Hahaha.... You only saw half the picture la..

This was a ride from Karak - Lanchang - Karak..

Sam

New bike, straight from the shop, this should NOT happen.

Riding with a loose spoke can be very damaging to your bike's rim.

Way it sounds, the store where you bought your bike from had done a really poor job in pre-delivery tune-up...

Also, make it a point to check your spoke's nipples from time to time to ensure that the tension is correct and that there is no loosening..

Sam

It's hard to purchase a good bike at your preferred budget. Even the Tern Link C7 is sold at RM1.4K, (I believe that Van cycles has some freebies thrown-in at that price).

For that price, you can also consider the Dahon Boardwalk D7, a proven bike with a decent component package...

XDS bikes are quite pricey considering the fact that they give lower-grade components.

Another bike that you can consider is the Dahon Vybe (7-speed under RM1K).

Sam

If you plan your purchase right, you end up with a good bike, without any worries about upgrading parts and components...

Very few people get it right the first time and enjoy cycling their bikes without bothering about upgrades. The longer you ride your bike, the more you would like it..

Sam

Depends on the condition of the bike and price..

If its good, low mileage, no physical damage, then can consider the purchase.

More than often, pre-owned bikes are neglected and abused.. So, you end up spending more money refurbishing the bike..

On one instant, a cyclist wanted to sell his old folding bike. It was a "Da bike" from 1984, rusted all over, bent front rim and the guy wanted RM3K for it. Cannot justify the price due to poor condition and damaged front wheel. For him, it meant the world, to me, it was a heap of junk...

Sam

Fuah Mr Butthead, very philosophical la.. hahaha!!!

One who can find contentment would always end up getting it right..

That's why we must go in with a clear thought, knowing what we want and making full use of it..

By investing in a good bike, you minimise the needs for upgrades and maximise its usage.. Good stuff makes a difference by performing better..

Sam

Nice photos!

I'll be there on Sunday..

Sam

My wife and I are riding our 24" Terns in Kuala Kubu Baru tomorrow.. I will be going to FRIM on Sunday with my full-suspension 20" Dahon..

hhahahah!!!!

Mmmm.... All the great seefus have spoken..

My take on this:

If you have a budget between RM1 - 1.4K, there are decent choices from Dahon, Tern, Oyama and China-made brands like XDS.

To lug the bike in and out of a train, you will need a lightweight and small bike. That said, a 16" foldie would do the job.



Here's an XDS 16" foldie under RM1k. I believe its going at RM800 a pop.

To board the train, you will need to bag your bike and there are many choices available for bike bags. For short distance commute, 16" bikes are handy to come by. They are also easy to stow away in the train.



My bike of choice is the Dahon Curve D3 and Curve SL..



That's me, my bike in the bag and luggage, waiting to board a KTM intercity train from KL- Taiping..



The 16" folding bike is great for middle and short distance excursions..

Sam

This post has been edited by samosaurus: Aug 26 2013, 11:33 AM

That Kukuxumusu is getting really rare.. People buy it just for the frame..

Curve D3 is long gone.. Unless of you can find one listed on bicycle buy & sell in really good condition, you might want to snag it.

Sam

Ahh... My favourite subject! The EP7i is a lower-end version of Tern's "little bigger" bike with a hub gear as its drivetrain. On the EP7i, you get the Shimano Nexus 7. Which is not as responsive as the Alfine 11 found on the higher-end Eclipse S11i.

Nevertheless, its also pretty smooth and if you are a strong rider, you can take this bike anywhere.. The "bang for the buck" factor on the EP7i are the Joule II dynamo hub, Valo headlight and the portage rack.

BUT, unfortunately, K2 Asia, Tern's distributor for Malaysia has no plans to bring in this bike.. This is due to poor demand and the minimum order quantity for this model which is set at a pretty high quota.



The Eclipse S11i.

So, that said, if you love bikes with internal hub gear, the only ones that are sold here are the Eclipse S11i at a whooping RM7.7K...



Wah.. I kena quoted here.. Hahahah!!!!

This issue about modifying bikes is a long-discussed matter.

My take is this: There are two school of thoughts. People who have the money and people who are restricted in terms of budget.

The dude with the money would go for a high-end bike, no need to do anything and enjoy years of run with the bike.

When you are restricted in terms of budget, you try and improvise the bike and hope for better performance.

As long as your modification won't cause injury or death, I think its acceptable.

BUT, looking from the practical point of view, like I said earlier: A bike is as good as its rider. If you pour your entire life savings to modify your Raleigh Ugo into a Super-Ugo, and the cost for doing so is similar to the retail price of a high-end bike, then you are penny wise and pound foolish. Again, this is a subjective matter where no one is right or wrong... Which brings us back to the fundamentals of wise spending..

So, my parting shot is: enjoy the bike, ride it hard and never forget to have fun...

Sam

HAhaha!! Agreed!

This kinda reminded me about our training ride in Pekan Bt 18 in Hulu Langat last year.. My wife and I rode our Dahon Curve and overtook a fella on a mountain bike.. Apparently, he was a big shot with NAZA who owns Avanti Cycles in Tmn Tun.

We sapu the fella while he was riding up "dead man's climb" near the Kuala Kelawang - Semenyih junction and when we arrived there, a support car was waiting with drinks and snacks for their riders. The dude in the mountain bike rode past us and said: "Fuah! beskal kecik macam ni pun laju?" We smiled at him and said: "Bukan beskal bang, kaki yang kuat!"



Cranking up dead man's climb...



The support car and taukeh from Naza with the all black outfit..



The beskal nyamuk riders..

Sam

Siew Yuk rice!!!! Right said that my man!!!

A spouse that cycles, fuahh!! That one like kena Mega Jackpot Super Bonos! If your wife is able to keep up with you on a 100km/day ride, you will be the happiest man on this planet!

Sam

Fuah... My name kena mention again.. hahah!! That's a very good way of looking at the matter..

Well, many who want to venture into folding bicycles are people who want to give it a try. If they like it, they most likely end up doing a lot of rides, and eventually venture into bikepacking and touring.

A large percentage of folding bikes are kept at home and are seldom used. This is like the bike that goes around the taman or to the nearest coffeeshop.

Of course, there are mad people who take their little bikes for ultra long distance rides, touring, camping and even town-hopping. But these folks are far and few in between..

All good things said and done, there are more people who are interested in folding bikes today. There are also more choices in terms of brands, make and models. This was not possible five years ago..

Seeing as it is, we have to be responsible in sharing information. Even with the examples shown, people are still shy in riding a bike with small wheels..



Here's a nice picture to give you an idea on public perception about small bikes.. hahahaha!!!



Wow!! That's good news! Never thought they will bring the Eclipse P7i into the country. It could be from way back when K2 Asia launched it.. If you have the cash, the Alfine 11 would be a great upgrade for the bike!

Sam

Ahh.. Mr Butthead! Can always count on you for your wise words..

"The Mall", you mean the shopping centre near PWTC ka? Man, that's ancient... Which model are you riding?

As a Foldie, my motivation is to explore places, makan, enjoy the great company among my peers and makan and makan and makan..



The Tanjung Rambutan experience is never the same without a foldie.. Well, the fat guy on the left tipu because he cycles a Surly Long Haul Trucker touring bike..



We ride, we eat, we are Foldies!



Happiness, is a bike and a long ride with great food at the end of the journey.. Hahahah

Sam

Hahaha... Guilty as charged!



What I actually do in The Star..



Cycling at work is fun!

Sam

Hahahha!!!!! That one, I let the bosses worry la.. We are merely minions, bbbbaaabbbaaabbannnannnnaaannnnnannnnnaaaa...

Sam

My wife & I will be shooting up to Penang next Friday to join the CFAL5.

Looking forward to cycling around town..

Sam

Yeah, Campaign For A Lane Series 05. Details on www.gclub.com.my

We are headed to Penang and this is our third-year in succession riding round-island.. Real fun and plenty of cyclist friends..



The Taiping Foldies Fan at CFAL4



Climbing Titi Kerawang.. We look forward to this..



Claiming our medals after the ride..

Sam