NXT MTB: August 2008

Sunday, August 31, 2008

A Day trip to Hatyai

Hello, today (30.08.08) I have decided to go to Hat Yai with the intention to grab MTB frame as a replacement for my KHS Alite 2000. NXTeam in the mean time are riding at Ulu Pauh trail. I was unlucky at SP Jamboree and have to suffer the consequance of not riding for almost 3 weeks. It was a big blow because normally Saturday or Sunday will be my riding day. Something has to be done......... my beloved wife has agreed to accompany me.

At the Bukit Kayu Hitam immigration complex waiting for my turn to come

A Toyota Unser from Malacca has been spotted

After negotiating with the "Prebet Sapu" my wife and me then have to queu up at the Thailand immigration booth for boarder pass authorisation

Ahead is the junction to Padang Besar

This is our driver for today's trip. His name is is Sakorn, a great and very helpful guy.

At the traffic light after Sadao we can see that Malaysian vehicles are dominating the Thai Highways.

This is called a Minibus ....... Errr!!!! Hmm... according to Sakorn.

The whole family are at the back, quite dangerous actually. Well for sure it is rare to see this in malaysian soil.

We used the shortcut route and unfortunately its convocation day at HatYai University and we can see people selling teddy bears by the roadside.

Hat Yai University main gate

At Hat Yai Nai. Nai means = dalam

This is my beloved wife at Somchai's HatYai MTB shop

Taking a picture before deciding what frameset to grab.

Tut-tut

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This is what I brought back from Hat Yai

GIANT XtCteam

Giant XTCteam with Emboissed logo.

Seatpost: Amoeba Vitra 30.9 CNC forged.

A common decal for XTC frameset

Engraved GIANT logo

The name that distinguish the series of XTC

XTC decal at the chainstay.

Side view of my new XTC

Brand:GIANT
Model:XTC Team EMBO
Year:2008
Material:6013 Super Light Aluminum Alloy
Color:Red
Weight:1503g(Size S)
Specification:17(S)

Original producing area:Taiwan

Description:

· Supersize ALUXX SL Aluminum construction
· Size: 17(S)

Bottom bracket 68mm,english thread.
· Front derailleur model: Top pull,34.9mm
· Use 30.9mm seatpost,one 30.9mm-27.2mm convert ring included
· Compatible with V-Brake and Disc Brake.
· Seatpost Clamp included.
· Sealed bearing headset included
· Net Weight:1503g (not included bolts/seatpost caliper/derailleur pothook ),

P.S = So sorry for the wrong info given about this frame earlier on. Discovery was made last minute regarding the origin of this frame.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Julien Absalon Article in NXT Blog

Hello all,
Just to share some information about the double Olympic gold medallist in MTB discipline. His article appeared in NXT blog in january and since he won the Olympic for the second time NXT would like to highlight the posting about him. Congratulation Juju!

We can also check his MTB specification. But please bear in mind that he is fully sponsored.
Heeheheheh....... the frame only would cost us around 5.8k Wow!!!!

Link: http://northen-xtrailers.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Olympic 2008 XC Result.

Men XC final.

Gold: Julien Absalon FRA 1:55:59

Silver: Jean Christophe Peraud FRA 1:57:06

Bronze: Nino Schurter SUI 1:57:52

4th. : Christoph Sauser SUI 1:57:54

5th. : Marco Aurelio Fontana ITA 1:59:59

Women XC Final

Gold: Sabine Spitz GER 1:45:11

Silver: Maja Wloszczowska POL 1:45:52

Bronze: Irina Kalentyeva RUS 1:46:28

4th. : Catharine Pendrel CAN 1:46:37

5th. : Chengyuan Ren CHN 1:47:40

Thursday, August 14, 2008

BM Mountaincross 2008- Registered!

NXTeam has confirmed their participation in the upcoming BM Mountaincross event this coming November. Only 4 members going to B.Mertajam. Hopefully by the time to take part in the jamboree all of us are mentally and physically prepared. The reason is November is just a month away after the Eid-ulfitri. So, you know what I mean right!!

.
375) Mohd Zaki b Mohamad Radzi-Male-XXL-NXT-02446

376) Hasnizam B Hasan-Male-XL-NXT-02447

377) Edy Hisham B Hashim-Male-L-NXT-02448

378) Roshaizan Bin Rasul-Male-L-NXT-02445

Monday, August 11, 2008

SP Jamboree - Event Day

SP Jamboree 2008

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Everything are set to roll

NXTeam : Edy, Zan, Zaki (chan : taking the picture)

Riders who can't wait for the flag off

Start/Finish line. SPMTBclub crews busy setting the bike for the VIP's

Briefing by the organizer

Adi Harriman from Alor Star. Accidently met with the editor

at Gurun RnR at 6:15am for Subuh prayer

Riders from all over regions.

Patience is virtue ......

If you can identify the odd ......??? She's the reporter from The Star.

Canary ...... Mascot!!??......

Overview of participants. Registered 771 riders.

Wow!! nearly break the record.

Chan NXT with Black of 99 Bikes, Langkawi.

Art and The Historical Island Riders. (99 Bikes)

We can see Ah Chai and expatriate next to him.

Let's start rollin' .......

Starting to get dusty and dirty

First Stop ...... Why? Bottleneck, what else.

Still waiting ......

Taking a good break eventhough after 15 minutes ride.

Thanks! to Brader " the name whom I forgot to ask"

for taking this picture.

Yoo.... !!!!!!

MTBing......

MTBing.....

Long Live "POWERSTICK" ..... sempat lagi tuh!

Location : First Climb , Landmark: Hindu Temple (Mini)

Bottleneck .......

Wah! Another picture of NXT Editor

With Bang Wan Penang. Expert in Outdoor Activities.

http://www.xtremesports-wan.blogspot.com/

The rest of NXTeam taking picture with Bang Wan

Note: after this picture was taken, the four of us grabbed our bike to start climbing.

Editor aka Chan NXT just start to put some pressure to the pedal and then ....

kapow!!!!..... the chain snapped and the derailleur hangar broke into two different pieces.

It was a heartcrushing moment for Chan because the ride has just started. He was rescued by the crew and..... there goes his S.Petani ride.

(photos can be viewed at the end of this post)

In the rubber estate ........

Let's push ...... Don't cycle......

Peace!@#..#!

Whoah!! Downhill maa......!!!!

Edy after completing all the checkpoints.

Congratulation Bro!

Proof of Success!

Let's see who's really lucky today!

Mr. Alai from SLL Team, Perlis. A salute to you!

Tents!

LT (R) Ramly. The man behind all this event. Ke is the secretary

for this jamboree. Way it go Bang Ramly!

Ai of Redflag Cycle and Juwita from Penang.

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Finishing Line

Top Riders aka MTBikers.

Jaa and Ipoh Guy.

"...Born to crush all the trails...."

Note : Jaa used the wrong route before reaching the finish line.

The first place goes to Ipoh Guy. It's okay Jaa, we know that

you are a great rider. Its just a matter of technical.

Fifth Place : Female Rider from MSN.

Gold Medal winner of 2008 SUKMA.

Hmmmm....... No Wonder!!!

Man MPK of TRM

Well Done! Top Finisher.

Ai of Redflag.

Zan of TRM

A Reunion of bloggers :

(L-R) NXT, TRM, REDFLAG and NESAMGEREK.

Another congestion at the finishing line.

Zan of NXT at the finishing line.

It's Makan time.......!!!!

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The Chan's Heartcrushing site.

NXT MTB

We welcome any suggestions from all of you in objective to improve mountainbiking scene here in Malaysia generally and Perlis specifically. As we can see nowadays the public has started to realize the importance of exercising and one of the way is cycling. It doesn't matter if it is road cycling or off road cycling as long as we give a hard time to our heart and let the sweat flows from our body. So, don't stop cycling and let us make this scene as big as ever. Cheers!

"NXT WELCOMES EVERYBODY "

RIDE SAFELY AND INTELLIGENTLY.

Setting Your MTB for Race!

Setting/Preparing you MTB for race.

Let's Try This At Home.

Step 1
Remove any additional accessories from your bike including racks, reflectors, mirrors, bells or lights (leave lights on if you'll be racing at night).

Step2
Inspect the frame, fork and all components on the bike for cracks or other signs of trouble. Repair or replace any obvious problems.

Step3
Set your saddle height by placing your heel on your pedal (in your riding shoes) and raising the seat up so that your leg is straight on the bottom of the pedal stroke (6 o'clock position). Your seat should never be so high that your hips rock when you pedal. You may want to lower your seat if the course is very technical and has many steep downhill slopes, but you may pay for that on the uphill portions. When your seat is at the optimum height it allows you to get full leg extension and full use of your leg muscles.

Step4
Set your saddle position - start by having it level with the ground and try it that way for a little while. If you are putting too much weight on your hands, raise the saddle's nose by a degree or two. If the nose is uncomfortable and you experience any numbness, lower the nose a degree or two. It may take a while to find the perfect saddle position for you.

Step5
Set your saddle's fore/aft position by adjusting it so that when your are seated and have your pedals in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, your forward pedal spindle is in line with the small bump just below your kneecap.

Step6
Position your handlebars so that they are between an inch and 2 1/2 inches below the seat. The lower they are, the more control you'll have when climbing, and higher bars give more control when descending. Look for the perfect balance of the two to find the best handlebar position for you. You can adjust your handlebar height with riser or flat bars, different stem heights, and spacers under the stem.

Step7
Be sure that the ends of your handlebars are covered by the ends of the grips or are filled with plugs.

Step8
Position bar ends anywhere between parallel to the ground and a 45-degree angle from this parallel. Go to the lower end of the spectrum for more performance-oriented positioning.

Step9
Inflate your tires to a tire pressure that works with your weight, the tires that you are using and the course conditions.

Step10
Choose clipless pedals over platform pedals with toe straps. Although clipless pedals are a bit intimidating at first, you get a better connection with the bike, and they are much easier to get in and out of than toe straps.

Step11
Check to make sure that the chain is clean, lubed and not stretched. Chains stretch over time, and this will lead to bad shifting and gear slippage.

Step12
Check the front and rear derailleurs to make sure that they are shifting properly and cables are in good condition. Bad shifting is not only very frustrating but can also blow the race for you.

Step13
Be sure that your brake cables, pads and levers are in good condition and working well.

Step14
Turn your handlebars from side to side and see whether there is any play in the headset or whether you hear any grinding noises. Disassemble, clean, grease and adjust if necessary.

Step15
Check your suspension fork for smooth performance and no play in the fork legs. If your fork isn't sliding easily, refer to your owner's manual or check with a local shop for maintenance.

Step16
Ride your bike after doing any adjustments or repairs. You'll want to feel comfortable and confident at the start line.

Tips & Warnings

i.) The best upgrade that you can make for better performance is lighter tires and wheels. The rotational weight has a huge impact on how a bike accelerates and climbs. Start with kevlar-beaded tires and then go with a nice light wheel set. You'll notice the difference on your first ride.

ii·) When selecting a tire for racing, choose a tread design that works with your riding style and the course conditions. Semislick tires are great for racing, but they do take some getting used to, and they aren't for all riders and courses.

iii·) Higher tire pressure gives less rolling resistance and reduces the chance of pinch flats. Lower tire pressure gives better traction.

iv·) Many full-suspension bikes have different settings for the rear suspension, ranging from firm to soft. The firmest setting is usually best for cross-country racing.

v·) If you're unsure of how to check or adjust anything on your bike, such as the shifting or the suspension, bring your bike to a local shop.

vi·) Mountain bike racing is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.