hello Serge,
what frame is your Tractor (i love it LOL) I really like frames with that T-tail. So looking for something like SystemSix or Ostro VAM.
Hello, Long teng 268. I love that bike. I get quite a few PMs asking me about it. I bought 2, built both, alongside 2 winow. Months before that, i built 4 VB frames. And after that, i built a grevil clone from Xiamen carbon speed (XCS, Peter on the forum). I've been recommending LT & XCS over the others. Sample size: 9.
What i recently wrote to someone who was asking was to keep in mind that the market changes a lot. It was my choice when i ordered last summer (2023), but it's quite an old frame now, and we're late 2024. Please dont ask me what i'd buy today, i'm not sure. But:
- consider the long teng 301, as it's from the same factory, but more recent. I have mixed feelings about it myself (38C clearance and chonky down tube, especially).
- consider the SP Cycle 65 / 53 because they didnt exist when i ordered mine, and the specs list is interesting.
Either way, i'm super happy with my 268, so if you were to buy one, i doubt you'd regret it, but it doesnt mean it's the best frame, especially owing to its age.
In fact... i feel that if they were to update the layup, use T1000 or something along those lines, and charge more for it, it might be the best aero open mould frame out there, because the only sub optimal thing as far as i'm concerned is that it's not a light frame by 2024 standards (1160g with metal bits (no TA) in 54 matte, 30g more in gloss).