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Re: Elves Falath EVO 2023
I'm not going to delete or moderate anything, I just want to ask you all to please try and keep it respectful. Feel free to disagree with each other but leave the name-calling out of it, we don't want that type of discourse here.
November 28, 2023, 09:43:49 AM |
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Re: Elves Falath EVO 2023
If Elves was giving me a free frame, I'd LARP the $hit out of it on this forum and make all you suckers buy one! Lol I’m a semi-serious amateur racer on a budget. Ironically in grad school—I’m just trying to race while I’m still fairly young—I’ll be making the big bucks soon! I built up my Seka at the height of price inflation last year. I did an extensive price analysis speccing different builds in a spreadsheet, and the Seka came out on top as the best value. A big factor was the handlebar spec, racing wheels, and power meter. Once you priced those in, similar spec western builds were 2x the price. I did a similar price analysis for my lightcarbon CX bike and came to similar conclusions. I really push back on the idea that Chiner bikes are unserious. There’s a lot of geeks on a budget in this sport. If you are knowledgeable about bikes and mechanics, there’s serious savings on seriously good bike parts to be had in this space. Now that the market has rapidly cooled, the value proposition of Chiner builds are definitely going down. I think a lower spec Supersix Evo 4 approaches the weight and price of my Seka build. If anything, the market adjustment underscores the importance of comparing premium-price Chiner frames (like the Elves Falath Evo) against western counterparts, because the savings are potentially slimmer than ever. November 28, 2023, 10:01:17 AM |
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Re: Chinese Carbon 29er Pic Thread.
There has been some bikes built. Me, my wife and my son has been upgraded quite a few times. Some great bikes StefanB. I have not built as many bikes as you, but I'm always thinking about the next one! I find researching and building these Chinese frames much more interesting than just buying a mainstream brand. It looks like you have some beautiful trails and scenery too! Where do you live? December 05, 2023, 01:16:37 PM |
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Re: Epic Evo Clone
A second opinion from another bike shop mechanic has me less worried about the frame's quality. I'm keeping it and forging ahead. I have the cables internally routed now which was a bitch. It required taking the linkage bolt out at the bottom for more clearance. I added a drop of Loctite to the bolt when I put it back on but there are no torque-setting indicators so I just went really tight by hand. If anyone knows the right torque for this bolt then please advise. How would someone work that out, or does it matter too much as long as it's reasonably tight? Airwolf advised me that the shock mounting hardware they'd send would work for my shock, but it doesn't -- you need a 8x20 and 8x14 kits from Rockshox. I anticipated this, which is why I asked so I could get ahead of it, but to no avail. Had I known this, or at least the correct dimensions, I could have saved myself some waiting around by pre-ordering the parts. On that note here's something that may save someone else some time -- if you're using a Rockshox Select+ 190x4*, which is a typical shock to pair with this frame, then you'll need these two Rockshox mounting hardware kits: 8x14 part# 11.4118.091.800 8x20 part# 11.4118.091.806 Where I live most shops don't stock any mounting kits so everyone has to order, and since they all use the same distributor it's mostly a waiting game if one is on backorder, as is the 8x14 kit now. Luckily I found one on eBay, fingers crossed it'll be here next week. December 11, 2023, 09:42:23 AM |
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Pricing Sheet for Chinese Builds
Tldr: Linked spreadsheet is what I used to determine what I should buy, few different price points. Also I have a collection of discount codes https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fy4op-Zab2_uQ7Q71fPE9zrVnLoIcBQjucV7uYBvkPY/edit I have gone down the rabbit hole and collected my findings in one sheet so that others could benefit from it. My goal years ago when I started dreaming was to have a $3000 build that outclassed entry level 105 equipped bikes from the mainstream brands. The sheet does not include pedals and saddle cost, mainly because they will transfer between bikes.A few criteria guided my decision 1. Brands must have card payments or Paypal Transfer… Bank transfer to China too sketchy for me 2. I wanted something “aeroish” as I live in East Tennessee. All my rides have at least 1000 ft of climbing as a result 3. Groupset had to be from Shimano or SRAM. Merlin cycles has great group prices, and I did not want to be a LTWOO test subject. I settled on Shimano 105 due to budget. This really narrowed it down to the “Mainstream” China Brands like Winspace, Yoeleo and ICAN. To me personally Winspace was always my #1 choice, but after they increased the prices with the T1550 released I looked at cheaper options. This Black Friday I started to pull the trigger and got the T1550 with bar and Hyper 2023s for $2205 after another 10% off with discount code. Honestly I could have saved some money if I got the Hyper SE wheels, but hell with it. FYI, I know there are many frugal KINGS in this forum who will point out how I could have saved $ here and there, but I wanted a straightforward build with no scary china shipping limbo. Hope this helps any newbies out there, and feel free to ask questions. Hopefully it will be assembled by the end of January. Special thanks to everyone in the forum for guidance and knowledge I have learned. I will update the “Actual Build” column after I finish buying everything. December 17, 2023, 04:06:16 PM |
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Re: LightCarbon 918?
I just finished a Light carbon 918, with shimano xt. Excellent frame
January 04, 2024, 06:24:24 AM |
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Re: Zero offset seat post recommendations?
Maybe just my point of view, but: saddle adjustment is not to adjust reach length - saddle adjustment is done to find the correct position over pedals & bottom bracket area (to avoid knee pain or muscular issues). Once that saddle position is fixed, you will use stem & handle bar to modify and adjust your position on the bike. January 09, 2024, 03:07:14 AM |
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Re: Carbonda FM909
Ouch I hope they will be back to you in any case because 2000 km are not enough to justify those cracks The official warranty for the frame is 2 years and it ended 4 months ago. But Carbonda looked at the photos and decided to send me a new rear triangle for free and even paint it for free January 15, 2024, 10:04:43 AM |
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Re: SP-Cycle M06 build thread
NiceThat BB shell is too big. I suggest you do not ride the bike like this since you can damage the BB shell if the BB starts moving. You are better off installing it with Loctite 609 and activator. It will fill the gap. Read up on using Loctite on BB's before you start using it. January 26, 2024, 11:25:07 AM |
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Re: L-Twoo, Sensah or 105?
Side note; I like the irony of chinertown convincing someone to buy shimano 
February 25, 2024, 04:11:10 AM |
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During the pandemic it was easy to sell a used bike so I could build a bike, ride it for a couple of months and sell it for component costs. Now things have changed, its very hard to sell a home built bike so I have to many bikes and therefore no space for more builds 