Bestrider Pump Pro 16: Introduction Part 1

Here is a new series about a multi-speed kids bike, as my kid has outgrown the previous Early Seeker 14 kids bike.

It is impossible to find a stock 16 inch kids bike with multi-speed, as all have single speed drivetrains. Therefore, any bike that I get needs to be modified in order to have more speeds.

After much research, I decided to get the Bestrider Pump Pro 16, which has some pretty nice components and is also lightweight. It is relatively expensive compared to most other kids bikes, but I am willing to spend more for a good bike. There is also the non-pro specification which is cheaper, but the component spec is not so good and it is heavier.

This bike frame is quite standard, so it will be easier to upgrade the components on it. I tried to upgrade the Early Seeker 14 with a 3 speed internal hub drivetrain, but the frame was incompatible, so I could not do so.

After about a month of shipping via Taobao, here it is! Let's check out the stock condition before deciding what to upgrade.

Out of the box!

These are the stock pedals, which I will not be putting on. They are actually not too bad, but not as good as the smooth spinning pedals that came with the Early Rider bike.

Just for reference, the stock plastic pedals are 245 grams per pair.

With the handlebar set up. The grip position looks way too high!

Standard cable routing for V-brakes.

This handlebar looks too wide as well, not proportionate to the bike frame.

Width from end to end is 560 mm including grips, which is far too wide for kids, who have shorter arms and narrower shoulders.

The handlebar rises up a lot, like a Brompton M-bar. Personally, I don't like this look.

Good quality Tektro short reach brake levers for kids. Same as found on the Early Rider. Very hard to find aftermarket.

Handlebar is of a standard diameter (nominal 22.2 mm).

Short stubby MTB stem, looks way too chunky.

Saddle is appropriately small, but there is no angle adjustment or fore/aft adjustment.

Seat post diameter is standard diameter as well (nominal 27.2 mm).

Frame looks good, with the silver logos.

Rear brake outer casing is routed along the top tube externally.

I love the paint job, which is a beautiful red with lots of glitter in it. It's like the paint job on my Cervelo Aspero.

Big B logo at the front of the head tube.

Another picture showing the nice paint job.

Aluminium frame makes this bike lightweight.

Claims to be optimally sized for kids.

Tektro short arm V-brakes.

Lots of tire clearance!

Same V-brakes used at the rear as well.

This is just the 1st part of the introduction, as there are so many features to highlight. Check out the main page for part 2 of the introduction and subsequent posts!

Shimano Di2 vs SRAM eTap: Battery and Charger

Both Shimano and SRAM have their own electronic shifting drivetrains, and with that, batteries are required. Shimano has both internal and external batteries for their Di2 systems, while SRAM has only external batteries for its eTap and AXS systems.

Since I have both electronic systems, I wanted to do a comparison showing the differences in the batteries and also the battery chargers.

The Fnhon folding bike started with an 11 speed Shimano Di2 system, and was recently changed to a 12 speed SRAM AXS system. For details about how the systems were set up, refer to the Fnhon DB11/12 folding bike page.

The biggest difference between these systems is that the Shimano battery is wired to all the shifters and derailleurs, and powers all of these components with a single central battery. On the other hand, the SRAM system is wireless, and thus each derailleur requires its own battery. The SRAM shifters have their own coin battery as well.

SRAM eTap battery! Had to get it from a local shop as batteries can't be bought online.

7.4 volts and 300 mAh capacity. Lots of regulatory symbols!

Shimano Di2 battery has a larger capacity of 500 mAh, while the voltage is the same at 7.4 volts.

SRAM battery has its own battery cover for protection, when the battery is removed from the bike during transportation to avoid unintended battery drain.

Interestingly, the red cover has a switch that you can set to indicate whether this battery has a full charge or not.

Shimano Di2 battery has a transparent cover, but this is rarely used as you can leave the battery on the bike during transportation.

Side by side size comparison shows that the Shimano Di2 battery is much larger.

It is quite a lot larger, about 2 to 3 times larger by volume.

Difference in contact points. The Di2 battery plugs into the battery mount, while the eTap battery plugs to the derailleurs.

Shimano Di2 battery weighs 71 grams.

SRAM battery is a lot lighter at just 24 grams. Easy to carry a spare if you are worried about running out of juice.

Shimano Di2 battery is charged using a battery charger which is rather big in size.

Insert the battery, and the LED will show that it is being charged. The LED turns off when the battery is full.

SRAM battery charger, sold separately from the battery and other components.

This charger is a lot smaller in size.

LEDs show the charging status.

Size comparison of the battery chargers. The SRAM charger is much more compact in size.

Indicator lights on the chargers when the batteries are being charged.

In conclusion, the SRAM battery is smaller, but you need two of them if you run both a rear and front derailleur. Also, the SRAM system has a shorter run time, as the wireless protocol requires more power compared to the Shimano wired system.

On the other hand, the small SRAM battery makes it easy to carry a spare, or swap the front and rear battery if one of them runs out of juice.

Each system has its own pros and cons, although I am leaning towards the wireless system by SRAM which makes it super easy to set up, since no wire routing is required.

Cervelo Aspero: Random Exploration Rides

Another post to write about and share the photos from the many random exploration rides that I did on the Cervelo Aspero gravel bike. Check out the first part here!

On the railway bridge near The Rail Mall, on the Green Corridor.

Gravel bike at home on gravel

Around Pandan Reservoir, with the fine gravel track. Rideable on a road bike as well.

These WTB Venture 47 tires are overkill for this light gravel track, but fun nevertheless.

RX8 gravel shoes for gravel riding!

Along Pang Sua PCN, but on the opposite side which is unpaved.

This stretch has the best gravel track, as it is bumpy enough for the tubeless tires and Redshift ShockStop suspension stem to really shine.

View of the Pang Sua Canal

Full gravel setup, including the PRO Stealth Off-Road saddle.

Pang Sua PCN completely deserted on a weekday afternoon.

Did some exploration, and ended up really far along this little path.

This is right at the end of the Pang Sua canal, where it flows into Kranji Reservoir. This is more than 2 km from the main road.

Red arrow shows where I was, right at the end of the canal.

The walking path is surprisingly well-cleared, although I don't see a reason for anyone to venture down this path.

Beautiful scenery!

Feels like I'm at the countryside in another country, as I cannot hear any traffic or see high rise buildings.

It just feels so liberating to be able to ride anywhere on the gravel bike. As shown from the pictures above, this route was totally unplanned. I saw a path and just went along it, curious to find out where it led.

Added some pictures of the newly completed PCN on the other side of the Pang Sua canal.

Map showing where this picture was taken

Not a soul in sight under the afternoon sun!

Cervelo Aspero: Scenic Rides on PRO Stealth Off-Road Saddle

With a gravel bike, every ride is fun as I don't feel restricted to riding on the roads or nicely paved paths. In fact, almost all my rides on the Cervelo Aspero never goes according to plan, as I like to take detours to check out interesting places that would not be possible on my road bike.

Here is a collection of pictures from some of these random rides, which don't really belong in any particular blog post.

For those who have been here, you definitely remember the ride. At the top of the Lorong Sesuai slope.

With a low gear ratio of 24.4 gear inches, climbing this slope is not too tough.

At Jurong Lake Gardens!

Paint job looks amazing in the sun. Also check out the custom frame bag.

A front single drivetrain with a mix of different components!

Lovely weather for riding

The PRO Stealth Off-Road saddle was installed on the Cervelo Aspero recently, in order to provide a bit more cushion over bumpy terrain, and also to improve the saddle comfort after a professional bike fit at LOUE Bicycles.

Using the measurements from the bike fit to duplicate the saddle position from the Focus Paralane road bike to the Cervelo Aspero.

Trying my best to set the saddle position (fore/aft, height, tilt) properly.

PRO Stealth Off-Road saddle installed! For a detailed comparison between the road and off-road versions, check out this post.

A dedicated gravel bike setup, at the Green Corridor.

I love riding the gravel sections of the Green Corridor, as this gravel bike just floats over it.

The GRX ST-RX815 Di2 shifters are really good for off-road riding compared to road shifters.

PRO Vibe Aero Superlight Handlebar on the gravel bike, which is a mismatch. I love the RX8 gravel shoes in Cactus Berry colour!

Nothing much to conclude here, just a post for me to share miscellaneous photos of the Cervelo Aspero on random rides.