First bike build, Carbonda CFR 505 SL

[trailgazer]

How is the ordering process going? What the status of your build/order/thinking process/decision making?
I'm also interested in building an all-road racebike based on the CFR 505 SL.

[Lapskaus]

I received the frame a couple of weeks back, but I am still waiting for my wheelset - should arive in ~1-2 weeks - and a couple of smaller items. Like the screws for the rear brake mount (those didn't come with the set I ordered). I wanted to fit the fork today. Here is a question:

I got the headset and handlebar from carbonda too. In the picture you see the premounted endcap of the compression plug (left) that has a rounded bevel on top and bottom. Now my question is, is the one on the right an alternative endcap? It has a flat top and fits better (visually) on the handlebar since the handlebar is flat on top too. I just cant figure out what else this should be. But the bottom is completly different from the originally mounted cap.

[trailgazer]

The protrusion of that right endcap sometimes needs a extra spacer on top of the stem (and handlebar in your case). It depends on how deep your compression plug sits in the steerer. Most important is that it has enough room to pull the compression plugin. You can measure it with a caliper.

[trailgazer]

Great to read about the Carbonda CFR-505 SL. The frame doesn't have it's own topic, I'll post my item here. (moving it from this topic)

I'm new in the world of direct OEM market carbon frames. I'm new in this forum. Until two weeks ago I thought I was going to order a new aluminium gravel racer from a small company. Before that I wanted a Vitus Venon Evo but it is not available as a frameset. Then my interest in Chinese OEM got triggered. 

I'm thinking in buying a CFR-505 SL because I need a gravel racer which is low weight and not a bikepacking gravel bike with many mounting points (like CFR-707). It needs to feel at home in the middle high mountains of France and Germany and the Eifel area. Forest roads. Light weight but occasionally it will be used for 2-3 day trips so strapping a saddle bag, small frame bag and handlebar bag needs to be no problem.

Currently I'm riding a 11kg heavy steel bike (Vitus Substance) and although this bike is great and has seen mountains as high as the Alps, it's time to retire.
See below, my 56 cm sized steel frame (white) compared with both L and M size CFR-505 SL (black). I'm 186 cm, inseam of ~88 cm. Both frames - steel and CFR-505 SL - don't differ much in geometry. Another reason not to choose frames like the CFR-707 or Tantan Seraph GR201.

I don't think I order the CGB-02 integrated stem/handlebar. See below cockpit example (FSA SMR), this for me, is good enough. Is makes maintenance easy. Maybe I go with a Deda Superbox. Not sure. I need a round handlebar.

Now, I filled in the contact form on Carbonda's website but didn't hear from them yet.

Some questions:

• Can you think of a reason why not to go with the size L?
• What do you think, is the 505 suitable for these small adventures or is that 707 specific territory?
• Does somebody have a recent contact/employee at Carbonda where to place an order/ask some questions? 
• There's a place near me where they can paint the bike per my design. This is more expensive than  Carbonda but I want the frame to have a logo and name. Can Carbonda do lettering or vinyl stickers?
• Is the example cockpit possible with the 505?
• The seat stays intersect the seat tube a few centimeters down. My Vitus Substance is "old" triangle. (I don't see that in Bikeinsight compare tool) Does this effect compliance? I'm about 70kg, I can use every bit of compliance since my weight won't effect bending seatposts or rigid triangles, etc.
• I might have some more questions...

Thank you.

[Lapskaus]

Does somebody have a recent contact/employee at Carbonda where to place an order/ask some questions?

They are kinda ghosting me atm too. I asked wing what the maximum spacer height for the steering tube would be but didnt get an anwer since sunday. Which I find odd. Usually they answered within a day, two tops. Does anyone know?
And: Is it fine to ride the bike, if the compression plug is not all the way down to the stem clamp? Just to test bar height before cutting the steerer that is, not for a long ride or anything.

There's a place near me where they can paint the bike per my design. This is more expensive than  Carbonda but I want the frame to have a logo and name. Can Carbonda do lettering or vinyl stickers?

If they would do lettering on their own frames I wouldn't think twice that they are capable and experienced enough to get that right. It's not that hard to apply masking tape and spray over it if you have the right tools and done it a couple of times. But I didn't see a single carbonda frame with lettering so far, and it's quite easy to get unsharp edges if you use the wrong masking tape or to much pressure with your spray guns etc. The thought that something might go wrong and they are a couple thousand miles away just sending some pics for me to sign off on (if even that, I am not sure about the process) is what made me to decide that I didnt want them to paint the frame.

If you are handy and have someone with a plotter who can cut your lettering, there are really good DIY tutorials by a guy called ETOE on youtube. He has a couple of videos where he uses spray cans and shows how to apply lettering in detail. Using his techniques you would pay ~100 Bucks for spray cans, masking tape etc. with the down side that you would need to take a couple of days of spraying, waiting, sanding, repeat.

[trailgazer]

Thank you. I have been in frequent contact with Carbonda sales the last two days. Sending and answering about ten mails a day. I'm about to sign the invoice. The first mail ended up in my spam, the reason why I thought they didn't react.

I will spray paint the frame by a specialized (no capital S ) motorbike spray artist. I expect them to have enough knowledge on how to make a beautiful bike for me.

[Lapskaus]

They will sure do a great job, send some pics when it's done.

I sent a picture with the last email, they didnt respond to, might have landed in their spam.

[demeaux]

Joining this thread again to try and ask about respraying/colouring. How do you send over what you need?
I have a colour scheme I want but it's subtle transitioning.
Any help in how to send the requirements, rather than pictures or poor wording would be great.

[Lapskaus]

The pictures on page 1 are what I sent them. Since it's based on an exisiting design from another brand, just with some more black panels they had plenty of photos to look at and said they would try to replicate it. They never did though cause I decided against it later.

[Lapskaus]

For anyone interested, I did print this steering tube cutting guide. It prints well and fast, the assembly is very easy and it's sturdy.



I did cut the fork very easily with this.

[Lapskaus]

My wheels arrived on tuesday and I am nearly done with the build now. Got to cut the brake hoses and the chain to finish it.



The build itself went smoothly so far. I only had to detach the handlebars twice because the jagwire I added to the rear brake hose was rubbing in the headset.
I can't weigh the bike reasonably as a whole, but the components added up to 7562g. That's before the fork was cut etc. and with sealant pedals and everything included.

[Chamomile]

Didn't see the wheelset specs here. So, what's the inner width and tire size?

[Lapskaus]

Wheelset: 24mm inner, 30mm outer, 45mm deep, 1312g (Front was 601, back 711)
Tires: 30mm

[trailgazer]

I ordered mine 14 days ago. It left Shenzhen facility 7 days ago, that's all I know. I feel a little nervous it being my first direct order frameset from China.
I ordered a CS-D40CU-33 based wheelset from Carbon Speed Sport Goods a few days later. Hope both frame- and wheelset arrive days before I leave for Italian/French Alps for some proper gravel riding. It replaces my trusty steel gravel frame which I upgraded last year with SRAM Force AXS D1. I will move this groupset to the 505-SL frame.
How long did it take between leaving Shenzhen facility and arriving at your doorstep?

[Lapskaus]

I don't know. I didn't get a delivery update/ tracking number or anything from carbonda. After I ordered I received the frame fairly quickly (4 weeks maybe?). The packaging itself could have been better for the frame. Everything was wrapped in a thin layer or two of bubble wrap and securely put into a box. The box itself could have been a bit sturdier and maybe some styrofoam or something else to protect the frame better, but it arrived undamaged so nothing really to complain too much about.

My wheelset was ~15 days in transit, coming from china too.