Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!

[coffeebreak]

Yes, Take60 is the coupon to be applied at checkout time.

[Flying Trunk Monkey]

They also have this one for even cheaper ($359) https://www.the-house.com/frstrmb49zz-framed-bikes
Same frame as the Velobuild GF-002

Is it me or does that frame look to be 1x only (no FD mount on the frame from what it appears)? I'm picking up either this one or the discounted CFR696 version but I need 2x for sure. Not too worried about price or finish betwen these two.

I read elsewhere that the geo between the GF-002 and CFR696 is identical. Can someone confirm this?

[coffeebreak]

Is it me or does that frame look to be 1x only (no FD mount on the frme from what it appears)? I'm picking up either this one or the discounted CFR696 version but I need 2x for sure. Not too worried baout orice or finish betwen these two.

I read elsewhere that the geo between the GF-002 and CFR696 is identical. Can someone confirm this?

It indeed seems 1x only. If 2x is a must I wouldn't risk it and go for the 696 copy - since there are no returns/exchanges.

The GF002 from Velobuild comes with FD mount though. I have the GF002 and it turned out to be a really good frame. Stiff but not too aggressive, perfect for me. The geo is very similar to 696 too. When I was shopping back then, I ultimately went with Velobuild because Chris was much faster to respond than Carbonda and pricing was about $150 less. I think going with 696 wouldn't have made a difference. The paint quality of Carbonda is better than VB.

The 696 is rather popular, probably the most popular open mold frame of recent times?
 I just ordered one by the way! So in about 15 days, I think I will be able to note differences between the two, in finer details.

[Tijoe]

Has anyone purchased this fork?   Any issues or problems?   Weight is a bit heavy, but not too bad considering its price.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805054818291.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.746f38da2DJvz6&mp=1&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US

[00Garza]

Has anyone purchased this fork?   Any issues or problems?   Weight is a bit heavy, but not too bad considering its price.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805054818291.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.746f38da2DJvz6&mp=1&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US

Interesting. For $100 I might be willing to experiment if I don't like the ride of my gravel bike after I get it built up. For those with a more keen eye than myself, is this more inspired by suntour, rockshox, or fox gravel fork?

[Flying Trunk Monkey]

quote author=00Garza link=topic=3910.msg44978#msg44978 date=1680644880]
Interesting. For $100 I might be willing to experiment if I don't like the ride of my gravel bike after I get it built up. For those with a more keen eye than myself, is this more inspired by suntour, rockshox, or fox gravel fork?
[/quote]

They don't specify an A-C for that fork but I'd estimate it to be about 450mm. IMO that won't play well with most gravel frames.

...Fox's fork is 430mm IIRC. That's manageable but still about 20mm over the longer range of forks is designed to replace.

[Tijoe]

I did more searching and there appears to be 3 different brands of the same fork.  HASSNS, LUTU, and Race Works.   None of the listings show what the fork/wheel offset is.
I tried to contact the "Beautiful Sheep Store"  Baaa, what a name for a store. (LOL), but for some unknown reason, I can't get a link to work to message them.
(This is one reason I went with a 29er hartail as my suspended gravel grinder, in order to keep the frame geometry correct and not lift up the front of the frame.)

 

[Flying Trunk Monkey]

(This is one reason I went with a 29er hartail as my suspended gravel grinder, in order to keep the frame geometry correct and not lift up the front of the frame.)

In that case this fork is likely way too short. Sus corrected rigid forks typically start around the 390mm.

[Tijoe]

In that case this fork is likely way too short. Sus corrected rigid forks typically start around the 390mm.

Duh,  Of course this fork would be too short.  My 29er has a Rockshox Sid SL Ultimate on it with 100mm travel The frame geometry was designed for a 29er fork with 100mm travel.
The reason I went the 29er route is because not many gravel bikes are designed for front suspension forks, and most can only handle 30mm travel forks before their handling and geometry is affected.

[00Garza]

Not Aliexpress but a company (in the USA) that is going out of business is blowing off Carbonda 696 frames at $400 a pop. If anyone is interested -

https://www.the-house.com/frbcag49766zz-framed-bikes

Only one color choice but it does look fantastic and popular for gravel type bikes. Don't think 696 needs any introduction. I'm close to pull a trigger on one myself.

To avoid confusion - "Take60" is the coupon to be applied at checkout time.

Killer deal. Really thinking of getting this and selling the flyxii I bought. Anyone know what thru axles the 696 uses?

Edit: was able to find pics with dimensions of the axles

Edit: ...and they're sold out of my size.

[coffeebreak]

Oh dang, all sizes were in stock yesterday! Regarding the thru axles, they are the usual 12x100 and 12x142 but not sure if they are included in the package. Sent them a mail but haven't heard anything yet.

[kbernstein]

Oh dang, all sizes were in stock yesterday! Regarding the thru axles, they are the usual 12x100 and 12x142 but not sure if they are included in the package. Sent them a mail but haven't heard anything yet.

Lucky for you I asked an unrelated question that got lost in translation so they sent me the axle dimensions instead... Which I didn't need but I guess it's an up to date spec lol.
https://i.imgur.com/lPfAjaD.png
https://i.imgur.com/8oiyFhJ.png

I think those are Carbonda's own that they updated because they did not use to specify a torque spec.

If you already have a frame and want a third party here you go:
https://aliexpress.com/item/4000493053597.html
The sizes are 12*171*m12 and 12*121*m12

I bought another version with handles and it's not worth it to me. I put my axles with handles for sale and will be upgrading to those when they sell.

[coffeebreak]

Lucky for you I asked an unrelated question that got lost in translation so they sent me the axle dimensions instead... Which I didn't need but I guess it's an up to date spec lol.
https://i.imgur.com/lPfAjaD.png
https://i.imgur.com/8oiyFhJ.png

I think those are Carbonda's own that they updated because they did not use to specify a torque spec.

If you already have a frame and want a third party here you go:
https://aliexpress.com/item/4000493053597.html
The sizes are 12*171*m12 and 12*121*m12

I bought another version with handles and it's not worth it to me. I put my axles with handles for sale and will be upgrading to those when they sell.

This is exactly the information I needed. Many thanks! Also an update from FRAMED - TAs are not included in the package, so one has to source them on their own and despite them being common 12mm axles, the length is very frame specific. You don't want too long or too short axles. I was about to send mail to Carbonda for exactly that reason but you saved the efforts!

Edit- if you are in the USA and willing to ship those TAs I will take them off of your hands. We can talk in the PMs and figure out costs/logistics.

[00Garza]

This is exactly the information I needed. Many thanks! Also an update from FRAMED - TAs are not included in the package, so one has to source them on their own and despite them being common 12mm axles, the length is very frame specific. You don't want too long or too short axles. I was about to send mail to Carbonda for exactly that reason but you saved the efforts!

I searched Basswood on the "The House" site and found a Basswood rear axle, but no pic to verify if its the correct one. And yeah it appears no axles, headset, or seatpost collar are included. Just frame and fork.

[coffeebreak]

Right, frame and fork only. Same with Carbonda too, you have to pay for axles, headset etc though I think they do include seatpost in the cost. I am going to use a spare post, gold clamp, gold top cap all remnants from my VB GF002 build last year that I ended up not using either because the stuff that came with frame was actually pretty good or just didn't fit, like the top cap.