Velo-sncf

In working for my design project I got a problem that was I couldn’t print or copy any sheet, until I got a message that “the printer was jam”. For me the problem was a really dangerous when the project run.

My friend and I did 99.9% of the tech support for all my workstation, really the only time we let the tech support do anything on our workstation. when they actually screw something up and we let him did the rest.

So…I checked this online computer store Super Warehouse to get some idea how much it would cost me to get a new printer. I am planning to get a Lexmark Printer, because I heard from the warehouse’s staff that the Lexmark printer toner was easy to found and order. On the site I also browsed the Scanners page to see what’s the latest scanner’s specs and design. I wish one day I could have one too. Finally, I browsed through Super Warehouse’s digital camera section. I saw that new digital cameras are now reaching beyond 10 mega pixel. It’s great and awesome.

Now I am so happy, my workstation “get well” again.

In my impression of the Redline R530, I promised to come back in a few weeks with a full review. It’s been more than a few weeks, but finally, I’m ready!

I’ve had a chance to ride the R530 for a couple months now; I’ve put 300 or 400 miles on it so I feel I’ve got a good grasp of what this bike is capable of — where it shines and where it doesn’t.

As mentioned in my first article about the bike, this machine comes with a couple of components not usually seen on commuter bikes…in particular, the Shimano roller brakes. In addition, this bike comes stock with a rear rack, fenders, a good kickstand, full chainguard and even a handlebar-mounted bell! Apparently, someone at Redline is listening to what folks want in a city bike. Styling-wise, the bike has a very European flavor, with full chainguard and a very upright and commanding rider position. Read the rest of this entry »

This bicycle prototype is aimed at improving and solving multiple issues involved in production. Particular attention was paid to maximize the potential utilization of automated processes and more cost efficient materials (IE: plastics).

The bicycle consists entirely of reinforced and unreinforced recyclable polypropylene. The patent-pending bicycle features a two component.

Frame: the plastic INNERFRAME and the plastic outer structure, both (in this iteration) dual components sets. Ideally, the material would be sourced from recycled plastic sources (IE: previously used consumer products such as bottles, containers, etc) to reduce environmental impact and to reduce material costs.

When you arrived in any country, the first you should have is a cellular phone. If you’ve shopped for mobile phone service lately, you should read the cellular phone reviews so you will know that the variety of service plans and phones is overwhelming. Carriers entice customers with hot new phones, but that’s the last item you should think about. First choose a mobile phone service providers, then your celluar phone.

Compare service plans

- Look at your needs. If you stay close to home, a plan with unlimited local or regional calling may suit you. But if you travel a lot, a national plan can save you money. Roaming charges can add up in a hurry.

- Watch the clock. If you use your phone throughout the day, more “anytime” minutes can be a better deal (since day rates are higher) than lots of “night and weekend” minutes. Read the rest of this entry »

In today’s tutorial, we’ll learn how to adjust a threadless headset, otherwise known as an ‘Aheadset. For this job, you’ll need either a 5mm or a 6mm allen key, depending on your stem.

To loosen the stem, simply turn the allen key on top counter-clockwise a few turns. Don’t remove it completely. Then loosen the two bolts on the side. Now your stem should turn freely.

To check if the headset is tight, lift the front of the bike off the ground. The handlebar should rotate freely and fall to one side or the other. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to loosen the top bolt a little bit and try it again.

To check for play, hold the front brake, place one hand on your headset, and rock the bike forward and backward. If the headset is loose you’ll feel it, and you’ll have to tighten the top bolt a little bit.

Once the adjustment is set, check the alignment. I find it easiest to line up the stem with the front wheel while you’re sitting on the bike. Once the handlebar is straight, tighten the  and check the adjustment again just to be sure.

Align Brake Levers

The first step is to set up your brake levers. Start by loosening the clamp, and then align them so that they match the angle of your arms when you’re riding. Once the angle is set, tighten the clamp. If you have smaller hands and your levers are hard to reach, you can set them closer by tightening the reach adjustment screw on most levers.

Remove & Inspect Brake Pads

Start by giving the cable some slack. Tighten the lever’s barrel adjuster in all the way. Then pull the protective rubber back and disconnect the brake cable’s quick release mechanism.

Then remove the pads. V-brake pads have two sets of positioning washers on each side of the brake arm. Be careful to watch how the washers are positioned so that you can re-install them correctly.

Inspect your pads. If they are worn past the indicator line, or have metal poking through the surface, you’ll need to replace them. If they look ok, use your sandpaper to re-surface both pads. Read the rest of this entry »

Light Oil

When I talk about light oils, I’m referring to a product called TriFlow. There are many other types of traditional light oil available, but a lot of these are vegetable based and tend to gum up. TriFlow is synthetic, teflon-based, and comes with a lubrication tube that makes it easy to lube inside cable housings, pivot points, and other hard-to-reach areas. TriFlow will penetrate quickly and thoroughly, so you only need a few drops of it.

Chain Oil

For chain lubrication I recommend a product called Finish Line Cross Country. I’ve tried a lot of different brands and found this to be the longest lasting lubricant. It’s a synthetic “wet-style” lubricant capable of sustaining high torque pedaling over long distances and nasty riding conditions. See the chain cleaning and lubrication tutorial for some more tips on applying it. Read the rest of this entry »

Grip Removal

If you have bar-plugs you should remove these first. You’ll also likely have to loosen the brake and shift levers and slide them in toward the middle of the handlebar. This will give us room to slide our screwdriver into the end of the grip.

Once you’ve got the screwdriver inside the grip, insert the WD-40 tube and give it a squirt or two. It doesn’t take much get the grip loose enough so that you can easily wiggle it all the way off the end of the bar.

Before installing the new grips, make sure you wipe all off the bars first. If you’re reinstalling the old grips, make sure you let the grip air-dry for a few minutes first so the WD-40 you used to remove it has time to evaporate.

Grip Installation

Now spray a squirt or two of hairspray into the grip, and quickly work it onto the bar while the hairspray is still wet. It’ll dry sticky and keep your grips in place. Then move your brake and shift levers back to where they were and tighten them.

Once again technology is here to make life easy with the Automatic Transmission Electric Bicycle.

This is the electric bicycle that uses automatic transmission to downshift into a lower gear when it senses a hill, upshifts for rapid acceleration up to 20 mph on flats, or allows you to pedal normally because the motor can be disengaged at your command. Powered by a 750-watt electric motor housed in the horizontal chain and motor assembly that provides 1 hp, the 8-speed automatic transmission is capable of four modes of operation, all controlled by a thumb toggle on the handlebars: a setting for rapid acceleration, a low gear setting for inclines (but slower acceleration), and a setting for manual gear shifting that disengages the motor to preserve battery life. Construction begins with a 12′ straight piece of 3/8-gauge, aircraft aluminum 6061 alloy that is roll-formed and annealed for uniform wall thickness into a complete 6′ diameter circular tube with a 4″ interior diameter (the NiMH batteries reside within the tube from the front fork to the seat), which is then bisected to make a 6′ long arc for the bicycles frame. The sturdy frame supports riders up to 300 lbs.

Of course, the Automatic Transmission Electric Bicycle might not burn a hole in the ozone layer but it will surely do a number on your pockets as it retails for a cool $5,500.

Many people ask how I ride daily to work and I thought I would collect some of my experiences and thoughts here. I have posted some of these ideas on forums and in my own comments section, but I thought it would be good to have them in one blog post. So here goes.

1. THE CLOTHES

It is not practical to cycle all the way to work in business clothes. Not in Singapore weather. Unless you work near your home.

Many bicycle commuters I know leave a set of clothes in the office. They may carry a week’s worth of clothes to work on Monday, and cycle in lighter clothing (e.g. t-shirt and shorts) from Tuesday to Thursday. Then on Friday, they carry the clothes back. Or they carry home a day’s clothes every day when they cycle back.

Some people leave the bulky items in the office. Like a pair of work shoes and belt. Then they carry just shirt and pants in their backpacks or panniers (bicycle rack-mounted bags). Read the rest of this entry »