Anyone running these with Shimano derailleurs? Is that thumb shifter comfortable? How do they hold up over time? And how much do the shifters weigh? I feel like these shifters + Shimano derailleurs are a cheap weight-weenieish setup.

There is a new model of the 80-90g full carbon saddle.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003923285995.html

The previous available came with a 1.45mm carbon sheet, while this new one is 1.75mm
Probably less prone to cracking than the previous one.

This saddle is painful. Look at those hard edges. They need to rethink the shape. I have an old one collecting dust in a drawer.

Johnathan you make a good point about ride comfort and seat stay height. My gripe with the Aethos style frames is their seat stays are so low they almost look like XC bikes. The average newish road bike frame usually gets it right to me.

SP Cycle and Light Carbon have proprietary seat tubes which I don't like for a couple of reasons. R1018 has been on my radar for a while but I don't know where to buy them or what they look like built up.

The Speeder is growing on me. I still don't like the front triangle aesthetic, and I have been warming up to fully integrated cabling. But the weight and geometry is perfect. How much is the R48D with paint? Tantan FM639 is killer value ($600 w/paint).

There used to be more like the R01/R02, but tire clearance was tight. I think I am OK with 28c as I have a wide wheelset that will help lower pressure.

SC-48D is OK, def a more traditional shape but that squared off front end is a little bit of a turn off. Would like something with plain round tubes or soft edges all around if I could be picky.

same frame as???.....

Velobuild 2023 VB-R-066  https://www.velobuildmall.com/products/2023-vb-r-066-carbon-fiber-endurance-road-racing-bike-frame-disc-version

 Og-Evkin QONQI  https://ogevkinbike.com/products/qonqi-road-carbon-fiber-frame-v-brake

I think both of those are external cable while this is internal. All inspired by the Canyon Endurace. Def curious about this build, I have been looking at the VB-R-066 for a while but like the internal cabling of this one.

Nice bike! Looks big for a 52. Did you manage to weigh the frame?

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).

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.