VeloBuild VB-R-268 frame

[2Burgen]

IMHO the headset should be held together by the stem and nut by the plug. So that would be the bad part. In the 90'ies so would remove the starnut and the cover to save weight.

[SillyMochi]

No, the top cap and bold are "just" to pre-load the headset bearings. Once you tighten the stem bolts, those will be holding it all in place.

Technically, you could still remove the top cap and bolt, like you did in the 90s. Would still not recommend, since it leaves you with an ugly hole and potentially water/dirt ingress

[trytogo]

Mehhhh more problems, headset is also loose after more rides.

Considering, stripping the parts frame and getting something else at this point.

[pearl]

Mehhhh more problems, headset is also loose after more rides.

Considering, stripping the parts frame and getting something else at this point.

What size? I may be interested.

[2Burgen]

Rode 80 km today and everything is tight. I have hope.

[RasmusWH]

Now done with my second 268 build. This time the bike is for me.

Frame: Velobuild 268 size 56, color: blue chameleon with glossy black inside of fork and rear triangle
Bar/stem: Velobuild integrated 100/400 mm.
Saddle: Ryet 3D mesh (Pro Stealth II knock off)
Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 R7150, 52/36 - 11-34. 170 mm.
Wheels: EliteWheels Edge Gravel 45 mm. 24 mm internal, 31 mm external
Tyres: Continental GrandPrix 5000 in 28 mm (measure 29,5 mm on the wide rims)
Tubes: RideNow TPU 36g

Weight 7,75 kg w/o pedals.

Thoughts
Happy with the overall result. Had problems with installing the SL7-headset expander plug I bought, so will try a normal 80 mm instead, right now I just fitted the included expander plug. Saddle rails are too high (11 mm) for the clamps so the fit is not great. Might try to sand the rails down a bit. Perhaps I should have gone a bit deeper on the wheels, but wanted to try a wide set, and couldn't get them deeper than 45 mm.

[Apone]

Since I am 1,90 m tall and was allways riding a 58 I went with a 58. Reach is 10 mm more than my old bike so I took a 1 cm shorter stem with 110 mm.

I worked out.

What is your bottom bracket to seat height?

[JerenK]

Nice build. I'm not impressed with the included headset-plug, if it keeps getting loose I would try with a longer one.

Its garbage i bought a better one from pro its 30 euro. Also got that as tip from somebody else on the forum. My boke is almost done.

[JerenK]

Anybody replaced the headset bearings and spacers with original SL7 ones?!

Or any other brand?

[Greenred]

Is this a knock-of frame? Wondering as I wouldn’t want to go with that anymore (168 being the sl7 as a comparison)

[Serge_K]

Is this a knock-of frame? Wondering as I wouldn’t want to go with that anymore (168 being the sl7 as a comparison)

VB doesn't sell fakes, but they often sell (arguably) clones. The 268 is a better version of the 168. If the 168 looks like a SL7 to you, then voila. Technically and from memory, i dont think the geometry of the 168 matches exactly the SL7. Clearly though, it's heavily inspired from it.
A fake pretends to be what it isn't, with fake logos and so on. that's illegal in many jurisdictions.
What we refer to as clone is something that looks like the real one, but may or may not differ in some ways, is never sold with the logos, comes from a reputable seller and not some dubious aliexpress seller, and so on.

If you're concerned that this looks like an SL7 but isn't, there's been such a convergence of bike frame because of aerodynamics within UCI rules, that most bikes tend to look alike. The van rysel (not the new aero one) looks a lot like an SL7, but i could list another 10 that look very similar.

[Greenred]

I like the line of thoughts Serge - thank you.
I agree vb is not a fake, what I wanted to say was the heavily inspired geo and tube shapes that are close to a direct copy except the painting and minor details. Now looking at the 268, I spotted a couple of further differences vs the original… I like it

[agd12]

Received my frame this week - overall positive impression, some minor imperfections in the paint that I can live with. Brake caliper mounts were not properly faced after painting (if at all), will need some work. Did anyone else attempt to resolve without dedicated (expensive...) tooling? Still awaiting delivery of wheels which are a few weeks out, so can't verify caliper fitment yet.

No, its velobuilds own design. (if that's a good or a bad thing, that's up for you to judge. I used a Deda 70mm Expander and a modified compression ring from the SL8 on my VB)

I found that my steerer internal diameter is only approximately Ø22,3-22,6mm - too small for the Deda 70mm expander to fit (requiring >23,5mm). Seems like most readily available alternatives require >23-23,5mm. Anyone else have experience with this? Perhaps the steerer has an inconsistent thickness, will figure out as I cut it down.

I am BTW modeling/mocking-up a 3D-printed spacer/transition piece between the stock headset dust cover and the SL7 stem. Think it can work and look decent enough.

[joegal]

I found that my steerer internal diameter is only approximately Ø22,3-22,6mm - too small for the Deda 70mm expander to fit (requiring >23,5mm). Seems like most readily available alternatives require >23-23,5mm. Anyone else have experience with this? Perhaps the steerer has an inconsistent thickness, will figure out as I cut it down.

I had a same issue with the deda Expander plug on my 168.
Took off quite a bit of material of the lower part of the expander (and also from the diameter of the upper part, to make sure it could sit flush with the steerer tube). Just took a few minutes of sanding. If you dont have a lathe, use a bolt and chuck those parts in a drill and then sand them to spec.
And i also used that rough clamping tube of the expander to ghetto-ream the steerer tube.

But once it fut

[JerenK]

SRAM RIVAL/Force 2x12

No really big building issues.

Seat clamp is a little lose any solves on that? I put in very much carbon paste LOL.

Headset tube is getting a replace for a better one from PRO.

Tommorow or this evening im going for a small ride.