seri alam offroad ride - 11.10.2009

Photos here.

Got the riding license from my missus.

To maximise the riding experience, I cycled all the way to Taman Scientex after a short breakfast at home. Riding the t-bolt for 13km on road was (pheww!) a bit taxing for me. 40 minutes, like last week, and I'm there. The lockout on my fork really made a difference - I could feel the tarmac, giving a solid feel of the ride.

As I have had my breakfast, I took some photo of other riders, and their different rigs. Yahya with his new Specialized Epic, Panjang with his adopted Xtension Xplorer. Took a spin on both bikes. The Epic's length seemed a bit short for me - I feel like scrunched pedaling, although it's size is M which should suit me. Perhaps a laidback seatpost and a longer stem would be the remedy. Macam laa aku nak beli. The Xtension: berat nak mampos. With Fox 36 Talas up front, however, one would not be bothered by the weight bombing downhill or tackling any bumpy obstacles. With that, I presumed, the ride for that day would be a bit shorter than usual. Heh heh hehh...

We went offroad via Nusa Damai and kovil in the palm oil plantation,  towards Seri Alam. First mishap happened just as we exited the plantation. Yad's first tube change ever. The culprit? About half-inch long nail.

Carried on offroad in Seri Alam. Upon entering, the t-bolt felt different. It was like, much better than I had ridden before. Macam tak jadi nak jual pulak... Well, that's the more reason to let it go. I wouldn't be riding it all the time if I keep it anyway, so I'd love to hand it over to another who would enjoy it better. Amacam, ada beran?

After the climb from halfway of Bukit Anjing, came the payback - the downhill. Kadafi tested the sweetness of Xtension rig, going downhill on the saddle. I was the last one down, and boy, I enjoyed it much better than my many other rides there this time. Like I said, it was different. Amacam, nak rasa tak? Beli laa t-bolt aku tu. The plushness of Fox Float R rear shock is amazing. Compared to a hardtail, that is. The same also going through the rock garden section. It was really exhilirating bobbing down much faster than my usual. Until I had to come to a stop, for I didn't look for a proper line. I managed to stop just before the big gap, and released my cleats. Whew! Deore M595 hydraulic brakes did the job nicely. And I think I'm accustomed to the XT clipless pedals now, releasing them in such emergency. I turned my head to look who's behind me, and that's when Panjang fell on his bike. I didn't manage to capture the split-second moment with my camera, though.

Panjang received a few gashes on his knee. At the stop after the rock garden (no, not at Dura Ace), I took out the first aid kit and we nursed his wound. Took a photo of the gash, but I decided not to put in the album. Aurat tu.

We headed to Tasik. On the way, I stopped for a little while on a bridge for I was amazed by the clear water running underneath. Took some time to take photos, with Jamal behind me. Then we realized that the others were already gone. We tried to look for tire tracks, and of the 3 prongs at the clearing, we decided to take the middle one. Jamal and I made one or two backtracks, and I remembered that we have to turn right into the rubber plantation. Saw some tire marks there, and to make sure of it I tried to call the ones in front. No good coverage over there, I had to raise my mobile up in the air. I managed to call Yad, and at that time he's already nearby. Apparently, the group in front sent back 3 macho heroes to look for us - Kadafi, Yad and Amirul (not in handsomeness order). And alhamdulillah, thinking about it, we were not that bad.

On towards the lake. The way in via palm oil trees has become thick with overgrowth. Just as we entered the clearing right after that, I was perturbed to see the different landscape that I had known before. Much, much different. The shoreline is now receded, there are greens on what used to be water, and most of all, we could easily cross the lake without getting wet at all.

Going back, we went via construction site of UniKL & MRSM Seri Alam - the desert. Right then I knew, besides the torturing desert ride, I have to endure Flora Heights' 3 hills. Man... Well, I summoned for a rest at the downhill section entering to FH right after the desert. Really needed that rest, and to gather my mental strength. One small hill towards FH, and 3 more after that to reach home. I managed to go through them (without cursing) at a slow pace, and stopped by Esso at Seri Alam for my reward. Gulped down a bottle of 100 Plus like nobody's business under a cool shady tree over there by the roadside. The 2 km ride home after that was manageable. I guess I replenished enough such that I could wash the bike and do some house chores without much problem.

One regret, though. Takde satu pun gambar aku untuk ride kali ni. Hampehh!

Photos here:

T-Bolt frameset for sale

As listed in BBS.

http://www.bicyclebuysell.com/view_sell.php?id=76230

T-Bolt with Fox rear shock

T-Bolt Frameset - looking for better owner.
Size: 18" | Colour: Blue
Comes with:
+ Fox Float R rear shock (this alone costs RM300)
+ FSA Orbit XL II sealed bearing headset
+ Shimano Deore LX E-Type FD
+ UMF seatpost - super tough!
+ standard seatclamp & RD hanger

Also available separately:
+ SRAM X9 RD (used)
+ Avid BB7 disc brakes (used)
+ Rock Shox Judy TT fork (used)

Interested?

Give me a shout.

If you're thinking of getting it as a full bike, we can discuss too.

Drop me a line at akmalhamid[at]gmail.com

Bolted Up - 04.10.2009

Saturday night Yad informed me that there'll be an offroad ride this morning. Missus didn't agree for me to go out until afternoon with the bike and buddies. The next best option for me (quietly): a round trip riding to Kafe Ruza and back home to Seri Alam a.k.a. Breakfast Ride.

I remedied the issue concerning the saddle last night following Yad's SMS.

After solat subuh, I queried the 'net and found the solution for the fork's wobble - I didn't take out the crown ring from Ritchey's headset (from Bianchi), and didn't use the T-Bolt's FSA crown ring. Well, it doesn't look like the normal crown ring. It's pretty much like a headset's slot ring. Anyway, I fixed the problem at about 7:00 am and ready to go for the ride.

For the drivetrain skipping issue, I decided to skip the issue altogether and leave it as it is - as barrier for me not to overindulge the ride. It's still rideable, anyway. Oh, adding to that, I brought with me only my handphone, RM6 loose change and ID. No water bottle or bladder bag. I'll have my drink at the cafe.
I put the Netti Equaliser on for a test ride. Went out at about 7:40 am and reached destination 40 minutes later.

The ride? Pretty exhausting. I miss the sweet acceleration of the hardtail already. I can't be sure whether it's the Eid's feasting or the depleted stamina, or the T-Bolt itself. Well, I put the blame on T-Bolt in order to keep myself happy.

With a nice breakfast of warm Milo and mi goreng basah, we chatted and keep up with each other. This is going to be my first ride in Syawwal, and for most of the guys too.

I met Uncle Md Nor at the cafe, finally. He's not prepared to follow us for this ride, although he did bring along his Giant Innova Disc in his car. Soon, Uncle, pretty soon.

8:40 am and we headed to Seri Alam through Nusa Damai and offroad in the palm oil plantation. I enjoyed the rear bounce going downhill towards the Hindu temple. Pure bliss, thanks to the plush as ever Fox Float R rear shock and trusty Rock Shox Revelation 409 in front.

We went to Balai Celup hill and rested there. Going down, again I enjoyed it too. The skipping RD didn't quite bother me at all. Panjang did try to coax me to go offroad with the rest of the guys. He's got spare drinks, spare tubes, et.al. to cover for me. No thanks, I really need to be home at around 10. My college friend Faizi is coming over today all the way from Edinburgh to visit. Have to help Naza getting the house nice and tidy and earn my riding licence points.

The rest of the guys went into Seri Alam trail at Kandang Kuda while I pedaled home with satisfaction. I must've pedaled more than 20km this morning. Love the feeling. Good to be back on the saddle again. And bouncing with the T-Bolt. Oh, and the Equaliser: the best riding shorts I've ever worn so far (massive credit goes to Gjoe in Changlun).

For the record, yesterday was Yad's comeback into Seri Alam's offroad since his mishap at PCP in March.

the resurrection: update 01.10.2009

The build is complete. Made a test run that night, and there are three things to be remedied:
1. Fork is a bit loose, noticably when I pull the front brake to a sudden stop.
2. RD is a bit jumpy on the extreme ends.
3. Saddle is a bit loose. Pointed upwards when I tried a bounce. Sheesh... I thought I've tightened enough already.

Need to be fine-tuned, and that's not going to happen in this weekend.
Verdict on the build: Not fit for ride yet.

Okay, yeah, so it's my blue 18" t-bolt being resurrected. Ah, but there's something more I'm not going to tell you about right now. Let's just say it's a SRAM/Shimano setup for this one.
;)

akmal's biking - his story and history

After your first day of cycling, one dream is inevitable. A memory of motion lingers in the muscles of your legs, and round and round they seem to go. You ride through Dreamland on wonderful dream bicycles that change and grow.

H.G. Wells, The Wheels of Chance

This is a narrative that spans a period of more than 20 years and more than five bikes (with a lot of people named - try to find yours). If you do get bored after the third paragraph, you may resort to something else much more active (like chess, for instance) and resume reading afterwards.

I started learning how to ride a bicycle quite late – when I was 9 years old - without training wheels, and without my own bicycle. Jamsari my neighbour at Jalan Strachan lent me his blue Chopper bike, and taught me the art of balancing on two spinning wheels. It's quite amazing, how with a pair of wheels you could go far, and fast. Ayah had a Chopper too, in red. That, I used with my elder brother Amri. Pretty soon Ayah bought a bike for Ibu for her to use commuting to Tabika Kemas. We used it too, for riding in the evening among our friends.

The rage back then was BMX. I frequently borrowed my friend's Skyway and Kuwahara while learning how to do the wheelie (which, until now, I still don't manage to execute). Every year on February 1st DBKL would hold a carnival at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa during Hari Wilayah. BMX races held on a purpose-built BMX race track.

During those years, I didn't have the luxury of owning a BMX. I remember my classmates and I drooling on the Katora (Ninja/Shogun/Samurai) BMX series advertisement laid on the back page of Kuntum, each time we receive it in our class. Ayah promised me a gift of $100 if I could get 5As in my Penilaian Darjah Lima exam. I was short of one, getting a B instead. So, knowing my maths well (particularly on the chapter of ratio), I figured I could get $80 and save some more to get my dream BMX. Apparently that's not the deal. It was all or nothing - and I got nothing. So I continued borrowing my friends' bikes as and when the opportunity arose.

(feel like playing chess now?)

My parents released me to the 'wilderness' quite early. Form 1, I was allowed to join the Rukun Tetangga camp held in Taman Rimba Kanching (minimum age was 15, but they made an exception). After that, my friends and I were introduced to various outdoor activities organized by Jabatan Belia dan Sukan Wilayah Persekutuan - including bicycle expeditions.

It was my high time. I joined several cycling expeditions - mostly to Sungai Bil and Peretak in Kuala Kubu Bharu. The farthest I went was to Pulau Pangkor. On an expedition to Pulau Lumut (in Klang), I was unofficially the youngest rider in the pack. Those were during my early teens - 13 to 15 years of age. I used my cousin Azizi's Raleigh 18 speed metallic red steel road bike on all expeditions. I lose weight quite dramatically, many of my friends couldn't recognise me. I got darker from the sunburn. Only then I know that they used to think that I was a chubby boy, when they said "you look thinner now, not a fatty anymore". Duhh...

Part of my motivation for my SRP exams (apart of getting out of the school) was a gleaming pearl white Raleigh 'Rapide' 21 speed road bike displayed in the Singer showroom. It's located at the cross junction of Jalan Sentul and Jalan Kovil Hilir - just opposite my school. I would take a look at it every time walking back home. I made Ayah to promise me that bike as a gift if I get good results for my exams. He agreed, and long story short - my brother and I went to Singer a week after the results were out. Thank you, Ayah.

No more walking to school for the whole of my form 4. Every day with my bike, and I even frequented my cousin's house in Kampung Pandan to learn playing the guitar (and about DOS on his PC). I didn't have the chance for an expedition with JBSWP with the bike, though.

Then there was the turning point. I went to Jasin to continue my studies (and out of Sentul). I had to leave my bike. Knowing how I love to ride, my cousin Liza asked me "are you going to bring your bike along?”. I said I have to see how things go first. Back home something happened, and I knew about it only when I reached home for my first boarding school balik kampung outing ever. Ayah broke the news to me: "Your bike is gone". Indeed, a very memorable balik kampung outing ever. I spent most days sulking.

Apparently, it was an on-off affair with cycling. I didn’t join the cycling club while I was in Jasin. The same thing also when I was in Shah Alam during my A-Levels and NCUK – although I did borrow Hairul and Tuan Yusoff’s road bikes a couple of times. I guess I put cycling on the backbench during those years, giving way for other priorities. I was a bit envy, though, when Faizi & co went for cycling expedition - Peninsular Malaysia, including Borneo I think.

While in Manchester, my housemate Zulhilmi bought himself an orange (in colour) bike, and he rode to UMIST attending lectures. The same with Azizul. Trying to rekindle the dying flame of biking, I bought one steel road bike (K-Factor branded) for 20 pounds at a car boot sale. I went there by bus, and cycled back home. The next morning I found out that the rear tire punctured – and never attempted to repair it anyway. It still puzzled me why. I guess I was too lazy to maintain a bike and also do not have the funds for it. It is generally much cheaper to DIY than to send it out to the shop for service. But then again, I don’t have proper tools. Basically I just didn’t care much, really.

Anyway, I did bring the bike home with me. It was in August 1998. Again neglected, it was left hanging outside not being attended at all. I guess there wasn’t much left of my biking spirit during that time.

October 1998 I moved to Pasir Gudang and started working. It didn’t take long before love at first sight hit me. I was wandering in Masai and casually went into a bike shop. Took a look at a LeRun, and loved it. Exchanged a few hundred cash with the shop owner and he drove me and the purple 21 speed Grip Shift LeRun Krakaton hardtail home. I rode to the office a few times on Saturdays, and once impressed Naza by pedaling from Kota Masai to Plentong (although later on she drove me back to KM with the bike in the bonnet). I owned the bike for a few years, but done no serious riding on or off road. Rather casual rides around the house (and chased by dogs). The bike was more of being neglected. Perhaps because of that, I found out one morning the bike was gone – probably stolen.

August 2007, while working in KL, my colleague Zulhisham told me about the T-Bolt that he bought through Bicycle Buy & Sell. I was only partly interested, but visited the site quite often. I guess cycling has always been in my blood. Pretty much internalized. An offer came from Zul’s friend Shah. He bought a new bike for a few thousand Ringgit, and letting go his Polygon Xtrada – for an attractive price. I grabbed his offer without much thinking, for I know that a second hand bike priced way much cheaper than its market price (and a bit cheaper than the Krakaton that I used to own) is an offer a newbie couldn’t refuse. And so, my real mountain biking obsession began… although quite a slow start during the initial period.

(hey, you’re still reading this monologue. Found your name in here yet?)

I bought the necessary accessories, and with the big help of internet (Kevin Han’s BBS site in particular) I learned a lot about mountain biking. Albeit, my rides were on tarmac around KL, after 10pm during weekdays. Being a weekend hubby/daddy, weekends were reserved for family in JB. I did an offroad ride in FRIM with Zul and Shah – my first. Later I had another opportunity to return to FRIM and tackle Steroid – alone. Then it was time when my tenure in KL was about to end. Thinking that it would be a hassle to bring back the bike along with a truckload of my personal effects by car, I sold the bike off in November 2007 – through BBS, of course.

A few weeks later Zul and I found out that there are mtb enthusiasts in the same office building as ours. I guess the excitement drew me to a hunt of a new bike, while at the same I didn’t feel so bad about the one that I’ve sold. The hunt led me to a used 18” Proton T-Bolt, offered with Fox Float R rear shock at a very attractive price. I went back and forth to Putra Heights in the process of building the bike with the help of Hood and Bro Yazid. The T-Bolt was finally ready in December, and I rode it first time off road in FRIM. New bike, new year, new friends, and a new trail – Dream in FRIM. It was not solely about the bike. It’s the whole experience and the people that I get acquainted with while building it. That’s why I have quite a sentimental attachment with the T-Bolt.

Shortly before going back working in Pasir Gudang for good, I enquired in BBS if there are mtb riders in Pasir Gudang – Panjang and Melaka shouted back, welcoming me to their trails. In PG, I was welcomed right from the first time at Restoran Ruza in Nusa Damai – by the local riders, and also a cramp nearing the end of the ride.

Now it has been close to a year since then. Pretty much obsessed with mtb, I have learnt quite a lot (from a lot of new friends), met many fellow cyclists and made more friends (virtually and in-person), build (and dismantled) a few bikes, countless offroad riding (although my odometer shows only a bit more than 500km), lost a few kilograms, and a few thousand ringgit – all on mountain bikes.

I also learnt an important thing about my wife – she loves me dearly. Once I fell off the bike downhill and onto a rubber tree (felt not so rubbery!). Hospitalised and underwent a tracheotomy. She took care of me, and during that time I know how deep her love is. That was also the time when I learnt about the spirit of brotherhood among fellow bikers. Jamaluddin took care of me from that rubber tree back to my car in Nusa Damai, slowly riding beside me and assisted with whatever he could – and that was during the first time ever we rode together.

(if you copy this entire entry up until this point, it would make a 4 page Word document easily)

I am still making more friends in the mountain biking circle. It surprised me how effortless it was to have a friend anywhere as long as you’re a mountain biker. It’s much like an affiliated program. Show up with a mountain bike, and you’re accepted in the club. Well, it doesn’t have to be that way. A good friend BC Kelolo once offered me to ride with him and GLC when I asked for a casual teh tarik session on a Thursday (GLC were riding on Thursday nights back then). Not just that, he even offered me his bike complete with helmet and gloves. How can I ever pass such opportunity? And so I made friends and get re-acquainted with a few that I met at FRIM on New Year.

From that single night ride, I learnt and experienced a lot. One: It’s a small world, particularly if you’re on a mountain bike. Two: Night riding requires extra safety precautions. Three: Night riding is more relaxing and doesn’t tax your energy as much as during the day. Four: Friends are abundant, and friendship transgresses boundaries. Five: You better bring along a chain tool, and know how to use it.

From this point on, my mountain biking story continues in the bits and pieces of this blog. On and off the road, on and off the saddle.

Thanks for reading, dear friends.

Just curious:
Did you print this out and read it during your leisure time – in the toilet, while in the train, etc.?
Did you bookmark this blog entry and re-visit in between chess games?
Did you spend your lunch hour over a few days reading this entry? How many days?

hardtail

My T-Bolt has been dismantled with only a few parts essential to the frame attached to it.

T-Bolt frameset:

• T-Bolt 18" frame (blue)
• Fox Float R rear shock
• FSA Orbit XL II headset
• Standard seatpost clamp
• UMF seatpost 31.6mm
• Shimano Deore LX FD-M570-E front derailleur

I'm using a 17" Bianchi Mutt 7800 frame now, with SRAM/Rock Shox/Avid/Truvativ parts and wheelset salvaged from the T-Bolt.
I've decided to maintain only one hardtail for me - for both road and offroad rides.
So, right now at home: one bike each for Naza, Marsya, Adam and I.

Nope, no intention to sell of the T-Bolt frameset. I'm a bit sentimental about it, you see.
I learnt a lot with it, and known many people through building a bike around it.
I enjoyed the plush rides with the T-Bolt, and if the crave for some boingy ride urged some time in the future, I'll get it out and assemble a bike, adding the joy of building a bike to boot.

hujung minggu yang sibuk

jumaat
hari jumaat lepas, ada aktiviti kayuh malam sekitar pasir gudang.
start 11 malam, pukul 2 pagi baru habis - habis makan roti bakar & minum teh tarik lepas kayuh.
maka sekitar 2.30 pagi baru aku sampai rumah.
5 pagi bangun sahur, pastu subuh, pastu sambung tido.

sabtu
sebab tak cukup tido, rasa pening-pening siket pagi tu.
rantai beskal SRAM PG-971 aku beli kat Fay melalui BBS dah sampai!
maka, lengkaplah drivetrain 'powered by SRAM' aku untuk T-Bolt. oops, tolak FD Shimano LX E-type tu je - tak boleh nak elak, SRAM tak ada komponen yang macam tu untuk digantikan. kalau idak, aku dah buru dah.
sebelum asar aku, Naza dan Marsya pegi ke perpustakaan kat bandar untuk pulangkan buku (aku sambung pinjam belum habis baca). lepas tu, pegi holiday plaza beli baju raya Marsya sebelum balik rumah.

esok harijadi Adam. aku dah niat nak belikan dia sebuah beskal. aku tak tau dia suka atau tidak. kalau aku bawak dia pegi Toys R' Us belikan dia jam Ben10 (sebut: "ben-ten"), aku pasti dia melonjak suka punya. tapi aku tak pandai nak beli hadiah plastik yang harga rm100 untuk budak umur 6 tahun. iye... harga mainan plastik tu rm100 bang...

petang tu aku sekeluarga pergi kedai beskal kat Masai.
kami angkut 2 buah beskal saiz budak, satu untuk Adam dan satu untuk Marsya.
harijadi Marsya awal bulan oktober. takpelah, sekurang-kurangnya Adam ada lah kawan untuk berkayuh sama-sama nanti.
lagipun, awal bulan okt tu aku pun tak pasti kalau $ masih ada lagi :)
melompat anak-anak aku bila akhirnya aku belikan sebuah beskal untuk seorang. suka rupanya diorang. Adam tak henti-henti cakap "Ayah, thanks for buying me the blue bicycle".
hehe...
aku rasa aku tau macamana perasaan diorang tu. aku pun penah rasa macam tu masa lepas tingkatan 3 dulu. tapi laen siket la, pasal aku pegi kedai singer kat simpang empat jalan kovil hilir/jalan sentul beli beskal 'racing' cap raleigh ngan abang aku je. ayah bagi duit soh beli sendiri.
hmmm... nanti lah, lain kali aku cerita siket-siket pasal cerita dulu-dulu.

petang tu balik rumah dah nak maghrib dah. tapi diorang sempat lagi cuba-cuba berkayuh seminit-dua.

malam tu lepas aku balik tarawih, Naza ajak pergi Seri Alam berkayuh sekeluarga.
hehe... macam best tu.
aku pun sumbat 4 bijik beskal kat dalam avanza. 2 mtb, 2 beskal budak - siap roda tepi tu...
cuaca baik, dan kawasan tu pun tak banyak kereta lalu, boleh kira jugak le. kadang-kadang aje ada motor lalu.
maka, pertama kali kami sekeluarga berkayuh sepanjang jalan kat seri alam tu. ada laa dalam 1 jam kot.
aku tak ambik kira sangat statistik malam tu. sebab aku rasa happy kot. gambar pun tak ambik.

langkah seterusnya: kena beli alatan keselamatan untuk Marsya & Adam. lampu belakang lip-lap, pembalik cahaya, topi keledar, sarung tangan...

ahad
pagi-pagi lepas subuh, aku mulakan kerja selenggara beskal-beskal aku.
mula-mula, pasang rantai SRAM tu dulu kat T-Bolt.
lepas tu, bersihkan rantai kat Schwinn & T-Bolt.

awal jugak budak-budak tu bangun pagi ni. lepas bersiap, terus diorang kayuh beskal pusing-pusing kawasan belakang rumah, sambil tengok-tengok aku kerjakan beskal.

aku ambik keputusan untuk alihkan Cateye Velo8 dari T-Bolt ke Schwinn. Setakat ni beskal tu yang lebih banyak bergerak (sampai T-Bolt tu dah bersawang dah).
Maka, kerja pemindahan pun dibuat. Tapi bila tengok balik, dah macam-macam benda alah aku letak kat Schwinn tu. Lampu la, lip-lap kat injap tiub tayar depan la, loceng la... uishh.. meriah semacam je... tu tak masuk dengan cermin pandang belakang yang aku cadang nak pasang jugak tu...
takpe lah, lantak le, beskal aku kan.
(pagi tadi - Selasa - aku pasang braket untuk kunci gelung beskal pulak kat batang tempat duduk Schwinn tu jugak... hahaha...)

dah abis tu, aku kerjakan T-Bolt pulak - pasang alat kawal jauh untuk 'motion control' sepit udang RS Revelation 409.
agak leceh jugak, pasal kena baca buku panduan dulu (sebelum tu kena cetak dulu). dan, tuas yang Angah bagi kat aku tu tak sama dengan apa yang tertera kat dalam panduan tu. makanya, aku pun agak-agak sendiri aje la.

selepas dah agak lama nak fahamkan panduan tu, baru la aku tau serba-serbi pasal sepit udang tu. hebat jugak fungsi-fungsi dia rupanya...
tau la aku siket-siket apa itu floodgate dan fungsinya (RVLATN 409 tu guna internal floodgate).
dan, siap ada allen key 2.5mm tersorok kat penutup rebound adjuster kat kaki kanan sepit udang tu rupanya.
tambah sayang aku kat T-Bolt tu. bila laa nak pegi offroad lagi ek?

dah tengahari baru laa abis aku buat kerja tu semua. penat jugak seyy... tapi puas.
hujung minggu yang memuaskan.

octalink crankset removal

Finally I managed to find the time to remove the LX crankset from T-Bolt.
It's a Shimano Deore LX FC-M571 Octalink crankset with BB-ES 70 (118mm) bottom bracket. I really like the blue-gray colour of the whole crankset, but because it requires special tool to remove and install, I have to forget about it. In fact, the mere mention of octalink causes nausea and headache.
Anyway, I noticed that one of the middle ring tooth had chipped away (yes, broken). I wouldn't mind if it's from the big ring. So, I have to toss the whole set away, including the BB. Give me a shout if you need replacement for your set, I’d be happy to arrange for it with you.



Tools Required




a. Special Plug Tool. No, it’s not Shimano’s TL-FC15. It’s Atuk’s – custom machined.
b. Crank Extractor (for square tapered BB). We’ll use the convention of ‘black part’ for the crank holder, and ‘white part’ for the tip pusher.Also, other main tools needed to get the job done – L to R: BB remover, wrench, 8mm Allen wrench.



Tools are set, now we’re ready to do the job.

The Job

1. First, take out the crankarm fixing bolt, washer and cap by using the 8mm Allen wrench. Rotation: counter-clockwise.



Note that the fixing bolt is hollow.



This is how the crankset looks like with the fixing bolt removed. Note the minimal space, ‘t’ on the BB spindle face for the flange of the Plug Tool to sit on.
This is why the normal crank extractor cannot be used by itself. It will be only pushing air in the hollow spindle.


2. Insert the Special Plug Tool into the hollow bottom bracket spindle. The flange sits nicely onto the face of the BB spindle, and not touching the crankarm at all.



3. Insert and fasten the crank extractor tool (black part only) into the crankarm thread. Rotate clockwise, as in ‘righty-tighty, lefty-loosey’ – this rhyme also applicable for normal bolts and nuts threads.



4. Screw in the white part of the crank extractor clockwise by using a wrench of suitable size. This will slowly push the tip of the extractor onto the Plug Tool placed earlier.
As the crankarm is held on the extractor (black part), the pushing of the extractor tip will actually make the crankarm (together with the chainrings) ‘pulled’ outside away from the BB spindle.
This eventually will extract the crankset from the BB spindle (hence the name Crank Extractor).



5. Done! Well, half-done. Next is to extract the left crankarm. Repeat the same process as above, starting from the very beginning.

This is how it looks like when the crankset (right side) is taken apart – extracted - from the BB spindle. The BB spindle is 8-splined (8 = Octa. Hence the name Octalink). Yes, the dirt and gunk trapped in between are real.

proton t-bolt

Yes, you're reading it right. This mountain bike is from Proton.

Well, can be said as a Malaysian product.

Albeit, none of the parts that came with it is made in Malaysia - except perhaps those Shimano components if they were churned out of Pekan Nanas factory.

The body is a monocoque carbon fibre - thus the burly profile. It is actually an EPX Australia design.

 

I got the frame secondhand from Hood thru BBS - with the plush Fox Float R rear shock.

The frameset comes with Shimano Deore LX front derailleur (E-type) and FSA Orbit XL II sealed bearing headset.

Thrown in for free WTB saddle, UMF seatpost, WTB grips and the assembly service.

Handlebar and stem taken from Apis' bike.

Assembled in Putra Heights by bro Yazid.

All at a very good price. Awesome!

Added a little bit more for Shimano Deore LX drivetrain (crankset, cassette, chain, rear derailleur and Deore shifters), Tektro mechanical disc brakes with Deore XT levers, and RST Omega Air-assist fork.

Had to hunt for the wheelset, and got myself Mavic 719 rims with Formula hubs and stainless steel black spokes.

The tires are Maxxis Larsen TT 26/1.9 (front) and Panaracer FireXC Pro 26/2.1 - complete wheelset from Yong's bike shop in Sungai Way.

 

This bike is quite special for me, although it is a used unit.

The journey of making it into a complete bike took me to many places. In the process, I made many friends in mtb circle of brotherhood.

The most precious of all I guess is the knowledge and tips siphoned out from those bros.