Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Journey of the Boardwalk: Part 9 (Upgrades from Taiwan)

More upgrades to the Boardwalk! Upgrades are never ending, especially if you already have an upgraded bike!

Went to Taiwan recently, thus I had the chance to buy some special components that cannot be found in Singapore, and possibly outside Taiwan!

As always, I like to keep to my colour scheme of gold and black, thus I already had in mind what I wanted to get before I went to Taipei. Also prepared a list of bike shops to visit, as can be seen from the previous blog post.

Initially wanted to get an aluminium Vitesse frame, but they did not have the type of frame I wanted (with luggage mount at front). Thus I decided to keep my trusty Boardwalk frame and upgrade other components instead!

Bought an Aerozine Road BB in gold colour, with ceramic bearings! Just spinning the sealed bearings by fingers, it feels a lot smoother than the original BB. Goes really well with the black 105 cranks. However, when actually riding the bike, the difference is quite negligible. The drag from the BB is quite small compared to other forms of drag, such as aerodynamic drag.

Also bought some gold coloured brake pad holders, which add to the bling! However these brake pad holders are "thicker" and "taller", and I had problems aligning the brakes to the rims properly. In the end I only mounted the gold brake pad holders onto the rear brakes. Note the alternating layers of black and gold across the brake area!

Also got a gold headset for my Dahon bike, but only when I tried assembling then I realised that the bearing races are press fitted into the frame and onto the fork. Thus I could only change the spacer/cap that is at the top of the headset.

More bling to come! Even the small details will not be overlooked, check out the gold brake cable housing!

The biggest change of all is the wheelset! Check out the gold rims with some slight profile, brings out the gold look of the bike! The spoke pattern is quite special too.

6 pawl freehub, slightly more drag but stronger.

Opened up the freehub mechanism and found that there was actually quite little grease in there. Decided to add in more grease to make the freehub smoother, but the additional grease will cause the noise level to drop. Note that the freehub grease is not your normal grease, it is actually a mixture of oil and grease, giving a grease that is very light.

Before changing the components, I found it easier to just strip the whole bike, clean everything and then assemble with the new components. Enjoy the pictures!


And finally, thanks Joeel for the great picture!
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38 comments:

  1. KunalAugust 17, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 3, 2012 at 8:50 AM

    Is there any factor to look into when changing wheelset??
    Maybe you could help me with the knowledge you know. Pls refer to the link.

    http://www.lovecyclingsg.com/t683-all-about-wheelset

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 15, 2013 at 7:49 PM

    Hi im thinking of changing wheel set for my p9..was looking at wheel sport, Litepro kpro, kinetix pro... Main purpose is to weight reduction... I noticed ur wheelset is 1140 but I was told tat the wheel sport actually weigh 1400.does the weight difference btw the stock kinetix comp n the wheelsport make a great improvement? Or Shld I jus stick to stock

    ReplyDelete
  4. tylsteveJanuary 15, 2013 at 7:55 PM

    No the wheelsport wheels weigh slightly over 1.1kg, definitely not 1.4kg. I think the lower spinning weight will make a noticeable difference in your acceleration. worth changing in my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 16, 2013 at 10:15 PM

    I'm considering btw Litepro kinetix n the wheelsport... Other than a esthetics... Any comments btw the two?

    ReplyDelete
  6. tylsteveJanuary 17, 2013 at 6:33 AM

    They are quite similar, either one will be fine

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2013 at 8:51 PM

    Hi,

    In your opinion, which affect the speed,acceleration more. The wheelset or the crank? Thinking of upgrading but can only choose one first. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. tylsteveJanuary 27, 2013 at 9:07 PM

    tires would be the first choice, use slimmer tires to reduce rolling resistance. then the wheelset, change to a wheelset with smooth rolling bearings. followed by crankset that has a large BB and stiff cranks, such as Shimano Hollowtech II.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2013 at 9:23 PM

    Hi Steve,

    Thank you very much. So for now, I can retain my wheelset and just change to either Kojak or Durano tyres? After which I can upgrade to Wheelsport or other brands of wheels. Btw, mine is a D7 2013 model.

    ReplyDelete
  10. tylsteveJanuary 28, 2013 at 6:30 AM

    Yes once you change your tires you will immediately notice a difference in speed.

    ReplyDelete
  11. walailiaoFebruary 2, 2013 at 12:06 PM

    Hi Steve, I currently own a Tern Verge P18. What would you recommend changing if I change handlebar from straight to a drop-bar, besides changing shifters, brake levels, and brakes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tylsteveFebruary 2, 2013 at 5:20 PM

      You cannot install drop bars easily as you cannot fit the bar through the current handlebar clamp. You need a stem to install the handlebar.

      You need at least new shifters and caliper brakes.

      Delete
  12. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2013 at 6:55 PM

    Hi can I ask if the Dahon will accept Bottom Brackets of this size, "BB: 68mm English threaded (1.370" x 24tpi), external bearing"?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tylsteveFebruary 25, 2013 at 8:29 PM

      Yes this is the most common bb shell specifications and a standard Dahon will fit that bb

      Delete
  13. UnknownOctober 2, 2013 at 9:49 PM

    hi, I am thinking of upgrading the tyres and wheel sets my Tern D8. I have two questions. 1) Will there be an increase in rolling performance and weight if I change the tyres to Kojak first, and changing the wheel set later? 2) for the wheel set, it is 74 /130 right and not 100/135?

    Thank you for your advice. I enjoyed reading your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  14. tylsteveOctober 3, 2013 at 6:43 AM

    Both upgrading the tires and the wheelset will reduce the weight and and improve the rolling ability. So either one will be fine. Although it is more convenient to do it at one go, so that you don't need to install and remove the tires again.

    Yes the wheelset OLD is 74/130mm.

    ReplyDelete
  15. paulbJuly 17, 2014 at 1:22 AM

    You mention using the gold spacer, the one that fits between the headset and handlepost. Do you recall if the original was rubber or steel? I'm trying to figure out if they are interchangeable, or whether one must stick with the original type.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tylsteveJuly 17, 2014 at 7:10 AM

      That is not actually a spacer, but sort of a cap that allows the handlepost to rest on the compression ring of the headset. If you change it out you need to replace it with one that has the same design. It is made of aluminum.

      Delete
  16. paulbJuly 18, 2014 at 9:09 PM

    Thanks! That it's a cap and not a spacer is an important distinction that I was having difficulty understanding.

    ReplyDelete
  17. nickNovember 3, 2014 at 3:27 PM

    Hi,
    I m thinking of changing to wheelsport sunny on my 7-speed bike which is a freewheel. Can I use a 8-speed cassette for the sunny? As 7-speed cassette are hard to find now. Will there be any shifting issue?

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tylsteveNovember 3, 2014 at 9:55 PM

      You can install an 8 speed cassette on the Wheelsport Sunny rear hub. The shifting components and drivetrain will also need to be 8 speed, which means an 8 speed shifter, RD and chain. What bike are you riding and what are the current shifters and RD?

      Delete
    2. nickNovember 3, 2014 at 10:35 PM

      Dahon eco3. I have changed tyres to Kojak and they do roll better. Was thinking of further changing the wheelset for even better speed but reluctant to change the entire drivetrain. Is it better to find a freehub 7-speed cassette instead?

      Delete
    3. tylsteveNovember 4, 2014 at 7:59 AM

      I think it is not wise to upgrade the Eco 3 as the frame is not a frame worth upgrading. The joints and handlepost are of lower quality than the newer models.

      My suggestion is to ride the bike as it is, or sell the Eco 3 and get a new bike to upgrade.

      Delete
    4. nickNovember 4, 2014 at 4:15 PM

      Do you know if I can change the handlepost for eco3 to one of those from Fnhon? Compatible?

      Delete
    5. tylsteveNovember 4, 2014 at 6:25 PM

      Nope not compatible. Headset and frame design is different.

      Delete
  18. blurgal35March 25, 2015 at 4:10 AM

    Hi! may I know how or where u changed ur brake cables to gold color?
    I would like to change the color of my cables too on my Boardwalk..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tylsteveMarch 25, 2015 at 7:36 AM

      Sorry I can't remember where I got the gold cable outer casings. Probably have to try online sources such as Taobao.

      Delete
  19. AnonymousMarch 31, 2015 at 2:17 PM

    Hi, currently I'm using Kinetix comps wheelset. From your experience, will changing to Wheelsport sunny wheelset yield a significant improvement in performance with regards to acceleration and speed?

    ReplyDelete
  20. tylsteveMarch 31, 2015 at 6:38 PM

    Define significant?

    The Wheelsport Sunny wheelset is betteer than the Kinetix Comp, there is no question about that. It is lighter in weight and also smoother rolling. There will definitely be an improvement, but how much is hard to quantify. All I can say is that the difference is big enough to be felt.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousApril 1, 2015 at 9:34 AM

    Thanks for the reply.
    Am looking for 3-5 km/h gain in speed. Achievable?
    One more question, are you aware if using 451 wheelset, would my existing V-brakes be usable?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tylsteveApril 1, 2015 at 10:07 AM

      If you also change to slim tires such as Kojak or Durano, this speed increase should be doable.

      If change to 451 wheels, you will need longer V brakes or v brake adaptors. Can check with MyBikeShop for the parts.

      Delete
  22. AnonymousAugust 10, 2015 at 7:35 PM

    Wondering if anyone could tell me what does Hub 74/130 and 100/130 mean?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tylsteveAugust 10, 2015 at 8:25 PM

      It refers to the Over Locknut Distance (OLD) of the hubs, which means the width of the hubs when installed on the bike.

      Road bikes have a front hub OLD of 100mm, and a rear hub OLD of 130mm. Some folding bikes such as Dahon/Tern have a narrower front OLD of 74mm.

      Before getting the wheelset, check the frame to make sure that the wheelset you get will fit the frame.

      Delete
  23. UnknownSeptember 9, 2015 at 12:31 AM

    hi, can a java mini velo change to a V brake instead of the current disc brake ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tylsteveSeptember 9, 2015 at 10:23 AM

      If the frame and fork has V brake mounts then you can.

      Delete
  24. GermaneleAugust 29, 2016 at 10:40 AM

    Hi Steve, I was trying to get info here in Argentina, asI would like to upgrade my Tern D8, to a 105, 5800 11 speed drivetrain from Shimano, but I do not know what type of flat handlebar shifters could I use? since I can only find Dual Control levers, can you suggest something? thanks in advance, also, which wheelset would you suggest for the 11 speed 105 Shimano? thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tylsteveAugust 30, 2016 at 2:54 PM

      For Shimano road 11 speed drivetrain, you can get the SL-RS700 flat handlebar shifters.
      As for the wheelset, you can try to get 11 speed Controltech wheelset from Thorusa.com.

      Delete
  25. UnknownJuly 4, 2017 at 12:16 PM

    Hi Steve,

    Where do you get the wheelsport wheelset? Thanks

    ReplyDelete

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