An obsession with 16 inch wheelers : Brompton, 3 Sixty, Camp Pikes, Element Pikes, Cigna

Element Pikes, a strong contender to Brompton

Set against Brompton

My first cycle tour was done on a Tern D16. The bike was literally bought so I could follow Love the Fold to Batam and Bintan. Back then, all foldies went into the cabin while the sole, full sized bike was strapped to the deck, held down by ropes. I never looked down on foldies ever since that trip.

As Alvin, the Chief of Love the Fold once said, "Everyone who seriously love bikes will need to go through a Brompton at least once in their lifetime". I think what he meant is, if affordability is not an issue, bike lovers should own a Brompton at least once in their lifetime. Keeping it depends on the love hate relationship. 

So when I was offered a price I could not resist, I bought my first Brompton on 26 July 2016. The very next day, VT and I returned to the shop for another one !!!

It was not an instant love affair. The bikes were hardly used for the first 5 months. I found it heavy and I kept forgetting the steps to fold and unfold!

It was only after I took it to Fraser's Hill at the end of the year, that my love for 16 inch wheels actually began. Yes, it is doable though with many out of breath stops! 

Ever since, I have taken it on 120 km and 160 km distances without much body aches, thanks to its steel frame. So what if the gradient is too much? Get down and push the bike!

The bike is so compact it had saved us in many awkward situations. Bag it and travel as luggage on public transports. Roll it under the table in small restaurants. It can even be stored under the bed!

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Element Pikes @ 8 speed - IDR 7.0 million

Tom and Jerry

Comfy saddle

Sturmey Archer thumb shifters

Loved the grips with wrist support

Hated the gigantic hinge clamp levers initially but as an after thought, it is easier for my hands

Ugly pedals

Sturmey Archer X-RF8 (W) hub

Chain tensioner

48 T Chainring

Note the top tube is not a cylindrical tube but narrows towards the end

Proudly made in Indonesia

The use of hex nuts as spacers drives me crazy!

It also fits into a Dimpa though the seat post has to be removed

The bike comes assembled but it is NOT road worthy. The bike mechanic took at least an half hour going through the whole bike from wheel alignment to tuning to ensuring every screw and nut is in place.

The folding and unfolding of the bike is a tad stiff. Not sure if the joints need to be lubed but will certainly  into this further.

Riding wise, the positioning differs slightly from the Brompton but having said that, I can't give a direct comparison as my Brompton is on P while VT's is on H handlebars. Comparing to 3 Sixty's straight handlebar stem, the Element Pike's ride positioning is the closest to a Brompton.

The Sturmey Archer X-RF8 (W) hub comes with a wide gear ratio of 325% with the middle 6 gears evenly spaced at 14% apart. There's a 30% jump between gear 1 to 2 and 7 to 8 which are supposed to rescue your leg muscles during those steep climbs and adds a boost during the descents. 

I am saying "supposed to" because I was using gear 1 (strangely built on direct drive) for flat roads! Switching to gear 2, I could feel the immediate jump in loading, required to turn the crank. Duhhhh....at this rate, I will never hit gear 8!

I only began to appreciate the hub on Day 2; during my short 10 km ride through killer traffics and narrow backstreets of Jakarta. The gear shifts were smooth, the little monitor helps me keep track on what gear I was on and any gears can be selected while stationary. I could feel the transfer of power and the bike propelling forward after gear 3 which is such a joy on so little effort. It also helps that all 8 gears are in sequence so gone are the complications with the twin-shifter system as in most 6 speed Bromptons. Having 8 gears in an internal hub without a derailluer also reduces maintenace as well!

The hub is said to be noisy but it wasn't drowning the noise on the busy streets like I had hoped it would! Jokes aside, it was slightly more audible than the S-RF3 but nothing too disturbing. Anyway, I do not think it was a fair comment as its like comparing between a M26 and M67 hand grenade. Besides, our gentle giant weighs a whopping 1.5 kg!!!

The Sturmey Archer thumb shifter comes with 2 levers. The longer shifter reduces the gear while the little one behind it is for loading. Both requires an outward push to click which was a bit complicated even for a girl's hand. Both aligned together, I have to feel my way behind the longer shifter every time I want to increase my speed. What happens if someone has a big thumb?

Riding wise, the chromoly frame absorbs the rattling quite well. The grips with wrist support was a joy and you can't help smiling from ear to ear for such a STEAL !!!

14.05 kg !!!!

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Camp Pikes @ 3 speed - last known retail price was RM1450, September 2019

Supposedly the older versions of Element Pike with straight stem and lower specs

Kenda tyres 

Flimsy Chain tensioner

44 T chainring

Also Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub

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3 Sixty @ 3 speed - last known retail price was RM2300 in metallic bronze, aluminium seat post and handlebar, September 2017

3 Sixty without a luggage block, placed next to a Brompton.

Rear view

48T Chainring

Rack

3 speed Sturmey Archer

Chain tensioner

Stem is shorter compared to Brompton. 

Ugly foldable pedals

Grips...Eewwwww!

Aluminium seat post, considered a higher spec!

Front wheel

12.28 kg

The 3 Sixty price range varies trememdously. While this bike shop tries to sell a basic model at RM2988 (July 2017), most buyers gets away with RM1600 to RM1900, after some hard bargaining! 

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Cigna @ 3 speed - last known retail price was Baht 16,000, also on 3 speed Sturmey Archer Hub

Cigna also runs on 3 speed Sturmey Archer Hub

Interstate 5 (4-8 June 2019) : Day 5 - Bentong to KL

Team Melaka on the way to KL

Team Melaka were the firsts to leave Bentong

Team Melaka at the waterfalls

Team Johor arrived half an hour later!

Bailey Bridge that traversed the Benus River

Team Melaka approaching KL

Team Melaka in the capital city

While part of Team KL ended the ride at Kampung Bukit Tinggi, the rest braved the journey to the city center and took KTMB commuter home.

The Magnificent 8 were the only ones that completed the Interstate 5. Photo taken on Day 6 just before rolling out

Seng Kiat was the last to arrive home having to drive back to KL

Last night was one of merriment. Beginning with dinner at Restoran Shuangxi Lou; some of us continued on with good char kueh tiau, soothing down the fire with tong sui just outside the Chinese primary school. After that, we returned to Kristal Hotel for more laughter. It was an appreciation night of sorts as the group will break up tomorrow with Team Melaka returning to their hometown over 2 days of intensive riding whilst the KL and JB folks, short of Seng Kiat, ends the ride with each respective party cuddling up in the comforts of their own home by sundown!

Despite targeting to ETD just as the first streak of light hits the land, Team Melaka with Seng Kiat were visibly delayed this morning. This allowed most of us to say our final goodbyes before dispersing.

As VT and Claudine had a train to catch, they choreographed a breakfast meet with early birds Herbert and Uncle Meng at Yuan Kee before riding off, on their own. They were the second group to leave Bentong, after Team Melaka. The departing duo managed to say good bye to Simon and a hobbling Cindy who had just arrived at Yuan Kee, just as they were about to leave!

Following Route 8 for the first 2.5 km, the duo turned off to Route 68’s Jalan Kuala Lumpur, heading for Batu Caves. The climb to Genting Sempah commenced from that point!

Not far from the junction, a dog was lying precariously on the opposite side of the road. There was a curved bend and cars travelling down the slope were caught by surprise at the creature. The first 2 cars honked and managed to avoid the animal. Alerted, a lorry coming from behind stopped in time thus avoiding a collision with the suicidal / injured dog. As it was a busy road with no road shoulders, VT and Claudine could only pray for the safety of the animal.

After the traumatic incident, the duo were rewarded with an easy ride all the way to Serenity Sanctuary, a retreat center by the banks of Benus River. All this while, the river runs parallel to the road, weaving itself playfully from left to right. At one point, they crossed a narrow Bailey’s Bridge, controlled by traffic lights on both ends.

The route continues to piqued one’s interest when smoke from incense looms thickly in the air. Soon they were riding past giant joss sticks pitched to the ground. One….Two…..Three…..Thirteen…..etc. Approaching Dewa Shan Ping Gong Association, Rela guards on duty were directing traffic. Continuing downhill, giant joss sticks took over the sentry posts from the guards!

Kolam Air Panas Bentong, a public pool by the roadside!

Soon cascading water from the hills delighted them. This was followed by warm thermal water from Kolam Air Panas, Bentong!

Just before Kampung Bukit Tinggi...

Just before Kampung Bukit Tinggi...

Just before Kampung Bukit Tinggi...

A mild gradual climb was next in store, all the way to Kampung Bukit Tinggi. Rolling down for tea and dumplings, the duo were totally unprepared for the 20% climb from the village to the junction of Janda Baik.

Downhill view of the slope from Kg Bukit Tinggi to Kg Janda Baik

View of the signage from the junction

The slopes continue to challenge but was worst after Genting Sempah’s R & R. Thankfully it was only a short few km distance. Right after was an exhilarating downhill glide that went on for more than 15 km!

Midway downhill a big signage, “Kawasan Riadah Basikal” alerts motorists on the cyclists' haunt. It was put up after Winnie Choong Suet Theng died in a road accident back in August 2017. Almost 2 years on, the sign is rusty and the area strewn with coconut husks and rubbish!

Arriving in Gombak close to 11 am, VT and Claudine proceeded to Batu Caves KTMB. Lord Murugan’s golden statue does attract a lot of devotees and tourists alike. The station was jam packed!

It took forever to get to the platform due to the large crowd. This must have caused them to miss their earlier 12.47 pm train that goes directly to Pulau Sebang. Boarding the 1.12 pm train instead, they had to get off at Sg Gadut, its final destination and wait for the next train coming from Batu Caves. All in all, they were delayed by an hour!

Once at Pulau Sebang, they made their way back to Paku Pakis Farmstay to collect their cars. Taking the google walking route, they were in for some adventure, arriving at dusk, just as Abu was going out for dinner. Thank goodness they caught him on time as the gates were already locked!!!