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Re: Velobuild VB-R-177
Quote from: slosada on March 07, 2022, 03:49:30 PM
They didn't set any ETA.  I ordered one week before Chinese New Year (they could have placed the order for the hub and spokes)
Assuming normal turnaround times for the frame, it's 7 days for painted frames (plus 15 holidays), by Feb 7 the frame should have been ready.
I did a followup on Feb 18, and Chris only mentioned the frame to be in the paint shop, and that he would keep me posted

Estimating one month delay on getting the spokes and hubs, the wheels should have been ready late February. 

We are now in 2nd week in March and no updates so far.
Just to update you guys,  Chris says they will ship this week.  The issue was getting the hubs
March 08, 2022, 08:05:38 AM 		2
Dark Tranquillity is here So, here is my version of VB-R-177.

Order placed in January, delayed by Chinese new year, procurement of spokes and hubs and a lockdown.

Custom paint and decals by Velobuild
Wheels are also from Velobuild (50mm), but customized with sapim CX ray spokes and Bitex 312 hubs
Groupset is all Shimano 105 hydraulic, with left crank PM (Xcadey)
Both rotors are SM-RT70-SS 140mm (also Shimano 105 series)
Tires are Conti GP5000 TL
Saddle is Selle Italia Flite FM Flow manganese rails

I didn't build it. I asked the LBS to do it for me as it would have taken ages to be completed
They didn't report issues in the compression bolt, but did report misalignment in the front wheel brake caliper too, as well as they said it was the "wrong rotor".  I fixed both things:
- I flipped the caliper mount as per Shimano manual
- When aligning the caliper, I used the business card method, but also inserted a 6mm allen key between the rotor (closer to the hub) and the caliper mount, before tighten the lower screw.  The one on top I left it at 6Nm.
April 24, 2022, 04:50:45 PM 		9
Re: Velobuild VB-R-177 Quick early review after 4 rides: 20, 30,45 and 100Kms, mostly to address current complaints here.

In the first ride, the seat was slipping and the front brake rubbing
I fixed both things (tighten the seat post and correcting the caliper position).  Both things seem still fine after those rides.

Bike feels very nice, Snappy under accelerations.
I seem to adapt very well to the position in this bike.  I don't find it overly aggressive, but this is probably given that I picked the bigger size.  I do notice the shorter reach.  Seamless transition to the narrower handlebar (400mm)

I don't perceive the headset play (roads here are horrendous).

I should also try to put the 11-28 cassette and keep the 11-32 for the gravel season or the odd Ardennes-like ride, because the bigger gap makes me either spinning or grinding

Wheelset from Velobuild (custom 50mm with Sapim and Bitex) feels OK. I was riding 42mm Prolite before and they catch more in crosswinds. In fact, I only perceive a bit of instability when a truck pass me, but nothing too dangerous
May 02, 2022, 05:27:55 PM 		4
Re: Velobuild VB-R-177 I'm sorry to post this here but I can't continue enjoying my Velobuild bike since the rear wheel (not the tire) blew in a downhill at 55KPH. I managed to save it since I was already on the brakes and it was straight line.

Bike and wheels have only been used for 350Kms on asphalt (I'm around 85Kg these days, and use 90PSI)

The wheelset was also built by Velobuild, so no, I cannot recommend them

Not only I'm concerned about the front wheel that is still there and a catastrophic failure won't be as easy to handle.

WARRANTY?
Furthermore, This happened 10 days ago, I collected the pictures and send them to Velobuild, they said it was caused by an accident that never happened (the bike is in pristine condition and I sent pictures from both sides).
If you check the pictures, the cracks start at the nipples.

After 8 days and more pictures and silence radio, they don't honor any sort of warranty... They are barely offering half price on a rim (same "quality" plus I'd need to build it/get it built).
 
I'm bewildered: Half price of a rim vs the chances for me to die/go to the hospital.

So Velobuild, is adding to the poor rim quality or wheel construction, an abysmal after sales service.
June 15, 2022, 02:20:20 PM 		3
Re: Velobuild VB-R-177
Quote from: pearl on June 16, 2022, 02:49:31 PM
@slosada I hope this gets resolved, but I think you'd be better off starting your own thread with your experiences.

My bb86 to GXP has not creaked at all. I only have 158 miles on mine, so take that with a grain of salt if you want, but I would say its A+.
I agree with you but, since I had participated exclusively in this thread, I thought it would be good to keep all together.
But yeah, I will open a thread.

I find no pleasure claiming a warranty, less so bashing a company from which I still have the frame and parts.
Also, there must be a lesson learned for all: Don't take the quality and warranty for granted
June 16, 2022, 03:26:44 PM 		1
My experience with Velobuild wheels and requesting after sales support. Due to the popular request, I'm opening a new thread on my experience with Velobuild wheels

I bought the frame VB-R-177 and they offered to customize the wheels as per my liking: Sapim CX Ray and Bitex 312, for extra $$$
The offered wheels were 50/27 tubeless, and the only 27mm are the gravel/CX.
Chris told me:  "we suggest 25-32 tires"

That was a bad idea that ended delaying the delivery of the frame and wheels: 80 days from payment to reception
The LBS assembled the bike and put the tires on (GP5000 TL with butyl tubes)

After 350Kms, in 7 short rides, all in paved roads, a catastrophic failure in the rear rim happened:
On a 10% downhill, at ~55KPH aprox, we heard like gunshot, and my rear wheel started navigating.  I was able to save it because it's a straight line descent and I was already on the brakes.

I was lucky it was the rear wheel, not the front, I was lucky it was a straight road, that I was somehow prepared to handle, and that someone with a van gave a 15km lift to the parking lot where we started the ride (otherwise, I had to wait from my clubmates to finish their ride, change  clothes, load the bikes and come in my rescue).
With a reborn feeling, I paid for the beers.

WHEEL INSPECTION
The rim blew open
You can see 2 cracks starting at the spoke nipple, one rides straight on the edge of the deep profile
The tire is in perfect condition
The rim edges in the cracked spot are scratched were probably the spot that was skidding when I was braking

WARRANTY PROCESS
Now it comes the second point: Warranty from Velobuild.  I wanted to do this privately, friendly and honestly.
I sent the first pictures taken on the parking lot to Chris and explained.

He asked for more pictures.
I sent 10 more: Both sides of the bike, with the broken wheel. A close up of the wheel with the tire. Both sides of the wheel. Removed the tire and pictures of the barcode and more closeups of the broken section.

Chris said looks like and accident, can I have the pictures of the bike as of today.
I replied, check the pictures, the bike has the broken wheel and is in mint condition, not even one scratch... not even one in the paint, handlbar, levers, saddle or pedals.
I also told him, check the photo metadata... All pictures taken in ~20 minutes

SILENCE for one week.
I followed up and Chris said "our engineer said it's accident or big impact". He offered a rim at half price.
EXCUSE ME... WHAT?  I could have died and you are asking me to pay more for a rim and then have the wheel built? That is insulting, and I have no trust on the quality of the rims

Right now I'm at paypal dispute... They said a car run over the wheel (yeah, right, and no broken or bent spokes!)

LESSONS
Couple of lessons for me, and for whoever wants to learn:
1. Check your carbon rims as often as you can. Don't take the quality for granted
2. After sales support and warranty claims with Velobuild are not smooth processes.

3. What would have happened if, for different circumstances, you had some scratches on the paint or marks on the saddle?  Doesn't the warranty count anymore?

My best guess, due to the cracks from the spoke nipple: Bad wheel construction, which is fairly probable as they don't usually work with these Sapim spokes nor Bitex hubs. That or the carbon rim is very weak
June 16, 2022, 09:04:33 PM 		1
Re: My experience with Velobuild wheels and requesting after sales support. UPDATE: Paypal denied the claim
Disapointed on Paypal as they tried hard to deny.
Look at the options: Seller said "car accident" (obviously not true)
Paypal said "doesn't meet 'not as described'
Paypal then swapped for "used for a long time"
Finally on the phone they said they don't cover customized items

So beware relying on Paypal for warranty backup
June 22, 2022, 11:22:17 AM 		1
Re: Velobuild VB-R-177
Quote from: Liter on June 23, 2022, 05:54:55 PM
Imagine if it had been the front wheel. Could the tires not been seated properly? Did you buy them on Aliexpress?
Nope and nope.
You would feel or see a bump in the tire. It had an inner tube.

Bought straight from Velobuild in the same order.  In fact, the different hub and spokes delayed the bike delivery (80 days total).

I won't use the front wheel anymore. It's the same materials and same builder.

Apart from the poor quality, what should be a concern for everyone is the abysmal after sales support... Also  Paypal won't protect you in cases of low quality and not honored warranty.
June 24, 2022, 04:52:03 PM 		2
Re: My experience with Velobuild wheels and requesting after sales support.
Quote from: 1Sigma on June 30, 2022, 11:34:44 PM
UPDATE:

Chris got back to me.  They’ll be shipping out a new pair of HB010s under warranty.
The whole process was very simple.  I provided as thorough an account as possible - with some video, pictures, and ride data. They reviewed it and asked me what size bar I was.
I couldn’t be happier!  Good job Velobuild, and thank you!
I'm happy for you.
There has been too much backslash after I went public, and replace the handlebar is cheaper than a wheel.

I'm at the credit card stage, hopping to reverse the charges
July 01, 2022, 08:49:21 AM 		2