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Re: Carbonda FM-1306A a 69° Hardtail Finally built the two this weekend !
No problem to report about the frame.
Brake mounts were aligned. Smooth inside. Headtube ends clean.
Same great build quality as usual from Carbonda.

The pink one is for my sister !
Unfortunately I did order a 31.6 seat tube.::) Waiting for the 30.9 to arrive.

With GX AXS, a ZTTO cassette as she wanted a rainbow, but didn't want to invest in an eagle cassette, we'll see how it goes.
In the picture it is a ZTTO chain, but I don't like the noise it makes, so I have an XX1 on order to replace it.
The wheels are the XC925 from lightbicycle.com with 240 EXP hubs, CX-Rays spokes.

The ZRACE Hardrock crankset looks well built.
The Onirii M4 brakes were a very nice surprise, they look awesome and were very easy to assemble, no bleed required.

The brake adapters coming with the frame F PM160->180 and R FM->PM are a bit chunky, but free  ;)
I had to file a mm or so from the rear one to let the M4 totally on it.

The fork is temporary, she's not a rock garden type of rider, and I try to convince her a rigid fork will be enough.
If it works, we'll order a pink one, if not, we'll buy another fork.
February 20, 2023, 02:57:05 AM 		1
Re: lexon frames i purchased a gravel frame, havent built it up yet. paint finish is better than some big name brands. not sure on the build yet, the carbon inside seems a bit rough, i even put my fingel to feel the inside of the frame and got a splinter.
February 20, 2023, 09:58:34 PM 		1
Re: Airwolf YFR068 - 2023 Gravel Frame I ended up ordering one of these frames from Airwolf on Aliexpress and it arrived yesterday. Custom paint colour.

Includes handlebar, stem, headset, seatpost, thru axles and a bottom bracket.

Does have flip chip in front fork, also di2 bar end junction insert piece for downtube (for 11 speed di2) and fork is D type for internal routing.

One minor issue I have noticed is the front derailleur cable routing is set up for a traditional cable set up and I will need to drill out the cable hole to be larger to allow a Shimano Di2 cable to fit through.

Weights:
Frame weight (painted frame with seatpost clamp) 1149g
Uncut fork weight 446g
Seatpost incl saddle clamp 217g
Stem (carbon with aluminium faceplate) 145g
Handlebars 42cm 237g
Rear thru axle 41g
Front thru axle 33g
Headset bearings 39g
Fork compression plug 38g
C ring 10g
Cap on C ring/top fork bearing for routing 8g
Spacers 6g each (3x)
Fork top cap 13g
Rear derailleur hanger 15g
Bottom bracket 115g

Some photos attached. Looks pretty good to me.
Will be building up with Shimano Di2 12 speed. Have ultegra levers, brakes and 50/34 crankset, thinking of using 105 FD and RD along with 11-36 cassette.
May 09, 2023, 08:51:16 PM 		1
Re: Airwolf YFR068 - 2023 Gravel Frame Build complete! 8.59kg as pictured.

In regards to saddle, a SMP Dynamic was the only spare saddle I have at the moment and I have the carbon railed version on another bike. Angle looks a bit off in photos so need to adjust it, but they work well for me.

Changes still to be made
- PD-M520 SPD pedals (currently have PD-EH500 installed)
- 11-36t 12 speed rear cassette (currently have 11-30t installed)
June 25, 2023, 09:52:13 PM 		1
Re: Airwolf YFR068 - 2023 Gravel Frame My frame arrived and I’ve built it up yesterday.

- Same problem with the frame/fork. Supplier sends me a spacer, probably the same one you guys get
- Seatpost only slips in until seatstays, so need to cut it
- I don’t have paint on the crown of the fork, so see raw carbon when turning the handlebar, would like it to be painted

Hope the spacer arrives soon and it works
August 28, 2023, 02:23:29 AM 		1
Re: Carbonda 505SL Integrated Stem I received my CFR505-SL this week, building up with Shimano GRX810 2x11. I've never been disappointed by Carbonda, and pretty happy with the quality on this one. They did forget to include my seatpost clamp, fortunately have a spare in my parts box. Will post more pictures later.

I've built up many frames up over the years, this is the first using an integrated handlebar (the CGB02).

Differences between CFR505-SL and CFR505:
  • Headset size: 1-1/2"* 1-1/2”ACR (two 40 x 52 x 7mm: 45x45 deg bearings)
  • Rotor size: 160/180 mm
  • The rear brake cable exit was changed to the same design as CFR707
  • The front derailleur cable routing was changed to the same design as FM1056
  • Seat tube was changed to normal seat tube clamp design, same as CFR696
  • Removed rack and fender mounts. Only keep two sets of water bottle cage mounts. (My frame has 3 with the downtube mount)
  • Max tire size:700x42c  / 650B*47c
  • Max chainring: 50-34T / 42T
  • T47 bottom bracket
  • All mounts removed from fork. There are internal and external routing versions.

Build Notes:
  • Rear caliper: flat mounts on the chain stay are 25mm thick, so if you're using Shimano calipers & SM-MA-R160D/D adapter, you will need 38mm long bolts (Shimano part Y8N208020)
  • Headset bearings: Don't quite trust the quality of the supplied bearings, and considering what a PITA it will be to replace the them, I plan to order new Cane Creek or Enduro bearings for the build
  • Front derailleur: cable uses housing from the shifter to to a plastic guide below the BB (pic attached). From there it's inner cable to the RD. You'll need around 1.4m of housing
  • Rear derailleur: cable use housing from the shifter all the way back to the rear derailleur. I'm using a GRX810 RD, so I need to use the flexible Shimano OT-RS900 housing where the cable exits the frame to the RD. I'm using a Jagwire Double-Ended Housing Connector CHA062 to join the two cables. Note the Jagwire Pro cable kits (e.g. PCK500 ) also include the flexible cable section and double-ended connector.
  • Get some Internal Housing Damper foam (6mm ID, 10mm OD) for the rear brake hose and shift cables to stop it rattling in the frame. I have some made by Jagwire (ZSK600), you'll need around 2-3m
September 23, 2023, 08:36:55 PM 		1
Re: Airwolf YFR068 - 2023 Gravel Frame Hi all, a bit of a summary and ride impression from my end after doing the first kms on the frame:

Buying & Shipping
Bought via ebay. In total waited about 8 weeks for the frame to arrive. A bit longer than I expected. It was sent a few days after I asked when it will arrive, so maybe it was just forgotten
Packaging was well done nothing to complain here.

First frame impressions

  • The paintjob looked really nice. I wanted something close to the Cannondale CAAD13 purple and it matches really well. (The picture  below does not reflect the color very well, its more like shown by Airwolf)
  • All parts came inside the claimed weights.
  • The internals looked OK. No spider cave. (Also I had no obstacles when doing the internal routing.)
  • The paint on the fork crown was removed (maybe the fork fit issue). The seatpost could not be fully inserted (more than enough clamping length is there)


Build: Mainly 2nd hand components
  • Ultegra / RX810 mix Mechanical 2x11
  • Easton ec90sl crank with 46-34
  • Elita seatpost (wanted a post without offset)
  • Wheels Mfg (didn't use the supplied one )
  • Prime wheels (upgrade in progress  ;D)
  • 8.2kg without pedals + bottlecages

Tolerances
  • Had no issue with the lower end fork frame fit. Its tight but no rubbing.
  • Had to file down the dust cover very slightly because it rubbed against the frame, Now it fits well and looks good.
  • Needed to file the compression plug a tiny bit. The fit between stem and plug was too small so that the stem did not move over the plug.
  • Bottom bracket fit felt good (not too tight not too loose)
  • Wheel alignment seems to be good, brake orientation also OK.
  • I had a slipping seatpost. Needed to shim it. I think the main issue is the seatpost clamp which doesn't have eough clamping distance (air gap too small). The fit of the seatpost itself down in the tube felt OK.
Honorable mentions
  • The front derailleur hanger seems to be made for min 50 chainset. For my 46 the lowest setting is a bit too high
  • Also the chainline does not work perfectly with the GRX front derailleur , but this might be a problem of the Easton crank
  • I think the wrong stem size was delivered (100mm instaed of 90mm). Asked Airwolf for a replacement.


Ride Impressions
Impression based mainly on a comparison to my Giant TCX (cyclocrosser) using the same wheels - tyres. Forward setting of front wheel (not sure if this can even be changed without a brake adapter)
  • Calmer and more quite ride. Not sure if this is just the difference between Aluminium and Carbon, but the frame dampens the road / gravel buzz better than the TCX
  • Corners very predictable - Less twitchy than the TCX, but not slow.
  • Feels a bit faster on straights, especially on good gravel roads without huge potholes. I think mainly due to the good damping. I seem to be marginally faster on a few KOMs
  • Less stiff, mainly the front end: I think the culprit is the stem, which flexes torsionally quite a bit. I'm not a Watts monster and it doesn't bother me while riding even when sprinting. Not sure if this is a bug or a feature.
I like the ride of this frame. It doesn't feel too aggressive to me, but also not dull or boring. As said its not the siffest frame. Maybe nothing I would recommend for a 100kg guy stomping up 30% gravel roads if the supplied stem is used. 
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Overall would I buy it again?
Yes for the frame that I got: Sure, tolerances were not all great, but I was able to fix everything without a file and a few stripes of aluminium. The paint job looks brilliant, it rides well and it did not break the bank. However, the story might be different if I got one of the frames with the lower headset issue.

 
September 25, 2023, 04:26:04 PM 		1
Re: Carbonda 505SL Integrated Stem Got my CFR505-SL built up yesterday with Shimano GRX810! Still waiting for my wheel parts, so using a spare wheelset with 32mm tires until they arrive.

Did the inaugural ride ride today which was cut short by a slipping seatpost >:(. Carbonda forgot to include my seatpost clamp but immediately sent me one, which is in the mail. I'm using an old spare clamp I had, but it has never gripped well, even if the seatpost is slathered in carbon paste.

First impressions are that the bike is very comfortable, absorbs a lot of vibration from the road. I ordered the 420x90mm integrated handlebar, and I have to say the top is kinda narrow. I would say get at least a 20mm wider bar that your normal bar width. The drops are wide and very comfortable.
October 02, 2023, 08:43:04 PM 		1
Re: Airwolf YFR068 - 2023 Gravel Frame Its probably 2-3mm. Enough that its visible. I think either they sent me the wrong bearings or there is an issue with the headtube. I'm worried its the latter since visually the bearings look the same as what has been previously posted.

I went ahead and built the bike up anyway and have been pleasantly surprised by how well it rides. Its pretty snappy and handles well. A couple issues ive encountered:

- the headset
- it seems like the spacing is off on the rear. There is 3-4mm more clearance on the drive side than non driveside. When L45er measured the tire clearance earlier that seemed to be the case on their bike too. Ive tried a few different wheels and they all line up the same.
- the brake mounts were painted over
- the compression plug has some sharp edges that hang over the steerer

Overall, I'm happy with what I got for $700. If they could fix these few issues it'd be a homerun.
December 02, 2023, 08:42:27 PM 		1
Re: Airwolf YFR068 - 2023 Gravel Frame
Quote from: wolffcon on December 02, 2023, 08:42:27 PM

- it seems like the spacing is off on the rear. There is 3-4mm more clearance on the drive side than non driveside. When L45er measured the tire clearance earlier that seemed to be the case on their bike too. Ive tried a few different wheels and they all line up the same.


I recently received my frame and it has the same problem but worse, the difference in clearance between drive and non-drive side is about 1cm. I messaged Airwolf on Ali express because 1) it just looks bad and 2) it might cause some problems when mounting 40mm tyres.

While waiting for a response I initiated a dispute because the 15 day period was coming to an end. Airwolf asked for a lot of pictures, mainly from the derailleur hanger and then stated a bike shop could fix the problem for $50. This made no sense to me as they didn't even give a solution or cause for the problem. In the meantime Ali offered a $70 refund as the solution. I did not agree and explained it would not be easy for my LBS to fix this problem (don't even know what and how he would need to fix this as Airwolf gave no explanation).

Now Airwolf has offered me to send a new frame (good!) but they are asking to close the dispute if I agree. This seems really fishy to me, do you guys have any tips or advice?

Thanks in advance!
January 22, 2024, 11:41:01 AM 		1