Easy Rolling Wheel

Trying to document how to make my Easy Rolling Wheel. Need not follow exactly, just achieve the functionality. You might also like to read about some other similar products that I have come across.

Materials: Some anti slip material, Elastic string,Normal string (thicker type), A paper clip (optional),some scotch tape, Some double sided tape (thicker better), A washer, Furniture caster wheel, Some unwanted cloth, furry and thick would be better, and Water hose.

This is one of the way to reduce the slanting angle of the caster wheel.
Thickering the caster wheel stem: Cut out two pieces from the water hose about the length of the caster wheel stem. Cut a small segment out from one of them..

Coil the cut piece reversely and insert it into the other piece.

Pass the elastic string through the hose piece.
Tie the elastic string with an adjustable loop on to the base of the caster wheel stem.

Position the elastic string at the gap of the cut hose in the outer hose.
Press the hose piece on to the caster wheel stem. 
It should be quite tight.
Note: 
1) This design might need to be adjusted depending on the bottom cap of the seat post.
2) A longer section of the hose might be better.

That's it if your seat post allow the elastic string to be pulled through from the top and tie on to the saddle frame. Otherwise, you'll need to find a way to secure the top end of the elastic string inside the seat post. Below shows the way I did it.

My Bicycle Commuting - Imagine some of these car drivers ride a bicycle instead

Slow traffic along Tanglin Road is common in the peak hours. It always feel good to ride pass cars in jams :)

(20140108)

My Bicycle Commuting - does honking make an illegal act legal?

In a recent case (the Vivo case) where a cyclist rode on the lane markings of the right turn lane, many argued that he should have ridden on the right turn lane instead. I reasoned that he might have had some bad experiences before when ridding in the lane. A likely scenario is that some cars could have overtook him from the left and cut in dangerously. Last Thursday evening I experienced this! 

In his rush to make the turn before the lights turn from green to red, this NUS internal shuttle bus driver overtook me from the left, made the right turn in between the left turning and right turning lanes, and think that a short horn gave him the legal rights to do this! (14 Nov 2013)

My cycling in Singapore experiences - On safety and convenience

In some recent discussions, I realized that some people see bicycle users conveniently change roles between vehicle and pedestrians as an issue. They also feel that it is unfair. How is it that cyclist conveniently change roles between vehicle and pedestrians an issue? How is unfair an issue?

Yes, I agree the danger in sudden changing without checking, etc. and these are safety issues that needs to be tackled. However, we should target the unsafe mindsets and behaviors, not everything. The ability to conveniently change roles and doing so in a safe way should not be the issue.

In some cases, yes it is for convenience, in some cases it is actually for safety. Basically these two objectives shape the way cyclists behave. However, I believe for most mature enough bicycle users, safety is always the underlying first prerequisite before trying to be more convenience. Many seemingly dangerous behaviors of bicycle users are actually a safer way, if not the safest, and usually the safest + most convenient + most not disturbing to others all balanced, compared to alternatives, which were usually not thought of whenever many are commenting on such behaviors.

In fact this is human nature. Reflecting upon it, I believe everyone, of course including all motorists, are sacrificing some safety for convenience all the time. Just that motorists are much more restricted by equipment, laws, rules and enforcement to not able to have much convenience gained.

To motorists who want to but very restricted to do likewise, it seems unfair. However, please consider the number killed by bicycle users and those by motorists. Consider the killing potential of motorized vehicles and bicycles. Consider the fact (I once read somewhere) that traffic rules existence was created by too many fatal accidents involving motorized vehicles.

Thus, indeed, bicycle is always sidelined because too little people understand bicycle as a commuting device. People have forgotten that motorized vehicles are what makes the roads dangerous, not the pedestrians, bicycle users, horse carriages, etc., which have been around many decades and centuries before motorized vehicles, which gave rise to road traffic rules/laws that weren't needed for centuries. Until the day when bicycle usage caused 1% or even 0.1% of fatalities caused by motorized vehicles, please just let bicycle users do the safe and convenient acts.

My cycling in Singapore experiences - Roads in Toa Payoh

After reading the report saying that Toa Payoh is among one of the town to be made a cycling town, I went for a ride covering most roads in Toa Payoh, tracked and videoed, both front and rear, but front phone battery low thus missing the later part. (Long video but can view double speed using YouTube html5 trial.)

My cycling in Singapore experiences - barking dogs

This is in reference to the article "Cyclist chased by pack of dogs at Bukit Brown" on June 2, 2013 home section of the Sunday Times.

 I am not a dog lover, and am quite against keeping pets. I just find the article too bias against dogs, and will very likely lead to the deaths of these innocent dogs. The road mentioned is a dead end road which most will not ride into. I rode that route accidentally one Sunday evening last Oct, and was also barked at by the dogs, who came crowded around me, but that's all. Nothing much to worry about.

I am also not an expert in dealing with stray dogs, but from my experiences with dogs while cycling, including those huge ones in industrial areas, and such "stray" or I prefer natural dogs in the wild, I would like to share what I understand.

Basically, I think dogs will bark at intruders, especially those that they detected only at close distance, and their intention is to make a stand telling the intruders that the place is their territory. Thus, this is what I do, and would advise others:
a) Don't ride silently in dogs areas. Have some music on speakers so that dogs will not be shocked by you, are more prepared to expect something approaching them, and have more time to access what is approaching.
b) When barked at, don't assume they are going to attack. Just continue at same or slower speed.
c) If approached, I think their intention is just to sniff your smell.
d) Soon, you will be further away from them and they will go back to their life.

The above is my amateur understandings and methods which have worked for me couple of times.. Please do check with dogs or wild life experts on dealing with them.

I hope the peaceful life of these dogs and the residents there will not be terminated by the above news article.

But too late.. heard that the AVA people had already been to Bukit Brown :(

My cycling in Singapore experiences - Why not ride to work?

I read a new nicely written e-book, LET’S BIKE TO WORK, SINGAPORE: A QUICK START GUIDE by Calvin Boo. In it there is a list of reasons why many cyclists think they cannot cycle to work. I would like to share my views on them here.

Why [Not] Ride To Work?

Ten and more reasons …

Start a conversation with any cyclist and most can churn up at least ten reasons why they cannot cycle to work: 

How far can a five year old ride on a balancing bike?

Our family made the following cycling (not all) trip on Sunday. My couple and our five year old son. I am on a Tern Link C7. Wife on a Polygon Urbano 3.0. Son is on a loopfiets or balancing bike, or kid training bike.

My cycling in Singapore experiences - How I learned mounting/dismounting on the move

Recently saw someone trying to learn this trick. This is one of the tricks I managed to self-learned. So, I would just like to briefly share my experience.

Reason for learning this skill is because I am short, but using an old hybrid 26" bike. Thus, the mounting and dismounting is inconvenient and time consuming. Seeing how most old uncles do it gracefully on their Flying Pigeon like 28 or 29 inch bikes inspire me to acquire this skill.

Initially I tried to learn the mounting. I guess this is the very natural and intuitive approach, since mounting comes before dismounting. However, after many attempts without much progress, I started thinking, maybe I should learn the dismounting first. So true, I managed to dismount while the bike is rolling soon enough. After that, it didn't take long for me to pick up the mounting skill.

The logic is quite obvious. For mounting, one needs to balance a slow moving bicycle while standing on one of the pedal and trying to cross over to seat on the saddle. Trying to execute a couple of new moves at the same time is not helpful. However, for dismounting, one starts off riding the bicycle, then start to try out each of the following steps a little by a little: 

My cycling in Singapore experiences - Alternate routes

This post is about a way to make bicycle commuting safer by selection of route with safety as an, if not the most, important criteria. The idea does not need much explanation. Here, I'll just share how my recent commuting route evolved.

Start: Toa Payoh
End: NUH

During the initial years of my bicycle commuting in the late 90s, the route I would have used is based on bus route that I am familiar with. That would be Braddell, Lornie, Adam, Farrer, Holland, North Buona Vista, Lower Kent Ridge. I was and am still comfortable with majority of this route except the narrow-lanes and hilly Lornie and Adam roads, and most dangerous at the entrance to and exit from PIE along Adam road. Nevertheless, I think this route is the fastest and the last issue above "disappear" in the morning/evening peaks.

After some time, I have learned non-bus routes to get out and into Toa Payoh, and I called them "bicycle ports". Thus, I could avoid Braddell road by

My cycling in Singapore experiences - Pushing a bicycle up a slope

This is to share my experience and thoughts on how to push a small bicycle up the Braddell road bridge "connecting" the Kallang PCN between Bishan and Toa Payoh. Some background about this bridge can be found here, and here.

First, if you are pushing a full size and heavy enough bicycle, I don't think you would experience much issues. I have been pushing my old skool 26" hybrid bicycle up this place many times. However, I noticed many folding bike riders prefer to carry their bicycle up. I didn't know why until the first time I pushed my 20" Polygon Urbano 3.0 bicycle up this bridge. After doing so a few times, I think I know the issue. Below I'll share my experience:

Typically cyclists push their bicycles by holding the handle bar, allowing them to control the direction.The problem I had when pushing the folding bicycle is that the rear wheel kept slipping inwards on to the steps. This is irritating.

Thus, one way is to have one hand holding the saddle while the other holding the handle. However, with only one hand holding the handle bar, it is more challenging to control the direction.

Anyway, after exploring different ways of pushing, I found that I could push my folding bicycle easily with one hand at a lower position nearer to the frame (see blue arrow head in diagram below). For folding bicycle like mine, I can still control the direction holding here. My free hand can carry other stuff, e.g. my son's balancing bike, so I don't need to make another trip.

Partial force diagram illustration

Then, I gave some thoughts about it and figured out a reason for my method.

Why do I cycle to work?

Why do I cycle to work? 

To save money and time.

How did I started? 

I had been cycling from Clementi to NUS for a few weeks in 1995. One day, I needed to go to Tanjong Pagar. However, I couldn't find a place near the MRT station that I felt was good and safe (from theft) to park the bike. Also out of curiousity, I decided to ride straight down to Tanjong Pagar. That trip took me 45 minutes, which I find is not too bad since I wasn't familiar of the route, and on a 24" MTB bike.

I don't compare this 45 minutes bicycle riding with 17 minutes by MRT from Clementi to Tanjong Pagar. I would consider the whole trip from when I step out of my door until I step into the destination. For bicycle, there would typically be an additional 5 minutes overhead. For public transport, this overhead includes waiting time and more walking times, which could typically be as long as 10 to 25 minutes.

I was surprised that riding bicycle isn't that slow. In fact, the trip took about only 35 minutes on a 26" hybrid bike and after being more familiar with the route. This second bike for commuting stays with me until now, although, except the seat post and frame, all other parts have been replaced.

For me, cycling to work was not my intention but the natural outcome after I started bicycle commuting. 

Where have I been cycling to work?

How to learn to ride a bicycle? (follow up)

A followup to my earlier post.

The idea is actually quite common, but still, I believe many don't know.
Peter Gregory has nicely described the method.

And here is a proof.

I just like to add a couple of pointers from what I've observed.
1. Don't be so conscious that you are learning to ride. Just have fun gliding the walking machine.
2. Objective is NOT to move in a straight line (thus roads and paths are not suitable), or how to make turns. Just have more fun by moving faster and with legs above grounds for longer periods.
3. Soon, you will find the above not challenging as the speed achieved by pushing is slow, and legs get tired from holding them up for too long. i.e. you have learned the balancing part.

Get Back On The Bicycle Saddle | Men's Health Singapore

Get Back On The Bicycle Saddle | Men's Health Singapore

Indeed, cycling can be fat burning or not. For commuting purpose, cycling is between walking and brisk walking. Thus, one can choose to sweat less or more.

Recently I re-started cycling longer distances (~10 km per trip) for 2 trips per week and I think my weight is down by 3-5 kg.

Thanks for the jam

For years I avoided cycling via Adam road. Recently took a 93 bus and noticed the jam in the evening times. Thanks for the jam, I think, as it removes my reason for avoiding Adam road: it is much easier to cross the entrance to and exit from PIE when traffic is slow or even stand still.

Endomondo Cycling Workout: "was out cycling 8.95 km in 32m:19s using Endomondo."

My cycling in Singapore experiences - commenting on cycling paths

A long comments to the post A little tour of Sembawang bicycle infrastructure.

The main helpful thing is the authority is doing something about it, period. However, the things they have done seems to have almost equal pros and cons.

I am not familiar about the situation in Japan, but it seems like just making the paths wider, less kerbs will do. It is better not to have all those signs and regulations, if what is being requested is not natural and not easy to be enforced. Anyway, cyclists are not evil or stupid to go out to create problems

My cycling in Singapore experiences - a small discovery

Nowadays I ride around Buona Vista more often, and have more closer look at road bikes. I didn't realized that road bike tire can be as thin as that of a racer bike. I mainly ride a mountain bike as in the tire I use are those thick and rough ones. So, many of my experiences shared here are probably inapplicable to road bikers. Here are two main differences:

My cycling in Singapore experiences - Bike Train Bike

Recently, I started a bike-train-bike commuting mode. I bought a second bicycle to be used for traveling between work place and the MRT station nearby. The last time I did this was more than ten years ago where one bike was used between JB and Marsiling and another in AMK.

I find this is a very convenient, economical and quick way. The risk is that the bicycle stationed near work place is more likely to be stolen during the weekends. Still, I find it economical, comparing a ~$50 bike to a few hundreds dollar folding bike, which cannot be officially brought on the train during peak hours.

My cycling in Singapore experiences - My once very improvised bike

Another 1.5 year have passed and still no one wants my bike. A reason I think is it has been quite heavily improvised, but, actually, it is now much more normal looking. If you are interested to look at how improvised it was, sorry, I am not posting photo of my bike because I don't think I have any photos of my bicycle :P you can see a photo here. I also prefer not to do so in case it attracts too much attention to my bike and myself in person. So, let me try to describe what have changed here

How to learn to ride a bicycle?

I have an untested idea. It started with the question "Did the inventor of bicycle know how to ride a bicycle before his invention?" It sounds like a chicken and egg problem. Without a bicycle being invented, how would the inventor know he could ride one? If the inventor fell from his first invented bicycle, could he have abandoned the invention?

I did a search and found