Hamster wheel

Keeps on spinning...

Bloody valentines
Last time I rode more than 100km it was 2 years ago on valentines day from Manila to Santa rosa laguna. After a much needed rest in Binan laguna (?) things got dicey when I was about to attack a two lane bridge crossing. Avoided a pot hole only to end up on road shoulder which had accumulated a lot of road dust in turn burying the tiny 20 inches tire resulting on endo. Unluckily my right hand took a hit along with my right knee. Suffered a deep gash on my palm and soreness on my knee was really fucked-up bad.
Still not wanting to turn around I shouldered on to Nuvali with mario (very patient dude) and watched bike shop buddies compete on duathlon event.
This day will be the last time I rode over 100 km for almost 2 years and will be forever known as the "bloody valentines" ride.

This signaled the END for that year. And on the next year purchased Grand tech which took a year to complete.
Read here

200, 400...
Now I want a medal, an AUDAX medal, and the only way I can GET one is by participating.
Getting back on the saddle and getting in riding shape will not be easy. Without training I could easily ride at least 60km with at least a month of training I can double my mileage but it is still not 200km. Plus I weight almost 20 pounds heavier than the last real ride (bloody valentines). This endeavor not going to be easy.

200km then...
Credit to the owner of the pic

Ernest Rufo

Project bike: Bridgestone Grand tech GR27 > Complete

Was planning on making a step by step break down on bringing GR27 road worthy. But was to lazy to document it because most of the work was done at the bike shop (ULYBY San Andres, Manila).

Version.1 The plan
This was suppose to be just a runner, most of the parts are in good working condition all it needed was cleaning and a tune-up.
Couple of days into the disassembly and parts prep I could not stand the old rattle can-job the old owner did with the bike.

Old spray can black was removed from the frame and the fork.
Upper-rear chain-stay only needed a little surface rust removal and lots of polishing.
Fork was powder coated "almond brown" for that 70's bike color accents.

Yes 5 pieces for just the frame

Naked and loving it
Grand tech sat for 6 months without any cockpit, drive train parts, also sold the whole rim-set to a friend.
 

Condo decor

Version.2 Completing the bike
With the sudden (4th quarter) increase on Shimano complete drive train price and my unwillingness to try drop bars the plan of buying complete group was ditched.

Instead of Shimano Claris 8 speed we dug deep in old MTB parts bin for some key components.

Old MTB parts
Shimano XT 11-36 cassette
Shimano ZEE 10 speed shifter

New parts
Shimano SORA brake calipers
Shimano Non-series brake levers (flat bar)
Shimano DEORE 10 speed chain
Shimano DEORE 10 speed RD long cage w/switch

Opted to use the stock from the 80's Sugino no.3 crank on knee busting 48T, along with almost new-ish Sugino bottom bracket that was on the bike.
When Mel (the only mechanic that touches my bikes) removed the bottom bracket earlier he commented that it was barely used and was in great shape for the bike age.

Now the build is going the MTB inspired route it will now take a sharp left turn yet again on ROAD bike path.

Purchased known reliable ROAD training wheel-set from Shimano the RS11 along with Schwalbe road+ tires on meaty 28mm size.

Now for the contact points like handlebar and pedals. Had a track bar (bullhorn) on project. SS beater.
Pedals are old VP steel commuters (shin destroyers) which came with bike.

Quill stem SR (Suntour) and Seat post SR (Suntour) stock parts was cleaned and re-used. While the old headset was serviced.

Version.3 Flat bars for keeps
Track bars are awesome they are most comfortable for sprinting, climbing and track work. Which does not require two brake levers and a RD shifter.

Bullhorns was crowded with all the un-necessary stuff I demand to use with the bike. Again searching my MTB parts bin found an old up-sweep handlebar which was also wider.

Before

After

Bridgestone Grand tech

They say that they never make em' like they used to. Underneath all the neglect and crap that the previous owners did to the bike. Money, time that I spent making the Grand tech my own bike well worth everything.

Would like to thank the missus, mom, my son.
Ulyby bike shop, mel, and all friends of shop.

Ernest Rufo

Hamster wheel: 2018

Keeps on spinning...

Happy NEW YEAR! Welcoming 2018 with a bang, bang!

Photo credit: Bridgestone

Yowamushi pedal
Not familiar? Manga to anime shonen (Comic/cartoon that caters to young males).
First season of the Anime being aired locally my kid been watching the show weekly. He loves the protagonist Sakamichi Onoda and also the awesome villain Akira midousuji. It is great that NOW we have a wide range of sports anime for kids and parents to enjoy.

Yowamushi pedal also has a lot of bike and tour the France reference for hardcore road cycling fans.

Right cadence is your friend and here a great video from the dudes on GCN to explain.
Cadence

Yowamushi manga: photo credit to the owner

Cavite
Fondo's supported by major bike companies are NOW starting to come to cavite. For those not living on this side of the south a huge chunk of Cavite situated along the coastline has good, hilly roads for cyclist to enjoy.

Bridgestone Grandtech

Updates? YES! Finally completed the bike and now in process of fine tuning the setup for the drivetrain, and cockpit/contact points.

NAIC cavite first test ride

 Ernest Rufo