Chinertown
Chinese Carbon Road Bikes => Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components => Topic started by: jonathanf2 on September 27, 2022, 01:19:30 PM
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After a 2 month wait, I received my AliExpress TFSA carbon disc frameset in glossy black. With time permitting, hopefully I'll have it built-up by this weekend. I'll be running a Shimano 105 R7000 11 speed groupset, ice tech rotor, ultra lightweight 11 speed cassette, carbon saddle, RXL carbon flare drop bars, Elite carbon disc wheels, Xpedo magnesium pedals and Juin Tech disc brakes. This will be primarily used as my day-to-day road bike. I know there are lighter weight Chinese carbon frames out there, but this was the only frame I found within a reasonable budget and with the specs I wanted.
This particular seller I bought from had very good English communication which actually made me go with them versus other bike frame merchants. They updated me throughout the build-to-order process, added some custom touches (I asked for glossy finish as opposed to matte) and gave me detailed photos and video of my package before it shipped. Examining the frame, it looks decent for the sub $400 USD price I paid. Under the gloss you can see the carbon fiber lay-up which gives it a rough, but somewhat unique appearance.
I'll report back, once I have time to get the bike built out. I've included a few photos of the frame.
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I just finished the bike yesterday! I took it on a group ride today and she rides great! The bike feels responsive and lightweight. I only have a cheap luggage scale, but it weighed in around 16.5 lbs with fairly heavy carbon wheels and mechanical 105 groupset. Though I compared my bike to someone with an Aethos + SRAM RED and honestly they felt very similar in weight. I ran into a few issues, but nothing a good night's sleep and some morning coffee couldn't solve. I still need to do some FD tuning, but I was able to nail the fit on the initial setup.
Feel free to ask any questions!
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That looks really great, especially for the price paid!
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I have to say, there's a real sense of satisfaction after building out a bike. On top of that, on the group ride the bike easily kept pace with cyclists on top tier frames with far more expensive components. I'm amazed at how many roadies I meet who don't even know how to tune their derailleur.
I'm now itching to build more bikes, though I don't think my wife would be too happy to see N+1 bikes all over our house!
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I have to say, there's a real sense of satisfaction after building out a bike. On top of that, on the group ride the bike easily kept pace with cyclists on top tier frames with far more expensive components. I'm amazed at how many roadies I meet who don't even know how to tune their derailleur.
I'm now itching to build more bikes, though I don't think my wife would be too happy to see N+1 bikes all over our house!
I have been raised to be my own mechanic. Cars, bike, what ever. Right now I am tearing apart the cheap bike I have. Giving it an overhaul. I think its an important thing to know how to take care of your things. I have repaired so many of my things.
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I have to say, there's a real sense of satisfaction after building out a bike. On top of that, on the group ride the bike easily kept pace with cyclists on top tier frames with far more expensive components. I'm amazed at how many roadies I meet who don't even know how to tune their derailleur.
I'm now itching to build more bikes, though I don't think my wife would be too happy to see N+1 bikes all over our house!
Totally agree! It is very rewarding to get everything sorted and turn a pile of parts into a nice bike. Plus everything is the way YOU want it.
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Totally agree! It is very rewarding to get everything sorted and turn a pile of parts into a nice bike. Plus everything is the way YOU want it.
Thats exactly why I am going to paint my own too. Also YOU are the one to blame if something is wrong. minus defects.
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One minor change to the bike, added red bar tape and matching red hoods!
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A few more shots. Here's the TFSA frame wearing it's winter shoes with American Classic Timekeeper tubeless 28c tires and 45mm depth Superteam wheels. 28c is the max tire width for this frame. Though I wish it could fit 32c like the Aethos, but 28c are still plenty supple especially in tubeless. Also a close up of the red hoods which are actually 105 5800 shifters. I was thinking of upgrading to R7000 or maybe carbon Sensah Team Pro shifters, but if it ain't broke why change it?
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Looks good! the gloss is nice and something we don't often see. I take it this is like a SL7 clone?
Any issues with the frame during the build?
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This bike is beautiful.
Which bigger chinese brand makes this frame? I would love an externally routed aero frame
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Looks good! the gloss is nice and something we don't often see. I take it this is like a SL7 clone?
Any issues with the frame during the build?
Looks good! the gloss is nice and something we don't often see. I take it this is like a SL7 clone?
Any issues with the frame during the build?
Thanks! I opted for gloss, since I find it easier to cover up scratches and small nicks with my wife's nail polish! Also I don't really follow the name brand bike designs, but I presume it's "inspired" by the SL7. I only opted for the frame due to the decent price, fairly low weight and threaded BB. Delihea sells the same TFSA frame just re-branded, but there are quite a few build videos under that brand and mostly from Indonesia it seems.
The only issues I had during the build was that the shifter plastic guide tubes were setup UK/European style. I left them as-is, since I didn't feel like digging around to reverse them, but I have my brakes setup US style. Also I had to cut my RD cable short to keep the shift line as straight as possible due to how the rear derailleur exit hole goes out directly through the rear chain stay. It took me a few tries to get it to proper length. Lastly I had to use longer bottle cage bolts because the ones supplied are a bit short. I like to attach my air pump on the down tube, hence the need for longer bolts for the pump mount.
In regards to the actual frame, everything is quite solid. Nothing fancy, I've been riding the bike daily and fit has been very good and I haven't noticed any discomfort.
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This bike is beautiful.
Which bigger chinese brand makes this frame? I would love an externally routed aero frame
I believe TFSA is the OEM and the only other reseller I know of is Delihea. There could be others though. TFSA also sells a fully internal routed version of this frameset, but since I do mostly climbing, I didn't see the need for a full internal cable routed frame.
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Do you have a link for the frame?
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Do you have a link for the frame?
Here's the seller I bought from, but there seems to be other TFSA re-sellers. Just a heads up though, I don't think this seller or other TFSA sellers actually have the frame in-stock. They just build-to-order so that will extend delivery time. Also I forgot to mention another reason I bought this frame was access to a spare derailleur hanger and even though I'm not fond of proprietary aero seat posts, they sell replacements as well under the TFSA and Delihea brands. Also this seller was actually quite thorough sending photos and video prior to shipping and the frame was packed securely with ample foam padding.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803007121851.html (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803007121851.html)
Here's another TFSA seller who sells the same frameset cheaper. I bought something small from them, but it took a whole week to finally ship the item and that's probably because I kept pestering/messaging them. They also seemed to have decent English communication.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803004643271.html (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803004643271.html)
Here's the Delihea/TFSA branded frameset and I actually wanted this one because I liked the pastel green color, but I didn't want to pay a higher markup for the exact same TFSA frame.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801531514339.html (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801531514339.html)
If you search Youtube, I was able to get good build info on the frame if you search Delihea. One UK YT'er built a rim bike version and I messaged him regarding his build and he was very helpful with information. The Indonesian builders also have really high quality videos to help for reference.
Anyways good luck if you plan to buy it!
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Thanks!
What were your issues with the build?
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Sub 400 for the frame is impressive. Ali shows me 470 + shipping right now, did you negotiate or you were just seeing a lower price at the time? (Ali also changes offers & prices per geography).
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Sub 400 for the frame is impressive. Ali shows me 470 + shipping right now, did you negotiate or you were just seeing a lower price at the time? (Ali also changes offers & prices per geography).
I forgot to mention the included shipping and tax, so it was about $500 USD, plus I ordered a spared derailleur hanger which I highly recommend. I've had no problems with the hanger, but it's mounted with 1 bolt and I've heard other owners complain regarding it's durability (in case your bike falls). Also I would ask if you could swap the seat post with one that uses a different saddle mount. The stock hardware uses a round-style clamp head which needs different hardware depending on the saddle rail shape (oval or round). I opted for an oval saddle clamp, but even with carbon paste applied it kept slipping. So I had to wrap my saddle rails with gaffer tape to keep them from slipping.
This particular TFSA store (I guess there are multiple) has it, but you can look around:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804521444175.html? (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804521444175.html?)
Though I've seen the same frame sold lower elsewhere, I would look around at different vendors, read feedback and see how well they communicate.
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I just finished the bike yesterday! I took it on a group ride today and she rides great! The bike feels responsive and lightweight. I only have a cheap luggage scale, but it weighed in around 16.5 lbs with fairly heavy carbon wheels and mechanical 105 groupset. Though I compared my bike to someone with an Aethos + SRAM RED and honestly they felt very similar in weight. I ran into a few issues, but nothing a good night's sleep and some morning coffee couldn't solve. I still need to do some FD tuning, but I was able to nail the fit on the initial setup.
Feel free to ask any questions!
What tire size have you fitted, do you think 32mm would fit?
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What tire size have you fitted, do you think 32mm would fit?
28c seems to be the max.
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28c seems to be the max.
Thank you. Looking for a new frame and this one is on the top of my list. Are you still happy with it?
May I ask what's your height and inseam? I am 172cm and 82cm and undecided between 49 and 52...
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Thank you. Looking for a new frame and this one is on the top of my list. Are you still happy with it?
May I ask what's your height and inseam? I am 172cm and 82cm and undecided between 49 and 52...
It's a decent frame, I just had some issues on seat post/saddle clamp slipping which I fixed with some tape on the clamping area. I'm 174cm and 52cm seems to work fine, but I probably could have gone with a 49cm as well to get a more aggressive fit on the bike. Standover at 52cm isn't an issue. There's lots of standover leeway on the top tube.
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Yeah, I just saw the reach between the 49 and 52 only differs 5mm. probably because of the different seat tube and head tube angle...
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Yeah, I just saw the reach between the 49 and 52 only differs 5mm. probably because of the different seat tube and head tube angle...
It's your call which you would prefer. You could probably setup the 49cm a bit more aggressively, while the 52cm would be a bit more upright. I have a few stem spacers on my bike as opposed to being slammed, but it's only because I'm getting old and less flexible!
Oh one more small issue, the guide tube for the rear brake goes under the BB carbon threaded BSA shell. If you loose that guide tube position, it's hard to get the brake cable back in that area. You can still guide the brake cable where the shift cables are located, but just be careful so the brake cable doesn't interfere with the shift cables. My other semi-integrated bike frames just have a big gap on the down tube.
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Ok thank you. I was first thinking about getting the full internal version of the frame with the integrated stem/handlebar but I am now thinking this might not be the greatest idea since you will have to disassemble half the bike for a simple bearing change... I guess I will go for the same as yours.
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Just ordered the frame (external cables). The seller offered an integrated handlebar for a nice price so I ordered that as well. Now begins the long wait...
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Just ordered the frame (external cables). The seller offered an integrated handlebar for a nice price so I ordered that as well. Now begins the long wait...
Did you order from the same seller? Feel free to ask any questions once you get your frameset...probably in about 1-2 months!
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No, I ordered from "Tfsa official store" because they were very good in their replies. But I suspect it is just the same seller as yours but a different store since they have the same business address and prices shot up at the same time and with the same amount a few days ago. They also went back to previous prices at the same time...
I am indeed counting on 2 months but hope I will have the frame in 1 month. We will see... I ordered the matte black with their logo.
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FYI here's my bike in its current iteration. It's hovering around 16.2 lbs with my heavy 28c winter tires (Panaracer Gravelking slicks). You could easily get this frame in the 15 lbs. range if you opted to go full weight weenie on the build.
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Yes, if my calculations are correct I should get 7,3kg with the second hand ultegra 2x11 group I bought and with my 45mm wheels (1500gr so there is 300gr to gain if I wanted). But we will see :)
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Yes, if my calculations are correct I should get 7,3kg with the second hand ultegra 2x11 group I bought and with my 45mm wheels (1500gr so there is 300gr to gain if I wanted). But we will see :)
I just recently took apart and rebuilt my TFSA bike. I was planning to go with LTwoo 2x11 hydraulic shifters, but the left shifter was giving me issues with FD pull. I suspect it might have something to do with my cable routing through the internal drop bars, because when I removed the LTwoo shifters and checked cable pull, it seemed to work fine. On my old school 105 5800 mechanical shifters, the left indexing is nice and strong. So for now I'll just run my Juin Tech F1 calipers.
Also 7.3kg at this price point is still great. My buddy with his SRAM AXS Aethos is heavier than my bike and costing MUCH more! Lol
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Did you go for full outer housing for the rear derailleur or only inner cable?
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Did you go for full outer housing for the rear derailleur or only inner cable?
For my rear and front derailleur, I run the outer housing from the shifters only to the frame. Inside the frame I used the plastic guide tubes the rest of the way. For the FD I would cut the plastic guide tube right before the FD to give the shift cable some weather protection and the TFSA frame should provide a rubber gasket for the FD hole. For the RD, I run the plastic guide tube all the way to RD hole and then I used the provided Shimano flex cable for the RD. You'll mostly likely have to cut it shorter if you're running a shadow style Shimano derailleur.
Also I would tape up your seat post and saddle rails. No amount of carbon paste will prevent slippage. I used non residual bar tape + carbon paste on the seat post inside the frame. If you're using a carbon saddle with oval rails, just use gaffer tape on the rails, it'll help keep everything in place.
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Thanks. I should get the new seat post with less setback, so maybe this one does not have the slipping problem. We'll see...
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Thanks. I should get the new seat post with less setback, so maybe this one does not have the slipping problem. We'll see...
I've been having slipping issues with two of my bikes that use aero seat post, so the taping method seems to be the only thing that works for me. The one bike with no issues is the one with a regular round 27.2mm seat post and a more traditional saddle clamp.
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I also hate these special seatpost... But it seems that there are not a lot of road frames without them so you don't really have a choice...