Great thread for someone like me who is not only ordering a bike frame from China for the first time, but its also my first bike build. So theres been some helpful info here.
I think the time is right for a self build as it seems the quality from China suppliers is now reliable if you do your research, and the prices are still very reasonable.
I think its in that sweet spot right now. A bit like Skoda 15 years ago. They were a well built car using VW parts, but at a fraction of the cost.
Great value up to about 5 years ago when their reputation caught up to them and now they are still building decent cars, but the value is not there anymore due to their price increase.
I suspect at some point the same will happen here and the parts etc will rise in price as their quality and reliability builds their customer base. Now seems a good time to get onboard.
I'm ordering direct with TanTan and so far communication has been good. Most toing and froing has been with regard to the color.
Color:
A surprisingly complicated exchange for so many reasons. I'm after a red that I've seen on some other builds, but getting info on the correct YS color code is difficult.
The person I was dealing with kindly took photos of the catalogue and sent me 15 pages. Gives a good idea of the colors – but its still a photograph of small sample sizes taken under indoor lighting, so hard to be 100% sure. Especially if metallic etc. And I'm not even sure if every color is an option. A decent page on the TanTan website of a seat post with each of the colors would be awesome.
1X System:
I've been on a Canyon Grail CF SL8 (with DD bars) for the last few years and I love it. BUT I have always wanted to do a self build. And as good as the Grail is, the non-standard nature of everything on it makes it an frustrating own sometimes as you can't do much adjusting and addition. Its a bike with an aggressive geometry that I have done 180km sportives comfortably, handling all climbs and keeping up with groups on the flats – but another cog on the flats to slow my cadence a little would be ideal. I'm happy with my position on it. And it would prob still be my go to bike for anything that demanded reliabity until the new build gets my confidence.
So the GR201 seems the perfect bike for me. Aggressive style, mounting points more in line with the Grizl (which is great) and standard headset and seat tube for unlimited options + the bonus of the frame storage.
BUT I'm keen to switch to 1x system for a number of reasons and so I want/need a big ring on the front. Currently on 48/31 – 11/34. A fantastic range for me. At 80KG I need that climbing gear here in Ireland, but I have the power for the flats when needed, if I have the gear.
The Grail gives me a .91 Climbing ratio and a 4.36 Flat ratio.
For the GR201
An 11/46 on the rear with a 46 front would give me 1.0 and 4.18 ratios. So shaving a bit on both ends
A 10/51 on the rear with a 44 front would give .86 and 4.4 (almost a match)
A 10/51 and 46 would give .90 and 4.6 (Improving on both ends)
I know its a bit more complicated than that with the steps/gaps inbetween the extremes, but I thought it was a minimum starting point to consider.
But I have no idea what the frame will accommodate and even if it “fits” how smooth and relatively hassle free the experience will be. Will it be noisy? Require constant adjustment? Wear parts prematurely due to chain line etc. Will be a steep (and frustrating) learning curve me thinks
