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Topics - mirphak

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1
29er / Lexon reverse ... Repair or replace?
« on: March 13, 2024, 02:14:13 AM »
My Lexon reverse recently said enough and a tear appeared in the top tube, right in front of where the seat tube is located. Lots os squeaking noises when on the saddle and a seat post that does not hold anymore.

I have a friend who is quite good at repairing carbon, and should probably be able to fix that, but still the question remain: should I fix this? Some details

- the frame is 3.5 years old.
- it costed me 230€ shipped.
- already has a few paint chips here and there, so it would need a general painting job.
- geo probably outdated (70.5 deg steerer tube, 73.5 seat tube angle), but I love it's tall stack and short reach in size 19 (for me, at 175cm tall and 86cm inseam is perfect).
- bottom bracket is BSA, but likely not greatly done since it trashes bottom brackets very often (every 3-6 months).
- brake caliper facing not perfect. Solved it with a little spacer, otherwise it wouldn't sit perfectly straight.

Possible replacement (but I have zero referenced): Spcycle MP-048 https://a.aliexpress.com/_EzDB7sH

Requirements: threaded bottom bracket (t47 ideally as I would use DUB cranks, BSA otherwise), udh hanger ideally, 31.6mm seat post ideally.

Any advice?

2
Metal Frames / Titanium custom gravel build
« on: January 21, 2024, 07:53:17 AM »
Almost ready

3
Component Deals & Selection / Handlebars similar to Alanera?
« on: January 04, 2024, 07:45:43 AM »

Does anyone have a link to decent quality fully integrated internally routed handlebars similar to those from Alanera (without logos and the like if possible). It would be for a gravel bike, but not necessarily I need flared bars

4
Vendor Discussion & Reviews / TI Frame. Mistake on front derailleur mount (welded instead of screwed)
« on: November 29, 2023, 04:32:41 AM »
A friend and I are working with a manufacturer on two custom TI gravel frames. Due to miscommunication between their sales/manager and their engineers/designers, they made a mistake in the front derailleur mount. We specified clearly and many times that we did not want a welded mount, but something removable. The sales manager understood well that and confirmed that, but apparently in the final design that was left out and nobody noticed (I honestly looked at it, but thought it was indeed the corrrect design, apparently it wasn't). They are aware it was their mistake though.

In the end we are going 1x chainring, and we are left with this fixed in position. It is honestly a real pity, because otherwise the frame looks great amazing, the manufacturer did a great job with the welds and we  are  very happy how this turned out.

What can be done about it? The manufacturer says a screw-mount at this point is out of question, and so is re-making the frames, but that may be able to remove the mount and we can use a tube-clamped hanger if needed. I guess they would cut it out and polish?

- Do you think they can eventually get a decently looking tube doing this cutting it out and polishing the frame?
- How about structural integrity? any thoughts about this? would it be safe? or prone to failure/crack?


5
Component Deals & Selection / Groupsets for two gravel bikes (carbon and titanium)
« on: November 05, 2023, 10:49:06 AM »
Hi.

Context: I am getting a carbon gravel frame (flyxii FE02) painted after a crash. Full rebuild. Also getting soon-ish a titanium one from Waltly. So now I need to think about groupsets.

What I currently have at home:
- Shimano GRX 812 with garbaruk cage.
- Old sensah SRX 1x11, mechanical + hybrid brakes

My experience with the hybrid brakes is so-so, so I am one hand not thrilled to use that second groupset, but on the other hand it is a pity to just kept it unused.

Options, particularly now that 11.11 is coming:

- use what I have, GRX for the titanium frame, sensah for the carbon, until it breaks
- buy a Ltwoo GRT for the carbon one
- buy a sensah SRX pro HRD for the carbon one
- buy a Shimano GRX 12s (not very inclined to be honest at the current prices)
- buy a force AXS + GX AXS mullet for the titanium one, and leave the GRX for the carbon one. Most expensive option, but would make the titanium frame 100% internally routed.

What would you go for?

6
Component Deals & Selection / Recommendation of lightweight dt350-hub gravel wheels
« on: October 28, 2023, 11:35:21 AM »
Any recommendation of a relatively lightweight (<1300g) gravel wheelset with dt350 from Ali?

7
Cyclocross Frames, Wheels & Components / Titanium custom gravel frame
« on: October 09, 2023, 03:27:37 AM »
I am designing a custom Titanium frame with high stack and short reach/top tube (I am 175cm tall, but with 86cm inseam), for wheels of up to 700x50C (around 365mm radius ???). The geometry I am thinking of is the following

Any thoughts? Do you think 430 mm for the chain stays at 74 deg seat tube is enough to accommodate those 700x50C?

https://www.bikegeocalc.com/#6Gravela0b4c788.40879d290e639.56462f809.08132g1020.55889h448.9244i365j365k1386.85808l891m1163.40879n725.04336o1218.9371p967.61903q1220.65498r1352.51523s970.65556t31.8u40v10w0x10y280z40A0B150C0D394.71974E45.00002F172.5G30H30Z11Flyxii+FE02a0b4c770.11626d273e612.54127f788.40457g999.79162h427.91377i340j340k1360.99736l841m1141.11626n698.86577o1188.67371p938.0636q1201.90652r1333.76677s941.10012t31.8u40v10w0x10y270z40A0B150C0D395E49.54881F172.5G30H30Z

8
Component Deals & Selection / Bikepacking racks
« on: September 24, 2023, 02:17:43 AM »
Hi,

I see some rear racks in Ali made of steel/aluminum, quite heavy (over 1kg). Do you know of any more minimalistic rack system in that platform? Specifically something similar to lightweight designs such as the tailfin.

9
Vendor Discussion & Reviews / Speedsafe wheels ZiTTO 36T ratchet hubs = SHITE/TRASH
« on: January 25, 2023, 10:39:40 AM »
So I got these to replace my Mavic crossmax elite (aluminum) based on the recommendation from a friend. And what a mistake I made.

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005002879132400.html

Sure, they are more lightweight, but they are super noisy (not sure if it is the ratchet, the spokes, the hub), like a screamy cat who wants food all the time. Very annoying.

Plus the hub, that ratchet 36T crap ... oh lord. The bearings were completely gone after a few weeks of light use (despite the grease).

The worst part is that I contacted the seller, which claims to be the 'Official SPEEDSAFE store' in aliexpress, and they stopped replying when I send them the pictures of the hub and a video showing how bad they are.

Really horrible experience with Speedsafe, at least through their aliexpress page. Quite the contrary to the Elitewheels wheels I have. I ordered ones for my gravel bike and have been using them for more than a year. They are in mint condition, the hub (Powerway CX32) is absolute fantastic and the bearings are nice Enduro ones, so they are likely to last.

 In Summary: DO NOT BUY these (or likely any other wheel) from SPEEDSAFE.

10
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / 5- 6- spoke carbon wheels from Ali?
« on: January 17, 2023, 12:42:58 PM »
Hi,

Does anyone have experience of buying 5- or 6- spoke carbon wheels from Aliexpress. They are a little on the heavy side (typically 1500-1600g vs 1200-1400g of usual pillar spoke wheels) and significantly more expensive, but omg they do look awesome and I guess no need of checking spoke tension at all over time?.

Particularly I was checking these ones:

- Beskardi (6-spoke, 25mm external): https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005004922878255.html (1.4-1.5kg, this one in marble finishing looks really good, and it is not very heavy. Probably road wheel).
- Ican (6-spoke, 20mm internal, road?) https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005003058790809.html (about 1.5 kg)
- Elitewheels (5-spoke, 19mm internal): https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005003960501475.html (quite heavy, for allroad/gravel <45mm tires? )
- Elitewheels (5-spoke, 22mm internal): https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005004675341604.html (somewhat heavy, but gravel width up to probably 50mm)

Anyone has any refferente or comment on them?

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