Surface Pro 3 - Versatility

The SP3 is the most useful laptop I ever had and the reason is not performance it is versatility.

One: Notes

The Surface replaces a legal pad in this case. The battery is strong enough to last even a long meeting (>8h). The stylus is precise.  Sensitivity was an issue at first, but the configuration app fixed it.

Two: Media Tablet

Movies, web browsing, reading - I do that mostly in tablet mode using the kickstand to prop it up. If you want better sound, connect a Bluetooth speaker/headphones.

Three: Presentations

PDF works as well as any Windows presentation program. MDP adapters allow to connect to VGA or HDMI. If you forgot your own, just ask another speaker with a Macbook.

You want to control the presentation wireless? The Kensington Presentair is a nice Bluetooth presenter with a Micro USB loading port.

Also, the stylus allows flip chart like presentations.

Four: Mobile Work

It is light enough to carry around and the display has a high resolution - large enough to use an IDE comfortably. The battery last long enough that I do not carry the power supply. It stays at home or in the hotel room. If I expect to need more time, I take a battery pack with me.

The Logitech T630 mouse does not take much space in the bag, has an Micro USB loading port ans support gestures.

A small UMTS stick provides connectivity at the moment, but I hope for LTE in the Surface Pro 4.

Five: Portable Workstation

Working in a customers office for some days allows for a larger setup. The USB port on the SP3 is not powerful enough for an external monitor, but the one in the power supply is. I use a MS168B+ connected to a small USB hub with a Micro USB port for power. The hub provides LAN and an SD-Card reader, too. Typically I set it up with the SP3 power supply, but it works with the battery pack. The wireless adapter converts the type cover into an Bluetooth keyboard.

Maybe Microsoft will fix the USB port power issue in the next Surface Pro.

Six: Desktop Workstation

I have two of the docking stations - at work and at home. At home it is connected to an LG ultra widescreen monitor (3440x1440px). At work it is connected to two monitors with the EVGA DisplayPort MST Hub. I could connect the monitors directly to the two MDP ports (docking station and SP3). But the whole point of a docking station is to not have to connect separate cables.

Twin Stem Adapters

I don't like the standard Brompton handlebar. They are to short and to flexible. They are so short that I had to cut of a considerable amount of the right grip to fit the brake lever and the shifter. Not an ideal situation. The S Type is to low for me. One of the users in the German Bromptonauten forum posted an image of his modification. An M Type stem with a stem adapter raising a standard flat handlebar.

So I replaced the M Type stem on my Brompton with an H Type. It is 6cm higher, but the hinge is higher, too. I tested three stem adapters.

	TranzX double clamp adapter	SATORI Aberhallo Adjustable Stem	GUB G-80 folding bike stem
Images
Distance	50 mm	50 mm	55 mm
Weight	188g	198g	141g
Colors	black	black	red, silver, blue, black, gold
Remove Grip and break lever for assembly	No	No	Yes

H Type stem, GUB G-80 adapter and flat handle bar

The major disadvantage of the TranzX adapter are the clamps above the handle bar. The GUB adapter is similiar but the clamps are at the bottom and smaller. The Aberhallo adapter has a different design - it is the most flexible. TranxZ and Aberhallo use plastic barends, but the GUB has threaded aluminium barends, providing a small storage space.

For now I am using the GUB G-80. The 5mm more make a difference (no conflict with the mudguard stay) and I like the look of the bands at the handle bar.

The handle bar is 1 meter from the ground and 8 cm lower then the saddle.

Brompton Modifications

I don't like the plastic silver look of the Brompton fenders. So I got some carbon fibre effect foil and a hairdryer. The result are some nice black fenders.

You can see my new rear suspension on the image, too. Here is a real steel spring inside. So it is nothing for weight weenies. :-)

Brompton Mini O-Bag

It is an Ortlieb Ultimate Classic with two differences. First of course the Klickfix mounting adapter is replaced by a Brompton version.

The other difference is that it has a handle on to top and no push buttons for map cases. This makes sense because on a Brompton the bag is to low.

Update: Yes, the camera insert fits.

My New Brompton

Yeah I got one. It is a modified Brompton from Junik-HPV. It has a Shimano Alfine 11, which makes it really nice to ride.


It is quite different from my Strida. The riding position is not as upright as on the Strida, but still comfortable and I finally have room for my knees. The folding is more complex and the resulting package is smaller but wider. The Strida is easier to transport while folded.

The folding of the Brompton is done in five steps plus one optional step for the pedal. The folding of the Strida needs only a single step with four optional steps for the both handle bars and pedals.

Brompton folding steps:

1.  Move the right pedal in position
2. Fold the rear
3. Unscrew and fold the front
4. Push the saddle into the frame
5. Unscrew and fold the stem
6. Optional: fold the left pedal

Strida folding steps:

1. Fold the bottom tube up and the wheels against each other
2. Optional: Left handle bar
3. Optional: Right handle bar
4. Optional: Left pedal
5. Optional: Right pedal

The luggage options on a Brompton are a lot better then on the Strida. The front block is extremly useful and allows to transport a lot of stuff. It is connected to the frame, not the stem, so it does not affect the steering. You can add something comparable to the Strida using a Klick Fix Caddy. But on the Strida this makes the steering more difficult depending on the load.

Unlike the Strida the Brompton has a dynamo hub. So now I have light without thinking about batteries. I am thinking about an adapter so I can use it to charge devices during tours.

The Rhine, Yesterday

The Rhine - the other bank is hidden by the fog

You Will Look Sweet Upon The Seat

created by Rachel de Ste. Croix

Found the two Stridas?

Carradice Bags

On the Strida rack panniers will not work. The rack is to small and I got problems with my feet. Here is a special Strida bag that sits on top of the rack, but this is a small bag. It can contain some repair stuff and energy bars but not more.

I use a Brooks Flyer Special saddle with loops on my Strida. Looking around I found the classic, handmade Carradice saddle bags. I got two of them: a Camper Longflap and the small Junior. I love the look and the material.

The Camper Longflap is a 24 liter monster. If you want do do lightweight touring, this bag should be able to contain all you need. Its flap has a folded extension, providing even more space. On the saddle loops the bag is near to my own body so its weight is not distracting me.

By default leather straps are used to attach the bags to the saddle loops. This is a secure way to hold them but you have to open the flap and the leather straps to detach the bag. This is not that much of an issue because mostly you can keep them on the bike. It doesn't affect the folding.

Modified Carradice Junior

The Junior is the smallest saddle bag of the line. Unlike the Camper is has no side pockets. A shoemaker added some d-rings for a strap for me. So I can use it with a shoulder strap, too.

The bags are made from waterproof cotton duck. It got to test in with really heavy rain last month and the keep my stuff perfectly dry.

Stridas In Paris

I attended the "Strida Saturday" in Paris last weekend. It was fun to cycle with so many other Stridas. The meeting was organized by the French Strida distributor. He posted a video and some images on his page.

Crossing Traffic

Slowly crossing traffic on the cycleway.

To The North Sea

Last weekend was the PHP Unconference in Hamburg. It is one of the events you don't want to miss if you're a German PHP programmer. It is fun, you will meet  a lot of nice people and you will definitely learn something.

So I took the week before off, got on my bike and traveled north. The first day I rode along the Rhine to Dinslaken. The sun was shining. The first Hotel I saw in Dinslaken was a "Bett und Bike" hotel. The next day my target was Rheine at the river Ems. I got my first real rain and I think some of the shortcuts I took were less ideal. But eventually I reached Rheine at sundown. The third day I spend along the Ems traveling north to Papenburg.It was an uneventful day. The only shower happened exactly the moment I stopped at a shop to buy some water. The forth day took me from Papenburg to Varel at the North Sea. I usually take my bike on the room. In Varel the hotel keeper asked my the next day if I had a pleasant sleep or if my bike snored :-). From Varel I traveled the North Sea Cycle way to Cuxhaven, visiting the beach in the evening. The last day I took the train to Hamburg, the weather was just to bad or in other words I need better rain clothes.

• Day 1: Cologne - Dinslaken 118km
• Day 2: Dinslaken - Rheine 152km
• Day 3: Rheine - Papenburg 121km
• Day 4: Papenburg - Varel 81km
• Day 5: Varel - Cuxhaven 99km

Rhine milestone near Wittlaer - It is more on bike.

Beautiful morning in Dinslaken

Shadows on the street

Sundown in Rheine

At the beach (North Sea)

On the other side of the fence - the grass is always greener.

Colorful Tools

Most of the screws on the Strida are Allen hex keys. Here is even a small triple key provided with the bike.

If you do some more work on your Strida, you may like these colorful tools.

Tour Report: 2011-08-11

Total Distance: 31.81 km
Moving Time: 1:52:15
Average Moving Speed: 17.00 km/h
Elevation Gain: 186 m

Strida Pedals

Pedals are a important part of a bike. It is the point of the bike you use to transfer your power. So good pedals are important.

The standard pedals of the Strida are foldable plastic pedals. They are ok but not more. To fold them you push them against the axis.

The Strida MAS comes with different alloy pedals. It consists of two halves that collapse together to form the pedal platform. This is secure and easy to use.

For the daily use and short distances platform pedals are best. You can use them with normal shoes. For longer distance clipless pedals are interesting. They provide a better connection to the pedal and are more efficient.

Replaceable pedals allow you to change the pedal depending on the situation. This is a nice plus over the possibility to remove them for a flat fold. The downside is that you have to store them somewhere after removing them. Like battery lights you have to take them with you if you leave your bike unattended.

Currently three systems are available:

MKS Ezy

Nice shape, you have to push a ring at the axis to release the pedal. Platform and clipless pedals are available. The clipless pedals are compatible with SPD shoes, but use different cleats.

Here is a small loose plastic ring to stop accidental disengaging of the pedals. Which has happened according to reports in different web forums.

MKS Ezy Superior

The next generation but not compatible with its predecessor the MKS Ezy. Looks great and has a twist+push system. No clipless pedal available at the moment.

Wellgo QRD

Wellgo QRD-W01

A different concept using a pin. The pin needs to be pulled away from the axis. The pin cap looks strange. Many different pedals are available. Not only from Wellgo, but other companies as well. Here are cheap versions with a black plastic cap on the pin. The Wellgo QRD-W01 uses standard SPD cleats.

I use the Wellgo QRD system. It allows me to switch from a platform pedal (QRD-C098) with rubber finish to clipless pedals (QRD-W01).

Wellgo QRD-C098

Tour Report: 2011-08-10

Total Distance: 32.66 km
Moving Time: 1:58:59
Average Moving Speed: 16.47 km/h
Elevation Gain: 240 m

Tour Report: 2011-08-07

Total Distance: 36.84 km
Moving Time: 2:08:07
Average Moving Speed: 17.25 km/h

Elevation Gain: 235 m 

Strida MK 2

Amazing photo. A rider from Thailand took the Strida MK 2 fully apart.

from stridasingapore.com/forum/ via stridaforum.com

Strida MAS Upgrade II

Since the last blog post some stuff on my bike got replaced. Here is a update on the upgrade.

Bend handle bars and new grips

The bend handle bars provide a little more space for my legs. Feels like a different bike. The original grips on the MAS are nice, but I wanted bar ends. Here is not enough space for additional bar ends, so they have to be integrated into the grips. For long distances the possibility to have different grip positions are a huge comfort plus. The Ergon R2W Team Edition are perfect. The green added some color to the black bike. It is our company color, too :-).

Brake cables

The last part I replaced and it was a lot of work. I had to dismantle the wheels, fenders, handle bars. The new Jagwire Ripcord cables are rigid. They provide great brake power, but are difficult to assemble. I got rid of the extensions (from the bend steer kit) and the new cable housing matches the color of the grips. The green of the original brake levers were different, so I got black ones.

Front light

I replaced the Sigma PowerLed (90 lux) with a B&M Ixon IQ Speed (50 lux). In numbers it has less light but in real it is more. It throws a trapezoid of light on the street. Because of the bend handle bars I got problems with the brake cables. A small spacer bar fixed the problem and I really like the look.

Rear Light

The rear light is now a "B&M Toplight Line", that integrates the reflector into the light. So with the it, I can mount the light to the rack and throw the rear reflector away. The result is a much cleaner look.

The reflector stripe is in the middle, the light is at the top and the battery case at the bottom. The light uses two LEDs that are broken up to a bright line of light. They provide great visibility. Here is no blinking mode (Which is illegal in Germany anyway). I don't like blinking lights because they make it really difficult to recognize distance changes. The light uses the convenient AA battery format.

The light is available in two versions. A basic version "Permanent" and the "Senso" version featuring a light/movement sensor. I know from my previous rear light (IX Back Senso) that the sensor is too sensitive. So I got the "Toplight Line Permanent".

Strida MAS upgraded (Number One)

Tour Report: 2011-06-23

Total Distance: 92.04 km
Moving Time: 5:29:35
Average Moving Speed: 16.75 km/h
Elevation Gain: 1073 m

Down The River - Report

After two days in Zurich I took the Train to Rottweil and travelled the Neckar down to the Rhine and back to Cologne. The tracked distance (GPS) was 641 km.
It was interesting to see the river grow. The cycle ways a re mostly along the river with some steep climbings and long downwards sloops.

On the third day I had my first and last accident. A screw of the bottle cage broke.

• Day 1, Rottweil -> Tübingen: 86 km
• Day 2, Tübingen -> Mundelsheim: 116 km
• Day 3, Mundelsheim -> Heidelberg: 126 km
• Day 4, Heidelberg -> Hamm (Rhine): 63 km
• Day 5, Hamm (Rhine) -> Koblenz: 143 km
• Day 6, Koblenz -> Cologne: 106 km