Handlebar considerations – a hint

Along with the 168 frame I ordered a 100/400mm fully integrated handlebar. I also ordered the VB-HB-021 (2021 New Carbon Handlebar with Separate Stem) with a 110mm stem and a 400mm bar. With the VB-HB-021 option I intended to have a longer cockpit compared to the fully integrated one. However, it turned out that the VB-HB-021 option is shorter than the fully integrated one, although number wise the stem is longer.

thanks a lot for this hint/description!
I also went with the separatet Bar/stem Combo and now I am about to change it towards a HB010.
The separated one with 100mm stem technically fits perfectly but just doesn`t look good imho so I am now trying to figure out which size I shall pick for the HB010.

I have now repeatedly stumbled on your post and the explanation of dodgiepapa in Post #1090. It totally makes sense, that despite the 5mm more reach of the HB010 also the angle makes a difference, but I hardly cant imagine that this extends the total reach by such a significant amount as you`ve shown.

Did you doublecheck if VB really delivered the correct sizes for both systems by measuring the stem length or equivalent measure for the HB010 only?
If not it would be great if you could doublecheck it. I also recently ordered a 110 stem and got a 120mm instead^^

thanks again and kind regards

Finally found some minutes to elaborate on this topic!

in Short:
my saddle looked the same as for Siejak, - I was able to fix it by inserting three small sheets of a soda can metal foil  at the right side between Seatpost and Frame.  By doing so, the Saddle was perfectly aligned.

To those who are affected, - just loosen your seatpost clamp and try to rotate the saddle to the left and right. I was able to rotate it by approx. ± 5 degree. As soon as the clamping device is tensioned, the notch of the saddle rotates to the right and the gap between seatpost and frame looks like described in the prior post.

If someone is motivated to dig deeper: Maybe the root cause for the misalignment is not the huge clearance between seatpost and frame but the contact angle of clamping inlet to seatpost. (=clamping device forces the seatpost to rotate). If thats the case, modifying the clamping device would also solve the problem.

For the time being, i will continue with my fix since it simply worked.

The dust cap covers the shims perfectly, - they are invisible now and the saddle is perfectly aligned when clamped with 5-6Nm.

kind regards

The C Ring is way too stiff since its just massive. Due to that, the headset needs to be compressed with a lot higher force than its made for in order to cause the elastic deformation of the C clip which is needed to close the gap between inner bearing ring and fork tube (which is what it is all about in order to avoid headset play).
I guess this is why many people complain about headset play even though they tightened everything. Also the stated problems with de-formed top caps might be a result of the high compression forces.