Build Log - Carbonda hard tail for daughter's birthday.

[Kommandant33]

Well, my wonderful child has just turned 12, and having 2 parents over 6' - she has been growing like a weed.

She currently rides a Polygon Cleo 2 in XS that she got for her 8th birthday which has rapidly become too small for her.

After joining this forum, lurking and looking at AliExpress I thought it would be a good opportunity to use the collective knowledge of the forums and build my daughter a lightweight Chinese carbon bike!

My goal is pretty simple - I want to build a 29er bike that will last a good few years, and I want to to be as light (or lighter) than her current bike (XS frame, 27.5" wheels), I want it to be comfortable and capable on suburban streets, but I also want her to be able to to come riding with me on the MTB trails.

So I have started making purchases, and should hopefully have it ready to ride in a month or so.

Frame
I have gone with the Carbonda FM1306a.
I had sent an email to Wing last year enquiring about one of these frames for myself - but heard nothing back - that is when I found out that the emails had most likely ended up in my junk mail! Wing has been an absolute dream to deal with, super quick with replies, very detailed and helpful.
The frame ended up costing a bit more than I had hoped (US$230 shipping is a hard pill to swallow), and I also paid extra for the chameleon paint scheme as my daughter had requested it.

Fork
I was lucky to snap up a second hand RockShox SID off Facebook marketplace for AU$450. It was un-used, and taken off a 2024 Giant Anthem Advanced 29 3.

Wheels
I bought some EliteWheels off AliExpress - I will add more details later.

Brakes
ZTTO MTB Team Brakes in Silver and Gold.

I will update this post over the coming days with more information - been stuck busy at work...

[Ludo]

That’s my kind of dad! Nice built sheet, she will surely enjoy it!

[gf]

Great! Let us know your feedback on EliteWheels from aliexpress

[jever98]

Love it! I recently built a Carbonda FM1001 for my wife. Your daughter is lucky!

If it's not too big for her: the Elita1 Specialized Power clone is an amazing deal. <120g for the saddle, padded, costs about $20-25. I also had good luck with Toseek carbon handlebars.

[carbonazza]

Love it! I recently built a Carbonda FM1001 for my wife. Your daughter is lucky!

...Elita1 Specialized Power clone...

Do you have the link around ?

[jever98]

ELITA ONE Carbon Saddle MTB/Road Bike saddle Super Light Leather Carbon Cushions 96g
https://a.aliexpress.com/_Exam3oT

[carbonazza]

ELITA ONE Carbon Saddle MTB/Road Bike saddle Super Light Leather Carbon Cushions 96g
https://a.aliexpress.com/_Exam3oT

Interestingly, the saddles at your link are about 60% cheaper than where I've been buying them for years: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32808616991.html

At first, I couldn't spot any differences, as the shop has the same name.
Now, I'm wondering which one is the official store? 

On my link, they provide excellent communication and replacements in case of a faulty product

[Kommandant33]

I may have started the thread a bit too early - it's not as exciting talking about new toys when they still haven't left mainland China...

BUT in other news, the forks arrived today - Rock Shox SID 110mm travel with remote lockout. $450AUD ($297.30USD).

Now all I need - and any help would be appreciated:

Drivetrain - 12 speed shimano preferred - any deals on Ali worth looking at? BB, Cranks, shifter, derailleur..

Seat post - Rigid to begin with, probably eventually move to a dropper post when she gets a bit taller.

Seat post clamp?

Saddle - something comfortable and light would be best!

FM-160PM adapter for the back brake

Stem and handlebar.

And I think that would be everything!

[jefflinde]

i just paid 65 for a deore 12 speed group set.  this was shifter, derailleur, chain and cassette.  i have found that the cost difference between SLX and XT is pretty minimal so i usually always go XT with my builds.  A full group set can be had for $200-$300 USD normally. 

[jever98]

For the seat post - Elita 1 again - pretty cheap and light.

If you want to save $ on the group, I would buy a nicer shifter and a cheaper derailleur, as the shifter determines the shift quality more.

[Kommandant33]

This morning I ordered pretty much the rest of the gear needed to get up and running:

Shimano Deore M6100 12 speed groupset.

Elita One Carbon Seat Post

Toseek ST006 MTB stem

Toseek MTB Carbon Handlebar

Lexon Ultralight Bicycle Seat post clamp

Kocevlo SM-MA-F160 flat mount to post mount brake adapter 160mm

Ryet 3d Ptinted bicycle saddle

Still to get:

Tires, pedals + grips. And any incidental things that I may have forgotten...

In other news - the brakes arrived today! Packaging was OK, the brakes themselves look fine.

[xXROGXx971]

In other news - the brakes arrived today! Packaging was OK, the brakes themselves look fine.

I was using those brakes before swapping them with the Lewis LV4. Pretty good brakes but I think they work better with 2.3mm thick rotors . I paired mine with Godridge braided hoses just for looks back then .

[Kommandant33]

I was using those brakes before swapping them with the Lewis LV4. Pretty good brakes but I think they work better with 2.3mm thick rotors . I paired mine with Godridge braided hoses just for looks back then .

Nice - I hadn't seen those braided cables before!

I am a little concerned that my daughters smaller hands won't have a good grip on the lever... I will have to see what they are like on the bike.

How are the Lewis LV4? I was looking at getting them, but they were just a bit too pricey for something that doesn't have a strong warranty here in Australia.

[xXROGXx971]

Nice - I hadn't seen those braided cables before!

Those are the same braided hose Hope and Trickstuff use for their brakes .

How are the Lewis LV4? I was looking at getting them, but they were just a bit too pricey for something that doesn't have a strong warranty here in Australia.

They are pretty amazing for the price. There is plenty of power and the build quality is top notch, nicest brake I ever used.
I got mine on Lewis's official shop on Taobao using an intermediary service called Superbuy and I spent like $270 in total with shipping but if I have an issue with them, I'm pretty much on my own though.
My bike was stolen in January and i ordered a set again but for the new bike i'm currently building.
Lewis also sell a cheaper versions of vertical brakes called CL2V (2 pistons) and CL4V (for pistons) but only in China as far as i know. Those are actual copies of the Piccola with the alu levers and prices are $164 for the CL2V and $192 for the CL4V on Taobao .

[Kommandant33]

Wing has just emailed through a image of the frame, the paint job looks fantastic and I can't wait to see it in the flesh!

For an idea of the timeline:

First email to Wing - 26/04
Payment made - 27/04
A couple of technical questions in emails between then.
Photos of frame sent - 11/05

I will let you all know when the frame arrives with me and ready to build!