You aren't though. The only thing is Sram chains are needed for Sram cassettes. You can definitely use non-Sram 16t gap 12 speed chainrings just fine. People are using Shimano and Campagnolo 12 spd cassettes with AXS as well.

Sram Force chains also are really cheap to run because they last a long time.

Chains, cassettes and chainrings are a place where the big brands have a huge leg up right now.

I believe competition is great and that without Ltwoo and Wheeltop the Apex and GX AXS wouldnt exist. If wheeltop could have retained the removable battery, an 1x13 electronic group using the Ekar cassettes would have been amazing. I have doubts though about how usable this product will be though after the lawyers had a go.

We also dont know if the drop bar levers can work with MTB RD, right? Could be a great mullet option.

I totally agree, but I am in the nice position to get a frame much cheaper because a friend of mine is working in the bike industry. Of course „cheap“ is the wrong word here. I am really unsure about my decision, but in the end I am trying to whitewash it with selling it later for nearly the price I will pay now…

I really like the shape of the 268, but the uncertainty of getting the roval cockpit work is a huge obstacle for my idea of building it up.

Looks like same as the toseek handlebar that snapped on tracevelo?