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

Is The Glass Half Full or Half Empty

We all know the above title suggest that a optimistic person will say that the glass is half full while the opposite, pessimistic, will say its full empty.

Before i start off with my post. Would like to share with you all this humorous article on this proverb applied by people from different professions and walk of life.

The government would say that the glass is fuller than if the opposition party were in power.

The opposition would say that it is irrelevant because the present administration has changed the way such volume statistics are collected.

The philosopher would say that, if the glass was in the forest and no one was there to see it, would it be half anything?

The economist would say that, in real terms, the glass is 25% fuller than at the same time last year.

The banker would say that the glass has just under 50% of its net worth in liquid assets.

The psychiatrist would ask, "What did your mother say about the glass?"

The physicist would say that the volume of this cylinder is divided into two equal parts; one a colorless, odorless liquid, the other a colorless, odorless gas. Thus the cylinder is neither full nor empty. Rather, each half of the cylinder is full, one with a gas, one with a liquid.

The logistician would suggest that the you should change a glass, as it is too big.

The seasoned drinker would say that the glass doesn't have enough ice in it.

**********/// \\\**********

From the above article & proverb, keep in mind that for the same thing, there can be numerous perspective. I shall move on to a 'game' which is taken from the book Dear Mr Buffett. It is regarding the Financial psychology of judgement and decision making.

I have gave you $100, and I'm going to give you 2 option:

1. Give you another $50,
2. Flip a coin; Head: Give you another $100, Tail: Give you nothing additional

Most people will go for option 1, since is certain that i will not risk any of my money and yet get more money.

Consider another scenario
I have gave you $200, and I'm going to give you 2 option:

1. Take away from you another $50,
2. Flip a coin; Head: Take away another $100, Tail: Take away nothing additional

Most people now will consider flipping the coin, to avoid the certain loss of$50. Are you the 'most person' i mention in both scenario? Don't worry I'm one of them..

Now the explanation:
For both scenario, you will get $150 if you choose option 1. If you choose option 2, you will get either $200 or $100. You will get same result for both scenario, nothing changed.

But what have changed? Our behavior... People will choose the sure $150 (scenario 1) when they stand to gain. But they will flip the coin(gamble), when they stand to lose. Even if it means getting a potentially worse off result. The feeling seems to be that they should do something to avoid the loss rather than doing nothing and let it go.

**********/// \\\**********

Now another example which i experience personally. Pretty similar to the above example.

It is got to do with the sale of Oakley Sunglass (I happen to sell some of them)

Retail price for Radar: $350 (illustration)
Blogger online selling price: $300
My asking price: $250

Hmm if the buyer(usually friend) get from the blog shop, he saved $50. But if he get from me, another $50. Wah! he saved $100!!

Now i add in another info. My cost price is $150.
"Hmm he is earning from me $100!!" (thoughts of buyer).

Does this thought happen to you? The negative thought of me, earning the $100 from the buyer, have offset the positive thought, the buyer would will have saved ($100).

Don't worry if you are this buyer, cause I'm one.

To Be Continued
C Cube

Pay day Break Down

Most of my readers here had know that i have started working in Capella other than Ritz. Offering at $7/hour compared to Ritz $6.50/hour. However issue is meal break are being deducted from our 'voucher'. So how to compare which hotel is offering a better deal in monetary terms?

Did a small calculation of both hotel. Ritz pretty straight forward, $6.50 multiply by no. of hours worked. However for the Capella, its quite a headache. Asked the coordinator regarding how the meal breaks are being deducted? The answer is 1 meal per shift. So how many hours are there in a shift? Also would the start work time affect the deduction of meal?

E.g.
A shift of 6hours.
Start work at 9am, End at 3pm. No of break: 1 (Lunch)
Start work at 11am, End at 5pm No of break: 0

Working Hour Chart

Click to enlarge

Decided to come out with a chart, stating all Start Work Timing and and All Working Hours. Correspond to them is the End Work Timing. So based on all the start work timing and end work timing, one by one, I review and see how many meal break will i land into.

Non Highlighted: No break
Light Blue: 1 Break
Darker Blue: 2 Break
Purple: 3 Break

Comparison Table

Click to enlarge

Using the data from the Chart, i came out with Table to compare the rates. From both of them, there is a pattern on the No. of breaks.

6-8hours: 0-1 Break
9-15hours: 1-2 Breaks (Not possible for 0 break)
16-19hours: 2-3 Breaks (Not possible for breaks, lesser than 2)
20< hours: 3 Breaks (Not possible for breaks, lesser than 3)

Min, Max Column: As we know there is possibility for different No. of break for a given working hour. So I came up with the Max/Min possible difference you will have when comparing the 2 rates.
%(max) column: The possibility of you getting the max amount

So whats the findings?

1. Add up min and max (absolute value), you will get $3.50 (Amt for Break). Except for 8th and 15th hour
2. For 8th and 15th hour, you will have both min/max higher (Both earn more)
3. If you work 1 hours after them, you will suffer $2.50 lesser (Another break comes)
4. You need 5 hours to break even the 'loss'
   

My Chart & Table isn't really complete. Forget the existence of half an hour, which is commonly experienced while working. Also my calculation did not included the meals being forgo/excuse by mangers. E.g. Forgo meals during rush hours.


Conclusion:
Above are just figures i crunched out because I'm bored. But still, working at different places shouldn't judge by their pay rates. There are more in finding a nice place to work.


Since When We Overpay and Under Deliver
C Cube