Chinertown
Chinese Carbon Road Bikes => Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components => Topic started by: Steve42 on November 22, 2023, 02:56:23 PM
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Hey Guys,
I need some help for my decision.
I want to build a carbon gravel/road bike. I will use a LTWOO GRT (1×12s) with a Magene P505 Power Meter crank combi.
So: Should I go cheap and buy the BXT 135 on Ali with the sale tomorrow, or should I go for more quality with the Carbonda CFR707. It's like 400$ vs. 800$...
I want fully internal cable routing, so this is a must. Maybe you have some other ideas?
Last build was a Tsunami GR02, but not to happy with it due to heavy frame flex when putting down power. I am 183cm and 90kg.
Thanks in advance!
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From what i read bxt is not the best quality around. Carbonda is much better on this point with probably a better customer service.
I don't really know about ride quality of these frames, but i doubt you will find a big difference, they are chiners without more engineering than it's okay frame don't break^^
Especially in gravel where tyres and contact points makes the big difference.
Geometries are similar so the choice is do you need 400$ difference to spent in better components?
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They look pretty similar, and the Geo also looks comparable.
The Carbonda comes with Seatpost and handlebars + all the accesories to mount these, and I am sure that everything will fit together. Price would be around 900$ with my chosen color.
The BXT comes without these accessories and parts, so I would have to spend at least another 200$ to get the same, and could run into troubles making everthing fit together. So I would end up at atleast 650$ here, which is not that big of a difference.
I will get the Carbonda with chosen color, I think I will be more happy with this, even if it is more expensive.
Does anyone know, if Carbonda ever has something like a sale sometimes? As right now ICAN, Elitewheels etc. are all giving discounts.
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Good choice. I'm currently riding a 707.
Production quality is ok/good, however some paint overspray and headset bearing seats are not super smooth, but that is to be expected.
I faced the BSA BB to get that alignment perfect, and the amount of shavings was equal or even less than it's stable mate that has a S-WORKS logo on the frame.
So, given the bike value for the price of a 707 is a bargain itself.
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I can also vouch for the CFR707 quality. No issues building mine up. If I were doing it again, I would go with this frame again.
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Did you consider the new version of the popular CFR-505 ?
I prefer its thinner tubes compared to others, and with appropriate wheels on it, it can look like a road bike too.
It has a bit more tire clearance, the UDH and T47 BB and lighter than its predecessor.
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Thanks for your help to all!
I just had a look at the CFR505, and it does not have internal cable routing, and max rotor size is 160mm.
Is it the new version of the CFR696?
So I will stick with the CFR707 in 'British racing green' for now, I guess :)
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Thanks for your help to all!
I just had a look at the CFR505, and it does not have internal cable routing, and max rotor size is 160mm.
Is it the new version of the CFR696?
So I will stick with the CFR707 in 'British racing green' for now, I guess :)
Google about 505SL . This has internal routing. Carbonda is somehow nur updating their webpage about the 505.
There is also a thread here about the 505 SL.
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Ok I found some pictures and Infos. Looks really nice, but has no mounting points at the rear. I am planning to build a slingfing copy for bikepacking, so I need some mounting points. But still thanks for the heads up! :)
Now I am unsure if I am going with the CBG02 handlebar, which is a gravel style handlebar and has flare, or with the CHB1036 handlebar, which is a classic road handlebar. Riding profile would be 75% road, 25% gravel. Never tried handlebar with flare... Any recommendations?
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The CBG02 handlebar is a pretty mild flare. I started riding gravel on a 20deg flare, then went down to 12 deg flare, and I think the CBG02 is like 6deg. It barely feels flared to me, enough to have a bit more wrist comfort in the drops, have a bit more narrow aero position in the hoods, and I like the hoods flared in a bit. It feels weird to me to ride my friends bikes with straight road bars. But it is a personal preference, I know some people who don't like flare.