Strava February Gran Fondo Challenge

Cool. I finally earned a Strava Gran Fondo badge. Strava or it didn't happen.

Robinsons Magnolia Bike Parking

Hey cool I get to park my bike in Robinsons Magnolia earlier this afternoon. I saw bike parking at the basement car parking before but all the guards in the area pointed me to this bike rack. I wanted to park at the basement as it seemed more secure.

But hey, I got out alive and not crying. I would admit that the other bikes are probably owned by non enthusiasts. That made me not enthusiastic about leaving my bike here where everyone can see it.

Make sure you lock the frame and also lock your wheels, especially with the quick release ones. I have three sets of bike locks with me all the time.

Ride safe.

Deore V Brakes Weight

So you may have been wondering how heavy the V-brakes of Shimano's Deore line. Bewilder no more.

The V-brakes are Shimano Deore T610. They will be installed on a folding bike (see previous blog entries for details)

As you can see, the cantilever arms with pads have a combined weight of 338 grams.

If you add the noodle and other accessories needed to complete the system, you get a total weight of 373 grams. That's 35 grams for a pair of noodles and the rubber cover.

In Shimano's website, these are the highest V-brakes they are currently offering. There used to be for XT's and XTR with the parallel pull feature but they don't offer it anymore.

I would certainly love to compare the weights to the T4000 Alivio brakes and the Avid SD7's but I can only spend for just one bike.

Air Horn

This does not make the specific Ahooo-ga sound that made me search for it in the first place but it is an air horn nevertheless. 

Why use this type of horn over the modern ones that are sold in every bike accessories shop?

1. Does not use batteries. Environment friendly.
2. Does not have huge air bottles that you have to hide.
3. You just hang it and go.
4. It is freakishly loud. Goes through walls.
5. The uncommon sound turns heads.
6. You can make people get off their comfortable chairs and out of their homes because they think you sell pandesal.

It does have its disadvantages though.

1. Very long.
2. Not very aerodynamic. It's like a parachute, catching air.
3. Not waterproof nor water resistant.
4. Will get holes when shot at
5. Will explode when bombed
6. Annoys your wife

Basically, the pros outweigh the cons in this battle of air horn justice. The cherry on top is, you can buy this at a relatively expensive price of Philippine Peso 85. The shop, originally sells me this for 75. But when asked for discount, they give you 85!

For the simple pandesal vendor, you have to sell 17 big pandesals just to earn this. Where is the justice?

This blog will be updated once the author procures a real bike mount for it. The stock mount does not even go around the handle bars.

Trees

This is a photo of a lush foliage taken from below.

Tree Canopy