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Re: SEKA Bikes? Out of contact? Alright, I've added some action shots and I'll provide my review here.

You can find a spreadsheet of my build at this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1z20zeKtriG4WqEXxRvezuxrfo9ZRBZkz3rY3xrKfrCU/edit?usp=sharing

Re: version and weight, I have the standard exceed in midnight blue, size large, with 380mmX130mm barstem. When I first built it up, it weighed about 16.6lb (incl. pedals & cages). I have since gotten that down to 16.2lb by swapping out some parts and cutting down the seatpost. Check the spreadsheet for detailed weights.

Re: seatpost slipping, I have experienced problems with that myself, as well as creaking. I have gone into more detail on weight weenies, but basically the seat post as a lot of slop between the seat tube, and it makes it so the compressor has to do pretty much all stabilization. This is not an uncommon problem, and while most manufacturers put in a chunky compressor to solve this problem, Seka's is small and flimsy for weight saving. Furthermore, Seka's stock seatpost is VERY long, so at even normal post heights, you will hit the seat tube cutout changing the post angle, and this messes up the interface with the compressor. So you NEED to cut the post, both to avoid damaging your frame, and to ensure a proper interface. I have addressed this issue with lots of carbon paste, putting 3M protective film on the surface that doesn't touch the plug to take up that slack, and overtorqueing the screw a bit, and since dialing this in, I haven't experienced problems with slipping.

Re: Flex, my previous bike was a Tarmac SL5, bikes in general have gotten much stiffer since then. This bike feels stiffer yet more vertically compliant compared to my Tarmac. When I first got the bike, I sensed a lot of fork flex under braking. Since then I've tightened up the headset and haven't noticed it. Either I've gotten used to it or it was the headset. I do not experience fork chatter under braking like you do with some really flexy front ends.

Re: Price, preorder was $581USD, remaining was $1290USD. This is the final price billed to my card, which includes shipping/customs fees.

Re: Elves falath evo or Seka, I would choose Seka. Take this all with a grain of salt since the Seka--being a semi-aero bike--has a different design philosophy/goals to the Evo, and I've never even seen an Elves in real life. But, based on all the build videos I've been watching from the usual youtubers, I really do not like the Falath Evo. I don't think it fulfills the goal of being an aero bike very well. If you really look at the tubes, lot of the design doesn't make sense aerodynamically:

The leading edge of the downtube is a semi-square face, when you want a rounded one. Same goes for the seat tube gusset. All leading edges on the Seka are rounded.

There's huge gaps between the seat tube cutout and the tire, even when running a 32mm tire. The Seka also has gaps, but they're smaller, not to mention that Seka isn't intending to shroud the wheels as much as the Evo is.

The Evo's headtube--the most aerodynamically sensitive area on the bike, is the widest I've ever seen, which runs counter to how western brands like Cannondale are doing everything possible to make the headtube as narrow as possible to minimize the frontal cross section. Seka's is much narrower, and even has an hourglass profile to minimize it even more.

I don't think the way the Evo's integration of the headtube with the top tube improves aerodynamics. TT bikes do it because the base bar is always designed to run slammed with the stem flush to the top tube. I think the way the Evo executes it actually presents more frontal area compared to a conventional, lower top tube.

The Evo's super-narrow downtube does next to nothing to shield the water bottle. I'm of the opinion that every aero bike should be designed with round standard bottles in mind. The reality is that sane people not racing a TT will ride with round water bottles, and the water bottle will spoil all the airflow coming off that narrow down tube on the Evo. In contrast, the Seka's downtube gently flares out as it approaches the bottle to shield it a bit more. The shielding isn't perfect (as on most bikes), but at least it's considered on the Seka.

All in all, I would not be surprised if someone put the Seka and Evo in a windtunnel (with 2 water bottles on each bike), that it turns out the Evo is not actually faster than the Seka.

Lastly, I think the fact that Seka is willing to show off their carbon under clearcoat while Elves paints over EVERYTHING says that either Seka's paint and finishing is just a tad better, or that Elves may even be trying to hide imperfections in layup. Seka's paint isn't exactly phenomenal (soft, scratches easily, comes with subtle scratches/swirls in the clearcoat), but it's very special to see the carbon underneath.

Coulmain made the point that for average riders, "aero optimization" doesn't really matter. My counter to that is that a) all of these un-optimized features add up, and b) if it doesn't really matter, then don't bother with an aero bike, or at least not one that postures as a super-aero bike. You pay for "aero features" in weight, comfort, impact resistance, and added engineering/manufacturing complexity that trickles down to cost. I think Coulmain weighed in a 52cm at over 1200 grams. If that's a 52, what could a 56 be? 1300g?!! Meanwhile a 52cm Seka Exceed Std is about 950 grams I think. That means the Evo is ~20% heavier! I have a hard time believing the Evo's aero gains--if there are any, are enough to offset that much of a weight penalty.
May 25, 2023, 01:57:21 PM 		1
Re: Lightcarbon: New LCR017-D (or Yishun R1058-D) Hiya, I have ordered the Yishun R1058_D. It is different to the new lightcarbon, they have different geometry. Lightcarbon is the direct to consumer arm of yishun who are the OEM manufacturer, however you can sometimes order directly from Yishun. Apparently you can't always. I started a separate thread for the Yishun 1058D if you were interested, just search it. The model is there own design and mould, they have their own R&D department and are registered as a company in germany. You can get the frames with a 5 year warranty for 20% additional cost which I went for, all in it cost about 800gbp. The frame is a mix of T700 and T800 carbon, T800 on all high stress areas. Yishun are the OEM manufacturer for Ribble in the UK and Da Rosa in italy as well as some other small italian brand, the quality is supposed to be top notch. I am expecting delivery end of august/early september.
July 18, 2023, 05:17:06 AM 		1
Yuanan Carbon fiber wheelsets Year end discount promotion Hello dear friends, have a nice day! This is Leon from www.yuananbike.com。Please allow me to say Happy Christmas/New Year to you in advance! Christmas and New Year are coming, and our factory is conducting year-end promotions. Unprecedented huge discounts, free spare spokes, free DIY stickers, free hub upgrades, and many other benefits are just waiting for you. We are the manufacturer of Exxxxwheels. In addition to this, we are also a supplier to many international brands. Such as Rxxx, and Hxxx, FXXX,Sxxxxx,Cxxxxxxxx,etc.Recently we have been running a Year-end promotion.UNI series ultralight carbon rim+RD13 ratchet system hub/Novatec D411/412 HUB+pillar wing 20 spoke+tubeless valves+tubeless tape. We need 4xx-5xx USD+tax-included channel shipping to EU countries/USA. UNI ultralight carbon wheelset with 21mm internal width, and 28mm external width.40mm depth just 1289+-30g. UNI 45:1309+-30g.UNI 50:1329+-30g. UNI65:1489+-30g. Also, the carbon-spoke wheelset is at a discount. Such as the 40mm depth carbon-spoke wheelset just 1260g+-30g.All the carbon wheelsets are more than 3X off. The Gravel/MTB /3/4/5/6- spoke carbon wheelsets are also in promotion—with the best cost-effective price. Any interested friends can contact me at any time. Hope our friends all don't miss it! Whatsapp:+8615738274372. Email:sales@yuananbike.com.
December 09, 2023, 02:48:22 AM 		1
Re: Velobuild VB-R-177 Rebuilt my VB-177 frameset, as it's off to a new home. My buddy opted for 105 Di2 12-Speed and a set of 1st-gen Hyper 65s. Shifting with 105 feels identical to Ultegra Di2 12sp and the wheels make for a speedy ride dynamically. FSA no69 headset system is the way to go.

After building this bike up and riding it, I'm now quite curious to check out the VB-268. I hoping the 268 takes all the good from the 177 and pairs it with the aesthetics and geometry of the 168. Yes I said I was finished with reviewing $500 frames but...

YouTube Search: VeloBuild 177 Shimano 105 Di2 12 Speed: EXCELLENT

https:// youtu.be/tA6i2vBFrzE (remove the space)
February 20, 2024, 10:39:22 AM 		1
Re: L-Twoo, Sensah or 105? Until I started ordering 4 bikes at a time to get some economies of scale and get my buddies involved, I often bought parts of eBay second hand. If you're in a country that has ebay, or equivalent, you can get stuff on the cheap, if you spend the time to understand what you're buying.
If you don't know jack, and don't feel like investing the time to understand parts, then get something new. I've recently installed 5 er9 groups and they're awesome, but probably out of your budget. I've ridden well over 20k km before switching to electronic anyway. There's a good chance the r9 is good too? I've had very mixed experience with sensah, I wouldn't recommend them (I've installed 4 groups and basically had problems on all of them).
If you buy 105 from a reputable shop, you probably can't go wrong. for a first build it wouldn't be a bad idea to pick the simple option even if it's not the cheapest option. Chinese carbon, you don't risk too much anymore. Chinese groupsets are still pretty exotic.
February 25, 2024, 10:06:50 AM 		1
Re: LTWOO ER9 & ERX - Electronic groepsets Does anyone know if we can pair eGR with the front derailleur from eR9/eRX? I'd like to have 2x chainring at the front with eGR rear derailleur. The eGR shifter almost looks exactly the same as the new eRX shifter, with larger buttons.
March 15, 2024, 05:41:21 PM 		1
Re: LTWOO ER9 & ERX - Electronic groepsets
Quote from: coffeebreak on March 17, 2024, 06:25:16 PM
Am I blind or there really is no rim brake version of ER?

No rim brake version. Seems like Wheeltop is basically the only Chinese option for electronic and rim brake.
March 17, 2024, 08:06:20 PM 		1
Re: WheelTop EDS TX Full Wireless Groupset (Chinese SRAM) Now it seems WheelTop is upping their game with reviews through Trace Velo and GC Performance. People will tend to listen to these influencers on Youtube.
I tried my best to bring up the product at the start of my journey. Guess its over to these big hitters now ;)
March 27, 2024, 12:40:24 PM 		1
Re: Rim brake road bike frame with at least 28mm tire clearance haha, no, I am German, living in Berlin. Belgischer Kreisel is the German term for riding in two rows in crosswind with rotating riders in front as in a time trial.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgischer_Kreisel

but I'll definitely have a look into your frameset suggestions.
March 30, 2024, 02:43:42 PM 		1
Re: LTWOO ER9 & ERX - Electronic groepsets Keep in mind that the so called official LTWOO store is not actually owned or run by LTWOO. At least according to Joe from China Cycling/Panda Podium. That’s why I just chose the best offer regardless of who the seller is and went with the 80s Designer Store.
April 01, 2024, 12:28:10 PM 		1