4 cross look alike Commencal

Actually it doesn't took long after i got the frame to transfer the wheelsets, crankset, chain and etc. Just a day after the frame landed onto my hand, i took my Kona Coiler to local bike shop and reassemble it. The job took about an hour with all the fine tuning. Well, a we all know , during the assembly job, it was where the some difficulty started. Found that the rear hub not spinning well, the rear caliper rubbing the frame, and little thine weenie to adjust. All job done for RM120. Damn! good though if i can DIY myself. I can save some greens for other things.

And here we are the 4 cross look alike bike. With 140mm marzocchi drop IV fork, oversize wide riser bar, it look pretty nasty. But bear in mind,this will be transformed to a slick Cross country dream bike. Bits by bits..

.

Commencal VIP Superteam Flame frame

One fine day, while at work, i did some surfing in bicyclebuyandsell w/site. The moment i click in, i found out the frame which i been looking for this while ( which been a year ) is up for sale. It is so prefect, it was the medium frame size. From the counter posting from the seller, he just add his ads about a minute. Then without wasting my time, i grabbed my phone and rang him. He must be like a really head spinned what cyberspace can do. After some conversations we decided to met a day after.

When the day of the meeting arrived, I'm so anxious to see the frame. I can't wait to transferred the bits to the new frame. I my head a already imaging what it going to be. So be hold the ' Commencal VIP Superteam flame' frame. I love the frame because it it limited and i believe that the superteam is dedicated to Cerdic Garcia.

UIA - Genting Sepah - UIA

This particular trip was organised by Aze. May be because of the climb path all the way story or when the word ' Genting Sempah', many people thought, the sweat had to go trough. But for me, i just taught it will be a great ride just because, if i made it to the Genting Sempah, it will be like a new achievement for me. I been drove by the same way which is the old road to Genting a few time couple of years ago. I can image little bit how the bend and twist here and there.

It was a weekday where normal white collar people at the office working. It just me and Aze, packed the bikes. We started up from UIA about 10am which the sun already started heat up. The first half and hour of the journey, the route was flat and lots of houses and villages we passed by. Then, just after we passed by the legendary 'Mimaland', the road started to climb gradually. It is not that hard, sometime you will not even noticed that you on climb position. Along the way, the houses decreasing bit by bit and we entered the 'no man land'. Seems like scary movie, but it was really relaxing and enjoying, where the trees filtered the hot sun, the cool wind blowing seamlessly and the view is almost spectacular.

When about 3/4 of the route, the climb was little bit tough. But still climbable, just imagine with my heavy freeride rig and i can consider that with my average people fitness, i can reach till the top.

So we made it to Genting Sempah and we celebrate the victory at Mc Donald there. It was awesome, people started looking at us and where the hell is these 2 nuts came from? or may be they wondering why Aze wore a pink outfit? The way back, we choose the same route, but we had to climbed 1km of hard uphill. We eventually reach at the point where we enter the old road to Gombak again. From there, it was opposite of the climbing which we rode downhill all the way until Mimaland. It was about 30 min of joy, i never have a chance downhill this long before.

We reach back at UIA about 330pm, which is was about time we planned. This trip was the my first and certainly will be not the last.

Epic ride at Kemensah

I been hearing the Kemensah trail that could be end to the Dam lake. Even tough, i live here at Melawati and yet i still discovering Kemensah trail when ever i ride there.

That morning i cycled to Zoo negara from my house to met Aze. This time we will be riding two of us to discover Kemensah trail. Kemensah trail actually not very difficult to ride on but i had quit a number of intersection which can be lead to various places. If you not remember the way you start in, you may end up deeper into the jungle. That's why its a lot of people got lost here.

That morning, after breakfast here at the local warung in Kemensah, which felt like in kampung, we start rode into the Kemensah jungle. We pass by the Jinbara Chalet until just before reach the Isi Camp there is a left junction with a immediate steep climb. Then we head about 1.5 km and made a left turn with another steep climb. Usually i cant made this climb, but this time "the force" was with me. Then after the fish pod, we made a right turn with a extreme hard climb. Here, i really had to push the bike. We made it at on of the peak of the hills and enjoying the view for a while. Last time the hill was covered with long grass and tress,but now, most of the hills be cleared up for the durian plantations. The view was spectacular with cool cloudy weather.

From there we ride to the other peak of the hill and had a break there. At that top of the hill, there was a intersections, to the right you will made a loop and went back downhill to the bottom. We decided to went further straight which all the way downhill to the bottom and will reach to the Dam lake. The lake was a restricted area and just beware not to throw your rubbish or swim there. It was long long way superb downhill trail which took you about 10 min to the bottom, but to cycle back to the top it was quit a nightmare. It took mind mental and body strenght to paddle up back to the top again. At the top, we made a left turn and downhill to the bottom.

The great day end up, we had a long rest and enjoying the cool, fresh air at Jinbara Cafe. It was a epic ride where two of us with the sound of the calmness.

Commencal? to be or not to be

Since i tried Aidi's hard tail GT arrow head climbing the Steroid Hill, i felt very comfortable and the pressure is not that bad compare with my full susp bike. Actually i been craving for a hard tail bike long ago. Now, i been thinking may be it is the right time to change bike since i did more XC trail than downhill. There a lot of frame wondering in my mind, Specialized stumpjumper, Kona cinder cone, Santa cruz chameleon, Norco scrambler, Merida Matt Sub, and etc. What i need is cheap and reliable frame. It is more cheaper to but a frame and transfer the bits, rather than buy a complete bike. If not, i will end up two bike here in there house and where can i stag it? But recently, i found that after browsing and research,i felt i love with commencal frame. It it like love in first sight! and when i research it deeper, the particular frame that i really want to hold on to is the Commencal Flame Superteam 08 frame. The geometry and weight is just perfect for me.

Last week, i spend my whole offday hopped in and out the bikeshops and surprisingly i found the frame i looking for. At Bike pro, Kelana Jaya, i hold the commencal flame vip superteam frame with joy, but sadly i found out the frame size is 15.5inch, which i used to 17inch frame. How depressed i am that time. The shop assistant said they can't order it cos of it was a old frame and that was to clear the old stock. There was also the supernormal vip frame 07 which size 17, but it is not catch my eyes. I any one want to sell his Commencal Flame Superteam 08 frame, i will happy to purchase it.

Bukit Cermin DH/FR

As long i can remember, it was years i wanted to ride at Bukit cermin. Due to the far distance to travel to the venue and need a friend to guide me there, made it is quit difficult. Last time i been to Bukit cermin was during the Bukit Cermin DH Challenge which for beginner racing using T-bolt rig only, which was early last year. That time i was there at the finishing line to watch the actions. Eventually, Kidd decided to guide me and Fadil to Bukit Cermin for our first try out there.

On early Sunday morning, gathered at TokLi Restaurant then we drove about 45min to Bukit Cermin,Putra Heights. When we reach there, there some rider's car parked at the road side. We park our car near the housing area, at least our car not blocking the main road and quit safe because there is a Police station nearby. We started pack out our rig, Kidd with his Specialize Big Hit, Fadil with his Haro X7, and me with the all round road/XC/FR/DH Kona Coiler. We cycled about 500meter on road and started climb the damn hill. Bukit Cermin was a actually a palm plantation hill with two radio towers. The climb was ride able and along the track, hot sun covered by palm's leaves.

Half way up, there was a group of riders worked together to built the new track. Heard, there will be a competition held here soon. They try to built DH single track with berms, drops and even walls. This will be a next DH track after Kiara track. When we reach the top, there was a temple and a radio tower at the top of the hill. We had a rest and quit a long break . Ready to DH , guided by Kidd, we started at the starting point and ride down into the swifting trail. Until we reach a drop. There was a 4 foot drop and a wall to ride on. Down below, there was a some humps, couple of switch backs and drops. Near the end of the trail , there was a "wet" rock garden section, which is a small stream filled with huge rocks. To counter this section, its not to speed but more to balance the bike. Once you out of balance you will be wet!. The last and not least, the end section, there was a 6 foot drop to finishing. As we all know, I'm not going to risk my life on that jump.Thank you very much!


All i can say, that the track was quit moderate DH, good for the beginner. It was a short ride compare to kiara trail. You still can see what ahead of you, it is fun ride rather than "kill me" ride. The ground soil was soft which it may destroy the track line but it is not so painful of you crash.

Limar helmet 520

After some research, within my budget, Limar helmet 520 is my choice. I purchased it at R.S Samy, Selayang of RM115.00. Initially the price tag was RM160 but after some bargaining, i got the lower price. After a few rides with it, it was very satisfying, light weight and the front hood really help. It had large 3 air vent in front for extra cooling. The locking was superb and the locking detent was smooth.



here is the spec from the net



Limar helmet 520 - Green - One size
Rider profile: Sport Action;
Vents: 10 airvents;
One size;
Weight: 260 g;
Size system: Super System 2;
Comfort: Comfort pads;
Technology: In-Mould;