My Brompton 'Upgraditis' List

Started with a Brompton M6L last October 2010. Then in the course of 18 months, I made a few changes and replaced some stock parts and accessories.

1. Replaced stock saddle with Brooks B-17.
2. Attached Cateye rear light.
3. Installed Panaracer Flat-aways in tires.
4. Replaced stock rollers with skate wheels.
5. Replaced skate wheels with 2 EZ wheels.
6. Bought a Brompton Touring Bag.
7. Bought a Vincita B-132 Travel Bag.
8. Replaced stock grips with Ergon GC2 Grips with barends.
9. Had a child bike seat fabricated similar to IT Chair.
10. Installed Cateye Micro Wireless Bicycle Computer.
11. Replaced stock 50t chainring with Brompton 44t chainring.
12. Replaced stock "L" rear fender with Brompton Rear Rack to make it an "R." 
13. Replaced stock rear rack rollers with 2 EZ wheels.

I now have a modified Brompton M6R.

Happy with my current set-up. : )

Biking Bucket List #01

#01: Cycle in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and experience parking my bike in the underground bike parking facility in Fietsberaad.

Video is almost 3 years old but it still looks awesome. You gotta hand it to the Dutch!

A smaller, snugger Vincita travel bag for our Bromptons

Our prayers have been answered! Vincita finally came out with a much smaller version of its popular B-132 Travel Bag for Bromptons.

The original B-132 Travel Bag was good. It had sufficient padding, was sturdy, and had rollers at the bottom. But, I felt that it was too spacious and roomy inside. Without a box or any carton inserts, the bike would literally shake and wiggle during transport. There's a possibility that the bike would get scratched or that some parts might fall off. To remedy this, I had to put carton inserts on all sides and secure the bag with a luggage belt.

Not anymore! Because Vincita improved the bag. Now it is smaller and therefore provides a snugger fit for the Brompton. I do believe the days of putting carton inserts, foam, bubble wrap and luggage belts are finally over.

I hope they send us one sample here in Manila soon so that we could try it out!

Topeak Bottle Cage Mount

My search for a water bottle cage mount for my folding bike led me to the Topeak CageMount. I got it at Tryon for P300.00 ($7.00). I need something like this because the Brompton does not have any mounts for a bottle cage. This attaches to the han

The Topeak CageMount is not easy to install. When you unscrew it the whole thing falls apart.

After trying it out a couple of times I'm not happy with the product. The metal band that goes around the handlebar post left a scratchmark even with padding. The actual mount sticks out so far from the post that with a full bottle installed it leans and tilts down. It doesn't look and feel stable.

The whole contraption looks clumsy to me--at least with the Brompton. May be it could work with other bikes.

Will next try the Minoura cage mount I got at Flying Ball last month.

Vincita LED Pant Leg Strap

When Vincita was here during the Thai Trade Fair held last month in SMX, I got myself a pant leg strap to replace my old Giant strap. This one's better because it's neon orange in color and lights up. I used it in my Makati commute recently and it works like a charm. It cost a reasonable P300. ($7.00)

Video: Hong Kong Day 1

Some videos I took on Day 1 (March 9) of our Hong Kong Bike Tour.
This one was taken along the northern coast of Lantau Island. We were heading towards Disneyland Resort in Sunny Bay. As you can see, I was freezing!

This next video was taken when we finally reached Disneyland Resort. I was so relieved to get to our destination.

Video: From the Netherlands to America

From the Netherlands to America: Translating the World's Best Bikeway Designs from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

I hope Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano gets a hold of this video and implements the bikeway designs in her city. Things might be too late in Makati, Manila and Quezon City, but there's still hope in Taguig!