Identiti, The Judge frame

Yes! finally got my first freeride frame which is also one of my dream frame since I'm in sec sch. Identiti, The Judge. Also got a new saddle today, Tioga which is black and white in colour. Freaking longer than my forearm, really take an big ass to sit on it.



Guess you all would already know what colour and riding theme i wanna build for this ride.. Most prob will be receiving my pure white magura brakes next week. cant wait to see the final setup of this bike.

Merlin Ti Road Frame

Have been waiting anxiously for this classic frame to get shipped in. Merlin is one of the renown titanium frame maker in the bike industry. It is also one of the dream Ti frames i wanna own.

Some description of this beautiful handbuilt frame. Built at 1995, in Cambridge, Massachusetts before the company merged with Lightspeed . A classic Merlin frame with beautiful welds and tubing joinery, just a work of art to behold.

This particular era Merlin comes in 1" headtube and classic downtube shift mounts which take the adjustable Campy or Shimano cable blocks. The later Merlin frames provide a dedicated housing terminator mounted higher up, not allowing fine shift cable adjustments.

Caine's bike upgrade

The previously posted Trek 5500 SS bike, now have a new look. Without the ugly rear deraileur as tensioner and a brand new bling white industry eno rear hub.

The rear hub is a flip-flop hub, which means it can be fix gear or freehub just by installing the rear wheel the other way.

Caine, change to a black quill stem & bartape, shorten the bullhorn, change a decent brake lever and lastly the black saddle la~ Anyway, looking forward for your next upgrade!

SINGLESPEED Rulez

Happy New Year!!!

It has been quite sometime since i got any new stuff to post. Having a hard time getting rid of my Karma, but got something precious coming in soon!! Cant wait for it to arrive.

Here somethings that happen around me this while. Xueying and Eveyln recently got themselves a road bike each.

Xueying's bike is a Fuji with 105 and Tiagra parts. Heard from my team that the bike si very nice looking. Eve's bike is specialized allez with tiagra parts with 105 rear dee. Not sure how nice it was built, buti will ask both of them for their bike pic and post them up.

My secondary school teacher, Mr Teo is planning for his final bike project, a titanium recumbent. He is now raising funds for this bike, selling off his Daccordi steel frame, either 1 of his titanium frames which i think is the EXCEL Ti frame. Good luck for his sale of items.

As for me, my short term goal will be selling off the Karma Frame or to set it up. Next is also to sell of the 'precious' i mention above, really hope i can sell both of them off. Follow up by these two is to buy a street bike for my bro, or should i say for myself. haha!

Bike for little brother

Recently, my mom asked me to get a bike from my 11yr old little brother. Was thinking whether to get him a BMX, small MTB or build a small MTB for him. My plan is actually to get a small frame and spec it with mainly deore parts, suspension is optional. 2nd hand small size mtb frame seems very hard to come by. Even when they are posted, their price is usually not my budget. Few weeks ago, i found a very good deal, scott yz1 with magura brakes, stem, handlebar and seatpost for $200. But due to my busy schedule, Im unable to meet up with the buyer. In the end the bike was sold.

Think I should increase my budget for the bike. Use it to setup a small street bike, at least it works out better in the long run.

Taiwan bikeshops

Was on a trip to Taiwan from 24-28Nov. when to a few high-end bike shops in Taipei.

First shop i went was "The Seventh Park Bike Shop". The owner was extremely friendly and good in customer service. Here is the story: I was actually at the western side of Taipei, looking for bike shop. From the taxi drivers, i went to this pretty rundown bike shop. I was quite disappointed as it wasn't those high end bike shop I'm looking for. When i decided to leave the shop, a middle-age guy approach me, asking what I'm looking for. After knowing what kind of bike shop I'm looking for, he show me his name card. He is actually the owner of the shop. He offered me a ride to his shop which is at the eastern side of Taipei. At his shop, he even offered me coffee and gave me address on other bike shops in Taipei. Very impressed with his customer service!

The shop is specialized in road bikes, mainly Orbea, Specialized and Bianchi. In the last picture, the brand "MAO" is actually known for their car racks in Taiwan. They work with Easton to come out with this frame, Easton tubing for the main frame while EC90 SLX carbon for the seat stay. Didnt know that Seat stay can also have EC90 SLX, interesting..

The next shop i went is this GIANT bike shop, KAOO CHANG CO LTD at the northen part of Taipei. From the shop name itself, should know that the bikes are mainly GIANT. At a corner of the shop, they place some nice frames like colnago, parkpre titanium, scott plasma, felt etc..

Just opposite the road is another bike shop, LA BOUTIQUE DU VELO. The shop have many branches in Taipei.

The shop is not well stock with parts ready for sale. Instead, they "exhibit" their exotic nice bike at the glass panel of the shop. Most of the bikes and frames are LOOK, TREK, SCOTT etc..
Saw a art piece, TREK Discovery Channel Carbon Frame. The decal are painted on the frame, giving the frame a texture.

Karma Carbon Frame

First sight of this frame, i though it is a model of Kuota. Without hesitation, i immediately bid for this frame and i won it at quite a reasonable price. Until i the auction is going to end, i realise that it was from some unknown maker.

The frame is made from high modulus carbon fiber with 3k woven fabric. The main triangle of this frame is molded in one piece. There are no lugs or joints other than between the front and rear triangle, which are totally seamless.