New frame: Longteng RD301-D

[Sakizashi]

Yeah it seems more in the spirit of the 3T, Open and similar all road bikes than a pure road bike.  Might be cool especially with 2 wheelsets but honestly maybe not my cuppa tea.

I think of this bike as more like the Enve Melee than anything. Its not really an allroad endurance bike that also does gravel like the Domane (i think the carbonda CFR505SL is the closest open mold to that bike). Its a little relaxed to be a fast road bike IMO but then again Total Energies is racing the Melee so the geometry can be made to work.

The inclusion of the TT mounts but exclusion of the DT storage is interesting in photos vs. the drawings, but I havent contact them about a frame yet.

[Ahodesu05]

I think of this bike as more like the Enve Melee than anything. Its not really an allroad endurance bike that also does gravel like the Domane (i think the carbonda CFR505SL is the closest open mold to that bike). Its a little relaxed to be a fast road bike IMO but then again Total Energies is racing the Melee so the geometry can be made to work.

The inclusion of the TT mounts but exclusion of the DT storage is interesting in photos vs. the drawings, but I havent contact them about a frame yet.

Great call on the Enve Melee

[RDY]

Sorry, I posted a video of the 268 frame instead of the 301.  The 268 has that ridge on the fork but the 301 does not.  I've deleted the video and uploaded photos of the actual 301 frame that I got from Longteng (no ridge): https://imgur.com/a/XvH327j.

That thing's going to have epic toe overlap in the larger sizes ... geo aside, just look at the photo (in a smaller size to boot).  Kill it with fire IMO.

[Sakizashi]

That thing's going to have epic toe overlap in the larger sizes ... geo aside, just look at the photo (in a smaller size to boot).  Kill it with fire IMO.

The two largest sizes are like 7mm less FC than the Melee and 3-4mm longer than the Trek Emonda for equivalent sizes.

I don't know what's going on visually but the geometry chart seems to indicate that it should be fine.

[Casio20]

It's a very interesting frameset, did anyone buy already?
What's pro or against? Is there an alternative?
Thanks

[Serge_K]

I'm very happy with my 268, so i'm looking at this 301, given how similar it looks.
I also compared it to the VB GF 002 (I have one) and to a supersix road and a supersix gravel.

Take-aways:
301 geo v similar to 268, 301 tad more aggressive in stack & reach, but wheelbase is a tad longer. Together, a tie?
301 definitely NOT a gravel bike.
301 very similar to a supersix, except the supersix has a much longer wheelbase (both supersix are gravel territory when it comes to wheelbase, which i find surprising).

I'm wondering how the 301 would fare with 32C front, 34C rear, as a bomb proof bike for the mountains (not freaking out about potholes, post winter dirty roads, old chunkier asphalt, and the occasional dirt segment is appealing to me, even if i don't like the idea of the extra weight from bigger rims & tyres, and higher drag from a big ass fork. There are forest roads i avoid because of road surface, cracks, dirt sections, slope, on my 25mm supersix rim brake w carbon rims. The 301 would steamroll over all of that.

[Casio20]

Hi, did anyone order already?

[Ahodesu05]

I'm very happy with my 268, so i'm looking at this 301, given how similar it looks.
I also compared it to the VB GF 002 (I have one) and to a supersix road and a supersix gravel.

Take-aways:
301 geo v similar to 268, 301 tad more aggressive in stack & reach, but wheelbase is a tad longer. Together, a tie?
301 definitely NOT a gravel bike.
301 very similar to a supersix, except the supersix has a much longer wheelbase (both supersix are gravel territory when it comes to wheelbase, which i find surprising).

I'm wondering how the 301 would fare with 32C front, 34C rear, as a bomb proof bike for the mountains (not freaking out about potholes, post winter dirty roads, old chunkier asphalt, and the occasional dirt segment is appealing to me, even if i don't like the idea of the extra weight from bigger rims & tyres, and higher drag from a big ass fork. There are forest roads i avoid because of road surface, cracks, dirt sections, slope, on my 25mm supersix rim brake w carbon rims. The 301 would steamroll over all of that.

What's your experience with LT as far as their custom painting/decals?  I'm close to pulling the trigger on this frame, and have some ideas for the design but just wondering about how well they will execute.  If their frame painting is crappy, then I'll probably just keep it simple and go black stealth.

And did you go with their cockpit (stem, bars)?  If so, how do you like it?  And if not, do you have any Aliexpress recommendations?

Thx in advance!

[Serge_K]

I bought one black matte and one black gloss. I recommend the black gloss. Didn't entertain custom painting.
I bought airwolf bars via AliExpress because wanted 36cm width. Very happy with the bars. They're the T1000 or T1100 (allegedly) cockpit. Costs 75 EUR plus shipping so you will find it on AliExpress at around 100-120 EUR. From the airwolf store. Very stiff, look very nice. They also sell a carbon Garmin mount but these are standard sizing.

I designed and got car vinyl decals cut locally. To me the frame looks a lot like a Factor, so I hacked their font and in trolling Factor with tractor and facteur on either side. I've washed the bike many times now, those decals aren't going anywhere but they're reversible. Very happy with the format. It's fancy vinyl, forgot the name, any car nerd will know. It's outdoors resistant. Cost me a whopping ten euro to do the whole bike.

[Ahodesu05]

I bought one black matte and one black gloss. I recommend the black gloss. Didn't entertain custom painting.

Thanks for the info, just curious, why do you prefer the black gloss over the black matte?  For aesthetic reasons or paint quality?

[Serge_K]

Purely aesthetic reasons yes, the gloss on that frame works really well, and they did a very nice gloss (it's a tad heavier btw, as is always the case afaik). You can kind of see the carbon underneath depending on the light, too.

[zatopiek]

Hi!
Love the tractor idea. Do you mind to share the decal masters?

Thanks

[Serge_K]

Hi!
Love the tractor idea. Do you mind to share the decal masters?

Thanks

not at all, DM me. I used inkscape because it's free and YT recommended it. So the file is .svg, from memory.

[Ahodesu05]

I placed an order on a 52 cm frame.  Per Alisa, the lead time is around 45 days but they have a few 52 left in stock so it might be able to get shipped out within 30 days (after some custom paint work).

What I paid:

- US$530 for frame, fork & seat post, in black gloss plus one additional color

- US$12 for headset

- US$25 for front and rear axles

- US$6 for spare rear hanger

They offered an integrated cockpit for US$80 but they don't have 380/100, so I will source that elsewhere.

Now I have to source wheels and all the other stuff!  I'm not that handy so I'm going to work with a LBS here in Taipei to get this built up.  I'll try to do a build video and also share some pics. 

[Serge_K]

Very nice! do let us know how everything goes, send photos, and tell us how the ride compares with other bikes you've ridden. Have fun!