Friday, September 16, 2016

I'm pretty much excited to get the new Hyundai Tucson. This will be released today. I'll try to write about this car as much as I can.

Our family have been very much biased over Hyundai cars for almost a decade now. My father have purchased more Hyundai cars over Japanese brands probably his whole life. He used to be a Toyota guy. He probably still is, having seen him secretly lurking in Toyota's website. But when it comes to comparing values, he ends up getting a Hyundai.

My brother, now a family man, conveniently drives his 2nd generation Tucson (ix35 in other countries) since he was still courting his now wife. All those years, the car was trouble free. I was impressed that he spent a lot less than me on repairs, parts, and gas. I don't even think he spent anything on replacement parts.

Having grown up watching Japanese race cars, I made sure my first car would be something bred from the same house. I drove a Mitsubishi Lancer. It doesn't handle quite like it's four wheel drive turbo charged counterparts but they are connected to the first degree.

Jumping now to the family's Hyundai bandwagon just felt as if you've stepped over the yellow line in the metro platform. It's dangerous but no widow maker.


This model is the GLS variant of the current Philippine Tucson line. We were all set to get the GL version with all the documents fixed and awaiting the release. But there is a problem. The GL comes only with standard keys. The kind of which where, like in the olden days, you stick in the cylinder to unlock. What happened Hyundai? This is a modern car. Even the previous generation has got the remote key.

Another issue that broke our deal with the GL is that it doesn't have the factory back up sensors. As a manly man, who expertly backs up on tight clearances without any electronic help, this is not an issue for me. But eventually it will be, as the wife will also be driving it. I do care more about the longevity of that big rear end. Adding a third party back up sensors are out of the picture. I have this no hole drilling and wire splicing on brand new cars rule. Other than these two issues, we would have been very happy with the GL model.

Going back to the GLS, it doesn't have the bells and whistles as you'd probably see all over the YouTube reviews. This top end variant does not even have the automatic air conditioning you'd read on Top Gear Philippine's review (One would think Hyundai Philippines brought the most spec'd out model  . While it lacks the features you'd expect in a car at this price point, I do favor it being a bit less exuberant electronically. The parts will probably be cheaper, easier to source, and lesser wires to tinker with.

See you on the road























Thursday, September 8, 2016

American Classic 420 Aero 3 Weights (Informal)

Hi guys,

We will be informally weighing the 2016 American Classic 420 Aero 3 wheelset. The test subjects have tires, tubes and a cassette installed, of which I don't have the actual weights. We will just subtract the advertised weights from the values that came up from the scale.

Front wheel:
- Continental Grand Prix 4000 SII with about 2,300 kms on them
- Continental Race Inner Tubes. with about 2,300 kms on them



Total weight is 996 grams.
The weight of the tires would be 225 grams as advertised by the manufacturer.
The weight of the tubes are around 65 grams.

The test wheels have no Quick Releases installed. For stock American Classic QR weights, you can check out this entry: http://quezongritty.blogspot.com/2016/08/american-classic-420-aero-3-skewers.html

Less the tires and tubes, the front wheel comes to about 706 grams. In American Classic's website, their front wheel is advertised as 663 grams.

Rear Wheel:

- Continental Grand Prix 4000 SII with about 2,300 kms on them
- Continental Race Inner Tubes. with about 2,300 kms on them



Total weight is 1448 grams.
The weight of the tires would be 225 grams as advertised by the manufacturer.
The weight of the tubes are around 65 grams.
The weight of the Shimano 105 11-28 cassette would be 227 grams.

Less the tires, tubes and cassette, the front wheel comes to about 931 grams. In American Classic's website, their rear wheel is advertised as 867 grams.

My wheelset pair would be around 1,637 grams.