Chinertown
Chinese Carbon Road Bikes => Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components => Topic started by: belgischer_kreisel on March 27, 2024, 05:33:06 AM
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Hello,
first of all. This forum is a great ressource, hats off to all your effort and the collective knowledge presented here!
I fear my question is a bit of a niche question as rim brake bikes are dying out steadily... but still... I live in a relatively flat area (Berlin), I am not eager to ride in rainy conditions if I can avoid it, I like to experiment with bike geometry and also fear the necessary maintenance disc brakes require. Moreover, I have lot's of rim brake specific spare parts lying around here... tl;dr: I am looking for a rim brake frame.
But: Berlin's roads are rarely smooth and there are also lots of cobbled paths. Coming from a ultra stiff early 2000s aluminium frame which can barely accomodate 23mm tires @15C rims (Pro-Lite Cuneo GP), I would LOVE to have a little bit more comfort. From browsing through all the china frame manufacturers (Dengfu, Hongfu, TanTan, Workswell, etc.) I know that most of their rim brake frames only accomodate 25mm tires. I myself own a Hongfu FM-088 which is rated as "25mm" and leaves only minimal clearance with Vittoria Corsa 25mm @ Campa Zondas 17C and I always have to deflate the tire on the rear wheel once I want to remove the wheel, otherwise it get's stuck in the frame. tl;dr: I know that it's maybe a hopeless request.
To sum it all up: Does anyone of you know a rim brake frame that accomodates 28mm tires?
(even better when it has threaded BB, endurance geometry, round seatpost, common headset measurements [eg IS42/28.6 | IS52/40], but that's for another time)
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No threaded bottom bracket, but the Velobuild R-066 and OG Evkin CF-025 from it appears to be from the same mold would tick off most of your requirements-I've posted about my OG Evkin CF-025 which is almost six years old now. No issues fitting Conti GP5000 in 28c on a 19c internal rim.
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To sum it all up: Does anyone of you know a rim brake frame that accomodates 28mm tires?
(even better when it has threaded BB, endurance geometry, round seatpost, common headset measurements [eg IS42/28.6 | IS52/40], but that's for another time)
2017 Giant Propel SL fits 28mm tyres (well Conti GP5000 TR S on 23mm internal width rims) just, thanks to its mini V brakes. But fails on every other requirement.
All my other frames an I have a few, don't fit 28mm tyres (GP4000s on 17mm internal rims), and the most common issue is rubbing against the brakes. The one exception is a 2008 KHS flite800 which is made from Reynolds 853 steel and fits all your requirements.
What I am trying to say, is look careful on the second hand market, you might find something suitable. Be it a 2017 Gaint Defy (you might need to check tyre clearance) or a mid 2000s high end steel frame. Rim brake frames/bikes are cheap and plentiful on the second hand market.
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I think the last couple of supersix in rim brakes could take 28s, on wide enough rims. I think i would focus on the 2nd hand market for what you're after. China is focusing on where the market is going, which is discs. If you buy 2nd hand, you can get a tour de france bike from a few years ago for really cheap. And if your concern is geometry, then try a bunch of bikes that people are selling.
Beyond frame clearance, you also have to look at brake clearance. People have been known to sand down brake pads to accommodate wider rims, which can it turn accommodate wider tyres. If you ride on the flat, sanded down brake pads will still last you forever.
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It's an epic quest to find a new frame that fits all the requirements I'm afraid.
I got a rim brake bug myself couple of weeks ago, so I picked up a ~2012 alloy Boardman Comp. Frame is quite heavy at ~1.8kg, bit it has BSA bottom bracket, round seatpost (larger than 27.2mm though), plenty of room for 28mm tyres because the frame uses longer reach brakes.
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Have you considered going disc with cable? That will let you keep everything rim brake except the calipers/wheels, and give you substantially more tire clearance.
Velobuild's VB-R-066 comes in rim brake and disc and meets a lot of your requirements. I would still lean towards disc. Yes you will need a new wheelset too but that's an opportunity to really lean into the width. You can even get MTB wheels if aero is not a concern. Then use your rim brake groupset with something like Juin Tech F1 calipers. Something to think about
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I have a rim brake Trek Emonda ALR. I've fitted 30c tires in there and would have no problem going to 32s. It's decently light too for an aluminum frame at around 1200g with paint and hardware in size 50. The only box it doesn't tick is a threaded bb. I would definitely recommend, the smooth welds make it seem almost like carbon.
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There's still a few options around with direct mount rim brakes if you search Aliexpress thoroughly enough. My VB-R218 has direct mount rim brakes and definitely fits tires measuring up to 32mm with still enough clearance. Also my rims are 30mm wide and the slightly better braking performance with direct mount rim brakes helps with that. But I think this is about the widest you will ever be able to go with rim brakes.
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Have you considered going disc with cable?
Haha YES. Every other day I change my mind. I am just a bit concerned about guiding compressionless housings along the handlebar/through the frame (too strong bends) and from which cable actuated brakes to choose (maybe juintech f1 but they are pretty damn expensive).
Anyway, thanks for the big response. I fear its a never ending quest for me.
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I mean if you really just want to dip your toe into the disc brake thing, consider getting a disc fork + wheel + cable brake caliper for one of your rim brake road bikes.
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I mean if you really just want to dip your toe into the disc brake thing, consider getting a disc fork + wheel + cable brake caliper for one of your rim brake road bikes.
If I get a DB bike I want to exploit its andvantages to the fullest (tire clearance), eg 35mm tires at front and rear. No honestly I think about the Carbonda 1056, but the thread has >35 pages and I am still not through it :D
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Assuming from ur username that u are from Belgium (around brussels) maybe we can think of ordering together a frame and save on shipping money.
Maybe there is even other Belgian people willing to join and do a groupbuy from 1 supplier.
I am currently in doubt between Carbonda 1136, 1056, vbr 066 and ltk266. Mind points to first two, wallet to the latest 2 especially since vbr066 is the revised version
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haha, no, I am German, living in Berlin. Belgischer Kreisel is the German term for riding in two rows in crosswind with rotating riders in front as in a time trial.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgischer_Kreisel
but I'll definitely have a look into your frameset suggestions.
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Someone put 38s on a 1056 "without issue"
https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,2982.msg57684.html#msg57684
Though if you really want to guarantee big tire clearance it might be worth looking into gravel/cross frames.
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Someone put 38s on a 1056 "without issue"
https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,2982.msg57684.html#msg57684
Though if you really want to guarantee big tire clearance it might be worth looking into gravel/cross frames.
35mm would be more than enough for me as I do not really plan to do any Gravel and would favor more something like an all road bike (and I guess the 1056 is just that).
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haha, no, I am German, living in Berlin. Belgischer Kreisel is the German term for riding in two rows in crosswind with rotating riders in front as in a time trial.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgischer_Kreisel
but I'll definitely have a look into your frameset suggestions.
Hhe then I guess I'll have to risk alone ehhe. I think I'll pull the trigger either on the velobuild or the ltk... Its hard to justify a Chinese frame around/above 1k when you can get western full bikes for 2k or less
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SPCycle road frame can fit up to 32s tire..
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Its hard to justify a Chinese frame around/above 1k when you can get western full bikes for 2k or less
But wouldn't that make this forum pointless? Or are you referring to a specific Chinese manufacturer you regard as too expensive?
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But wouldn't that make this forum pointless? Or are you referring to a specific Chinese manufacturer you regard as too expensive?
Well the more I see, the more I get to such conclusion eheh.
For example Carbonda fm1136 painted and delivered to the EU is above 1000euros. Geometry wise this would be the best suit for me. Then we have the 1056 gets quite close to that mark 650+195+25+10+1x0USD.
As far as I see here in the forum these would be a good option while velobuild seems OK only if the order goes wel firstl. If not, apparently it's better to just forget.
Yet, one always has to take these reviews with a pinch of sal. Both for good and for bad.
Honestly at this stage think I'll risk. Longteng is taking forever to answer emails so I'm left with VB but still trying to reach a couple of other shops such as workswell
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Its hard to justify a Chinese frame around/above 1k when you can get western full bikes for 2k or less
A Chinese build around a $1000 Carbonda/Elves frame is gonna be way nicer than a $2K 20lb big brand bike, especially if you are particular at all about weight, specs etc. I was looking at Endurace 7s when they were on sale, but when I factored in that I would want new bars and wheels it wasn't worth it. A custom build would still be cheaper, lighter and much less of a hassle.
For me things get problematic when Chinese frames get far above the ~1000 mark (I.e. Yoeleo, Winspace etc). From there you're not far in price from a lower end Western frame set (though Patlien's experience with Giant doesn't speak well of that either).