THE “GIFT OF AN ICON” GUCCI’S COLLECTION OF EXCLUSIVE FRAGRANCES IS THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT

The Gucci collection of exclusive fragrances presents not only an embodiment in scent of a historic, Italian luxury aesthetic, but also a journey in Gucci’s iconic world of glamour and style. This Holiday give the gift of a fragrance forged by one of the most iconic fashion Houses in the world, and in so doing, access Gucci’s unique world of scents, luxury and history. 

Founded in Florence in 1921 by Guccio Gucci, a man with a vision for creating genuine luxury products for the glamorous travellers of the day, Gucci has grown to become a symbol of contemporary global luxury, combining traditional quality and craftsmanship with cutting-edge styling and fashion technology. Creative Director Frida Giannini says, ‘Gucci has magnificent heritage but has always been a pioneer. In my contemporary fragrances I reference the storied past of the House, while speaking to modern women and men about the lives they lead today. ‘I wanted to reinterpret our iconic symbols to present our fragrances as modern luxury objects of desire.’

Gucci fragrances are the perfect gift for Holiday, offering a range of distinctive scents. All five of these exclusive fragrances come in striking bottles and packaging – all incorporating signature Gucci House design motifs – that act as gift-wrapping in themselves:

For Gucci Guilty, a warm and striking oriental floral with hedonism at its heart, the sensuality has been dialed up. This is a young, audacious and defiant scent with an arresting and compellingly seductive effect.  Created to be hypnotic, Gucci Guilty seizes the attention, suggesting a woman who is exhilaratingly spirited and enjoys taking risks and acting on her desires. Gucci Guilty sleekly fuses muted gold metal and glass with the House signature interlocking Gs – a motif formed from the founder’s initials, which has long adorned Gucci’s leather goods. This fragrance also comes in a version for a man who is as iconoclastic as his female counterpart.

Gucci Guilty pour Homme Black EDT 90ml + Shower Gel 50ml + OTG Spray 8ml (RM291)

Gucci Flora, as the name suggests, is rooted in a floral olfactory world, yet its unique construction – featuring rose and osmanthus flower, a rare and delicate bloom originating in China – creates an unconventional signature. Flora by Gucci is a fragrance conceived in homage to the floral pattern created specially for Princess Grace of Monaco in 1966. Its distinctive packaging references the original Flora print, with a modernized black and white version. Designed to make women feeling elegant and graceful, Flora is a beautiful, original, feminine fragrance that is shot though with glamour.

Gucci Flora Garden Glorious Mandarin 5ml, Glamorous Magnolia 5ml, Gorgeous Gardenia 5ml, Gracious Tuberose 5ml, Generous Violet 5ml (RM240)

Gucci Flora EDP 50ml + Body Lotion 100ml (RM327)

Gucci Flora Garden Gorgeous Gardenia EDT 50ml + 2 50ml Body Lotion (RM275)

For men, Gucci Made to Measure is an oriental fragrance with rich spices and a distinctive signature in the form of the best Indonesian patchouli. The result is ‘a refined, exotic fragrance that makes a lasting impression’. Gucci Made to Measure is for a worldly connoisseur who stands out from the crowd on account of his taste and demeanor. Tailored for this most discerning man, Gucci Made to Measure bears the inscribed signature of Guccio Gucci, the House’s founder, on its bottle, a weighty haute parfumerie-quality glass container with a distinguished slate-and-pearl-grey color scheme denoting the hues of a bespoke suit and shirt button.

Gucci by Gucci Pour Homme EDT 90ml + After Shave Lotion 90ml (RM308)

Gucci Première Eau de Toilette is inspired by everyday glamour, celebrating the thrill of everyday success and rewarding those ‘champagne moments’ of achievement. Rich of the glamorous, sophisticated wood and musk, Gucci Première is a red carpet perfume, to transform every day into a special occasion. With top notes of effervescent bergamot fused with feminine orange blossom, it has the exuberance of a vintage champagne.’ Gucci Première comes in a gold flacon, enriched by gold-plated versions of the famous House horsebit detail and striped webbing, both of which derive from Gucci’s long-standing relationship with equestrianism.

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BOSS BOTTLED COLLECTOR’S EDITION The perfect Christmas gift for the Man of Today

Christmas is a time of celebration, with BOSS Parfums celebrating the festive season with a collectable and coveted gift the modern man will love – the BOSS BOTTLED Collector’s Edition. This limited edition features the same best-selling BOSS BOTTLED scent in an exclusive new flacon, designed to appeal to contemporary, confident men.

The perfect scent for today’s man, BOSS BOTTLED is redefining contemporary masculinity with the belief that the ‘Man of Today’ defines his own success rather than allowing success to define him. He is a man who also reflects contrasting characteristics: passionate yet real; gritty but refined; in touch with emotions, compassionate while driven. All qualities and traits embodied by the BOSS BOTTLED ambassador, actor and fellow ‘Man of Today’, Gerard Butler.

The epitome of a modern classic, BOSS BOTTLED was launched more than 15 years ago and is as relevant today as it has always been, as proved with its viewpoint on the ‘Man of Today’. It is the most awarded BOSS fragrance, winning global recognition from many of the world’s most respected fragrance organizations and consumer awards, proving its fragrance credentials.

BOSS BOTTLED Collector’s Edition: The Fragrance

Exclusively for Christmas, BOSS Parfums introduces BOSS BOTTLED Collector’s Edition – a luxurious gift guaranteed to light up his Christmas morning. Featuring the same bestselling scent as the original

BOSS BOTTLED fragrance for men, the Collector’s Edition combines fruity citrus top notes of plum, lemon and apple, with spicy notes of cinnamon and clove at the heart, and warming woody base notes of sandalwood and cedarwood, creating a blend that inspires confidence and poise. The refining component of vanilla embraces the notes, adding sophistication to this universally revered fragrance. 

BOSS BOTTLED 50ml + Deo Stick 75ml (RM241)

BOSS BOTTLED Collector’s Edition: The Flacon

Repackaged in celebration of more than 15 years of success, BOSS BOTTLED Collector’s Edition is encased in a sleek, gunmetal grey flacon which signifies the sophisticated simplicity that BOSS BOTTLED represents. The flacon is unapologetically masculine, with a unique soft-touch finish representing the characteristics of elegance and style that the modern man encompasses, making a truly special scent which will top the Man of Today’s festive wish-list.

This enduring achievement is also attributed to the brand’s understanding of what makes a Man of Today; a belief that boldly declares he is the best he’s ever been. This belief is at the heart of BOSS BOTTLED and a sentiment celebrated with the BOSS BOTTLED Collector’s Edition for Christmas; a unique gift you can be sure your loved one will treasure.

“Fragrance is a great Christmas gift, not only to receive but to give to friends or family as a present. It’s such a trusted and appreciated gift when you know it’s that person’s favourite scent, which absolutely takes some of the stress out of festive shopping. For me though, it’s also exciting when you pick a new fragrance that you tailor to the person in mind, as half the fun is inviting them to explore something new that could become their signature scent.”

BOSS BOTTLED ambassador, the actor and fellow Man of Today, Gerard Butler

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James Bond 007 Fragrances Gold Limited Edition

This Christmas, 007 Fragrances are celebrating the golden world of Bond by creating a new Limited Edition gold package featuring the iconic 007 gunbarrel and containing the Signature James Bond 007 scent. Gold is Bond’s signature colour from countless golden gadgets: the golden pen in ‘Moonraker’,  the gold BSA motorcycle in “Thunderball”, the golden weapon in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ to the iconic gold painted woman in ‘Goldfinger’, just to name a few.

007 Gold Limited Edition exemplifies Bond’s impeccable finesse and will be a must have fragrance gift this Christmas. The successful Signature James Bond 007 fragrance is authentically masculine, perfect for the man who admires Bond’s refined style, while the iconic gold packaging provides Signature 007 scent with a new level of unmistakable Bond golden glamour.

The Limited Edition is also available in a gold gift-set, which includes the 007 Gold Limited Edition Eau de Toilette 50 ml and the not seen before 007 Gold Limited Edition Shower Gel 150 ml. The sleek design and limited availability make the 007 Gold Fragrance gift-set a unique Christmas gift for Christmas 2014.

James Bond 007 EDT 50ml Gold + Shower Gel 150ml Gold (RM105)

Will Andrews, Fragrance Expert from the P&G fragrance team, comments, “The Signature James Bond 007 Fragrance evokes Bond’s uncompromising masculinity, and his effortless confidence whilst at the same time capturing the sophisticated side to his nature. The scent enables every man to acquire the very essence of Bond like composure.

James Bond 007 Quantum 50ml + 2 (50ml Shower Gel) (RM105)

Fragrance is a great gift over the festive period. Not only are you gifting a fragrance that combines quintessentially British style and elegance, but also a memory and a story.”

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Gillette Mach3 Shaving and Grooming Tips Contest

Want to win some prizes from Gillette? Read this post until the end to find out how.

FIVE STEPS TO THE PERFECT SHAVE

1. Soak Before You Shave

Beard hair is about as tough as copper wire; soften it by washing your face and neck with warm water and a mild soap, removing natural oils and perspiration that inhibit water penetration. After approximately three minutes of soaking, your beard hair will be optimally softened; in fact, the force required to cut beard hair is reduced by almost 70 percent after only two minutes.

2. Apply Plenty Of Shave Gel

Although water is an essential softening agent, it evaporates quickly. Shaving cream or gel moisturises and softens beard hair, creating a protective layer of lubrication to maximise razor glide.

3. Use Light, Gentle Strokes

Use light, gentle strokes whether shaving with or against whisker growth. For ultimate comfort, use Gillette MACH3 razors.  The blades of Gillette MACH3 are developed to reduce pressure on the skin and result in a clean, close shave in a single stroke, reducing the cause of shaving irritation and redness.

4. Shave Tricky Spots Last

The toughest hairs grow on the chin and around the lips. Save these areas for last as more time soaking in shave gel will soften them further.

5. After Shaving, Rinse Your Face With Cool Water And Pat Dry

At the end of every shave, rinse your face and neck with cool water to close pores and soothe freshly exfoliated skin. Pat dry. Rinse your razor thoroughly and shake off excess water before storing. Do not wipe the blades, as this can damage the fine shaving surface. 

GROOMING TIPS

Here are definitive responses to the most common shaving related questions.

Q: Is it better to use hot, cold or warm water to shave?

A: Warm water is best for hydrating beard hair. Soaking in warm water softens hair and causes it to expand, making it 70 percent easier to cut.

Q: What is the difference between shaving with shave gel and with soap and water?

A: Shave gel tends to be less drying than ordinary soap and water and won’t clog your razor the way soap can. Shave gels help retain skin moisture, making hairs easier to cut.

Q: What is the best way to avoid razor burn?

A: If the skin is not properly prepared before shaving or if the blade on your razor is dull, you are more likely to end up with razor burn. Make sure to hydrate hair in warm water for three minutes and apply plenty of shave gel. Also, be sure to change the blade on your razor at the first sign of dullness or discomfort.

Q: Is it okay to let my girlfriend or wife borrow my razor?

A: It’s not a good idea to share your razor with your partner. Women have a much larger area to shave and you may fi nd that after only a few shaves, your blade has dulled considerably, increasing the likelihood of nicks and cuts. Tell her to try a razor specifically designed for the way a woman shaves.

Q: Does shaving make your hair grow back thicker?

A: Scientists at Gillette have conducted extensive testing on the effects shaving has on both male and female hair growth, texture and color. This testing has proven that shaving does not affect hair growth, color or texture. Shaving does, however, alter the tip shape of the regrown hair, which may initially change the way hair feels as it grows back. But if hair is left to re-grow completely, it will return to its former state.

Q: In what direction should I shave to achieve the best shave?

A: Men’s facial hair tends to grow in different directions. Most men find using light, gentle strokes and shaving in the direction of whisker growth provides the closest, smoothest shave possible.

Q: How do I avoid nicks and cuts, particularly above my upper lip?

A: The area above the upper lip is tricky for many men. Always leave it for last. Apply plenty of shave gel and allow this area to soak up as much lather as possible. Shave slowly and don’t apply too much pressure.

GROOMING IQ.

HE SHAVES, SHE SHAVES

Men and women have been removing hair for thousands of years. Although they both want the same result - stubble-free skin - they differ considerably in shavingtechniques and attitudes.

Read on to brush up on male vs. female hair removal.

·         The average man shaves an area of 48 square inches.

·         Women shave an area of 412 square inches, or approximately nine times the total area for men.

·         On average, men shave 24 times per month.

·         On average, women shave 11 times per month.

·         Men use an average of 30 blades per year.

         TRUE OR FALSE

1. You should use a moisturiser daily. TRUE

2. Shaving is a way of exfoliating dry skin from your face. TRUE

3. Facial massage helps to improve circulation and skin tone. TRUE

4. After shave should be applied to your cheeks and neck. TRUE

5. Soap and water work just as well as shave gel. FALSE

6. Shaving daily has been proven to help reduce razor bumps and skin irritation. TRUE

7. Eyebrows should be tweezed from above. FALSE

8. Deodorants help to prevent odour. Anti-perspirants help to prevent odor and wetness. TRUE

9. You should hydrate your beard hair for three minutes before shaving. TRUE

----------------------------

CONTEST

First the fine prints (and pay particular attention to rules 1, 2, 3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9. Yeap, meaning, read them thoroughly ;-))

Rules and Regulations

1. Open to ALL readers in Malaysia ONLY

2. Contest period is from 5 Dec – 17 Dec 2014.

3. Readers need only to answer three (3) simple questions on Gillette shaving fun facts 

4. Five (5) winners to win a Gillette MACH3 Turbo razor each (Valued at RM15.90)

5. The five (5) winners will be announced on this blog by 18 Dec 2014 

6. The winners to contact Key Message PR Sdn Bhd at 03.6203.5048 to coordinate and redeem their prizes.

7. Cut and Paste the questions below, insert your best answers and Email your entry to admin@tristupe(dot)com (i am writing this to stop bots from picking up the email to send spams. Please remove (dot) and replace with ".") 

Please include at the end of your entry

Name:

IC No:

Mailing Address:

Email Address:

Phone:

8. Incomplete entries (meaning no answers and no details per Rules 7) will be disqualified.

9. Key Message PR reserves the right to all final (published) results.

The Questions

Q1: Why is it important to use light, gentle strokes?

A1: 

Q2: Name one of the ways to reduce razor burns.

A2: 

Q3: What is the name of the Gillette campaign launched recently?

A3: 

*tips : Answers can be obtained in this blog post and the blog post yesterday

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Gillette Mach3 "Close Shave. Zero Redness" Challenge

Fahrin Ahmad’s first shave in public!

Gillette launched “Close Shave. ZERO Redness” Challenge

Petaling Jaya, 27^th November 2014 – Post shaving redness is a common problem and typically, few make a fuss. Despite the high number of men experiencing redness, the majority claim to be satisfied with their current shaving regime. This suggests that both men and their partners live with the misconception that redness is an unavoidable consequence of a close shave.

Today, Gillette called for men to stand up to post shave redness and challenged men to say NO to shaving redness by using a razor that is tried and tested for ZERO REDNESS. To support this claim, Gillette is offering a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE for any customer who is not satisfied with the performance of the Gillette MACH3 product!

The Gillette “Close Shave. Zero Redness” Challenge launched today, was to educate men that redness is not an inevitable consequence of a close shave and can be avoided by using the right razors.

In an online global survey conducted by Gillette across 14 countries, it was found that shaving redness leaves a significant number of men feeling less confident and impacts the way they communicate and interact with those closest to them.

Having been at the technological forefront of shaving for generations, Gillette knows that post shave redness is not an everyday shaving inevitability. Redness on the face is typically the result of skin irritation from a poor shave, and the quality of a shave depends on the quality of a razor’s blades.

Gillette “Close Shave. Zero Redness” Challenge Launch Event

The star-studded launch of the “Close Shave. Zero Redness” Challenge was presented by Gillette and supported by Guardian Malaysia.

Ean, radio announcer of hitzfm hosted the event with guests Fahrin Ahmad and Fizz Fairuz, popular Malaysian actors, who gamely participated in the Challenge live on-stage, much to the delight of the audience. Both Fahrin and Fizz were required to shave one side of their face with a Gillette disposable razor and the other side, with the Gillette MACH3 razor.

After a live shaving demo, both Fahrin and Fizz agreed that with the disposable razor, they had to shave several times at the same spot and could feel irritation and tightness on their skin immediately. But with the Gillette MACH3, shaving was effortless.

Fahrin added: “The Gillette MACH3 gave me a much closer shave and my skin felt very smooth and with no irritation at all!”

Present at the launch was Encik Zulhaimi Abdul Hamid, Communications Leader, P&G Malaysia & Singapore, and Ms Tor Woan Ni, Concourse Manager for Guardian Malaysia.

Gillette MACH3

The blades of Gillette MACH3 are developed to reduce pressure on the skin and result in a clean, close shave in a single stroke, reducing the cause of shaving irritation and redness. Gillette MACH3 razor combines shaving technologies that work together as a manual system to deliver a close, comfortable shave. 

Gillette MACH3 Standard is an advanced razor that provides a closer shave, and guarantees zero redness. Tried and tested, its nano thin blades are progressively aligned to extend gradually closer to the hair, resulting in a close shave in a single stroke. The blades are individually spring mounted to automatically adjust to different levels of shaving pressure and skin types. A front-pivoting head ensures the razor moves fluidly over the face. All of these functions help reduce the pressure of the blades on the skin; guaranteeing a close and more comfortable shave with zero redness.

Gillette MACH3 Turbo shaving system adds significant performance enhancements to MACH3’s breakthrough technologies. Advanced Anti-Friction blades reduce the cutting force needed to slice through hair. An ultra-soft protective skin guard with thinner microfins engages beard hair and stretches the skin more effectively. The result is the closest and most comfortable shave with less irritation, even when shaving against the grain.

Gillette MACH3 Sensitive is an advanced razor designed for men who want a close shave with more comfort – great performance even on sensitive skin. This razor combines Gillette’s best triple blade technology with an enhanced lubrastrip that has a touch of Aloe Vera to release more lubrication with every stroke and help the blades glide easily with more comfort even on the most sensitive areas of the face.

For more information on the Gillette “Zero Redness” Challenge and terms and conditions of the Money Back Guarantee, please visit www.facebook.com/GilletteMalaysia or

call 1 800 883 957.

Pricing as follows:

Gillette MACH3 Standard	RM13.90
Gillette MACH3 Turbo	RM15.90
Gillette MACH3 Sensitive	RM15.90

ps - if you read until this far, I have a surprise contest for you tomorrow ;-) Stay tuned!

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Press Release : Get ready for the first Men's Health & Women's Health Night Run

Kuala Lumpur, 28 November 2014

The wait is finally over! The much anticipated Men’s Health  Night Run is returning—with a twist. 
Kicking off on 21 March 2015  (Saturday) at Presint 3, Dataran  Putrajaya, we’ll be celebrating the 
launch issue of our sister magazine Women’s Health Malaysia on the same night. Limited to 7,000 entries registration begins online on www.hooha.asia on 1 December 2014 and closes on 21 February 2015 at midnight.

The very first Men’s Health & Women’s Health Night Run lets you work up a sweat while taking in the fantastic lights and sights of Putrajaya amidst friendly camaraderie. Here’s also your chance to take part in fun activities and walk away with awesome prizes.

The participation fee is RM55 for Non-Competitive Category—Fun Run 5km (18 years and above), and RM65 for all Competitive Categories—Men’s Open 12km (18 years and above), Men’s Veteran 12km (40 years and above), Women’s Open 12km (18 years and above) and Women’s Veteran (40 years and above). 

An exciting goodie bag including a Karrimor high-performance running tee await each participant and fantastic prizes will be awarded to the top three category finishers in the Men’s and Women’s Competitive Categories. All participants will receive a runner’s kit and a certificate will be given to every race finisher upon completion of the run. 

The event is proudly organised by Mongoose Publishing and co-organised by Twenty First Century Sports.

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Press Release : The One and The One for Men Collector’s Edition

Dolce&Gabbana celebrates the timeless elegance of The One and The One for Men with a powerful Collector’s Edition: The One interpreted in Dolce&Gabbana iconic red and The One for Men in deep rich brown.

This duo of fragrances emulates their wearers -the enigmatic woman of fierce yet sparkling splendour, and the man whose sophistication commands the attention of all around him - proving The One’s unique character, which denotes this Collector’s Edition capsule.

The Character of the Collector’s Edition

The One Collector’s Edition takes inspiration from the iconic symbols treasured by the Designers. Each flacon bears the imprint of a gold coin, a strong motif in the Dolce&Gabbana’s fashion collection for 2014 representing a journey of discovery of ancient Sicily and the Greek culture that lies deep within its history. The profile of mythical Greek gods are emblazoned upon the coin, a female for The One and a male for The One for Men: representing wisdom, courage and intelligence. They personify the voyage to Sicily’s roots and capture the spirit of The One Collector’s Edition, crossing between reality and surrealism.

The colours of the solid lacquered flacons were selected to epitomise the fragrances’ characteristics: The Dolce&Gabbana red for The One is a symbol of ultimate luxury, and The One for Men in deep brown evokes a regal richness which completes the jewel-toned set of this Collector’s Edition.

The fragrance

Like the woman who wears it, the strength and uniqueness of The One fragrance come from contrast. The rich Oriental Floral perfume opens with a sparkling and modern interpretation of fresh top notes of zesty Bergamot and Mandarin combined with juicy Lychee and Peach.

The journey to the heart of the fragrance follows into the timeless scent of the Madonna Lily with its voluptuous intensity and enveloping femininity.

The fragrance finally unfolds to reveal a deep and sensual base of rich Vanilla and resinous Ambery notes combined with smooth Musky notes to leave a lingering presence.

The One for Men is a concentrate of elegance and sensuality: a fragrance that is classic and modern, vibrant and engaging. An Oriental Spicy perfume which is developed from the harmony of Tobacco notes and refined spices.

The vibrant elegance of the top notes comes from the mouth watering combination of Grapefruit, Coriander and Basil. Spicy and warm notes of Cardamom and Ginger drive the strong sensual signature, which over time yields to the authentic masculinity of the deep dry down of Tobacco and Ambery notes along with Cedarwood.

The line up

Dolce&Gabbana The One Collector’s Edition 50ml RM348

Dolce&Gabbana The One Collector’s Edition 75ml RM463

Dolce&Gabbana The One for Men Collector’s Edition 50ml RM222

Dolce&Gabbana The One for Men Collector’s Edition 100ml RM308

Dolce&Gabbana The One and The One for Men Collector’s Edition will be available nationwide in November 2014.

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Lifeline-ID : Companion ID Review

I ordered myself and wifey a set of Lifeline-ID Companion about 2 weeks ago and got it delivered the week after (as the manufacturer are very spot on with the timing). The decision to get this on top of the Lifeline-ID Pro I have is because I wanted some level of redundancy. The Pro is superb for everyday use; but for swimming or racing, it adds a bit of drag in water and in the case of Ironman where bands are given out, I ended up wearing more than 4 bands!

The Companion and the bands

Priced at RM46 for the tag and choices of 3-color band, it is affordable and versatile to be used as long as you can secure the loops onto something fixed. The real intend is of course for it to be used on a sports watch, or any watch with straps.

On my 910XT

They say the real test of the product is to use it as it is intended to. With the Companion strapped to my 910XT, i went for a run or two. What I was looking for is how the strap holds on a normal run. Also, to see if it will cause any discomfort.

After a 7km run

As the Companion is about 1.3inches in length and with the strap makes it about 1.5inches, the worry is on smaller wrist person. My wrist as a guidance and you can see it took up the 8th slot. However, do not be overly worried as It can also be fitted on the other side where the buckle resides without any issues.

Pros
- Smaller and more compact.
- lighter
- work best with sports watch
- flexible loop that are able to be stretched rather large-loop
Cons
- too long that it may not fit smaller wrist nicely
- if you are hairy, not sure if it will catch your hair and pull when you remove the watch

I will test the durability of the strap for the next few months being exposed to the different element. Being Silicon, I do not expect the strap to show much degradation except if i nick it against something sharp. For that, I would need to be very careful.

Note: This set of Lifeline-ID is self-bought by me. Lifeline-ID is a collaborator with Team 2ndSkin and the decision to buy this is personal choice. The Companion retails online at RM46 and comes with 3-different color band to choose. Get them at www.lifeline-id.com

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Boardman AiR 9.8 TT - The Beginning

After a good 7 years of using the Orbea Ordu, I've made a very difficult decision, and a costly one, to replace her for something that may potentially provide me for better more efficient cycling.

The chance to own a full-fledged world winner TT bike was just too hard to ignore. More so when the bike is just super sexy with the curves that are hard to beat. Dare you say this bike is not sexy enough? This bike is so rare that owning one is a collector's dream by itself.

As they say, all good things has to come to an end; and it has been pretty much delayed. There is nothing wrong with the bike. She rides beautifully, climbs wonderfully, speed fantastically. Underwent a few upgrades along the way from the groupset (though it's a combination from anything 105 to Durace, from year 2006 to 2012). 

The main reason for this change is the size. I've been riding a bike that is a size or three too big for me.

Photo from Swim Bike Run Singapore during Ironman 2014 Malaysia at Langkawi.

Look at the photo above and you will see how much I am tip-toeing on the down stroke. It is something that I've made my body gotten accustomed that my cycling bio-mechanic works with the Ordu. My biggest issue is that the seat is at the minimal height and can't go any lower. Compare this with photo with this guidance setting of a Optimal Bike Fit from BikeSplit.com

Click for full specs

I am at the extreme of "seat too high". After savings for that many years and after turning down a few offer for a better fitted bike (at $$$), I was linked up with Hee Hong Cycle by a friend and was told that I could potentially own a Boardman AiR 9.8 TT frame at a good price. To put on record, Bike Elementz, the distributor for Boardman in Malaysia, has also offered me the same, but a full bike instead. 

I am all about a a good bargain. Hee Hong's owner, Mr. Koh (or Ah Siang as he is known) were gracious enough to let me have a chance to be part of the Boardman family at an offer I can't resist (and by that meant the discount quantum is confidential).  

After speaking to Ah Siang and evaluating the parts I have on my Orbea Ordu, It is possible for me to transfer almost everything over to the Boardman.
I know what some of you are thinking - new swanky tech frame, and using old parts? 

The whole cockpit aka the HED Delta wing will be transferred over to the Boardman AiR 9.8 TT. This alone saved me close to RM2K. The rear derailleur (Durace 2006), the front derailleur (105 2009), chain (Durace 2014) will be transferred over together with the pedal (105 2012). The Frame comes with integrated brakes, so that is money saved as well.

A composite of my old Ultegra 2006 crank and the newer 105 2012 crank

The crank is the only thing not coming over. Shimano bottom bracket or BB (Ultegra 2014) can't come over as the Shimano system is 24mm instead of the 30mm required by Boardman frame. Oversized BB offer stiffer ride and better power transfer. The only one available for this are the SRAM and FSA cranks. 

Lucky for me, Ah Siang has his older FSA Force Crank (53-39 combo, circa 2012) that he will provide FOC to me. This takes away the need for the BB24 to BB30 adapter. Best thing about this? It is a 170mm crank arm, which meant better fitting for me instead of the 172.5mm I am currently using. If you wondered what is the differences, the main point is the ergonomic, secondly I will be able or have to spin at slightly higher cadence. This may allow for more efficient pedalling over a longer distance instead of having to rely only on raw torque.

I was tempted to upgrade to SRAM Red with Q-Ring...but that would set me back another RM2K...which I decided to use what I have until nearer to race day (IMMY2015).

Last equation to the parts is the wheel set. The Zipp 1080 and 808 I acquired from another friend will complete the bike. With the 12-28 (Tiagra 2014) gearing, this TT setup will be good on the flat and ride like a boss up hill.

Having shared all the above, ever wondered how the AiR 9.8 looked like? To start with, the frameset (frame and fork) weight in at 1.25kg. How is that to start the ball rolling?

As it turned out, I will need a XS size with 500mm BB to seat post length. This will then allow for the seating to be near perfect (as there are nothing perfect in this world I must say). 

The 9.8's Road Bike frames

I visited H2C again on Saturday, there was one 9.8 TT setup for another friend that will ride the XS size. I went on top of it and felt, for the very first time, how a correctly sized frame feels...

I can't wait for it to be ready. 

I promise to write more and show more photos once the AiR 9.8 TT is ready. 

As for the Ordu, she is a keeper. I may consider to turn her into a Fixie (a very expensive one!) and use it for my training on the trainer. However, never know if she will be up for sale one day. 

Note : The above has been made possible thanks to Hee Hong Cycle or H2C. They are the authorised distributor of Boardman bikes in Malaysia. The frameset of AiR 9.8 TT retails at RM9500.00. To view the complete bike or other Boardman bikes, head over to H2C by clicking here. 

Opinion in this write up is my own and not influenced by H2C or Boardman. 

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Garmin 920XT Available Soon In Malaysia

The ever reliable Garmin 910XT will soon see a new upgraded version in the much anticipated 920XT. Many of you would know how well the 910XT works for me in my races since owning it the past 2 years. I've written extensively on the 910XT in this blog and the link is available here:

Garmin Forerunner 910xt [Full Review][Quick Release Strap][GPS Signal][Shakedown]

Since the last write up on the 910XT, i've stopped using the QR strap (it broke before my IM 2014) and I had it repaired under extended warranty for rubber housing leakage (at power button). Expected for the wear and tear as I've clocked in no less than 5000km using the 910XT for both training and races. 

The New 920XT

Pic : Garmin Website

With splash of color and an overhauled casing. One look you will realised the fully rubberised casing is now with individual press button ala Fenix and Fenix 2. The next obvious change is color display on the 920XT. It is now thinner compared to 910xt by a good 3mm. Clear reduction in overall size and weight as well - which may appeal to those with smaller wrist. With a tighter package, the display obviously shrunk as well. I rather like the huge face of the 910XT as it allows me to view all 4-metric at one glance. 

Not Just Physical

As the unit is not in Malaysia yet, and there is no clear indication if I will obtain one for testing or will be able to afford one (hey, selling my 910XT seems to be an option???), I ran through the Garmin website and check the features out. 

In the heart of the watch is the GPS function which include GLONASS, which meant the capability to utilise the Russian satellites together with the US (GPS) satellites for a more accurate location and speed of locking. In short, the 920XT has access to 24 GPS satellites and 24 GLONASS satellites!

Here is my summary to help you along and decide if the 920XT is worth the upgrade from the 910XT.

Swim Features

No changes to what is already in 910XT.

Bike and Run Features

No changes to what is already in 910XT

On one look, it doesn't seems that there is a major overhaul where the basic swim, bike and run functions resides. That is a good thing as Garmin is not fixing anything that is already working superbly well.

Pic : Garmin Website

As you look at level of features deeper, the addition to the running features are the incorporation of the Garmin 620 I reviewed here that includes VO2max predictor, race predictor, accelerometer for treadmill use etc. In short, the whole "running dynamic" features.

Going one step up, the 920XT even include what the Vivofit could do like steps counting, sleep quality, daily goal settings. 

Then Garmin throw in the battery capability of Fenix/Fenix2 to have the UltraTrac and upped the battery performance of the 920XT to 40hours (Ultratrac) or up to 24hours in "training mode" (which often meant in race mode as well) and 4-months if used just as a watch on a single charge. 

And lastly, to make this "wearable", full watch functions including dual-time, alarm and calendar is included. 

For a full comparison of the 910XT and 920XT, click on the link here and get all nerdy with the features like I just did in this blog entry.

Worth it?

The functionality for multi-sports, with the capability of 620 and Vivofit, throw in the battery life of Fenix2, I can already see many 620 and 910XT being sold as second hand unit when the unit launch in Malaysia. Price wise is unknown at this point, but if the indication on Garmin website is to be consistent after tax, expect the Garmin 920XT to be about RM200 more than the top range (now) Fenix2 or 910XT.

Yes, I am excited.

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