The 16" debate continues

Pics courtesy of Soyokaze-sakky, Japan

There is no question in my mind that the best 16" folders are the Bike Friday Tikit and the Brompton. Which one is better has been a source of endless debates (warning - click only if you lots of time to spare).

The better one really depends on what your priorities are. If having the absolutely most compact package is critical, eg you drive a Smart car and the boot can only fit the Brompton, then choose the Brompton. But if this is not that important and you much prefer a better ride and performance, and perhaps even light touring, choose the Tikit.

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Anatoly did a pretty objective comparision review and is worth a read. He chose a Brompton because of his requirements. I choose both!

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ps: Sean Luke's excellent review is also a must read.

So much for the Theory of Probability...

Mathematicians have since the 16th century tried to calculate randomness and predict statistically when events occur favourably or unfavourably. I wonder if they have come out for a formula for bike punctures.

My son has been riding the XO5 faithfully for 16 months with no incident and in a span of a week, had 2 flat tires, both front. Actually, these are the first occurences of flats on the XO5's 17 year life span.

The first flat was unexplained and mysterious but the second one, Jem carelessly ran over some thorny bush on his way back from school. Guilty as charged! He had to push his bike all the way home, twice. This resulted in me using a tweezer to pull out 8 small but nasty spikes. I also learned that a 700c tube here in Australia costs US$8 compared to Singapore at US$4.5!

So whatever probability theory can tell you about your chances of having a flat, one way of making 100% sure that you don't get stranded is to carry at least one spare tube, tire levers and a pump.

ps 1: My friend Mike Khor of Wheelsopher went on a long ride recently on his Surly in Malaysia and had 3 punctures in one day! No need for applied probability theory here as it was due to a very explanable "technical failure".

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ps2: 1 June - Front tire punctured again!!! Arrgh. Closer inspection revealed a pinched flat, careless of me during installation. Please remember to pump the tube a little when fitting into tire/rim. Hope this 3rd tube will last for some time. Silly me!

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ps3: 17 June - This time the rear tire had a thorn go through it. Another new tube needed in such a short span of time. When it rains, it pours! I now have 3 tubes to patch. Sigh...

Foldies - fashionable for now

Seems to be fashionable to be riding bikes again, judging from this article of The Times. In the world of fashion, the author does not see bikes strictly for functionality but it is in a sense, an expression of style. I particularly like his choice of word "empowering" and "glide" where he writes about the Brompton...

And what of William with his folding Brompton? If you are what you ride, what does this piece of kit say about him? Well, to my mind these portable cycles are the preserve of the unhurried, sharp man about town. Like the big, majestic Pashleys that look like something on which Sebastian Flyte might have wobbled around Oxford with Aloysius sitting on the handlebars, Bromptons are not about speed but about empowering you to glide from A to B in a stylish, unflustered way.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/men/article7123281.ece

Never knew riding our foldies can be viewed as stylish. Superfluosly eccentric is what comes to my mind and I much prefer that image. Anyway, you know what they say about fashion - they come and they go!

Scientist vs Bohemian

I have met many riders in my rides. Most like to have the obligatory cyclo computer, a few must ride with their GPS while the bohemians prefer to focus solely on the pleasure and freedom of cycling unencumbered.

Those familiar with Carl Jung and the Meyer Briggs Personality Profiling will quickly recognised that the ones who love to measure and monitor while riding will fall into the S (sensing) dominant type. S types love to absorb data in a linear and objective way as compared to N (intuition) where data is at best viewed as indicators of possibilities.

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Furthermore, how a person makes decision can also affect the importance of the cyclometer to him. Those who are T (thinking) compared to F (feeling) make their decision based on logic and reasons and thus, have a high dependence on their cyclometer . The Fs on the other hand, decide subjectively based on a case to case basis, in the context of their values and empathy. They have little need for any measurement.

While this theory is very helpful, I am an NF personality with the occasional need to know how fast, how far and how much time I have ridden. I use a Cateye Wireless on my Speed Pro and a Cateye Mitty on the Surly LHT Tourer. The rest of my foldies are "Bohemian" style. Which explains why only 2 out of my 8 bikes have cyclometers...

Do the test here and see which one you are. Yes, even the cartoon characters of Simpsons have done this test! It will be interesting to see if you are a Scientist or Bohemian type of cyclist.

My New Shoes

Unlike many cyclists who extol the virtues of being clipped in while cycling, I prefer a more free-style approach. Good shoes on good platform pedals, with a toe clip if I'm touring.

It was time for a new pair of shoes and I've always liked Asics. Being Japanese, they are extremely high quality, offers great support and somehow fits my feet comfortably.

I got a pair of Asics Gel-Venture recently and tested it today on my usual ride around the Canning River on my sporty Speed Pro with two friends on foldies.


Style and colour wise, it was tops but more importantly, I felt very well supported and protected with the Gel-Venture. Its sole is rather rigid which is necessary to transfer the power properly onto the pedal and yet, soft enough to make for supple walking.

I love my new shoes!

ps: My socks with a motif of rabbits mating, were chosen for me by a very cheeky friend!

A first Foldie

I cant remember exactly when I learned to ride a bicycle (maybe 8 or 9 yo)but I certainly remembered my first bicycle given to me by my Aunt Ruth. It was a red German made Cito with backward pedal braking system, a safety flag and dynamo lighting. That bike gave me countless hours of fun so I got really excited to be given the honour of getting 12yo Darryl his first new bicycle.

Just last month I have been coaching Darryl how to cycle. Christoph and I took him on a 7km ride around the Shelly Foreshore and he passed with flying colours. Then, a request from his mom to get an entry level bike for him came. It had to be a foldie of course as the abilty to be stashed in the boot of his car was essential.

Scouting around the shops in Singapore, I found a "Tahara" made in China 8 Speed 20" foldie at an unbelievable US$99 in Changi. It weighed about 13kg which was respectable and I was quite surprised it rode decently. With a rack and mudguards plus a spare tube thrown in as a sweetener, this must be the deal of the century.

I know this first humble foldie will give Darryl many hours of joy in the days to come. Who knows what he will upgrade to when he grows up? A Birdy, a Dahon, a Brompton or a Friday perhaps?

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Update 24 Apr - The Tahara went for its first real ride today on Aussie soil and performed very satisfactory. Its new owner is very happy with her and I'm glad!

Yike Bike - the ultimate folding electric bike?

I've always been impressed with the design of the early Penny Farthing bicycle. High upright seating, great style, marvellous engineering (in times where gears were not invented) and one of the first human powered transportation. Some ardent PF cyclists have even toured around exotic places with them and is fascinating reading on CGOAB.

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Pic courtesy of CGOAB

Fast forward 2010, Dr Grant Ryan, a Mechanical Engineer from Christchurch, New Zealand has come up with what I think is a brilliant solution to modern portable transportation.

Check it out and let me know your thoughts... a bit pricey at US$4500 but good innovations don't come cheap. Weighs less than 10kg and has a range of 10km, a bit limited but more than enough for city commutes.

http://www.yikebike.com/site/home

ps: Thanks Elaine for pointing me to the Yike Bike!