Merida Matts TFS 900 (2012) A worthy bike to consider

If you are already into cycling and thinking of buying a second bike, this bike below is worth considering. This bike is the one of the high-end Matts TFS series by Merida.

The frame is made of double butted aluminum which is quite light.

 

 

It comes with a mix of Shimano components which is common for todays bike range. But there should be no problem, as Shimano components are compatible with each other.

 

The main attraction to this bike in my opinion is the Fox suspension fork. This bike comes with Fox Float suspension fork which cost almost half the price of the bike if you were to purchase it separately.

This mountain bike cost slightly above RM4,000. In my opinion, it is worth the money with the components that comes with the bike. Furthermore, this is the only bike that I've come across which cost less than RM5,000 that comes with Fox Suspension fork. Therefore, if you are looking for a second hardtail mountain bike with a budget not over RM5,000, this bike is worth considering.

Malaysia Day bike ride to Kuala Muda 16 Sept 2011

This annual fun ride is organized by Kelab Berbasikal Butterworth. This time the ride takes us from Raja Uda to Pekan Kuala Muda. Last year, this ride was held on 31 August which is Merdeka Day. This year, it's held on 16 Sept. This fun ride is open to people of all ages. Voluntary fire brigade provided the traffic control and escort the riders. There is also an ambulance from Malaysian Red Crescent Butterworth Chapter following behind the riders.

Cyclist assemble in front of the new 9 Emperor Gods Temple at Raja Uda around 7.00pm. 

Photo session with the press before flag off

Short speech by YB Phee Boon Poh (the man in white) before flagging off the ride.

 

Riders stop for a break near Kuala Bekah to re-group before proceeding to Kuala Muda around 8.15am. It's a sunny day today.

Reached Pekan Kuala Muda around 9.00am. All cyclist gather and were given bread, banana, packet milo and drinking water. After resting and taking some photos all of us started to cycle back.

Campaign for a Lane 3rd Edition, Sept 11, 2011

This annual cycling event is the largest cycling event in Penang. It's organized by G Club cyclist. This year it registered more than 3000 participants. Unfortunately, due to the heavy downpour, I found out from G club website only about 2500 turn up for the ride.

  This ride is about 80km and covers whole Penang Island.

 The 2 photos below are taken while riding down the slope at Teluk Bahang Dam. I keep a distance from other cyclist to be safe as we are going at a fast speed down the slope.

Queuing up for food at Padang Kota after the ride.

Due to the excellent response even though it's raining heavily, I'm sure there will be the fourth Campaign for a Lane event next year. The lucky draw prizes for this year's event are also great.

For more info you can visit the G-club website below:
http://www.gclub.com.my

Scott Scale 60 2012 - A value mid priced mountain bike

I went to Chin Aik Bicycle shop to buy armor for the Sept 11, 2011 Campaign for a Lane. Unfortunately, he does not have the color that I want. While looking around, this bike below caught my eye. It's the Scale 60. This bike is 2 steps below the top of the line Alloy Scale 40.

Instead of having triple butted alloy frame, this one is only double butted so it's a bit heavier than the Scale 40.

This bike comes with Rock Shox Recon Silver TK Air suspension fork.

This bike come with a 2012 XT rear derraileur and a mix of Shimano Deore components.

 

The price is RM3,699 which is cheaper than the 2011 model by about RM700. In my opinion after surveying a few brands with a price tag of RM 3,200 - RM3,800, this bike does shine above all the rest with it's Air Suspension fork. The others comes with Coil fork. This bike also weighs less than 12kg which is quite light for it's price. For those are thinking of getting into cycling or a second bike with a budget range up to RM3,700 do put this bike under consideration.  

Merida Matts TFS 800 (2012) - Another value mid-priced mountain bike

I was at Lim Bicycle Shop opposite Sunshine Square, Bayan Lepas. My purpose is to buy a pair of arm pull-up to protect my arms during hot weather rides. Unfortunately, the color that I want is sold out. 

I then notice this bike below which wasn't there when I last visited the shop. This bike is Merida Matts TFS 800 2012 model.

 

 Instead of using Shimano groupset like the Matts TFS 500, this one is equipped with mix SRAM groupset.

 

I've never used SRAM components until recently. After using them, I find they are not bad. The shifting is not as smooth as Shimano but for a newbie, it's hardly noticeable. The bike weighs approx 13kg and cost about RM3,700. Slightly a bit more than the Matts TFS 500. It uses the same suspension fork as the TFS 500. To sum-up The only major difference are it's gear equipments. TFS 500 is purely Shimano components but the TFS 800 purely uses SRAM components.

Which one to buy? I leave it to you to decide so do test ride both and chose the one you like best as there is only minimal price difference.

Specialized Rockhopper Comp - BikeRadar

Ride & handling: Feels like a more expensive bike, with great handling for long rides

It was the Rockhopper's more expensive stablemate, the Stumpjumper, that introduced the world to the delights of mass-produced, affordable mountain bikes back in the early 80s – but the Rockhopper wasn’t far behind. Long-running it may be, but 2011’s Rockhopper Comp is bang up to date with a tempting-looking pricetag and 100mm-travel (3.9in) fork. It's the superb frame that's key to the appeal of this bike, though. 

Specialized Rockhopper Comp Review - BikeRadar

Mind-powered gear shifting

Shifting gears using mind power – it sounds like something from a science fiction film. But it's something Parlee Cycles have achieved here and now with their Toyota Prius Project concept bike. This incredible machine is fitted with a brain-computer interface (BCI) which allows the rider to shift gears simply by thinking about it, using a modified Shimano Di2 group.

The system uses EEG – electroencephalography – to record electrical activity at the scalp of the rider, who must wear a special headset. These signals are then processed by a computer on board the bicycle. They're compared to patterns stored in a database and if a match is found, the computer can trigger an actuator such as a gear shift.

Click below for full article:-
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/mind-powered-gear-shifting-is-here-31508