Author Topic: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame  (Read 5205 times)

tg

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #15 on: March 07, 2025, 01:45:45 AM »
Hello, a little background, I am a French cyclist who competes and I am looking for a recent time trial bike that does not cost an arm and a leg. A UCI TT frame that is not from 2010 costs at least 3000 euros even second-hand and I expected a lot from the Van Rysel UCI but 7700 euros for a bike with a double 52-36 chainring and no lenticular wheel ... so I am looking for something else.

The Velobuild TT-023 was the best option but they have been leading everyone for almost a year by saying "in the process of UCI certification" and in any case the ican frame and cockpit are cheaper while being better designed (especially for the handlebars)
 I then asked the seller a few questions: ican frames I asked them if the frame was or was going to be UCI and the answer: "no but OEM customers may do it" and I am waiting for their return for their contact. At the same time I contacted icanbikes to get more insight into the cockpit and to find out if I could mount the deda jet extensions that I already have (I mount them on my rcr to have a cheap time trial) So I'm sharing the photos I received, I'm sure it will be useful to others. (Some measurements are useless, the language barrier and the fact that the person who answers me doesn't seem to know anything about cycling doesn't help)

PS if Chinese manufacturers come by, young competitors absolutely need a cheap, modern UCI time trial frame

Triexpress

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #16 on: March 07, 2025, 06:13:05 PM »
Great info.
It looks like the plate at the top of the riser has the holes to accept the aero bars/poles is one piece? Is the top plate easily removable and another one could be fitted so that other aero bars can be used?
I like the ICAN TT017 base bars that are in line with the top tube and single riser, but I prefer different aero bars than the poles. Something like the molded Fast TT type bars which are fixed to a plate. Even the window AliExpress ones
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mq1ymWx


I have been going back and forth with ICAN asking questions and understand your frustration. I have experience at work trying to communicate over emails on a technical level. It’s best not to ask too many questions per email.

Hmpf

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #17 on: March 08, 2025, 02:29:37 AM »
I have the following to contribute to the comparison between Ican and Velobuild:

- The basebar from Ican is always 420mm wide, VB offers several sizes.
- The basebar and stem are proprietary and cannot be easily interchanged. This is possible with VB.
- With VB you can choose different sizes and angles (10 and 15 degrees) for the restbars.
- VB's paint job costs significantly less than ICAN's.
- There is a lot more of information about VB, about the ICAN i couldnt find any build thread.
« Last Edit: March 08, 2025, 02:31:46 AM by Hmpf »

Triexpress

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #18 on: March 08, 2025, 06:26:59 AM »
I have the following to contribute to the comparison between Ican and Velobuild:

- The basebar from Ican is always 420mm wide, VB offers several sizes.
- The basebar and stem are proprietary and cannot be easily interchanged. This is possible with VB.
- With VB you can choose different sizes and angles (10 and 15 degrees) for the restbars.
- VB's paint job costs significantly less than ICAN's.
- There is a lot more of information about VB, about the ICAN i couldnt find any build thread.

ICAN have said the base bar is 400mm.
Does velobuild use a stem and conventional 38mm clamp?
The front end of TT bikes is where everyone wants to have adjustments and customise. Options of angles would be nice. This is why I asked above about the plate and if this can be removed to customise. For me I don’t think there are anyTT bikes that I would want to keep the standard aero bars. But that’s my preference.

Do you have a velobuild? Are you happy with it? I have been looking at them but thought the reviews on the ICAN seemed better build quality than the velobuild.
« Last Edit: March 08, 2025, 06:36:34 AM by Triexpress »

ejump0

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #19 on: March 08, 2025, 08:48:45 AM »
IF, and only if you wanna push your luck, you may consider TT-x38 as it looks close enough like Foil and slap on fake UCI sticker.
Sebastian Kienle modified his Scott Foil for the Norseman Tri, and it looks close enough to prev gen Plasma. X38 have internal routed cabling thats compatible with ACR/DCR stems like Deda Vinci, Deda Superbox, Mosso ST-08 , and then you can slap on Winow's TT cockpit.
However due to the lack of toptube boss holes, you need to use doublesided tape to stick some bento box.

Your next possible luck is in hopefully XDS selling their TT framesets

Hmpf

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #20 on: March 09, 2025, 11:45:22 AM »
Its 420mm and its Just one Size. https://www.icanbikes.com/de/liste-der-produkte-2/carbon-tt-fahrradrahmen/#
They also told me by Email.

I dont have the Velobuild but it seems like its a 31,8mm Diameter stem.

tg

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #21 on: March 10, 2025, 03:02:06 AM »
For the angle adjustment on the ican TT017 we can see that they provide an angle that seems to be 10° and the basic one installed seems to be 15 or 20° but even if I asked them the angle they don't understand.
After that, the design doesn't seem so easy to adapt extensions to the monoriser, because if they don't supply an angle, it must be possible to easily model a part, and if not, to adapt extensions to the original plate, you'd just have to cut out the round sleeves that house their horrible round extensions.

Otherwise, chrono's xds frame would be a superb opportunity if they offered it for sale internationally.
Or a new construction of the van rysel xcr UCI that would be more relevant to riders.

Triexpress

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #22 on: March 10, 2025, 09:03:51 PM »
For the angle adjustment on the ican TT017 we can see that they provide an angle that seems to be 10° and the basic one installed seems to be 15 or 20° but even if I asked them the angle they don't understand.
After that, the design doesn't seem so easy to adapt extensions to the monoriser, because if they don't supply an angle, it must be possible to easily model a part, and if not, to adapt extensions to the original plate, you'd just have to cut out the round sleeves that house their horrible round extensions.

Otherwise, chrono's xds frame would be a superb opportunity if they offered it for sale internationally.
Or a new construction of the van rysel xcr UCI that would be more relevant to riders.

Now you point this out I have concerns about buying the TT017. ICAN tell me they will not change the plate that the poles fix into. This means that you have no choice to change the aerobars  and have to use the proprietary ones. I have told them this that this design is restrictive and likely to limit sales. Hopefully they get the message.

I have asked them again to look into this and to provide more info on how this piece is fixed to the mono riser to see if I can use something else or make something.

Triexpress

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #23 on: March 12, 2025, 12:36:38 AM »
Here are links to videos of the TT017 mono riser and frame that ICAN sent me.
 



ICAN say you can install the plate with the poles connections directly to the mono riser without the angle spacer to make it horizontal.

I'm still leaning towards this bike despite the front end issue. I will either add my own plate to attach aero bars or cut off the pole connections if its possible and not too ugly. If I do I will post a build thread on this bike.
« Last Edit: March 12, 2025, 03:33:34 AM by Triexpress »

tg

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #24 on: March 12, 2025, 03:33:15 AM »
icanbikes has updated its tt017 page: https://www.icanbikes.com/fr/liste-des-produits/cadre-de-velo-en-carbone-tt/
We see more detailed photos and even a video and frankly the bike looks great. We see that the mono riser system is super simple. And (I hope they will) if they provide pieces with different angles (the classic 10/15/20/25° and flat mounting is simple just do not put a spacer angle) it will be a great system.

For the plate with the pads and pole holders, I think we could cut out the pole holders, which for me are neither aesthetically pleasing nor ergonomic, and use the holes on the plate (originally used to fix the pads) to fix one-piece extenders.

For 950 USD delivered in Europe, this frame is far better value than the velobuild (1250USD) as long as velobuild is not UCI.

Triexpress, it would be great if you could make this because I'm very interested in doing the same thing (we can't see the video or the link you referred to at the beginning of your message).

Triexpress

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #25 on: March 12, 2025, 03:42:12 AM »
icanbikes has updated its tt017 page: https://www.icanbikes.com/fr/liste-des-produits/cadre-de-velo-en-carbone-tt/
We see more detailed photos and even a video and frankly the bike looks great. We see that the mono riser system is super simple. And (I hope they will) if they provide pieces with different angles (the classic 10/15/20/25° and flat mounting is simple just do not put a spacer angle) it will be a great system.

For the plate with the pads and pole holders, I think we could cut out the pole holders, which for me are neither aesthetically pleasing nor ergonomic, and use the holes on the plate (originally used to fix the pads) to fix one-piece extenders.

For 950 USD delivered in Europe, this frame is far better value than the velobuild (1250USD) as long as velobuild is not UCI.

Triexpress, it would be great if you could make this because I'm very interested in doing the same thing (we can't see the video or the link you referred to at the beginning of your message).
I updated my post to say they confirmed the mounting after your post just to clarify if anyone is trying to follow this thread.

I got hit by an e-bike while training which destroyed my bike. hence looking into the build of a new bike. I have a few medical bills to pay for and waiting on the Mrs to agree releasing the funds to purchase from ICAN ;D

I agree this bike looks the best and good value. ICAN seem to have good reviews too.

cLs_elite

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #26 on: March 12, 2025, 12:18:01 PM »
I recently tried to get a quote for the TT017 but ICAN replied to me and said:

Hello
 
We noticed your interest in our TT017 frame, but unfortunately, it is already represented in Germany. Instead, we'd like to introduce you to the TT016—an excellent alternative with many of the same features.
Why Choose TT016?

    High Performance: Same advanced carbon fiber technology as TT017, delivering lightweight and stiffness.
    Versatility: Slightly more adaptable geometry, suitable for Time Trial .

https://www.icanbikes.com/Products-list/carbon-time-trail-frame-tt016/
We're confident the TT016 will be a hit in your need , price is 850USD/set .Including frame , fork ,seat post , TT bar , headsets . 
M size disc brake on stock .
Paint cost 85USD for full one color .


Was a bit confused about this and didnt try to follow up on the TT017 because it sounded pretty clear to me that they dont want to sell it.

Triexpress

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #27 on: March 13, 2025, 12:55:44 AM »
I recently tried to get a quote for the TT017 but ICAN replied to me and said:

Hello
 
We noticed your interest in our TT017 frame, but unfortunately, it is already represented in Germany. Instead, we'd like to introduce you to the TT016—an excellent alternative with many of the same features.
Why Choose TT016?

    High Performance: Same advanced carbon fiber technology as TT017, delivering lightweight and stiffness.
    Versatility: Slightly more adaptable geometry, suitable for Time Trial .

https://www.icanbikes.com/Products-list/carbon-time-trail-frame-tt016/
We're confident the TT016 will be a hit in your need , price is 850USD/set .Including frame , fork ,seat post , TT bar , headsets . 
M size disc brake on stock .
Paint cost 85USD for full one color .


Was a bit confused about this and didnt try to follow up on the TT017 because it sounded pretty clear to me that they dont want to sell it.
Sounds like the TT017 frame is already sold in Germany most likely under another name and probably have an agreement not to compete in that market.
The TT016 looks OK but doesn't have the mono riser. Some may prefer that frame than the TT017. There is a nice picture of the TT016 under reviews on the link they gave you.

ejump0

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #28 on: March 13, 2025, 04:47:48 AM »

The TT016 looks OK but doesn't have the mono riser. Some may prefer that frame than the TT017. There is a nice picture of the TT016 under reviews on the link they gave you.

should try negotiate if possible to have the TT017 cockpit swap/upgrade for tt016 order

Serge_K

Re: Looking for a carbon triathlon frame
« Reply #29 on: March 13, 2025, 12:56:29 PM »
The tt016 is old AF. If you figure out how much it costs to ship a frame between EU countries, you can ship it to a friend abroad and he then ships it to you. I think it can cost 100 eur to ship such a large box though.
Fast on the flat. And nowhere else.