im using long arm vbrake for this bike as the wheel is 349. i do have colnago caliper but feel strange this bike adapt the caliper when trying it. and after comparing the weight, surprisingly the vbrake are lighter than the caliper.braking performance of coz the caliper, but for 16" bike, i wont do above 50kmh

for hassle free without drill, i adopt the vbrake at the end.

IMHO, nothing beats smartphone when it comes to navigation. Huge screen, audio instructions and matured UI. All good for my ailing eye sight.

As for Phone Apps, with big data algorithms, they can produce more accurate result as the data size grows by the day. As more GPS data upload to strava, the elevation, power estimation are getting better by the day. I also notice the elevation figures getting closer to those recorded by GPS headset with altimeter.

Gone are the days where accurate data can only be measured. In this big data era，data they can be guesstimate to a fairly high precision with optimization algorithms. As for how precise is precise enough? That it's totally up to your needs. For me, I try not to underutilize my equipment/gadget.

This post has been edited by KenC: Aug 2 2017, 09:54 AM

Opposite to ken, i prefer standalone gps headunit rather than phone for navigation. Phone is too dependant on network coverage and google map/waze is not as good as the garmin map.

My friend's phone got robbed during one of her ride. I guess that's also one of the disadvantage ofusing of a phone on a bike. Safety issue.

I hate the 5 inch screen standing on the handlebar, looks weird not to mention you have to keep a lookout at it all the time. I have a friend who let it sits on the top tube and that is not so weird looking. I can't use it most of the time too as I am off road all the time. Not all places have signals. I have been using GPS since my hiking days and it is a very important equipment for me. Like me and wife, we are slow riders and sometimes we meet rides that have no sweeper or riders too fast, we just tell them to go ahead. As they know I am also one of the trail scouts, they feel free to go ahead. If I can't catch up, I can always back track using the GPS or check the map for the easiest way back. Imagine if you don't have signal and the smart phone is not working For those riding on just roads, it OK even if you don't use GPS, right?

Furthermore, Garmin Edge's last 16 hours on a single charge, even longer on newer models. Although I have never depleted the juice, I have tried switching on at 7.00am and ride till 5.00 pm and the Garmin is still on. No smart phones , even with 2 power banks can last that long.

For navigation, I use Google map offline. Without a sim card. Strava works offline too, both only require GPS signal.
You can download offline map through wifi connection. After which you use it offline. No need data connection completely. Strava upload when wifi is available.
You can also plot your route and import into Google map.
With the data switched off, the battery life also extended.
I cari a 100000mah Powerbank, 20hr only 50%… with 12hrs 500lumen light… not an issue imho.
I don't even mount the phone anywhere, just tug it in my bag and pick it up when I need to look at it. Mostly I listen to the audio instructions.
Like I said I don't like to underutilize my gadgets.
Hope this will help those who wish to try out technology with minimum outlay.

This post has been edited by KenC: Aug 2 2017, 11:59 AM

after some heavy thinking and reading lots of online and offline reviews, i finally pulled the trigger and ordered 530T. hopefully i wont regret my decision later . rm950, the cheapest that i can find either online or lbs. ordered it from a shopee seller, (promotion item). just wondering if the bundled cadence/speed sensor is suitable for mtb usage. so just to be safe, i ordered an extra igpsport cadence sensor.



This post has been edited by fatani: Aug 2 2017, 11:59 AM

For 950, it must work la
Extra igpsport cadence sensor put you well over 1k mark… die die must work la LOL

Too late to "wondering" after payment ler Hahahahah

Congratulations on your new toy. You will surely enjoy it.

*PS, next you need power meter…

This post has been edited by KenC: Aug 2 2017, 12:34 PM

That bryton combo sensor kena ikat dengan cable tie lah bro ken. So i think it's quite a hassle to switch over between bikes. And i dont it's suitable to use on my TRS bikes which have a slopy chainstay. That's why i ordered the cadence sensor that can easily switched over from obe crank arm to another.

I will try to put it on my mtb first. If not suitable, then either i sold it off and get another 200+ back or save it until i buy an rb, maybe in the next zillion years..haha

the magnet type of cadence sensor just stay in one bike. can be transfer,but a bit hassle.

thats why i also using magene cadence sensor on other bike.. cadence are much likely not much different in any bike unless ur bike doesnt have chainstay. so enjoy the 530 👍👍

I would strongly recommend everyone to use a Heart Rate Monitor (HRM). Wrist band or chest strap, Ant+ or simple dislay. Primarily to watch your "redline", too many bad news of heart failure while cycling.
Of course you can monitor your performance. But my recommendation is base on not pushing into heart failure zone. As an insurance.
Simple HRM can be had for under RM50, Bluetooth or Ant+ capable around rm150.

This post has been edited by KenC: Aug 2 2017, 01:13 PM

Strongly agreed!

Nothing wrong with being competitive, but one should be aware of one own's body limitation. And a heart rate monitor is a good indicator to know your safe limit.

The best is the one with chest strap, but you need to pair it with a monitor to get the readings. Wrist band sensors are known for giving inaccurate readings while you were exercising.

This year already got one reported death during sepang jamboree event. Heart failure. NS jelebu event almost got similar case, but rider survived.

You drilled?

If a frame has not been built for caliper brakes, it usually means the mounting brace may not be strong enough. V-brakes are more than fine.

If a frame is not build for caliper brake, it usually meant you have to do some modifications to make it work
don't worry, metal tube are plenty strong. Can't say about carbon frame.

This post has been edited by KenC: Aug 3 2017, 02:01 AM

Thanks for info.

I did short tours using Google Map in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia without data. Few years ago, Google Map was not available in Myanmar and I used open source map.

I was warned twice by local not to place my mobile phone on handle bar in Vietnam as passing motorcyclists would snatch my phone.

This post has been edited by gataddhin: Aug 3 2017, 07:43 AM

I love off roads and vilage roads. I seldom blast my air horn against dogs.

Once my friend fell into a oil palm plantation drain when we were chased by dogs. He didn't look at the road instead looking at chasing dogs. Now he carries a RM6 toy gun which trigger into a match stick. Makes sound louder than fire crackers.

I carry a metal retractable baton for safety. Once a motorcycle pillon rider pulled my waist pouch in Kepong.

This post has been edited by gataddhin: Aug 3 2017, 08:22 AM

test run v1

16" ka bro?
i am looking for 16 inches
actually considering qicycle by xiaomi..not a bad package.. if dun want electric motor can easily swapped out.

Usually dogs left outside are noisy but harmless. The more panicky you are and the faster you pedal makes them chase you even more. When you see a pack barking, observe them but ride slowly and stare at them. They too will be wary of you and not attack. In the event that they do, get to the other side of your bike and use the bike as weapon to ward them off.

As for snatch thief, that's life in the city. I too hate city life, that's why I retire early even if it means living thriftily. Every night I wake up at 4 to 5 am , even till today. I was burglarized twice and any small sound will keep me awake. No regrets moving away from KL. Might be good for you too, since you like village and plantation roads. Plenty here.

yap,..
its 16" 349 (brompton rim size)
its not as small like other 16" 305,but it does its job.feel a bit faster than 305..

electric bike depends on ur needs. i dont need here in ipoh. just survey for the spareparts. sometimes the sparepart are hard to get depends on brand..

how much?