Giant Propel SL - Brakes

I got Giant Propel SL a couple of months ago, unfortunately I only had time to do 4 rides along Beach Road.

 The brakes are made of Carbon composite materials, very light and aero shaped, mini V-mount system.

 Aero Shaped.

 The Carbon brakes sit neatly behind seatstay.

The brakes look fantastic, as if they are paper thin!

My 2013 Dura Ace 9000 C50 Carbon Tubular Wheelset

Finally received my DA 9000 C50 Carbon Tubular wheels from Merlin Cycles UK. It had been held up for a while by Australian Customs and Easter public holidays.

 New hub design - Shimano Dura Ace 9000, it is a bit louder than previous versions for Shimano hubs.

 Photo does the wheels no justice, they look absolutely fantastic and sexy in real life!

 New front hub design

 Nipples are hidden inside the carbon rim.

 Brake track

 New rear hub design for the DA9000 series

They cost A$ 2,350, including Customs clearance fee and shipping, which is only A$150 less than buying from a local internet bike shop. However, the local shop has atrociously bad reviews, citing that they would not deliver paid items for weeks. I was suspicious of it's pricing on the DA wheelset, as all other Australian based shops were quoting the retail price being around A$3,300.

I found although the Customs clearance process and shipping time are painfully slow, Merlin cycles service and price are great. I will definitely purchase items from Merlin in the future even I had to deal with clearing Customs, I just have to allow more time for delivery.

New Bike, Giant Propel SL1, for my 2013 Cycling season

Just paid A$ 8,000.00 for Giant Propel SL1 with Dura Ace 9000 groupset and upgraded to C50 Tubular wheelset. I have to sell the Giant P-SLR1 Aero wheelset on ebay and it only took 2 days to ditch them for A$ 750.00. Now I am wondering if I had let them go for too cheap... as they are brand new and not one single revolution had been ridden on them...

 

Paid around A$ 2,500.00, including GST and Customs clearance fee, for the Dura Ace Tubular Wheels. They retail around A$ 3,200.00 in Australia and not one retailer willing to give me a fair price. On the contrary they all showed venomous disdain when I mentioned the disparity of prices; I was a bit shocked, after all I was a potential customer! Such display of ill will from Australian retailers, no wonder so many "brick and mortar" shops are going out of business. As long as I am concerned, not one moment too soon! I won't get abused when I shop online, also on the plus side I saved at least $A 700.00 on the same wheelset!

Without saying, of course, I ordered a new pair of Look Keo Blade pedals from an UK online store. They just arrived today.

Will post new pictures when I have received the Dura Ace Wheelset with Continental tubular tyres and set up my brand new 2013 Giant Propel SL1.

Waiting is so devastatingly difficult... want to ride the new bike on Beach Road this weekend but realistically I probably won't receive all parts after Easter! Sigh.....

Laurastar Steamax G2

 

I received Laurastar Steamax G2 a couple days ago, costing AUD 428.00 including shipping, it is the most expansive iron I have purchased ever.  

I dearly hope that it does live up to my expectation. After seeing it in action, I believe that it can actually save me some money by not having my clothes dry cleaned as often. The powerful steam supposedly can make creases "disappear" without using much elbow grease.

I would use it in coming week.... fingers crossed that it does worth the money outlaid...

Finally I have received Nexus 4

This is my third Android phone within last 12 months, and now I have owned every iteration of Nexus phones. Currently I have 3 Android mobiles, but, of course, only one active.

Nexus 4 is more or less the exact size as Galaxy Nexus, however, it feels somewhat more a premium product even it is cheaper to purchase. I bought it just under AUD 400.00, including shipping cost of AUD 20.00, from Google Play store. I got the 4GB version as I had been waiting for it so long that I am not willing chancing it for unknown waiting period for the 16GB one.

 The glass back of Nexus 4 feels more superior than the Galaxy Nexus, although, finger print smudges will be very evident.

The screen is a little bit wider, I can't really tell which one is clearer. Overall I do like the new Nexus.

Now I am considering to order the Nexus 10 tablet.

Impressed with VW Golf R Stereo System

Media-in option links Apple products and industry standard USB connections via an adapter cable. What is impressive - I attached a flash drive to it, expecting the system to play the content, but I had some FLAC encoded music on it. I certainly did not expect the system will be able to read this uncommonly used format.... but it does!

Miele Coffee Machine

Retail around AUD 1,299.00, I got it for AUD 787.00, from an on-line only store. With free delivery, it is a real bargain!

I was considering purchasing a capsule coffee machine, however, I like drinking all kinds of coffee from different countries, capsule coffee just a bit restrictive.

What coffee beans did I buy for first cup of coffee made by Miele?

Shamefully, it was LavAzza Torino, a well known Italian coffee brand. It was purely due to convenience, I wasn't prepared driving a 25 Km round trip just getting some exotic beans.

Took Delivery of My VW Golf R

Finally the dealer got my VW Golf R ready! New car for the new year, going to have some driving fun with Turbo All-Wheel-Drive 188KW Golf R... yes!

New year, new tennis shoes

Just bought a new pair of new Adidas tennis shoes for getting back into tennis this Summer, after being unmotivated to hit for last six months or so.

Sydney Festival 2013

Attended Sydney Festival 2013, it was great seeing one of my favourite painter, Francis Bacon. Also enjoyed some of the free events.