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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218 Hello everyone,

first post here! Just been lurking for the past few weeks, so thanks everyone for all the pictures and experience that helped me decide. I've pulled the trigger on a XL Disc version of the 218 today. Hopefully it'll turn up fine without the unlucky experiences some of you had.

Planning an SRAM Force Etap build, but I'll hold off from ordering other components until I see the frame.

Did anyone run into trouble with taxing it when importing to EU (Germany)?

KR

January 29, 2023, 06:48:37 AM
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218 Look who arrived on Friday. First look of the frame is good, the paint job is superb for 50€. I can confirm they still haven't fixed the issue with the bolt in the bottom bracket, but since I knew that was coming it was a job of a few minutes with a dremel.

Bottom bracket is aligned well, so I have just kicked off the orders for the other components. Now back to waiting untill they arrive.

Total delivery time was longer than expected though. Ordered 29th of Jan. Shipment on 25th of Feb. Delivery in Germany on 10th of March.

March 12, 2023, 09:41:30 AM
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
Which shipping method did you chose to Germany? Did you have to pay any additional duties or fees?

I wasn't aware you could chose different shopping. Mine says "EMS" on the invoice. The final delivery in Germany was done by DPD.

Apparently the shipping went through Belgium ans I didn't have to pay any additional fees other than the ~160€ that I paid to velobuild. Not sure if they are avoiding customs that way or if that already was included.

March 12, 2023, 10:54:54 AM
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218 Finished my build and just went for a short ride to check on everything. Rides very nicely, very stiff (I might change the rear tire from 25mm to 28mm to increase comfort). Overall I'm very happy with it and for the cost I cannot complain (warning: new toy syndrome). The fit is also nice, as I was afraid the frame could be too small. But the aero spacers and saddle setback make up for it.  I'm 188cm tall with a 92cm inseam and long arms, got the XL Frame. I haven't decided on the final bike fit, so I still have 15mm 3d printed spacers on top - thanks to the stranger who designed these and put them on thingiverse! I'll also put some TPU on my 3d printer this weekend and see if I can draw up some grommets for the frame openings that I don’t need due to the electronic shifting and a seat post gasket.

The only issue I have not solved yet is some disc brake rubbing on the rear brake that I cannot get rid of at the moment. Possibly due to misaligned (unfaced) brake mounting points. I went with post mount brakes as I got the Sram Red groupset for 600€ cheaper than flat mount, so I had to use adapters that increase the distance between the calliper and the frame. Not sure if that worsens the issue. I might want to exchange the callipers to flat mount. Does anyone know if changing to flat mount callipers helps with the disc brake rubbing? Or does anyone have experience with DIY facing the brake mounts?



March 18, 2023, 08:22:50 AM
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218 Thanks both. I'm also positively surprised by the paint. Its quite hard to capture on camera, but the chameleon effect from green to purple as the light changes is cool. (I would laught at someone who has this on his car, but I'm a bike person after all).

I'll see if I can find someone with that hillariously expensive facing tool next week. But since it is Sunday and nothing is open, I fired up the 3d printed and made a nice gasket for the seatpost cover. Also a front derallieur gasket and rear derallieur gasket since I'm using wireless shifting. If anyone wants the files:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5917550
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5917583
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5917830

Nice build Matt what wheels are those
I purchased them from velobuild too. VB-RC-50-23/25mm 142x12 Carbon road Wheelset disc 25mm Width

March 19, 2023, 03:14:29 AM
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
Hi All,
Is the handlebar ready for Di2 installation? Is the small hole present in the bottom right part of the handlebar?

Thnaks a lot.

Hello sir,

Your comment just made me research how to install Di2 and I realized what a pain it ist, lol. Glad I went with sram etap.

In other words: no, the handlebars do not have the extra hole for Di2. Also the frame does not have the hole in the downtube like the dogma F has. There is a Di2 battery holder in the bottom bracket, though.

April 04, 2023, 02:58:31 PM
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218 1000km Update!

Still in love with this frame. Stiff, rides like a dream and it fits my body type very well (loong arms) . Brake misalignment issue is still only 99% fixed, as I still have some disc rubbing when I go out of the saddle. Still hoping this will eventually fade when the brake pads bed in more, but I might have to do some more effort into re-centering again.

However, I don't have any issues with the frame. No cracks, no creaking, no rattling. Nothing!


July 05, 2023, 01:53:40 PM
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218 Hi everyone,

I have received some direct messages over my bike computer setup on the VB218, because I have mounted a bell below it. If anyone is interested, here are some infos about it:

My bell mount is actually a self-made contraption, that consists of three things:

- a standard bell, that you would normally mount to a round handlebar
- the standard computer mount that came with the velobuild 218 frame
- a 3d printed part, that allows me to mount the bell

The 3d file can be downloaded here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6578675


This setup has worked fine, but it was a bit heavy. A few weeks ago I hit a pothole and the computer mount broke, so I ordered the off the shelf variant for a pinarello. It's made from the brand "close the gap" and is currently very popular in germany (probably because germans like rules and there is a rule that you must have a bell on your bike)





April 14, 2024, 06:16:00 AM
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218 Are we doing update posts? 3000k update from me! Still working like a charm. I have put some "skateboard" grip tape on the seatpost wedge, as it wanted to reduce the torque on these bolts after what I've seen in this thread. Seatpost now holds with 2nm on the bolts.

And I can confirm you can actually ride TT on this, if you are brave enough and have a 3d printer, lol. A bit sketchy, but I wanted to try out the TT position for a bit before I pull the trigger on a new frame

May 11, 2024, 02:16:32 PM
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218 Hellooo fellow triathletes!

I wouldn't have thought that my sketchy TT setup actually does draw attention, but this is a forum of people riding sketchy frames from (partly) unknown sources, so theres that.

Let me share my journey for you guys, I can also share the 3d print files as .stl or solidworks-file if anyone wants them. Short disclaimer regarding 3d printing: Please, for the love of god, only use 3d printed parts on bikes if you absolutely know what you are doing. 3d printed parts are not rigid enough  to be used in any tensile stress - especially because the layer lines can break apart easily. If you pay close attention to the 3d printed parts that I use, you'll see that all of them are used in compression only.

- After lots of resarch I did not find any dogma fitting aero connectors, so I purchased the giant propel aero connectors (GTIN: 4713250834511). Hoping they would somehow fit. They did not fit, and clamping them down like this would have definitely damaged the handlebars (see first picture).
- I have then 3d printed banana-shaped adapters from a soft-ish rubber material (TPU, for those who are familiar with 3d printing materials), to adapt the giant-shape to the handlebar of the VB218. This has worked out okay-ish (see 2nd + 3rd picture) but the armpads were too wide apart and too far forward.
- In the first ride on my hometrainer, I have noticed, that these rubber bananas create side-to side flexibility.
- I have then had a local shop cnc mill an aluminium plate (see 4th picture) to solve two things: a) side to side flexibility and b) give me more options of placement, especially fore/aft, and distance between the armpads. This has worked execptionally well, as it gives enough variability in position, but also is super stable without clamping down too hard on the handlebars.

What I also did to improve the TT fit on this bike:
- get an ISM PN1.0 saddle (move wayy forward)
- get a 0° setback seatpost

Still on my list to do:
- get a between the arms bottle
- print a rear box, similar to what the guys at 4-frames do. First protoype is done already (see 5th picture)
- ride more
- get a TT frame (project for next winter  ;) )

I've been contemplating getting these to try on 218 bars.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806076922208.html
Hi JonMS, these might actually fit - but I suppose you'll also need some kind of rubber adapters.


May 13, 2024, 02:29:23 PM
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