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Re: SEKA Bikes? Out of contact?
Alright, I've added some action shots and I'll provide my review here. You can find a spreadsheet of my build at this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1z20zeKtriG4WqEXxRvezuxrfo9ZRBZkz3rY3xrKfrCU/edit?usp=sharing Re: version and weight, I have the standard exceed in midnight blue, size large, with 380mmX130mm barstem. When I first built it up, it weighed about 16.6lb (incl. pedals & cages). I have since gotten that down to 16.2lb by swapping out some parts and cutting down the seatpost. Check the spreadsheet for detailed weights. Re: seatpost slipping, I have experienced problems with that myself, as well as creaking. I have gone into more detail on weight weenies, but basically the seat post as a lot of slop between the seat tube, and it makes it so the compressor has to do pretty much all stabilization. This is not an uncommon problem, and while most manufacturers put in a chunky compressor to solve this problem, Seka's is small and flimsy for weight saving. Furthermore, Seka's stock seatpost is VERY long, so at even normal post heights, you will hit the seat tube cutout changing the post angle, and this messes up the interface with the compressor. So you NEED to cut the post, both to avoid damaging your frame, and to ensure a proper interface. I have addressed this issue with lots of carbon paste, putting 3M protective film on the surface that doesn't touch the plug to take up that slack, and overtorqueing the screw a bit, and since dialing this in, I haven't experienced problems with slipping. Re: Flex, my previous bike was a Tarmac SL5, bikes in general have gotten much stiffer since then. This bike feels stiffer yet more vertically compliant compared to my Tarmac. When I first got the bike, I sensed a lot of fork flex under braking. Since then I've tightened up the headset and haven't noticed it. Either I've gotten used to it or it was the headset. I do not experience fork chatter under braking like you do with some really flexy front ends. Re: Price, preorder was $581USD, remaining was $1290USD. This is the final price billed to my card, which includes shipping/customs fees. Re: Elves falath evo or Seka, I would choose Seka. Take this all with a grain of salt since the Seka--being a semi-aero bike--has a different design philosophy/goals to the Evo, and I've never even seen an Elves in real life. But, based on all the build videos I've been watching from the usual youtubers, I really do not like the Falath Evo. I don't think it fulfills the goal of being an aero bike very well. If you really look at the tubes, lot of the design doesn't make sense aerodynamically: The leading edge of the downtube is a semi-square face, when you want a rounded one. Same goes for the seat tube gusset. All leading edges on the Seka are rounded. There's huge gaps between the seat tube cutout and the tire, even when running a 32mm tire. The Seka also has gaps, but they're smaller, not to mention that Seka isn't intending to shroud the wheels as much as the Evo is. The Evo's headtube--the most aerodynamically sensitive area on the bike, is the widest I've ever seen, which runs counter to how western brands like Cannondale are doing everything possible to make the headtube as narrow as possible to minimize the frontal cross section. Seka's is much narrower, and even has an hourglass profile to minimize it even more. I don't think the way the Evo's integration of the headtube with the top tube improves aerodynamics. TT bikes do it because the base bar is always designed to run slammed with the stem flush to the top tube. I think the way the Evo executes it actually presents more frontal area compared to a conventional, lower top tube. The Evo's super-narrow downtube does next to nothing to shield the water bottle. I'm of the opinion that every aero bike should be designed with round standard bottles in mind. The reality is that sane people not racing a TT will ride with round water bottles, and the water bottle will spoil all the airflow coming off that narrow down tube on the Evo. In contrast, the Seka's downtube gently flares out as it approaches the bottle to shield it a bit more. The shielding isn't perfect (as on most bikes), but at least it's considered on the Seka. All in all, I would not be surprised if someone put the Seka and Evo in a windtunnel (with 2 water bottles on each bike), that it turns out the Evo is not actually faster than the Seka. Lastly, I think the fact that Seka is willing to show off their carbon under clearcoat while Elves paints over EVERYTHING says that either Seka's paint and finishing is just a tad better, or that Elves may even be trying to hide imperfections in layup. Seka's paint isn't exactly phenomenal (soft, scratches easily, comes with subtle scratches/swirls in the clearcoat), but it's very special to see the carbon underneath. Coulmain made the point that for average riders, "aero optimization" doesn't really matter. My counter to that is that a) all of these un-optimized features add up, and b) if it doesn't really matter, then don't bother with an aero bike, or at least not one that postures as a super-aero bike. You pay for "aero features" in weight, comfort, impact resistance, and added engineering/manufacturing complexity that trickles down to cost. I think Coulmain weighed in a 52cm at over 1200 grams. If that's a 52, what could a 56 be? 1300g?!! Meanwhile a 52cm Seka Exceed Std is about 950 grams I think. That means the Evo is ~20% heavier! I have a hard time believing the Evo's aero gains--if there are any, are enough to offset that much of a weight penalty. May 25, 2023, 01:57:21 PM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-177
Finished up my 177 build a couple of weeks ago and have been making a few final aesthetic touches. Overall, really happy with how it turned out and how it rides. Zero issues putting the build together. Moved most of the parts over from my 168 except for the Magene Exar Ultra wheels which are new, carbon saddle from AliX and tubeless version of the Goodyear Eagle F1s I was running prior (which were constantly getting flats btw). VeloBuild VB-R-177 frame Magene EXAR Ultra 50/58 wheelset Magene P325CS Dual PM Hammerhead Karoo 2 computer Magene L508 radar light ZTTO BB86 threaded ceramic BB MIXED Ultra Light 7D MAX Carbon Saddle 140MM Goodyear Eagle F1 tubeless tires 11sp Di2 frankenmix L-TWOO ospw Really happy I made the switch, the 177 is not only a bit lighter but the main highlight coming over from the 168 I would say is how much stiffer it feels. I also like that although I think it's modelled after a Scott Addict, it looks a bit more unique given how common the SL7 which the 168 is designed after is. I think it's Velobuilds best road frame. Currently using the original HB011 bars from my 168 which I'm considering swapping as it's the only piece with noticeable flex now that I have a stiffer frame and wheels. Only issue I had was that the moulding where the rear hanger outer piece goes seems to have some excess material, which changes the angle of the thread a bit and make the TA screw in a bit tougher than it should be. Aside from that, everything was smooth. https://imgur.com/mtYh8Sh https://imgur.com/mdJxEXI https://imgur.com/tvRp4Ns https://imgur.com/NpP7zyz https://imgur.com/KhaujkN https://imgur.com/pW3z35v      
June 09, 2023, 06:29:13 PM |
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Re: dcrf26 frame - Scott Foil?
I wish there were a way to make a bike with a TT look (near vertical seatpost) but a compliant ride. I guess that's why Scott made that weird seat post. -Affordable -Lightweight -Stiff -Compliant You can probably have three of the aforementioned frame characteristics, but certainly not all four. And you can't cheat physics with such a near vertical TT-like seatpost. This is like expecting an F1 race car to handle well on rough urban streets. I prefer a stiff and communicative ride because it lets me know what the tires are doing at all times. This becomes important when the pace gets spicy. This past weekend I took both my Yoeleo R12 and Winspace T1500 on back to back long rides. The Yoeleo R12 is comfortable, composed, but doesn't have a sense of urgency. This is subjective of course. The T1500 on the other hand wants to cruise in the fast lane of the Authbahn. All day. The point is we each have to decide what's important to us in a frameset/wheel combo. And most importantly...how much are we willing to spend to achieve said combo. Godspeed my friend. July 05, 2023, 07:50:23 PM |
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Re: LTWOO ER9 & ERX - Electronic groepsets
Both Shimano Ultegra mechanical shifting groupsets R8000 (rim brake) and R8020 (hydraulic) are still tremendous values even till this day. 3 of my bikes still run Ultegra R8020, and the gear shifts are just as fast and reliable as electronic groupsets even after several thousands of miles. Obviously having to route four cables internally is a pain, which is almost worth the electronic upgrade alone. It just seems like until LTWOO/Sensai can offer a mechanical groupset that matches the refinement of Ultegra mechanical...making the quick jump to electronic is a difficult ask for early adopters. I still want one though, as it would make for good YouTube content 
July 06, 2023, 11:59:19 AM |
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Re: LTWOO ER9 & ERX - Electronic groepsets
PSA: Please please please don't buy this groupset if you're price conscious and can't afford to write the purchase off. This is not the product for someone who simply wants something that 'just works' and can't stomach the pain when something goes wrong. The software is barely 1st gen, as is the hardware and everything is subject to change in later revisions/generations. I'm excited in the eRX because the underlying foundation could truly shake up the industry but evidently there is still much to improve. By the way, zero proper reviews exist on the Chinese side of the internet as everyone there is waiting for someone else to take the risk. Just this week someone posted about aftermarket DM hanger clearance issues. Again, don't be a guinea pig. July 10, 2023, 07:17:35 AM |
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Re: LTWOO ER9 & ERX - Electronic groepsets
While I enjoy Luke's channel, a lot of his bike issues are from user error. He's pretty much the average Joe with a YT channel when it comes to bike assembly. YouTuber Peak Torque recently gave me this advice: Don't make YouTube your only or primary source of income. When you start relying on YouTube to pay your bills, it's almost impossible to be completely unbiased. And you have the potential to start rushing out videos without doing your due diligence. Case in point. September 12, 2023, 01:45:43 PM |
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Re: Elves Eglath Pro Build
the thing i like most about elves is how the name of their frames is like they've put a bunch of letters in a blender and set it to max.
September 29, 2023, 10:38:53 AM |
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Re: VeloBuild VB-R-268 frame
Same. Almost no issues with mine with an early frame (I think, no hole in the BB area). I haven't had issues with the axles, just getting used to having them in the right place to take the wheels out, primarily the back, the front one is easier. I had one instance of the saddle tilting down but hasn't happened again since I applied more torque. No issues with the seat post slipping. No issues with holes in the bars either. Overall still very happy with how it's performing so far. 
February 29, 2024, 02:16:47 PM |
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Re: Lugged vs monocoque frame
I think you are asking about single mold frame or a one piece mold rather than monocoque? Monocoque means that the load bearing structure is a "single shell" its the equivalent of a unibody in auto design. That doesn't mean its not made of joined parts. The notion of a "true monocoque frame" or "full monocoque" to mean a frame that comes out of single mold is only something I have heard with relation to bikes, but right now it's a production method does not yet tangible benefit to consumers. Maybe there is a future cost benefit as layups become automated or maybe it allows for the use of lower grade materials to make bikes that are closer in weight to top frames? Theoretically the lack of joints should mean a lighter frame at the same strength with greater freedom of design when it comes to layup design. The reality is that the joints are often made stronger than the tubes to ensure there isnt a failure and the use of smaller molds or doing it in sections still allows for greater control of the local area. As far as I know, none of the high performance road bikes or MTBs raced at the World Tour or World Cup level use a single piece manufacturing method as the tradeoffs in terms of getting the right compaction, etc don't yet produce the lightest or stiffest frames. June 24, 2024, 01:47:04 AM |
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Re: Tavelo Aero Frame
You don't have to be smarter than a design engineer to see flaws in their designs. For example I'm sure the engineers who designed hookless road wheels/tires are very smart, but the concept/product is obviously very flawed. I think Hookless is a great example of where the critiques are spot on. However, most of what we know now is based on people getting their hands on the products, not a theoretical critique. I 100% agree that you don't need to be a qualified engineer to see the obvious issues where expected cooperation or co-development of the product didn't materialize or was late to show up. If there are design issues with the Arrow and PT has a critique based on his hands-on experience, I would personally think a lot about that. That is different from the hot takes on new tech, like the transmission videos I mentioned, which I would be skeptical of. I've sidetracked this thread enough, and I look forward to watching PT's review if it ever makes it to YouTube. August 08, 2024, 01:08:07 PM |
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