ICAN X-Gravel Build Advice

[hadero]

Hi everyone. I've been inspired to build rather than buy a new gravel bike. I'm reasonably well versed in servicing my current road bike but have never undertaken a full build from scratch, especially when it comes to component selection, compatibility and so on.

Would someone mind taking a look over my proposed build below and advising on any glaring incompatiblities, as well as whether there are any component choices I've made that should be avoided/swapped.

Frameset (Frame/Fork/Seat Post):
ICAN X-Gravel Bike Frame
56cm UD Matte
https://icancycling.com/products/x-gravel-bike-frameset?variant=39360328237134

Groupset (Rear Derailleur, Shifters, Chain, Cassette):
SENSAH SRX PRO 1x12 Speed
11-46T 12S Cassette
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004702786544.html

Crankset (Crank, Bottom Bracket, Chainring):
ZRACE RX
172.5mm, 42T, DUB-BSA
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002782824040.html

Brakes (Calipers/Rotors):
ZRACE BR-005 Black 140 140 Rotor
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003563502587.html

Wheels:
ELITEWHEELS ENT GRAVEL
35mm Depth, 32mm Width, ENT 6 Bolt Lock
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003801034467.html

Handlebar:
UNO FL12 Gravel Bike Handlebar
31.8x420mm
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004636084449.html

Tyres, Stem, Bar Tape, Saddle and Pedals I already have or will be sourced locally. Tyres I'm undecided on but looking for circa 38mm width.

Further down the line, I'd like to upgrade to a power meter. Is the crank compatible with either of these?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004037838759.html (BCD110)
https://www.sram.com/en/quarq/models/pm-dz-spdr-d1

My main areas of concern that I want to be certain on are the cassette and wheel compatiblity (i.e. is the freehub body on the wheels correct for the 12s cassette), and possibly a steel axle crank would be preferred but I don't know if this is a non issue being alloy but 28.99mm.

Aside from the parts above, which I assume come with all required mounting hardware, do I still need to aquire cables/outers/terminations? Am I missing anything?

Thank you very much for your time!

[TidyDinosaur]

I have the same groupset (11s) and brakes. And my advise would be to NOT go down that path and spent a little more to get for instance a GRX 600 groupset. You can get a crank and cassette from Ali but get the brifters / calipers and derailleur from a reputable brand like shimano or SRAM.

[hadero]

I have the same groupset (11s) and brakes. And my advise would be to NOT go down that path and spent a little more to get for instance a GRX 600 groupset. You can get a crank and cassette from Ali but get the brifters / calipers and derailleur from a reputable brand like shimano or SRAM.

Thanks for your reply. What in particular do you not like about the groupset? My budget is already quite stretched but I could perhaps upgrade down the line?

[NoGrip61]

My main areas of concern that I want to be certain on are the cassette and wheel compatiblity (i.e. is the freehub body on the wheels correct for the 12s cassette), and possibly a steel axle crank would be preferred but I don't know if this is a non issue being alloy but 28.99mm.

Aside from the parts above, which I assume come with all required mounting hardware, do I still need to aquire cables/outers/terminations? Am I missing anything?

Typically, a 12s cassette will need the 'new' XD or microspline freehub*.  Most 7-11 speed cassettes use the standard HG freehub, but I think some newer 11s cassettes use the XD Hub.  I would confirm with the brand which freehub it takes, and then make sure to order the correct freehub with your wheels; I think Elite charges a little extra for the XD freehub.

Yes, sometimes the brakes will come with lines, which is nice, but otherwise, a shift cable set will be needed.  I would recommend the Jagwire Elite kit.  For internal routing, I asked them about minimum bend radii for each type of housing, and this was their reply <see below image>.



*there is an outlier that uses the standard HG Hub driver: the SRAM PG1230, but that's an 11-50T mtb cassette.

[acedeuce802]

There's plenty of 12 speed cassettes that use the HG 11 speed hub, including the one in the groupset linked in the OP.

[hadero]

Yes, I verified with the seller that the 12 speed cassette used the HG hub.

Now considering the SENSAH SRX PRO 11 speed with the improved chain stabilizer

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/20000003823990.html

But stuck deciding between 11-46 or 11-42. With 42, 44 or 46 at the front.

I'm thinking this bike will be a sort of "fast tourer". Mainly flat terrain. What do we think?

Edit: But to be honest the cassettes/chains are cheap enough, I would be open to getting a couple and swapping depending on the trip. E.g a 11-42/44 most of the time but say an 11-50 if I know I'm going somewhere hilly

[Linsook]

I went 1x11 sensah srx older model for my gravel build.  44 up front 9-42 rear on XDR hub.  The ZRace RX crankset is nice, solid build but I had issues with it's spacing.  Got it to work but it's not perfect IMO.  Not sure if they fixed in newer silent releases. I tried the Senicx GR2 (uses a preload ring) for another build and prefer it over the ZRace RX. 

[hadero]

I went 1x11 sensah srx older model for my gravel build.  44 up front 9-42 rear on XDR hub.  The ZRace RX crankset is nice, solid build but I had issues with it's spacing.  Got it to work but it's not perfect IMO.  Not sure if they fixed in newer silent releases. I tried the Senicx GR2 (uses a preload ring) for another build and prefer it over the ZRace RX.

Thanks for your reply. Nice looking build. That's good to know about the ZRace, the only reason I chose it over a Senicx was that I could hopefully swap the crank for a power meter for something like this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004037838759.html

Do you think the ZRace spacing problems could be overcome with the correct spacers or an aftermarket preload ring (if compatible)?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003308072016.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003873595578.html

Or do you think the GR2 is definitely the way to go?

Curious how you are getting on with your gearing. I'm still undecided on 44 or 42 at the front and 11-42 or 11-46 at the back. How are you finding it on the low and high end? I was leaning towards the 11-42 for tighter spacing but unsure if that would have left me without as many climbing gears.

[svanimpe]

I also had a spacing issue with that ZRACE crank. IIRC, the issue was that I could not get enough preload to remove the slack, without overtightening the crank. I solved it by adding a wave washer to take up the slack.

With regards to gear ratio's, I am a relatively low power cyclist (FTP around 2.6W/kg), so I prefer a lowest gear that's smaller than 1:1, so I can keep my cadence above 70RPM on climbs.

[hadero]

I also had a spacing issue with that ZRACE crank. IIRC, the issue was that I could not get enough preload to remove the slack, without overtightening the crank. I solved it by adding a wave washer to take up the slack.

With regards to gear ratio's, I am a relatively low power cyclist (FTP around 2.6W/kg), so I prefer a lowest gear that's smaller than 1:1, so I can keep my cadence above 70RPM on climbs.

Got it. Think it'll just be luck of the draw/trial and error so perhaps I'll get an assortment of spacers/spring washers ordered.

Yes I'm similar to you power wise, so think the 11-46 will be a wiser choice. With the 44T I'll have just below a 1:1 on the low end but still be able to top out at 4:1 on the 11T at the back.

Worse case scenario, a spare 42T chainring is pretty inexpensive and will give me a slightly easier gear, which might become necessary as I load equipment onto the bike
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003379620706.html

Issues aside, I still think I'd prefer to opt for the ZRACE crank (instead of one from SENICX) as the spindle is thicker and I prefer that it can come apart into more pieces (e.g. for the chainring swap above or a power meter)

[hadero]

Bought the ICAN X-Gravel frame so far. Opted for a gloss finish instead of matte as I think it'll be easier to keep clean. It added a few weeks to the dispatch time so I have some time to consider other components. I'd like to see the verdict on the LTWOO GRT12 1x12.

[TidyDinosaur]

Bought the ICAN X-Gravel frame so far. Opted for a gloss finish instead of matte as I think it'll be easier to keep clean. It added a few weeks to the dispatch time so I have some time to consider other components. I'd like to see the verdict on the LTWOO GRT12 1x12.

If I were you I would seriously consider the 1x11 Shimano GRX groupet instead. After fooling around with a SRX pro group and the ZTTO and BR-05 brakes I myself have decided that these chinese groupsets and brakes are not worth it. I have been shopping around and have assembled the GRX 810 brifters, 105 calipers and GRX 812 derailleur for about 400 eur.

[hadero]

If I were you I would seriously consider the 1x11 Shimano GRX groupet instead. After fooling around with a SRX pro group and the ZTTO and BR-05 brakes I myself have decided that these chinese groupsets and brakes are not worth it. I have been shopping around and have assembled the GRX 810 brifters, 105 calipers and GRX 812 derailleur for about 400 eur.

I tried to look and put those parts together myself

Crank: FC-RX810-1 42T 172.5mm - £119.00
Rear Derailleur: RD-RX812 - £97.00
Rotors: SM-RT70 - 2 x £26.99
Chain: ~£20.00
Bottom Bracket: ~£34.00
Cassette: ~£25.00 (Aliexpress)

Subtotal: £439.91 / ~€400

But then I'm struggling to find any reasonably priced shifters (and calipers, as I mostly find them as bundles)

E.g.
Left brake lever and BR-RX810 caliper 178.99
Right shifter £179.99
Extra RX810 caliper: £53.89

Am I missing a trick somewhere or is this just how much it costs? (~£852.78)

Obviously this would be a much better quality than something from LTWOO, but like for like it's £850 vs about £500

I'd even consider GRX Di2 (rear derailleur is only +£100) but it seems like again, most of the cost is in the brifters. Is this normal?

[TidyDinosaur]

I found the right Shifter and both calipers incl hoses new and never used on second hand sites.
And you can get a generic crank off ali

[coffeebreak]

I'd even consider GRX Di2 (rear derailleur is only +£100) but it seems like again, most of the cost is in the brifters. Is this normal?

Yes. Road/gravel shifters are the most expensive parts in the group (followed by crankset). If you have used market/websites/app look up there for shifters. May take time but that's the best place to save, even better than Aliexpress.