F1 Rocks Singapore!

Finally finished the 3 days of F1 event. Super tired.. Didn't take much picture of the race and the suite I'm working at. Before you guys carry on reading, here is the post i have for last year F1. F1 Outside Catering. After reading my last year post, i find that this year is kinda fucked up! seriously alot fucked up!

Pay rate per hour have to 'fight hard' to get this year! $10 is like the standard rate every hotel is offering, Captain $12.. Yet Ritz still wanna bargain for $8.50.. Same for every hotel, they need to have certain number of students to work as interns as an experience. Guess what our clever HR dept did~ They offered no pay, as internship should be for experience. The poor students all work for 3 days FREE!! Although working hours are not as long as those paid, but seriously the work load is not easy..

Pay peanuts get monkeys, Pay nothing get nothing. Students this time round are not as motivated as last year. Some gave excuses to leave early while some don't even turned up. End of day still the paid workers suffer...

Due to no show from some students, the problem snow balled to another issue, which is the Staffing per suite. We could hardly mingle with with the Poly students (especially Mei Meis) as our staffs are switched for the 3 days.

Day 1: Claymore 2 suite. Potential of 2 good looking mei meis from RP. NTU, cant really make it. Was looking forward to chat more with them the next day.

Day 2: Started 12nn, asked to help AmEx suite till 8pm as some regular staffs got personal things to handle. However at 2pm, i was told to help Foo Sheng's Suite, AT&T Williams. That is one of the race team suite. Get to see the driver, Nico.. don't know what..

His suite got no motivation at all!!! no potential good looking xiao mei meis, but alot of unmotivated and tired RP students. The only RP guy seriously redefine the meaning of "Kam Lan" in my dictionary. To maintain my level of motivation, i constantly revisit my previous Claymore 2 suite to see the mei meis. But got to know that one of them is redeployed to another suite to help out~!!

Day 3: Just when i settle down with the new suite staffing.. 3rd Day, my captain was told that we need to gave away 2 staffs to help other suite! Furthermore we cant throw away the useless RP guy, he is totally a -1 manpower to the suite. Whatever he do, we need to redo his work or constantly make effort to check on him..

Ok enough of complaining, i have to continue with my review of this year F1. This year the AT&T suite is better than my previous suite as it has a pantry right beside it, and a staircase exit for us to 'eat'.. However its kinda cramped up compared to other suites especially when its full house.

These pictures caught my attention. Click on the pictures for a detailed look.

Itinerary runs pretty much the same as last year, Tea break at 1600, Dinner at 1800, Supper at 2100. Turn over as usual is a chore especial when the guests came in at staggered timings. This time round i have 3 ambassador staying in the suite. One of them is quite a picky with the things we do, but otherwise everything is fine with them.

This year's In house experience is much better. We got to stay in the hotel room.. YES THE HOTEL ROOM with the Bath Tube where i always wanna bath in (which i did this time!!)

First thing i do is 'chop' the guest bed! First night, i let the other guys bath first, then i enjoy the whole bathroom to myself, soaking in the tube of hot water.. Feels so refreshing after exiting the bathroom to the super chilled bed.. And get to sleep till 10am plus in the morning. This bed room is the only best memory i had for the whole F1..

Last day of F1, the clearing up is severely handicapped this year. Half of the staffs whom are students went home. Another half went of early as next day is the Outside Catering for Istana. Some who are working next day still stayed back to work till 4am! Insane! I'm not young anymore to chiong so hard.

Made 2 trips to and fro the paddock and hotel. On the way, Herman and I took alot of nonsense pictures.

Shall end my post with these pictures, or else my blood will start boiling when i start complaining.


Work for Singapore Grand Prix Next Year
C Cube

Plans for next 21 weeks

Refer to my 'Timetable is out' post for info on my next 21 weeks time schedule.. Now sitting and start thinking about how my lifestyle will be like till March..

Today: 15 Sept 2009
September:
Week 38: Continue to slack at home.. Work only on Fri at Capella. Long Run on Sat Morning still on.
Week 39: F1 week, will be working for Ritz on Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun... Will miss Wed swim and Sat Long Run. Might bring forward Swim and Long Run on Mon. School also starts this week, Tues and Fri.
October:
Week 40: Rest Week. Only Train and Study
Week 41 and Onwards: Start working, only plan on Monday and maybe Sunday. Other days will be decided on case basis. Main priority is Training for Standard Chartered Marathon.
November:
Week 45: LO Briefing, cannot miss this time!
December:
Week 49: Standard Chartered Race Week.
Week 50 to 52: My ICT!! FUCKED UP!
Week 52 and 53: X'Mas and New Year Week. Most probably a short holiday. Will work pretty hard this period.

Have only make plans to till end of this year. End of year will then think about plans for next year, with all the festive session around that corner.


Boring Life
C Cube

Timetable is Out!!

Cant help laughing at this plain looking timetable. Initial plan was to squeeze my timetable into Wed and Thurs. So i can free up Mon, Tues and Fri for part-time work (not Banquet). But unfortunately, Thurs does not have any slots for me. Quite a few modules are held on Saturday which is impossible for me, as i would like to run in the morning. And if so, i also cant make it in time for the afternoon session. Why make my life so difficult..

At first i managed to put 2 slots on Wednesday and Friday, so means i can free up my other days for work. However.. the system is so laggy that i cant process that option. When i manged to process it, the slot is TAKEN UP!!! GOD DAMN IT!!! Till now i still cant get over it..

Back to the same time table i had last year... Days purely for school and training, pretty underutilized time table. This will follow me for another 21 weeks, till March...


Fucked Up
C Cube

Results is out!!

Knew my results last week via the UOL external website. But decided to post my results when its announced in the SIM portal.


Summary: Three 2nd Lower Class Grade and One 1st Class Grade.
Average out, my grade is 2nd Lower Class (56).

Quite a irony scenario for me. I worked double hard for both PBF and POA yet they scored lesser than POM which i had feeling of it flunked! MM was done with confidence, but i never expect a 70 for it. Seriously, i attempted all past year papers for this! Even if i don't know how to apply, i can still copy and paste the formula and steps.. haha!

For those who don't know about the grading system of UOL.


However, I cant really determine where i stand. Asked around a few people, got quite mixed grading.

Have 2 friends who are both not from Business (Applied Science Students) who got 3 out of 4 1st Class Grade!!! 1 got all in 2nd Lower, while 2 in 3rd Class. But overall I'm pleased with my result, compared to the pathetic 3 out of 4 FAILED modules during my Mock Exam. But at least now i know whats the marking scheme of UOL and their level of answering required to get certain grade.

Aiming to get a 2nd Upper when i graduate. But in order for that to happen, my all my up-coming modules have to be above 65 marks!! While next year my modules will be more specialized in Banking/Finance, modules which i totally have no advantage in. Unlike last year, I have Principle of Account, Marketing and bits of Finance. They are more like refresher course, but yet my result only score around 50s..

Next post will be on my new timetable, which will more or least structure my lifestyle for the next 21 weeks.


BAN ZAI
C Cube

Carbon Bike Frame Project: Part 3.5 | Inspiring Bike Brand

This post is nothing to do with the progression of my carbon bike project. Just to share this blog, which records the process of them sourcing, designing and testing the own brand.

http://velocitebikes.blogspot.com

Designed bike frames for road made of all 3 common materials, aluminum, titanium and carbon. Namely their Selene, Millennium, Helios, Magnus and MTB frame, Flux.

Selection of wheels tubular and clincher version, aluminum and carbon rim of different width. Many more.. Slowly go through their posts, especially from first post.

Had been sourcing my carbon frame from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Hence somehow see the similarity of their products and the OEM frames. No much different. But from their post, i learn what to look out for and how to test my OEM suppliers.

Asking technical question (which answer might not make sense to you) is a good way to filter out the supplier, asking for quality pictures etc.. Fortunately the supplier which i have been corresponding is able to provide me these information without much hesitation, without throwing the questions back to me.

From these at least you can tell they know their products. Even if they don't, and the information are faked to me, at least they are prepared for such questions. Some pictures sent to me by the suppliers

BB, Head Tube and Dropout Stress Test

Matte Finish

Currently what the supplier is able to offer me is the above frame ( mine is ISP). Seems like the exact copy of the Trek Madone. However i don't really like the fork design, not fierce enough! Sourcing out other suppliers and monthly email the supplier if there is any new fork design.

From the picture and frame drawing, the rear seat stay is only 1 cm thick! Damn scary to ride on it. But consider Cervelo having the same thickness and my bike-look ego doesn't allow me to lose out on it. haha!

Stay Tuned For More Updates
C Cube

Carbon Bike Frame Project: Part 3 | Copy Which Frame Maker

Can see that my quest for a new frame is advancing. Whether or not i bought one in the end would not be that important now. This part will narrate on my search for the ideal supplier/manufacturer, new things that i tried to do which gave me much experience in dealing with oversea parties. If you had yet to read Part 1 and Part 2, you can read them first.

Have been doing much research on bicycle frame manufacturers, especially from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Found many interesting designs and had my heart stuck on one of them already.

Why i choose this design.
Personally i like to copy the theme of some renowned frame makers, had my first project on CUBE's HPT. But turned out to be ugly due to the custom geometry! I liked the skinny 1cm thick seat stay which is much similar to what Cervelo is having. But i soon found out that not just Cervelo have this feature, few other frame makers also have it!

See the similarity!! Main difference is the Geometry and Fork used. Also means more design to refer on.
Cervelo: 3T
Cannondale: Own house brand
Cube: Easton EC90 SLX
Trek: Own House Brand

Set my mind to 'copy' the look of CUBE, even up to their EC90 SLX fork, Syntace handlebar and stem as Cervelo fork is too expensive. Just when i can start champagne popping, all the cheering and stuff. Brain starts cranking on how to get the red design on the plain black carbon frame. I then noticed the weird head tube on the China Made Frame, using tapered head tube!! Damn It! Since when they started moving so fast with the trend in Cycling Industry!

In fact not many frame makers have moved on with the tapered head tube design. A pretty recent change in the industry which had a few critics over the benefits of having it. Can google it if you want to know more. Basically its more of stability and steering/handling issues, maybe some strength contribution. I haven't gone much into it.

With a tapered head tube, the immediate problem i face is i cant use the EC90 SLX fork! Had thought of getting/fabricate a adapter to fit the 1 1/8 fork to the 1.5" head tube. But find that it will look weird and more hassle getting the adapter. CUBE design with the fork is thrown into the rubbish bin, same for Cervelo.

Left with Trek Madone and Cannondale. Luckily they are both using tapered head tube. Trek is using the same fork as what is available by the China Supplier. But few friends find the design sucky. I have the same impression too. Hence design in mind, left only Cannondale.

Problem with Cannondale is, its hard to get their fork as they often comes as a package with their frame! Tried eBay, so far had came across 2 forks, but price exceeding 130USD..

Carbon Bike Frame Project: Part 2 | Change of mind, Material of Frame

For those who came to this page first. It will be good to read up on Part 1 before carrying on.
Part 1 had left me hanging for another couple of weeks before i stubble randomly into some Chinese Carbon Frame Manufacturing Site. Saw this frame, which made me pause for a moment. Rethink the material, possibility of using carbon as my choice of material.


Noticed the nice Matt carbon finish? Unlike the usual 3k and 12k finishing. They are able to product Matt finishing, which they claimed as UD (unidirectional). Similar finishing as BMC SLC (one of my dream frame). But of course, not the same technology used, nano-carbon. But seriously who cares, if its cheap! haha~

Received some critics on the weaving of frame which claimed to have effect on structural strength. From my knowledge (back then), I understand that the weaving only affect the external look. However, few says the weaving pattern, 3k and 12k, 3k produce stronger and stiffer frames. However after seeing the above picture, i sets me wondering whether weaving really does play a role in frame strength?

Hence i decided to make use of my off day to do a research on carbon frame structure and weaving pattern. All you need to do is just open a new tab and type in the URL, www.google.com

I have arranged the sites and forums in order to have a better flow of idea on carbon weaving properties. Basically, the sites are branched out from the forum.

1. Bike Forum
2. Stork Bicycle
3. Weightweenie Forum
4. Calfee Design
5. Toray Carbon Fiber
6. Properties of Carbon Fiber

*Easier to start off reading Stork Bicycle and Calfee Design as they are meant for consumers.

My conclusion is, Strength of frame cant be judged by the weaving pattern, they only provide cosmetic look and riding feel. Instead we should be looking at the grade of the carbon fiber used e.g. T700, (read Toray Carbon Fiber) and the Tensile Modulus (measured in MSI, read Calfee Design and Properties of Carbon Fiber)

12k is not as weak as we think. They are cheap and slightly heavier. Console myself for having it. haha!

Carbon Bike Frame Project: Part 1 | In search of the right design

For those who knows that now I'm keen in getting a ISP (integrated seat post) frame either carbon or titanium. Initially only did research (here & here) on the clamp-on seat post system adopted by different renowned bicycle frame makers such as Look, Scott, Giant.

Set my eyes on the Ritchey Stubby Clamp-on Seat post, as it CLAMPS ON the 31.6mm dia seat tube instead of Look which is INSERTED INTO. Didn't bother with Giant as its clamp is unique for their frame alone.


However, read much reviews stating that this piece of clamp is 100+g which does not provide much weight saving (from weight weenie). Considering that the frame already has a extra long seat tube (acting as seat post). Its weight does not justify the use of this ISP system. Well then some German guy managed to forge a clamp which offer much weight saving.

After seeing this design, i crack my head for few weeks on how to get it fabricated in Singapore (rebound centre) or Ordering it in. Both options are pretty expensive!!

Some pictures of ISP built bike to continue inspire me to seek out for the prefect ISP frame.

Titanium ISP frames just looks so gorgeous!! Imagine it being built up with white, silver and titanium colour.

Pondering about the ISP system again for a few weeks, came across this clamp while surfing pedal force website and saw this seat post clamp


Made of carbon/aluminium. Seems like a cheaper alternative compare to the 2, i considered before. BUT, pedal force is not selling this piece separately.. Disappointed, my lead somehow hit another wall.

Genuine and Counterfeit Oakley Radar Path

Recently had quite a shopping spree in eBay for sunglasses. Acquired 3 Oakley shades which 2 had already arrived. Unfortunately one of them is COUNTERFEIT!!!

Hardly tell the difference from the frame shape alone. Until you made detail inspection

**Left: Genuine, Right: Counterfeit**


Lens Colour
Genuine tends to be clearer, while Counterfeit is darker (poor quality)

The 'O' on the hinge of the shades is flatter and longer for Authentic Oakley.

*Sorry for the poor picture quality. Hard to capture picture of the 'Oakley' wording on the lens

Real Oakley will have a more 'fat/thick' font while fake will be flatter and longer.
Hard to tell whether they are laser on the frame. So not a good guide in the future to purchase base on this feature.



Last but not least, the fake Oakley are basically poorly made products. The rubbers socks might not fit the arm well, hence slips easily through. Also the hinge is not as smooth as the real stuff.

Oakley 'Expert'
C Cube