+ front headlamp is also installed on the stem).

I needed a system that will:
(1) reduce the weight of carrying water bottles drastically.
(2) allow me to carry two water bottles without carrying any bags on the front block. This is for days when I am going on a speed trip.

I was searching on the web as well as Facebook groups for images on how water bottles are carried on Bromptons. Finally settled on installing a bracket that supports two bottle cages.

How it looks like at the rear now, with twin water bottle cages.

Even if I have to lay the B on its side in the car boot during transportation, the cages are well protected by the width of the saddle and as such, no contact with the boot floor.

A closer look at one of the carbon fibre water bottle cages and the anionzed aluminum bracket used to hold two water bottle cages.

Going to take it out for a spin the next day to test it out.

Posted from WordPress for Android. Image/s taken by Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Fifth Adventure in Five Days

On Sunday, Missus and I went for our fifth adventure in five days. As we did not explore the park in its entirety the previous day, this adventure would be to cycle all the way to the end of the park while exploring the various parts of the park.

We knew we had to start cycling towards the park before the sun rose. So we set off for the start point at 6.25am. This time round, we settled on dates, Goober grape sandwiches, tea, black coffee and plain water for breakfast. Not much preparations needed, yet it will provide the energy and hydration needed for this more than 10km ride.

After cycling for close to 35 minutes, we reached the end of the park. Time for breakfast.

The sky was getting darker as we were having our breakfast. Never did it occur to me that it will turn out to be a rather wet ride for us. Hurriedly, we finished our sandwiches, took a few sips of hot drinks and returned to where we started.

Thank God we did not meet any heavy rain along the way back. There was a slight drizzle and the roads were wet with puddles of rainwater.

Made it back to the starting point relatively wet. Not for our Bromptons though, which went through a lot of puddles of water on the road.

In the evening, after a nice hot shower, I took apart Missus’ B for a good clean and degrease. Her B has undergone more than 100km without every being taken apart for degreasing. So out came the tools to dismantle the B and fluids to degrease and lubricate the various parts.

The sprockets before and after degreasing.

Too tired to remove the links on the chain.  So this is the next best way to degrease the chain thoroughly. Clean and shiny now.

With both Bs washed and cleaned, and five riding adventures in five days, it was time to hit the sack. Work week going to start all over again and it will be a break of few days before riding again.

Posted from WordPress for Android. Image/s taken by Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Four Adventures in Four Days

Am on our holidays this week. Started on our adventures since Wednesday.

Wednesday
Can’t wait to start exploring. So much so I am ready even while the Missus was washing up.

Now both of us are ready to set off. But first, we need some breakfast. So off we go to grab some breakfast.

Found a McDonald’s nearby and settled for that. Had wanted other food but they were not opened yet. A bicycle parking area for all cyclists having breakfast at McDonald’s. Nice touch.

After breakfast, we pushed ahead and came to Bedok Jetty.  Lots of people were fishing early in the morning. We also saw lots of tankers awaiting to enter the port of call. A friend who used to work as a sailor told me that the wait could be as long as a month.

Panoramic view of the area around the Bedok Jetty. The jetty is on the right.

After this image was taken, we headed back to the car park as we received some happy news from friends and were eager to meet up with them.

Thursday
Supposed to explore the west but Missus thought otherwise. Ended up exploring one of the parks in the central region.

Glorious morning with the beautiful sun shining down on us.

Panoramic view of the park we explored.

At night, scoured a local bike shop for some additional rear red lights for the helmet and finally found a replacement for my more than 5 years old helmet. Have done an entry for the new helmet, a matte green MET Crossover.

Friday
Finally explored the West Coast area. Also looking out to the sea, yet the view is more industrial as there were a lot of maritime industries in that area. It’s also the first time the MET Crossover is going for a ride.

Halfway through exploring the area, we came to an underpass which links the two parts of the park together. And once again, I met our nemesis, slopes. This slope is at an almost 45 degree incline. Had to push the Bs up the slope instead of riding up.

After completing exploring the park, all 3.8km of it, we sat down for breakfast. Missus prepared some curry, flatbread and fruits at home and brought it along for this exploration. After setting up the Helinox chairs, we had our breakfast facing the sea.

Some of the food for breakfast.

Missus filling up her stomach with some curry potatoes and carrots.

This adventure was sort of an experiment for us as we wanted to find out the possibility of bringing along hot food during our adventures.

In future when we go touring with our Bs, we know we can bring along hot food to be consumed along the way.

Saturday
Before starting on Saturday’s adventure, I noticed that the waters in the river was extremely still. Quickly took this image before the ripples set in. It clearly reflected the clouds in the sky. Question is, which is the right side up?

Cycled along this road to bring us to another town. Seems to go on forever.

Before joining the usual path that will lead us to our planned destination, we came across this path. Seems unexplored. Definitely going along this path on the next adventure.

Finally we came to the end of the tracks. A very nice view to reward us for cycling there.

Once again, set up our chairs and brought out or foos containers to have our breakfast by the sea.

What we had for breakfast. Noodles with lots of vegetables and eggs.

This marks a 4-day adventure we embarked on during our holidays. The next day is the last day of our holidays. Definitely going to spend it exploring more places.

Posted from WordPress for Android. Image/s taken by Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

MET Crossover

It is not easy to find a helmet that fits me because only a small number of manufacturers make 1 or 2 of their models with 65cm diameter as the max. When I do find one and I need a replacement, better grab it.

I have been looking around for a replacement for the Specialized Air Force 3 cycling helmet I have been using in the last 6 months.

So when the owner of a local bike shop told me that she have 3 pieces of a helmet that suits my size, and in the colour I wanted, I grabbed it. The said helmet is matte green MET Crossover.

Besides the fit, what pushed me to get it is the colour. Matches my Brompton. Fits my head perfectly, as many vents to cool the head as the Air Force 3, just slightly heavier than the Air Force 3. What more could I ask for?

Enough said. Let the images speak for itself.

How the MET Crossover looks like. Retrofitted an additional white front and red rear light on top of the helmet.

An additional red rear light built into the helmet itself. Not too blinding bright (I have another red rear light on the B itself) but enough to be visible at night.

How the rear looks like when both rear lights on the helmet are switched on.

Left view of the helmet.

Right view of the helmet.

Frontal view of the helmet with the white front light switched on.

Brought it out for today’s ride and couldn’t find any negative points about it.

Loving the MET Crossover.

Posted from WordPress for Android.
Image/s taken by Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Great Day Out

Went out for a ride with the Missus, when the Sun is out.

All ready to roll.

Reached the most eastern point of the country. Gorgeous afternoon. Blue skies with gorgeous cloud formations, with warm rays of the Sun shining down on us. What more can one ask for while cycling?

To take this image, I had a couple of fire ants crawling up me. Cleared most of it although bites were sustained in the process. Still, there was one lone ranger who decided to explore me even more. Finally found the lone ranger and all was well.

Talk about exploration.

Posted from WordPress for Android. Image/s taken by Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Third Time Lucky?

Missus was finally able to ride again, after many months. It had been raining heavily over the last few days. So the moment the sky cleared a little, we immediately headed for the Marina Bay Area.

Now, we have been to the Marina Bay Area to explore on the last 2 occasions. However, on both occasions, we were unable to ride all the way from Gardens by The Bay East (where I parked) to Marina Bay Sands. This time round, we were finally able to do so.

Getting ready while Missus goes for a few rounds on her new B67 saddle.

It was a fine morning, after heavy rains for the past 3 days and nights. We soon went on our way, lest something crops up and spoils the plans to ride again.

After cycling through Gardens by The Bay East and the Marina Barrage, we reached Gardens by The Bay.

Gardens by the Bay is an initiative to “……transform Singapore from a “Garden City” to a “City in a Garden”. The aim is to raise the quality of life by enhancing greenery and flora in the city.” (Source: Wikipedia)
More info can be obtained from here.

After spending some time at Gardens by The Bay, we headed towards Marina Bay Sands. Because it was still very early in the morning, most of the shops were closed and we were looking for a place to have our breakfast. Finally we found an eatery, at basement 1 of Marina Bay Sands, where breakfast was being served.

Breakfast was noodles and hot beverages. A satisfying meal to recharge before heading back to Gardens by The Bay East.

A shot of how Bromptons can be unobtrusive and looks presentable, even in a hotel.

After the above image, we headed back to Gardens by The Bay East to return home.

This is a food centre within Gardens by The Bay. There are a lot of foodstalls selling local delights. Some of the food stalls cater to Muslims too. Since it was still early in the morning, it was not surprising that many of the stalla were still closed.

Found this interesting structure. Placed our Bromptons inside for a fun shot.

It was a satisfying ride as we have completed the ride which we had set out to do months ago. 

Definitely more rides coming up in the week, with a few days off work in the week.

Posted from WordPress for Android. Image/s taken by Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

DIY Mini Servicing

Too tired of doing daily stuff, so cleaned wife’s B’s chain using the chain cleaner.

Costs $35 (am sure it can be purchased at a much lower price) and it works as it is intended to. It is the item in the lower centre of the image.

At least now wife’s B’s chain is cleaned. Left the rear gear sprockets to be cleaned. But that would have to removed a number of items. Not something one will do on a weekday night where the next day is an 18 hour work day.

After lubricating the chain, attached a local Brompton group’s sticker which I ordered weeks ago.

Can’t wait to go on another adventure this week.

Posted from WordPress for Android. Image/s taken by Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Upgraded Parts

Missus has always feedback that her ride was not as comfortable for her as it was for me. So much so her back is starting to give her problems, especially cycling uphill.
So a search on the internet resulted in a more suitable saddle for her, the Brooks B67.
Now the B67 is an elusive item. Almost always no stock here, and the pre-owned ones were in honey colour. Made a reservation with a LBS and found out much later that the bloke who took my reservation did not reserve it for me. Worst part, he had quit the shop.
Was very disappointed till one day, the same LBS had a number of Brooks saddles in stock. Asked if they had any black B67 and they did. They kept it for me for almost two weeks (I was rather tied up at work to make any trips to collect it). Had it installed just the night before.

Looks like someone is going to get more comfortable and enjoy her ride even more.

Just today, dropped by the local distributor of Helinox chairs and tables to pick up 2 lightweight Helinox chairs for ourselves. Intend to use them during our adventures, local and overseas, as well as for the guests at home to sit on.

These fellas are lightweight and can hold up to 145kg of weight. Each can fit an S-bag with lots of room to spare.

Now hopefully this Friday is good to bring these out.

Posted from WordPress for Android. Image/s taken by Samsung Galaxy Note 2.