The Bike Tune Up Workshop At Escapades - a Success

The one day Bike Tune Up Workshop at Escapades was a success, infact it turned into a BIKE OVERHAULING for Manoj. Manoj pedaled all the way from Corlim to Ponda covering a 20+ Kms one way. The workshop began at 10am with Donald, Jagdish, Raju, Hazrath, Anil and Me.

Fortunately (should I say unfortunately?) Donald’s bike had a flat in front tube, it was a first hands on experience for Donald in patching up the leak on the tube. 

After the demo by me on Tuning of Deraillers (Front and Rea on Donald’s biker), Manoj’s Bike came on the workstand. Manoj eagerly set to work on his bike and managed to get grease on his hands, shorts, t-shirt and where not.

With all the mechanics around we stripped the bike naked; wheels, deraillers, bottom bracket, fork and all. After cleaning thoroughly, the bike was assembled chiefly by Manoj with helping hand from Raju.

 Within the span of 3 working hours, we managed to tune up one bike and overhaul another.

After the lunch, Manoj test rode the KHS ALITE trail bike and then rolled off on his TREK 4300 all smooth and shiny!

Escapades plans to bring many more workshops on BIKES and BIKING!

Had a blast riding the black beauty - the KHS ALITE 1000!

WANT A TEST RIDE? DROP A LINE AT - escapbikes@yahoo.in or ajd2k7@yahoo.co.in

Had a blast with this black beauty today, took her to the rocky uphill trail. This trail is a tough single track climb, off  Ponda - Belgaum highway, passing through mixed vegetation of cashew and wild trees and shrubs. One of my favorite trails!.

The uphill trail breaks on a lateritic plateau and picks up again on the other side for another kilometer or so, terminating at a private property with a small farm house and coconut plantation.

This is my first ride with KHS ALITE 1000

Here are the brief first impression notes:

The frame

The 6061 aluminum frame feels solid and light, the double butted top tube, the square chain stays and seat stays are the strengths of this frame. The solid and light feel of the bike pumped up my confidence level, the bike actually coxed me into riding the tough and tricky patches and I managed to do it!  

The downhill was real fun, managed to take corner the two sharp turns

Tires

The Kenda small block 8, 26 2.1 tires gripped the gravel and the rock equally well, the credit of riding uphill tricky patches with lose rocks goes to this rubber

Brakes

The BENGAL HELIX 3.0 HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES worked just fine on the downhill, providing fantastic modulation and instant stops whenever demanded.

Shifters and Drive train

With Shimano Alivio shifters, Alivio front derailler and Shimano Deore rear derailler the shifting is crisp and smooth

Shocks

The RST Omega 100mm shocks with preload and lockout smoothed out the ride on the rocky terrain on the lateritic plateau.

Saddle

The WTB stock saddle felt comfortable, the ride was short, will have to wait for a longish ride to judge this one better.

The bike has a lot of promise. Detailed review  coming up, but I need to do some trails! 

Wonderful All round Bike KHS ALITE 150

Be it tarmac or be it a trail, the KHS ALITE 150 will take you there. This is a nice entry level mountain bike or all terrain bike.

The 100m shocks will make trail riding a smooth experience and Bengal mechanical disc brakes has all the stopping power.

The frame is light weight Aluminum 6061. The KHS 26x1.95 tires with 14-34 mega range free wheel and 48/38/28 chainrings makes this an all round bike.

Comes in TEAM RED COLOR. Priced at Rs. 16000/- this is a real VFM bike

Available at Escapades  bike shop - http://mtmyndd.blogspot.com/2011/03/escapades-bike-store.html

Escapades - the bike store

Cycling is not only a means to move around but, also a fantastic way to experience a ‘high’, a great way to explore and stay fit, whether on ROAD or on the TRAIL. Do you remember your childhood bicycle escapades?, certainly you do!......, why not relive it !

‘Escapades’ is a small venture, operating from home. The shop intends not only to sell the bikes, but, provide quality service, popularize cycling, conduct workshops on maintenance of the bike, organize biking events……

• Since the shop is part time venture, please call 09823905756 or email - escapbikes@yahoo.in/ajd2k7@yahoo.co.in to ensure the shop is kept open for you : - ))

The bikes presently available at the shop are KHS ALITE 150, ALITE 500 and ALITE 1000. All these are mountain bikes. KHS FLITE 300 and FLITE 500 road bikes are available against order.

KHS bikes website

KHS 150 specifications – price Rs. 16,000

KHS 500 specifications – price Rs. 23,000

KHS 1000 specifications – price Rs. 30,000

Escapades Address - H.No.23, Prabhunagar, Rajiv Kala Mandir Road, Behind Sapana Park, Ponda, Goa.

Escapades location map

Photos - KHS ALITE 150 and 500

Bicycle storage stand

Here is a simple and cheap design for a bike storage stand. This stand can hold two bike. The material used is easily available. I used two test tube holder clamps (the one used in chemistry labs). A 2 inch thick wooden baton is fixed upright onto heavy wooded base. The baton is fixed with 4 aluminum brackets.

Hooks or peg fixed on the baton can hold helmet, gloves and other things…..

The total cost for the material Rs. 50 for clamps + Rs 160 for aluminum brackets = Rs. 210 that’s it, the baton and wooden base is recycled…..

The rods of the clamps are inserted into the holes (little undersized as compared to the diameter of the rods) drilled in the baton. The holes can be drilled 2cms apart either vertically or horizontally!

  

AWAY FROM THE BIKE FOR A WHILE....

 

Its been a month now that my bum has not touched the saddle. The SACRO - ILIAC joint injury has kept me away from my bikes. Presently undergoing YOGA treatment. Do not know how long will it be till I get to push the pedals..........

The Century Ride

Today did the long pending century ride on my road bike! Earlier I have knocked off 70+, 80+ and 90+ (97Kms) but never a full century!

I did not want 50Kms up and 50Kms down along the same route, so I chose a route which took me on the loop of 80kms plus 20Kms of the retrace.

The route was Ponda-Lotoulim-Cortalim-Chicalim-Airport-BITS campus-Casaulim-Utorda-Majrda-Nuvem-Aquem-Chandor(Via Quepem road)- Curtorim-Raia- Ponda. The Route Map Link: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/india/-goa/914126578661296587

 

 

Near St.Jacinto Island

Once out of Ponda the roads were less rolling with very few climbs. The road from Cortalim to Chicalim and From BITS to Casaulim to Majorda is a fantastic bike riding route!

 

The BITS, Pilani Goa Campus

  

Lake side, Casaulim

On this stretch I maintained 25+KmPh average speed!

Did this century in 4hrs 37mins with average speed of 21.4KmPH, the total time of the tide was 5Hrs! Kept a good energy level through out the ride by hydrating and feeding myself with Bananas, Dates and almonds!

The route map: