Recommendations for aggressive Aero frame with thru axles and disc brake mounts?

[Anders_MUC]

Happy New Year to you all!

I'm considering to replace my 14 year old road bike, and been checking the Chinese carbon makers' websites for quite some time now. But I haven't yet found the frame that gives me a "that's what I want" feeling. Maybe you guys can help...

I'm coming from a 2004 Giant OCR Zero, size XL (60 cm). 120 mm stem, slammed to lowest position. I've gotten used to an aero position and aim for a frame with a stack to reach ratio well under 1,50, preferably 1,45 or even lower at the front.

What else is important? Thru axles. Mounts for hydraulic disc brakes. Enough clearance to mount beefy 28 mm tires, because I do encounter dirt roads on a regular basis (no need for a "gravel bike" though, 28 mm slicks are just fine).

I don't care about frame weight. Aero design is a nice to have, but definitely not mandatory. I prefer a long and stable geometry over short and nimble.

Thank you!

[Midwest-MTBer]

Keep me posted if you find something that works. Canyon has the aeroad disk and it looks pretty much ideal. Not sure if it can fit a 28mm tire though. If you find something affordable let me know. Otherwise I guess it’s just a waiting game for a used one!

[Anders_MUC]

I got lucky in the waiting game.

Found a used Giant TCR Advanced Disc close to me, 2017 model, great condition, very reliable seller. And that thing FLYS! The improvement over my old bike is enormous. Most likely it doesn't fit 28s though, but that's a point I am willing to accept in this package. The clearance for the width of the tires is there, but the seat post is so close to the rear wheel that the height of the tire is limited. I might try if it can accomodate 28s some day, but I expect that a set of tubeless 25s on wide rims is the better choice. Kudos to Giant for including tubeless ready alloy rims in their standard package!

I can take my time now to find a nice set of Chinese carbon wheels and probably try a Chinese carbon handlebar - if I dare.

[Midwest-MTBer]

Sounds awesome! I’ve had no issues with my Chinese carbon rims or handlebars. I’d highly suggest ordering from Peter. He’s got great customer service.

[Anders_MUC]

I've seen some Youtube reviews for integrated carbon stem/handlebar units from China, and some were pretty easy to bend. That gor me worried.

I'm not a small guy at well over 1,80 m and can put some force on my handlebar when I go out of the saddle. I'm tempted to try an integrated stem/handlebar unit, but it only makes sense for me if it's stiffer or more comfortable than the (already good!) stock unit on my Giant TCR. I'm thankful for any experiences or pointers to specific units.

Regarding carbon wheels, it is of course tempting to find a replacement for the sturdy, but heavy Giant PR-2 wheels. They are said to weigh 1900 g. If I go down that road, tubeless ready rims are a given for me, and I would also opt for a rather deep profile (in the range of 45 mm or more). Wide profile rims (up to 28 mm) with U shape and disc only design (no braking surface) are also on my wishlist. And I do believe that hookless wheels are to be preferred over conventional hooked rims. A wheelset weight of 1500-1600 g seems fair.

How about an asymmetric rim profile? Does this offer significant advantages with rather narrow road rims?
(I do have asymmetric rims on my XC mountain bike wheelset, but these rims are 38 mm wide. Quite a step up from road rims with not more than 25..28 mm width.)

[carbonazza]

Regarding carbon wheels, it is of course tempting to find a replacement for the sturdy, but heavy Giant PR-2 wheels. They are said to weigh 1900 g. If I go down that road, tubeless ready rims are a given for me, and I would also opt for a rather deep profile (in the range of 45 mm or more). Wide profile rims (up to 28 mm) with U shape and disc only design (no braking surface) are also on my wishlist. And I do believe that hookless wheels are to be preferred over conventional hooked rims. A wheelset weight of 1500-1600 g seems fair.

I think I looked for hookless road rims for my recent gravel build, but found only clinchers.
The pressure on road bikes is much higher than MTB or car tires.
And do not worry that much, carbon rims are sturdy too

How about an asymmetric rim profile? Does this offer significant advantages with rather narrow road rims?
(I do have asymmetric rims on my XC mountain bike wheelset, but these rims are 38 mm wide. Quite a step up from road rims with not more than 25..28 mm width.)

Asymmetric is just to have a more balanced tension between left and right spokes on dished wheels.
Its effect will be the same on a wide or narrow rim.

[mtbluvr68]

I like the look of the dengfu 308, road disc with max 28C tire,  prefer to go to a 30 or more tire, the carbonda gravel looks good to but the dengfu would be good for road ride and race. 
http://m.dengfubikes.com/index.php?s=/103.html