Chinertown
Chinese Carbon MTB => 29er => Topic started by: ganski on December 10, 2020, 04:45:50 PM
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Hey, long time lurker, first time poster. I decided to buy a Airwolf SC highball of off aliexpress ($350). I had a lot of parts laying around, like wheels and a drive train, some odds and ends. Wanted to share some photos of the frame as I build it up. Frame weighs 1080 naked, 1144 with axle and seatpost clamp. Finish was overall good except the chip in the head tube, rear axle is funky. The routing was backwards but easy to remedy. I'm shooting for an 8.7kg build with components I have laying around. Ill post more photos and riding experience once its built.
https://imgur.com/gallery/SzLf1uu (https://imgur.com/gallery/SzLf1uu)
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Finished building it up, came out to 19lbs 13oz with pedals and bottle cage. Now it’s time to ride it.
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Did you have good contact with the seller? Or no need to?
I love the design of that frame.
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Yea I had great contact with the seller from AliExpress, really easy to text exchange. Got a ride in today and it was great. My only other previous hardtail is a niner one 9 rdo. I love having a slacker head tube angle and the frame isn’t as stiff.
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Nice buid. What's the name of the shop you ordered it from?
Do you have no concerns at all about the damage on the frame?
Did they compensate you about it?
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It’s the airwolf store in AliExpress, I think they also have a store on eBay, I would check prices on both.
US $313.65 15％ Off | 2020 New Hardtail Carbon MTB Frame 29 With Thru Axle 12*148mm B00ST Full T1000 Carbon 29er Mountin Bike Bicycle Frames
https://a.aliexpress.com/_msGdHBn (http://US $313.65 15％ Off | 2020 New Hardtail Carbon MTB Frame 29 With Thru Axle 12*148mm B00ST Full T1000 Carbon 29er Mountin Bike Bicycle Frames
https://a.aliexpress.com/_msGdHBn)
I don’t have any concerned about the damage on the inside of the head tube. The top bearing still seats fine and has a slot contact with the frame. I sent them the photos of the damage hoping they would just send me another frame so I could have one on deck incase this one fails. They were reassuring that if anything happens to contact them.
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I'm seriously thinking about this frame, but is there routing for an internal dropper? I see an inlet near the head tube, but nothing around the bottom bracket.
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Yes there is an inlet on the head tube, there are 2 on each side. I actually ran a full piece of cable housing to the rear derailleur and snuck it over the bb.
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Just throwing up another photo. Put about 40 miles so far in it. I like it, rides like a bike. ;)
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Is there room for a 180mm disc with this frame?
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I ordered this frameset 12/28(painted gloss white), and the frameset was delivered 1/16. Sadly, it was shipped to an address over 1000 miles from my home. I'll let you know how this turns out.
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I ordered this frameset 12/28(painted gloss white), and the frameset was delivered 1/16. Sadly, it was shipped to an address over 1000 miles from my home. I'll let you know how this turns out.
Monday I received a new tracking number, and USPS shows that it is scheduled for delivery tomorrow 1/22.
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Monday I received a new tracking number, and USPS shows that it is scheduled for delivery tomorrow 1/22.
Pictures please ! :D
Great to know that it finally arrives.
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I also build a bike with this frame, I just finished it today :
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I also build a bike with this frame, I just finished it today :
160mm or 180mm rear disc? complete bike weight?
My frame has been delayed until 1/23, but I'll post photos when it arrives.
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160mm or 180mm rear disc? complete bike weight?
My frame has been delayed until 1/23, but I'll post photos when it arrives.
The frameset came today, and was well protected for shipping.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50864021358_0e0a69ecda_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kuFptu)
I'll have more time to fiddle with it tomorrow, but here it is so far.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50864733321_7d17ced015_o.jpg)
(https://flic.kr/p/2kuK47H)
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Where did you source the fork? Model#?
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Looks nice with the red!
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Where did you source the fork? Model#?
I ordered directly from the Airwolf store on Aliexpress. They offer the same frameset on eBay, at a lower price, but the projected shipping date is much sooner on Aliexpress.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001666589517.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.3a3c4c4dPQJrOl
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looks good!
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Yeah, looks good! Hope to see more pics!
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Does anyone know if this frame is going to fit 27.5x2.8 tires?
I know that the manufacturer says max tire is 29x2.4 but still
Would love to build it on plus setup
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Nice with this white paintjob and red components !
For me, this is 160mm front and rear.
Total weight is around 8.5kg, and 8.3kg with the light wheelset that I have on the full-sus.
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Nice with this white paintjob and red components !
For me, this is 160mm front and rear.
Total weight is around 8.5kg, and 8.3kg with the light wheelset that I have on the full-sus.
What wheelset did you put on it?
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Windvane rims of 27mm internal width, and 360g per rim.
ZTTO M1 hubs.
Pillar X-tra aero 1420 spokes.
Blue Sapim polyax nipples.
And my other wheelset is exactly the same but with light version of these rims (310g per rim).
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Yeah, looks good! Hope to see more pics!
I'll post some more pics when the build is complete. Right now it's becoming a source of frustration. I thought I had a plenty of Jagwire braided shifter housing, but it was brake housing. It'll be about a week for that to arrive,
The rotors should arrive today, so tomorrow I'll run the brake lines, and bleed them.
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Windvane rims of 27mm internal width, and 360g per rim.
ZTTO M1 hubs.
Pillar X-tra aero 1420 spokes.
Blue Sapim polyax nipples.
And my other wheelset is exactly the same but with light version of these rims (310g per rim).
Hey man, I read that straight gauge spokes like the ones you are using isn't recommended for carbon rims and will void warranty. Is it true?
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Hey man, I read that straight gauge spokes like the ones you are using isn't recommended for carbon rims and will void warranty. Is it true?
Lightbicycle build carbon wheels with them.
My only complaint is about the Pilar nipples that easily get galvanic corrosion.
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Hey man, I read that straight gauge spokes like the ones you are using isn't recommended for carbon rims and will void warranty. Is it true?
I never heard that, I don't see why it would be a problem? For the rim, there is no difference between a straight spoke and a j-bend, the 2 types arrive the same in the nipple, the tensions are supposed to be the same, etc.
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Lightbicycle build carbon wheels with them.
My only complaint is about the Pilar nipples that easily get galvanic corrosion.
I also noticed the poor quality of the Pillar nipples, I have never built wheels with them so as not to have a problem, that's why I mount all my wheels with the Sapim Polyax which are excellent.
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I never heard that, I don't see why it would be a problem? For the rim, there is no difference between a straight spoke and a j-bend, the 2 types arrive the same in the nipple, the tensions are supposed to be the same, etc.
I found the info here, it's the type of jbend spokes being used. U can check it out https://www.mtbr.com/threads/straight-gauge-2mm-spokes-on-carbon-build.1094904/
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Hey man, I read that straight gauge spokes like the ones you are using isn't recommended for carbon rims and will void warranty. Is it true?
The spokes he's using aren't straight gauge spokes, they are straight-pull bladed aero spokes.
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Tomorrow I'll bleed the brakes, and the build will be complete.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50906876576_ea8d92c65e_o.jpg)
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Oooh, I like the white one very much!
Can you tell us the weight of the complete bike?
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Oooh, I like the white one very much!
Can you tell us the weight of the complete bike?
20.73lbs. Not bad for entry level components with a dropper post.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50914950451_314b3d92d7_o.jpg)
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Tomorrow I'll bleed the brakes, and the build will be complete.
Does it XL size frame? Can you measure please distance from center of BB to the top of top tube (along seat tube)?
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Just throwing up another photo. Put about 40 miles so far in it. I like it, rides like a bike. ;)
Do you use 120 mm fork? Can you measure please BB height (from ground to center of BB)?
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Does it XL size frame? Can you measure please distance from center of BB to the top of top tube (along seat tube)?
Yes this is an XL frame, and it measures 47cm from the center of the crank spindle to the top of the top tube.
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20.73lbs. Not bad for entry level components with a dropper post.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50914950451_314b3d92d7_o.jpg)
Bike looks great. Judging by the Saguaro, you're in AZ. Are you in the valley by chance? I'm happily riding my Chinese hardtail around the East valley. Let me know if you want to ride.
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Yes this is an XL frame, and it measures 47cm from the center of the crank spindle to the top of the top tube.
Thank you!
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I've found out that at least two guys who ordered this frame in M size had problems with fitting boost suspension forks into this frame. One guy reported that compression adjustment knob on Reba hits the downtube when fork is rotated. Another guy tells the same about Fox fork, and with Fox situation is even worse - it hits frame by both sides.
Can someone confirm the same issue with L and XL frames?
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Maybe put some sort of shim under the crown race
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Maybe put some sort of shim under the crown race
Yep, it's the only way to solve this. And it's a shame that Chinese manufacturers are still not able even to make a correct copy of a brand frame. And another thing that becomes clear - that there are no engineering at all when they create their frames for bikes or (in most cases) bike-shaped-objects.
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....And another thing that becomes clear - that there are no engineering at all when they create their frames for bikes or (in most cases) bike-shaped-objects.
You will find plenty of Chinese brands referenced on this forum.
They make original models, and care about their customers.
When you buy counterfeit models, you're dealing with another kind of people.
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I also build a bike with this frame, I just finished it today :
Very nice build! I'm thinking to build a bike with the same frame but I have some questions. The chainstay protector is the original from Santa Cruz? Also, I can't see if there's a downtube protector. If you have any of those, how did you attach them to the frame? As far as I know, they screw to the frame but I don't know if there are holes for it. :-\
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Hey guys I have now probably 500 or more miles on my airwolf and one of the first things I've found is that I have a dreaded creak from the rear axle. The molding on the dropouts on mine is pretty poor and the axle cap doesn't sit flush. This has lead the tire to sitting off center in the frame. I've contacted them about getting a new frame but their customer service on ali express is bad. The take forever to respond and seem to be just avoiding me at this time. I sent the many photos and videos as well. I let you know how it turns out and try and upload some photos.
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(http://)
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Areo spokes are butted. Therefore not straight guage.
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Hey guys I have now probably 500 or more miles on my airwolf and one of the first things I've found is that I have a dreaded creak from the rear axle. The molding on the dropouts on mine is pretty poor and the axle cap doesn't sit flush. This has lead the tire to sitting off center in the frame. I've contacted them about getting a new frame but their customer service on ali express is bad. The take forever to respond and seem to be just avoiding me at this time. I sent the many photos and videos as well. I let you know how it turns out and try and upload some photos.
hope they make it right for you. Did you happen to use PayPal? I had an issue with wheels and PayPal reversed the charges for me easily, even the shipping....never did hear from them so I just paid $40 or so to send them back.
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Unfortunately I didn’t, they still haven’t respond basically getting ghosted by them. There’s another review on AliExpress about their store saying basically to avoid them because their customer service sucks. Adding another image to show that their drop out seats look like they were hand carved with a knife, I might try and sand it down and see if that helps.
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Finished building it up, came out to 19lbs 13oz with pedals and bottle cage. Now it’s time to ride it.
I also ordered an Airwolf frame and would be interested in a question that was asked in the thread but never answered, I believe.
Is that a 100mm or a 120mm fork?
Thank you!
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I was about to order this frame until I read about the fork crown hitting the downtube. Can anyone confirm this? I'll be ordering a small frame.
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Unfortunately I didn’t, they still haven’t respond basically getting ghosted by them. There’s another review on AliExpress about their store saying basically to avoid them because their customer service sucks. Adding another image to show that their drop out seats look like they were hand carved with a knife, I might try and sand it down and see if that helps.
It isn't a part of the frame that is usually well finished in my experience with some other models.
Not sure it is that worrying.
But that they suck at customer service, is definitely a red flag!
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Very nice. I just got notification that mine is due to be delivered tomorrow. Can't wait!
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took me forever but I finally had some time to build it up.
I built a big Privateer 161 for bike parks last year and ended up liking is so much I pretty much stopped riding my 30 pound "normal" 140mm travel Intense Primer except on real mellow XC single track. The Intense was built as a light weight trail ride so all the parts made sense on the Airwolf, in XL the air wolf is right around 23.5 pounds with a solid build and meaty tires.
only done about 50 miles but so far its exactly what I wanted, eats up climbs and normal single track... Not sure I would push it especially on a rigid fork so anything really steep and rocky I will be bringing the 161 :)
(http://thesbimage.com/SBI_5094.jpg)
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I've found out that at least two guys who ordered this frame in M size had problems with fitting boost suspension forks into this frame. One guy reported that compression adjustment knob on Reba hits the downtube when fork is rotated. Another guy tells the same about Fox fork, and with Fox situation is even worse - it hits frame by both sides.
Can someone confirm the same issue with L and XL frames?
I've got this frame on order and this has me concerned. Has anyone used a Reverse Components crown race spacer? It's 10mm tall and knocks 0.5deg off the head angle. On this frame that's 69.5-> 69.0deg. Thoughts?
https://reverse-components.com/en/products/05%C2%B0-angle-spacer-tapered-forks
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I've got this frame on order and this has me concerned. Has anyone used a Reverse Components crown race spacer? It's 10mm tall and knocks 0.5deg off the head angle. On this frame that's 69.5-> 69.0deg. Thoughts?
https://reverse-components.com/en/products/05%C2%B0-angle-spacer-tapered-forks
I've never seen this particular one, but was thinking about fabricating the same item today. Buying this is much easier. Thanks for sharing.
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Hi, I am thinking in build my first chinese bike and I like this frame (I need a XL size).
Any update of the users? I need a final push...
Thanks.
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Hi, I am thinking in build my first chinese bike and I like this frame (I need a XL size).
Any update of the users? I need a final push...
Thanks.
I have one in an XL size and have had it for a year. I am very happy with it. Mine is non-boost spacing and has a QR axle. I have had zero issues with it and it is definitely an upgrade from the aluminum frame it replaced.Lighter, stiffer, and overall just a better ride. If you want to build one, you totally should.
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Thanks! I just paid It!
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Thanks! I just paid It!
You can see my experience here: http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,3409.msg33499.html#msg33499
I'm very happy with mine. I have been wondering if the fork / downtube issue may be down to forks with different rake to mine? I have not had any problems with the RS Sid or Fox 34.
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Anyone know how large of a front chainring you can run on these bikes (not sure it matters but its a boost frame DUB boost crank)
Rode it for about a year with 2.3's but ended up buying a short travel full suspension (YT Izzo) and now want to make it more of a flat bar gravel bike with these American classic 50c semi slicks. and would be want 36t front chainring ideally. any idea? looks like it would be touching the chain stay and would rather not drop the money for a test fit.
thanks
Ray
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It's far too late but if someone else has the same question, I am running a 36T chainring on a boost frame with a non-boost 6 mm offset, and there is plenty of room with the chain stay. So yes, don't worry !
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Hi, can anyone tell me what is rear axle size for boost frame ? I need thread size, pitch, and other dimensions, because I want to buy thru-axle from Robert axle project to use it with rear rack.