kamotE trails

I've been wanting this for my folding bike for quite a while. Good thing I found a store in Quezon City that has one in stock. Initial Impressions It comes in a nifty packaging. The grips are screwed in a plastic holder with the logo in the middle. It does really look nice which further entices you to get this grips.  The bar end extension looks solid. It clamps to the grips and the handle bar through bolts on its underside. The rubber grip has 5 configurable pieces. You can remove a piece to shorten the grip. This is also great for those with grip shifters that are planning to change to regular shifters in the future. you won't need to purchase a new grip. Just add the "bricks" to lengthen it. Performance I set this up with 4 spacers. 5 spacer is a bit too long for my short folding bike handle bar. 4 spacer setup is the optimal length where I can position my brakes and shifters perfectly. This is a nice grip. Very rubbery feel and won't let your h...

I recently purchased this lightweight chain for my folding bike drivetrain upgrade.  I was torn on getting the KMC x10SL and this chain. Both were almost the same weight but the KMC is pricier by more or less Php 500 in the local market. I decided to give YBN a try. It came in a box unlike the KMC chain which came packaged in an all vinyl blister pack. The box contains the chain wrapped in plastic and a missing link. The shop also gave me a free missing link so I now have an extra one. The chain is drenched in lube in its plastic packaging. Its some sort of wet lube, I think. On paper, the weight of the chain is 235 grams for the 110 links. It's a bit lighter from KMC x10SL which is 253 grams. Overall weight once its installed will be lower since I will be removing some of the links. It's supposedly durable according to their website. The chamfering on the plates are less noticeable compared to KMC. Performance My setup is a 1x10 drivetrain with this YBN chain. I...

Continuing the upgrade of my Tern Link D8 drivetrain... Sorry for the blurry pics. I had to do this late at night and low light pics are not that good. After cleaning and removing the stock parts, we proceed with installing the new components. Install the SLX Cassette removing the stock cassette and the "dork disk" Put a little grease on the free hub body. I like to put grease where there are metal to metal contact to avoid metal seizing and also to protect the metal parts. Slide in the cassette(cogs). Make sure to align the cogs properly. Lock the cassette in place with the lock ring included in the cassette. Use the lock ring tool and wrench to tighten it. No need for the chain tool since the direction of tightening the lock ring is opposite the freewheel direction. I don't have a torque wrench so I tighten the lock until a couple of clicks is heard. new XT cogs installed. Install the XT shifter and lock on grips. I-spec shifters + brake leve...

The stock drivetrain components of my Tern Link D8 is good. There are times when you get frustrated over tuning the rear mech. Sometimes you need the 34 of 36 tooth cog for that steep climb or maybe the 11 tooth cog for speed on flats.  These all point to upgrading the bike's drivetrain (most of it). The stock parts: SR Suntour Rear Mech Sun Race 8 Speed Cogs 12-32 8 Speed Chain (don't know the brand) SRAM MRX Comp 8 Speed Grip Shifter Biologic long and short grips (paired with the grip shifter) Upgrades: Shimano Zee Short-cage Rear Mech (Freeride)  Shimano XT 11-36 Cogs Shimano XT I-Spec type 10 Speed Shifter (matches my Deore I-Spec brake levers) YBN SLA101 NP 10 Speed Chain Tern Rear Mech Adapter Lock on grips with barend Miscellaneous items cable crimp ends Tools needed: Cassette lock ring tool Chain whip Allen wrenches Chain tool Adjustable wrench Pre Installation: Dis-assemble and remove the stock drive tr...

I've started trying out the imported "premium" beers found in the local market and James Boag's is next in line. The bottle is definitely premium. Labels have that matte premium paper feel to it. The cap is also twist open so no need for a bottle opener. It came in a green tinted bottle which is quite light when all the beer is gone. For the taste, the usual lager flavor is present.  It's bitter even when chilled. Every sip packs a bitter punch full of hops. Taste is a bit similar to Tiger. I enjoyed this beer until the last ounce. Would be nice to drink a bottle or two more but the high price tag is a bit restrictive. Give it a try once in a while.

There has been a surge of this "cocktail"-like drink in Shopwise. It's cheap enough, at around Php 30, so I thought I would give it a try. Smirnoff Mule sounds like something new and classy. It has that new look that makes you want to try it out. The label says that it's a combination of vodka, ginger beer and lime mix. Upon opening, it smelled like mountain dew. I thought its another one of those Tanduay Ice drinks. Initial sip tasted like lime soda with alcohol. It's carbonated so you get that beer or soda feel while drinking. After some time, the tastes grow old in your mouth. I easily grew tired of the taste and wanted to get this over. I don't know if I'm not in the mood for a late night soda drink or the drink is just not meant to please your taste buds. If you like the soda-ish and cocktail types of drinks, then this one is for you. For me, I would stick to beer for that evening movie fix.

As you brave the Metro Manila traffic on your daily commute to work or for a recreational ride to your favorite trail, you need to watch out for these possible accident causing elements on the road. You need to be vigilant in keeping track of your surroundings when pedaling through the chaos of Metro Manila. 1. Motorcycles These guys are out there to kill you. They cut your path without any warning. They speed past you with barely an inch from you. They are the little bullies of the road. These guys are everywhere. They have the same profile as a bicycle so they take your path. Be wary of them popping up on a gap between cars and cutting your path. road trash 2. Jeepneys The big bullies of Metro roads. They fill your lungs with thick black smoke and they cut the little path you have on the road gutter just for the fun of it. They'll kill you the moment they get the chance just like the recent accident in Antipolo. To me, the jeepney is a Philippine icon repr...

If you're a handy man type of guy where you want to DIY all things related to your bike, you will most likely need these tools. A set of allen wrenches. There are different types of allen wrenches in the market. There are the long handled types with ball end and there are the standard ones. I usually stay away from the ones in a key chain. Most modern bikes have bolts that are allen type. Only few components are using flat and cross screws. Screw drivers This is an essential part of your toolbox. You will usually need this for fine tuning your drivetrain. Most limit screws are cross type so it is best to keep a cross and slot type on hand. Another type you will most likely need is the Torx type of screw driver. Rotor screws are usually of this type Lockring tool Used to remove cassettes and shimano centerlock rotors. Chain Whip Used to grab the cassette to prevent it from turning while removing the lock ring. Bottom Bracket Tool Tool to remove ...