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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
Hello everyone, first post here! Just been lurking for the past few weeks, so thanks everyone for all the pictures and experience that helped me decide. I've pulled the trigger on a XL Disc version of the 218 today. Hopefully it'll turn up fine without the unlucky experiences some of you had. Planning an SRAM Force Etap build, but I'll hold off from ordering other components until I see the frame. Did anyone run into trouble with taxing it when importing to EU (Germany)? KR January 29, 2023, 06:48:37 AM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
Look who arrived on Friday. First look of the frame is good, the paint job is superb for 50€. I can confirm they still haven't fixed the issue with the bolt in the bottom bracket, but since I knew that was coming it was a job of a few minutes with a dremel. Bottom bracket is aligned well, so I have just kicked off the orders for the other components. Now back to waiting untill they arrive. Total delivery time was longer than expected though. Ordered 29th of Jan. Shipment on 25th of Feb. Delivery in Germany on 10th of March. March 12, 2023, 09:41:30 AM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
Which shipping method did you chose to Germany? Did you have to pay any additional duties or fees? I wasn't aware you could chose different shopping. Mine says "EMS" on the invoice. The final delivery in Germany was done by DPD. Apparently the shipping went through Belgium ans I didn't have to pay any additional fees other than the ~160€ that I paid to velobuild. Not sure if they are avoiding customs that way or if that already was included. March 12, 2023, 10:54:54 AM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
Finished my build and just went for a short ride to check on everything. Rides very nicely, very stiff (I might change the rear tire from 25mm to 28mm to increase comfort). Overall I'm very happy with it and for the cost I cannot complain (warning: new toy syndrome). The fit is also nice, as I was afraid the frame could be too small. But the aero spacers and saddle setback make up for it. I'm 188cm tall with a 92cm inseam and long arms, got the XL Frame. I haven't decided on the final bike fit, so I still have 15mm 3d printed spacers on top - thanks to the stranger who designed these and put them on thingiverse! I'll also put some TPU on my 3d printer this weekend and see if I can draw up some grommets for the frame openings that I don’t need due to the electronic shifting and a seat post gasket. The only issue I have not solved yet is some disc brake rubbing on the rear brake that I cannot get rid of at the moment. Possibly due to misaligned (unfaced) brake mounting points. I went with post mount brakes as I got the Sram Red groupset for 600€ cheaper than flat mount, so I had to use adapters that increase the distance between the calliper and the frame. Not sure if that worsens the issue. I might want to exchange the callipers to flat mount. Does anyone know if changing to flat mount callipers helps with the disc brake rubbing? Or does anyone have experience with DIY facing the brake mounts? March 18, 2023, 08:22:50 AM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
Thanks both. I'm also positively surprised by the paint. Its quite hard to capture on camera, but the chameleon effect from green to purple as the light changes is cool. (I would laught at someone who has this on his car, but I'm a bike person after all). I'll see if I can find someone with that hillariously expensive facing tool next week. But since it is Sunday and nothing is open, I fired up the 3d printed and made a nice gasket for the seatpost cover. Also a front derallieur gasket and rear derallieur gasket since I'm using wireless shifting. If anyone wants the files: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5917550 https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5917583 https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5917830 Nice build Matt what wheels are thoseI purchased them from velobuild too. VB-RC-50-23/25mm 142x12 Carbon road Wheelset disc 25mm Width March 19, 2023, 03:14:29 AM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
Hi All, Hello sir, Your comment just made me research how to install Di2 and I realized what a pain it ist, lol. Glad I went with sram etap. In other words: no, the handlebars do not have the extra hole for Di2. Also the frame does not have the hole in the downtube like the dogma F has. There is a Di2 battery holder in the bottom bracket, though. April 04, 2023, 02:58:31 PM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
1000km Update! Still in love with this frame. Stiff, rides like a dream and it fits my body type very well (loong arms) . Brake misalignment issue is still only 99% fixed, as I still have some disc rubbing when I go out of the saddle. Still hoping this will eventually fade when the brake pads bed in more, but I might have to do some more effort into re-centering again. However, I don't have any issues with the frame. No cracks, no creaking, no rattling. Nothing! July 05, 2023, 01:53:40 PM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
Hi everyone, I have received some direct messages over my bike computer setup on the VB218, because I have mounted a bell below it. If anyone is interested, here are some infos about it: My bell mount is actually a self-made contraption, that consists of three things: - a standard bell, that you would normally mount to a round handlebar - the standard computer mount that came with the velobuild 218 frame - a 3d printed part, that allows me to mount the bell The 3d file can be downloaded here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6578675 This setup has worked fine, but it was a bit heavy. A few weeks ago I hit a pothole and the computer mount broke, so I ordered the off the shelf variant for a pinarello. It's made from the brand "close the gap" and is currently very popular in germany (probably because germans like rules and there is a rule that you must have a bell on your bike) April 14, 2024, 06:16:00 AM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
Are we doing update posts? 3000k update from me! Still working like a charm. I have put some "skateboard" grip tape on the seatpost wedge, as it wanted to reduce the torque on these bolts after what I've seen in this thread. Seatpost now holds with 2nm on the bolts. And I can confirm you can actually ride TT on this, if you are brave enough and have a 3d printer, lol. A bit sketchy, but I wanted to try out the TT position for a bit before I pull the trigger on a new frame May 11, 2024, 02:16:32 PM |
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