Chinertown

Chinese Carbon MTB => 26er & 27.5 (650b) => Topic started by: davidd on January 18, 2015, 01:47:18 PM

Title: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on January 18, 2015, 01:47:18 PM
So I pulled the trigger on a new 650b hardtail build and ordered a Venture SL frame and assorted bits from Carbonality.

The theme of this build could be descibed as budget, lightweight, 1 x 10, XC Race, black.  While I'm waiting for stuff to arrive I might expand on it further, along with some other background information and opinions that you can skip or, if you're bored, read.

Build list;
Venture SL 650b, 19", threaded BB, 12x142mm dropouts.
Rockshox SID RLT forks Pushloc 15x100mm
Crest Rims on DT350 hubs, DT comp spokes
XT Brake Levers and Calipers
XTR rear shifter
XT rear mech with OneUp RADr cage
XT 10-36 cassette with OneUp 42 and 16 tooth sprockets
OneUp 34 tooth wide/narrow chainring
XT Cranks and Bottom Bracket
Shimano XT HG95 Chain
Seatpost, Flat bars, Headset and Rear Axle from Carbonality too
Stem Crank Brothers Iodine 2, 80mm, 6 degree
Saddle Selle Italia XC SLR Ti
Grips Ergon GS2
Tyres  Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.1 Snakeskin
Pedals Time Atac XC 8

Everything was bought at reduced prices and my final choice on forks, saddle and wheels was flexible depending on what deals were on offer.  All the rest was bought at the cheapest price possible.  The stem was simply the cheapest on sale 80mm 6 degree stem I could find as I have no idea what stem I will need to achieve my desired stack/reach.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: Carbon_Dude on January 19, 2015, 12:06:16 PM
Sounds like it will be a nice build.  Good choice of components.

Typically, budget and lightweight are mutually exclusive.  Around here a budget hard tail is in the $1500 range so I would say what you have is more of a solid but lightweight XC setup.  I would estimate your cost to be closer to $2500, which is still cheap for a full XT Carbon 650b when compared to a brand name bike which would be 2X that cost.

Good luck with the build and please post up pics of the frame, assembly, and finished product.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on January 19, 2015, 03:32:51 PM
Fair point Carbon_Dude and well calculated!!  Everything bar taxes and decals is paid for; excluding pedals which I already have, the build to date is 2250 euros!

I have been MTB'ing for a long time but don't change bikes often.  Currently I race an Ellsworth Truth thats about 7 years old.  I built it up with full XTR, XTR Wheels, King, Pace forks and  Thompson kit.  I have no complaints about it and have done a La Ruta and two Transalps on it.  However I never "loved" it!

Mostly I ride a 15 year old Titanium Airborne Lucky Strike that was originally built with XTR, Mavic 517's on XTR, King, Pace forks and Thompson kit (notice a theme here?).  This has had many reincarnations, but getting rear disc brake bosses welded on a few years gave it a whole new lease of life. Lately it's a single speed rigid, I do nearly all my cycling on it and I love it.

So in comparison this project is more of a budget effort.  Apart from simple economic reasons it also gives me a chance to try out a carbon frame and a slightly different approach to geometry without tieing myself to a 2k frame.

Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: Carbon_Dude on January 19, 2015, 04:27:03 PM
Guess it was a good estimate, 2250 euros = $2,613 USD :).

You will like the carbon frame, it appears you like to ride more of the high end bikes.  I would bet that once you get the new carbon Chiner built, it may become your favorite bike.

I also like the spec of your 1X setup, please also give us a review on how that works for you.  Given both my bikes are XX1 I'd be curious how it compares.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: cmh on January 19, 2015, 05:47:14 PM
Quote from: davidd on January 19, 2015, 03:32:51 PM
Mostly I ride a 15 year old Titanium Airborne Lucky Strike that was originally built with XTR, Mavic 517's on XTR, King, Pace forks and Thompson kit (notice a theme here?).  This has had many reincarnations, but getting rear disc brake bosses welded on a few years gave it a whole new lease of life. Lately it's a single speed rigid, I do nearly all my cycling on it and I love it.

Awww yeah Airborne! My backup road bike is an Airborne Zeppelin. Always loved that bike, came close to getting one of their MTBs way back when.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on January 20, 2015, 10:51:34 AM
Quote from: cmh on January 19, 2015, 05:47:14 PM
Awww yeah Airborne! My backup road bike is an Airborne Zeppelin. Always loved that bike, came close to getting one of their MTBs way back when.

I got one of the first ones; no disc brake mounts and the serial number was on a sticker; long gone.  Now its the ultimate low maintenance everyday bike.  Note original Syncros Cattleprod stem!

Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on January 20, 2015, 11:35:16 AM
Quote from: Carbon_Dude on January 19, 2015, 04:27:03 PM
You will like the carbon frame, it appears you like to ride more of the high end bikes.  I would bet that once you get the new carbon Chiner built, it may become your favorite bike.

I also like the spec of your 1X setup, please also give us a review on how that works for you.  Given both my bikes are XX1 I'd be curious how it compares.

I'm hoping so!!  It's probably not the best bike for the racing around here; a FS is a better option BUT its the type of bike I prefer riding.  The rationale behind the 1x setup really stems from the simplicity of the singlespeed.  I suspect it will be a compromise to some extent.  I was keeping a close eye on the gears I was using racing over the winter and while I don't expect the lack of a granny ring to be an issue I did use the 44 a few times and it can make a difference.

Attached is a comparison of the geometry of the Venture against three XC race oriented bikes and the Airborne.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: cmh on January 20, 2015, 02:14:39 PM
Quote from: davidd on January 20, 2015, 10:51:34 AM
I got one of the first ones; no disc brake mounts and the serial number was on a sticker; long gone.  Now its the ultimate low maintenance everyday bike.  Note original Syncros Cattleprod stem!

Gorgeous! So the original decals are gone? Loved them on my bike but they're starting to wear off. Had a chance to buy a replacement set around the time the company went bust and didn't. Oh well. Might have to just clean them all off and go with the bare titanium. Went over it recently with steel wool and got a beautiful shine on it. Titanium sure is pretty.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on January 24, 2015, 02:02:46 AM
Update:
So the box from Carbonal arrived in Irish Customs yesterday, a seven day turnaround so no complaints there.  So we'll see what happens now...

Cmh: The original decals wore off years ago but I managed to find some on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Airborne-Lucky-Strike-decal-set-of-13-sku-420-/140911796145?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20ceff5fb1 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Airborne-Lucky-Strike-decal-set-of-13-sku-420-/140911796145?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20ceff5fb1)

After a while these too started to get a bit tatty so off with them!
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: cmh on January 24, 2015, 09:55:00 PM
Quote from: davidd on January 24, 2015, 02:02:46 AM
Cmh: The original decals wore off years ago but I managed to find some on ebay

Wow, that's kinda cool. Looked for a Zeppelin set and didn't find it at first, but when I went to the US ebay site and searched their store, I found it. Great info, thanks!
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on January 26, 2015, 01:59:25 PM
Wheels arrived today, Frame still in customs.

About the wheels;

Originally I was planning to get carbon rims with my order and build them up on DT350 hubs myself.  However putting all my eggs in a relatively unknown basket and time available to me for the build before racing began again led me to decide against that plan.

Based on a weight/value judgement I ended up getting a set of Stans Crests built up on DT350s (not straight pull) with DT Comp spokes.  Incl delivery these were less than €400.  Including tubeless rim tape they weighed in at 1650g on my Chinese scales!

My only whinge is this;  I got Centerlock hubs, I like centrelock.  BUT you cannot use a normal lockring with a 15mm axle DT hub you need a different Shimano lockring that uses a bottom bracket tool to tighten it.  Wouldn't it seem reasonable to provide such a lockring with the hub?  Apparently not so that will delay proceedings a little.

I fitted the XT cassette and Oneup 42 and 16 tooth cogs. 

My choice of tyres has always been Schwalbe NN up front and  R Ralph or NN out back depending on the level of mud, all in 2.1.  I also always buy the Snakeskin version as I find the normal sidewalls way to delicate.  Anyway Schwalbe do not make the NN in 2.1 for 650b and the advised tyre size for the frame is 2.1 so I got two Rocket Rons Snakeskin.  The tread looks more similar to a RaRa than a Nic so I think I'll get a NN 2.25 for the front.

Anyway the RoRo went onto the Crest without any effort, no soap, no compressor, a pleasant surprise considering what I had read about them.

(http://s5.postimg.org/jzqlzs1af/WP_20150127_16_14_46_Pro.jpg)
(http://s5.postimg.org/lstio3mh3/WP_20150127_16_14_51_Pro.jpg)
(http://s5.postimg.org/lhc2bc613/WP_20150127_16_15_10_Pro.jpg)


Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: Carbon_Dude on January 26, 2015, 02:54:04 PM
Quote from: davidd on January 26, 2015, 01:59:25 PM
Pictures to follow.....

Yes, I knew something was missing :).
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on January 29, 2015, 10:14:13 AM

Look what arrived today!  Seven days from China to Ireland; 6 days for 250 miles here!
Well packaged and undamaged
(http://s5.postimg.org/n4ax7fds7/WP_20150129_14_55_26_Pro.jpg)

Neatly packed inside too..
(http://s5.postimg.org/77c5apldz/WP_20150129_14_56_05_Pro.jpg)

And inside the bubble wrap..
(http://s5.postimg.org/lf1tzcy2v/WP_20150129_14_58_54_Pro.jpg)

Very neatly finished around the bottom bracket..
(http://s5.postimg.org/3qa37qmbr/WP_20150129_15_04_15_Pro.jpg)

..and around the dropouts.
(http://s5.postimg.org/4tu7jp6yv/WP_20150129_15_04_25_Pro.jpg)

The headset cups look like they've had a lick of paint but isn't a problem.
(http://s5.postimg.org/8eq32xbif/WP_20150129_15_04_41_Pro.jpg)

The claimed weight is 1080g for a 17".  This came in at 1125g for a 19".
(http://s5.postimg.org/oe8qmh7k7/WP_20150129_15_07_32_Pro.jpg)

Can you spot the booboo?
(http://s5.postimg.org/w89c7vfd3/WP_20150129_15_07_55_Pro.jpg)

The frame is sold as having all internal routing, it does and very neatly fitted with guide tubing inside, even for the full size brake hose.  BUT someone obviously thought tacking on a set of external cable guides would be a bright idea...  It's a pity, I'd rather they weren't there but in the general scheme of things not a disaster.
(http://s5.postimg.org/tsc47rmo7/WP_20150129_15_10_56_Pro.jpg)

I have to say I cannot fault anything on the frame, for now, hopefully the BB is threaded properly and brake tabs are fine.  But colour, finish, carbon work.... No complaints.  The communication was first class and shipping fast and as claimed. 

So far, well done Carbonal and Jason. I have made them aware of the thread here so maybe they'll have a look. I also made them aware of the cable guide issue but am not expecting much on that front.

I also ordered a headset (generic, cheap ?, but will do for now), spare dropouts and a rear axle.  A set of flat bars and a seatpost, both are unremarkable for good or bad and time will tell how good they are.

So now the most enjoyable bit will start :)  Not an ideal weekend for it as I have visitors but I'll do my best!!
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: Carbon_Dude on January 29, 2015, 10:31:55 AM
It's looking really good davidd!  Look forward to seeing more pictures of the build.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on January 29, 2015, 02:18:24 PM
Heres a picture of the sticker inside the headtube.  I just thought it might be of interest to those with a more indepth knowledge/interest in chinese frames.

Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: JohnnyNT on January 29, 2015, 04:51:25 PM
Looks like this one, geo slightly different though: http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/YD-M061-mountain-bike-frame-chinese_1817815543.html
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on January 30, 2015, 12:57:49 PM

Clear vinyl on matt UD carbon
(http://s5.postimg.org/8juavyzrb/WP_20150130_15_15_59_Pro.jpg)

Some inspiration for the when my head starts dropping
(http://s5.postimg.org/y3wl2el53/WP_20150130_15_16_36_Pro.jpg)

A little headtube logo
(http://s5.postimg.org/b3pxq2nbb/WP_20150130_15_16_52_Pro.jpg)

OneUp rear end
(http://s5.postimg.org/ikz55acuf/WP_20150130_15_58_14_Pro.jpg)

OneUp front end..
(http://s5.postimg.org/s6spll407/WP_20150130_15_58_20_Pro.jpg)
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: MTB2223 on February 01, 2015, 01:33:44 PM
Whow, that looks really nice! Where did you order these clear vinyl letters ? Or did you create them by yourself ?
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 02, 2015, 06:10:20 AM
Quote from: MTB2223 on February 01, 2015, 01:33:44 PM
Whow, that looks really nice! Where did you order these clear vinyl letters ? Or did you create them by yourself ?

A local sign shop did them for me.  I found the font I wanted, and saved the lettering as a pdf and they can work from that. The first place I went to could only used a limited set of "sign-writing" fonts.  I am thinking replacing the white Rockshox logos with clear vinyl also as I've already taken off the large gray SID stickers on the inside of the legs.

The bike is pretty much finished now. I am waiting for the lockring for the front centerlock rotor and to replace the Rocket Ron on the front with a Nobby Nic.  I have left a little bit of steerer tube and cables to allow me to play around with position before I trim them all to their final length.

Without pedals it weighs bang on 21lbs or 9.5kg.  The time ATACs are about 280g and the Nobby Nic will probably be a bit heavier than the RR so all done maybe just under 10kg.

Could I have made it lighter at the same money?

The Ergon grips/barends are certainly 150g+ heavier than (cheaper) alternatives but I like them.

I could have gotten lighter wheels.  There was a pair of American Classic MTB Lights that were at least 200g lighter than the DT's.  They have great reviews of their ride characteristics but poor reviews of rim strength and hub performance; a pity.

I could have skipped the snakeskin finish on the tyres and saved a few grammes but in my experience not worth it.  There's also no point in getting a light low profile race tyre as I need as much traction in wet and muddy conditions as possible.

The bottle cage is a cheap aluminium one.  I prefer these, they're tough and I can bend them to hold a bottle more securely.  I have never really liked carbon cages even on the road.

All that said at the moment it is actually lighter than my rigid singlespeed and substantially lighter than the Ellsworth I have been racing.

(http://s5.postimg.org/irnv5cwhz/WP_20150202_11_38_20_Pro.jpg)

Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: Carbon_Dude on February 02, 2015, 08:35:55 AM
I like the black Rockshox fork and the green chain ring and 42T cog.  Nice job!
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 02, 2015, 09:09:06 AM
The shine won't be long coming off next weekend  :) :(
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: Carbon_Dude on February 02, 2015, 03:18:10 PM
davidd, what was your total cost on your new 650b Carbonal Venture?
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: bdub on February 02, 2015, 03:32:48 PM
Love the look davidd. Really nice how the fork matches the UD matte exactly. Don't ride at nite on the streets or you will likely get ran over.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 02, 2015, 04:30:11 PM
Quote from: Carbon_Dude on February 02, 2015, 03:18:10 PM
davidd, what was your total cost on your new 650b Carbonal Venture?

Hi Carbon_Dude,
Ready to race €2400. If the euro hadn't dropped so badly since before Christmas it would have been a bit less. I also suspect I might move to a slightly longer stem but I'll give this one a chance first. I'm quite happy with the cost as originally I thought it would end up around 3k.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 02, 2015, 04:32:10 PM
Quote from: bdub on February 02, 2015, 03:32:48 PM
Love the look davidd. Really nice how the fork matches the UD matte exactly. Don't ride at nite on the streets or you will likely get ran over.

Thanks bdub, and I won't!.  I will put up some decent pictures before I get it dirty.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: Carbon_Dude on February 03, 2015, 08:47:29 AM
Quote from: davidd on February 02, 2015, 04:30:11 PM
Quote from: Carbon_Dude on February 02, 2015, 03:18:10 PM
davidd, what was your total cost on your new 650b Carbonal Venture?

Hi Carbon_Dude,
Ready to race €2400. If the euro hadn't dropped so badly since before Christmas it would have been a bit less. I also suspect I might move to a slightly longer stem but I'll give this one a chance first. I'm quite happy with the cost as originally I thought it would end up around 3k.

Thanks, so that would be around $2,733 USD.  A very respectable cost given you have a carbon frame, XT level components, a quality wheelset, and SID fork.  If you didn't build it yourself with a Chiner carbon frame, you would easily be paying 2X that cost.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 03, 2015, 10:36:13 AM
Final Pictures, 17 of them!!


(http://s5.postimg.org/kp80q0n0n/WP_20150203_15_31_53_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ixf1v43nn/full/)

OneUp
(http://s5.postimg.org/6wtludw93/WP_20150203_15_32_04_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ub1l6be6b/full/)
The 2x XT Crank gives a very tidy look with a single ring
(http://s5.postimg.org/5kbwshytj/WP_20150203_15_32_26_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/wi5tu8jgj/full/)

Controls XT Levers, XTR shifter, Rockshox Pushloc. Bars are wide at 660mm and stem short at 80mm, at least for me, coming from 560mm and 120mm.  Already I want to cut the bars down so badly and add a couple of cm to the stem but I'll give it a chance and see how it feels after a while.
(http://s5.postimg.org/egmowfpfr/WP_20150203_15_32_42_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/lwlyi8d4z/full/)

DT Swiss 350 Hub, DT Comp double butted spokes, black brass nipples, Stans Crest Rims
(http://s5.postimg.org/4kllwsjnr/WP_20150203_15_32_53_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/l8d3zaef7/full/)

XTR Rear shifter mounted via i-spec B on XT Lever
(http://s5.postimg.org/5bec2km13/WP_20150203_15_33_10_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/v6y2lrnur/full/)

SID Pushloc mounted upside down on the wrong side! Wouldn't it be easier to provide one that works on either side?  Anyway it's just fine like this.
(http://s5.postimg.org/wan8uuetj/WP_20150203_15_35_00_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ttbhnkuwz/full/)

Neat rear brake cable routing.
(http://s5.postimg.org/51bvgcdqf/WP_20150203_15_35_20_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/uwvlzjfk3/full/)

Cable and steerer still need a bit of trimming.
(http://s5.postimg.org/l0uizw9s7/WP_20150203_15_35_49_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/eae1qgmmb/full/)

Used lashings of Carbogrip on the seatpost and all bolts tightened with a torque wrench.
(http://s5.postimg.org/afannw3gn/WP_20150203_15_35_58_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/8aqamt1tv/full/)

Plenty of clearance with a 2.1, would probably get away with a 2.25, and no bridge to collect muck.
(http://s5.postimg.org/s6ma2civb/WP_20150203_15_36_05_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/uny19m2rn/full/)

Other side of the 42!
(http://s5.postimg.org/nyrhtlhfr/WP_20150203_15_36_15_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/cmewbt8qr/full/)

Ergon GS2 grips, not to everyones taste.  I find them very comfortable particularly for marathon length races and the barends are just long enough for climbing and a change of hand position.
(http://s5.postimg.org/4i6s72mbr/WP_20150203_15_36_23_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/57pkjfmv7/full/)

Black XC and the errant cable guides!
(http://s5.postimg.org/5zs8imr2f/WP_20150203_15_37_15_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/mnjql4ltv/full/)


I'll post in a while when I have had some time actually riding it and with some feedback on the OneUp setup.

Other than that a big thumbs up for Carbonal and Jason who I was dealing with.  I'd have no hesitation ordering from them again.  I will be in the market for a CX bike (Black CX) later in the year but want one with bolt thru axles.  They don't have one at the moment but maybe later on.  I believe only one of the chinese vendors (can't remember which) has one.

Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: brmeyer135 on February 03, 2015, 12:26:54 PM
Nice set up.
How tall are you?  What made you go with 27.5"?
You took the stickers off the SID, you could do that to your crest wheels.  I just pulled mine off so I have a little residue left.
If you go that route, try using a heat gun.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 03, 2015, 02:25:40 PM
Quote from: brmeyer135 on February 03, 2015, 12:26:54 PM
Nice set up.
How tall are you?  What made you go with 27.5"?

Thanks brmeyer135. 
I'm 5'9". 
If I tried to explain that fully you'd be sorry you asked!!
As briefly as possible.  I wanted to try something new; tapered headtube, bolt thru axles, wider bars/shorter stem, new wheel size (not pressfit bottom bracket tho  ;) ).  But I don't like the look of 29" wheels.  To me they just look out of proportion.  I understand the "faster rolling, bigger contact patch" argument but the races I ride are on tight, twisty, muddy natural trails as opposed to rolling, flowing trail center stuff.  Tight turns and quick accelerations are the order of the day.  I like a long, low position and I have seen friends struggle to get their bars low enough.  So I decided to give 650b a go.

I have been cycling for a long time and have developed a certain, ahem, "philosophy"  :o.  I no longer use a HRM or power meter or even a basic computer.  I don't "train".  I ride as often, as far or as hard as I feel like as long as I'm enjoying it and if I can get a result at a race on the back of that, well, brilliant.  And the mad thing is, I do  ;D.  I race 'cos I enjoy it and it's fun.  I'm ridiculously competitive but it doesn't bother me if I don't win.
I like bikes that I enjoy riding as opposed to the best bike for winning, and I have an old school sense of what I like a bike to look like.  So I went with 27.5  :)
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 03, 2015, 02:30:11 PM
Quote from: Carbon_Dude on February 03, 2015, 08:47:29 AM
Thanks, so that would be around $2,733 USD.  A very respectable cost given you have a carbon frame, XT level components, a quality wheelset, and SID fork.  If you didn't build it yourself with a Chiner carbon frame, you would easily be paying 2X that cost.

Yep!  The way I see it is If I can build up a cyclocross bike towards the end of the year at a similar cost I'll have two bike for the price of one!  Result  ;D
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: Arraider on February 04, 2015, 02:52:08 AM
holly crap... great looking frame, and the vinil mood lookes insanely awesome, hope you do not get mad if i still it  8)
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 04, 2015, 04:41:26 AM
Quote from: Arraider on February 04, 2015, 02:52:08 AM
holly crap... great looking frame, and the vinil mood lookes insanely awesome, hope you do not get mad if i still it  8)

Thanks Arraider. Not at all, you don't think I came up with the idea myself do you  ;)
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: Sitar_Ned on February 04, 2015, 08:02:02 AM
No doubt - The clear vinyl stickers on the matte frame is the way to go. Good job. That looks awesome! Something I'll definitely keep in mind for future build/s.

Btw, how are you liking the full one-up conversion? Smooth shifting up and down the entire cassette even up to the big one-up cog?
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 04, 2015, 08:53:32 AM
Quote from: Sitar_Ned on February 04, 2015, 08:02:02 AM
No doubt - The clear vinyl stickers on the matte frame is the way to go. Good job. That looks awesome! Something I'll definitely keep in mind for future build/s.

Btw, how are you liking the full one-up conversion? Smooth shifting up and down the entire cassette even up to the big one-up cog?

I haven't had a proper spin on it yet as I'm still waiting for the lockring for the centrelock rotor. I have ridden it around the house and it seems! to shift perfectly.  However you know how many things that appear to work well suddenly show another side to them in a race or similar situation.  I am hoping that the lockring arrives before Friday so I can at least get an hour on it before racing it Sunday.

DT Swiss, Why? The hubs are made for centerlock.  Shimano centerlock rotors ship with standard lockrings.  A standard lockring does not work on DT hubs with a 15mm axle.  Oversize lockrings are not easy to get.  Would it kill DT to include one or at least give a warning of the same on their site? Very Annoying!!!!
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: ponderosa on February 04, 2015, 07:30:32 PM
waiting to hear how that one up conversion performs!
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 06, 2015, 01:18:55 PM
Finally, lockring arrived today.  11 days from germany.  I ordered a Skean from France, it was posted Monday and arrived yesterday!!
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 07, 2015, 08:01:23 AM
Quote from: ponderosa on February 04, 2015, 07:30:32 PM
waiting to hear how that one up conversion performs!

I was out this morning for a few hours.  I figured I needed to get at least one ride before racing it.  I'm completely happy with it.  Nothing needs adjusting or changing.  I was concerned that the shorter stem would leave it a bit light on steep technical climbs but it's perfect.

The OneUp setup performed perfectly.  There is no discernible difference shifting into the 42 than any other gear and no significant drivetrain noise when at either end of the block.  That said I do not expect to spend much time in the 42 and regard it as a bail out gear.  At the other end of the cassette I now have 11,13,16,19 instead of 11,13,15,17,19 but I can't say I noticed.  Total cost of the RADr cage, 42T and 16T is $145 plus I have two XT chainrings I could try and sell on ebay, the two rings together retail for €90 ($100?) on chainreaction, so it could be a very affordable 1x10 wide range conversion.  (Full XT crankset incl BB cost €120, rings €90 !?!?)

Brmeyer135:  Thought about it and then pulled the (cheap) Stans stickers off and the Rockshox logos too so now it's black as black can be. I might get some Crest decals done up in clear vinyl and see how they look.

(http://s5.postimg.org/ddafddh8n/WP_20150207_14_02_15_Pro.jpg)
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: brmeyer135 on February 08, 2015, 11:38:32 AM
Looking good there.
Will be interesting to see with your own creations.  I never did anything with the wheels or fork(only frame) but may depending on how yours goes.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 09, 2015, 04:05:49 AM
Well first race done. Probably not the best course for a hardtail as endless wet rocks and roots; a course I'd previously pretty much cleaned every lap on the Ellsworth but had a serious number of dabs yesterday.

Impressions;

27.5 definitely rolls over stuff better than 26.5 without affecting maneuverability in tight twisty singletrack.

The front end is really responsive probably a combination of steeper head angle and the Maxle.

The rear end is very responsive but was not hooking up as well as I'd like. This could be directly due to it not being a full sus, the Rocket Ron just not being up to the job or the possibility that I'd run lower pressure on the FS, or a bit of all!

It's light!

OneUP is FLAWLESS. It never skipped a beat.

I had a lot of pedal strikes.  I'm not sure if the BB is exceptionally low? Or I'm just used to the higher BB on the Ellsworth.

I experienced an unusual "deadspot" a few times when the cranks were at vertical.  I've never felt anything like it before.  Allmost like the right crank arm was a couple of degrees out of sync (it's not - checked), one to watch.

Carbon takes hits better than expected, see the pictures.

Chipped
(http://s5.postimg.org/7pwlzoj2f/WP_20150209_09_16_49_Pro.jpg)

Scratched
(http://s5.postimg.org/5mm6s0j9j/WP_20150209_09_16_55_Pro.jpg)

Gouged
(http://s5.postimg.org/wyhftco07/WP_20150209_09_17_00_Pro.jpg)

I think this build is at it's end.  I am unlikely to make any changes to the bike and entropy will now take over as the bike and it's components get down and dirty at what they are meant to do- take a hammering .  Despite the efforts in putting a nice looking, carefully thought out bike together, at the end of the day it's a tool not an end in itself.

Thanks to all who contributed and looked in.  I imagine this will not be my last China build!!
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 16, 2015, 10:54:59 AM
(http://s5.postimg.org/g4lh2sbd3/1606298_10205903892186554_4239721936336622792_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: 325racer on February 17, 2015, 12:02:15 AM
That got scratched up pretty good for one race.  Did you go down someplace?

But glad to see it getting used and abused as it should.  Even mine with its $400 paint job gets used.

(http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/yy230/325racer/Bikes/Carbon%20Hardtail/IMAG0963_zpsxzj8nz8r.jpg)
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 17, 2015, 01:20:12 PM
Quote from: 325racer on February 17, 2015, 12:02:15 AM
That got scratched up pretty good for one race.  Did you go down someplace?

Just one of those days!! and I wasn't the only one. Wet, rooty, rocky, slippy.  Very unsatisfactory for it's first outing.
The following race, the pic with the race number, the bike really shone.  Climbs like a rocket and was razor sharp on twisty singletrack.  I was really impressed by it.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: turboenterprise on February 17, 2015, 06:38:40 PM
Where are you located?
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: Carbon_Dude on February 17, 2015, 08:45:22 PM
Davidd is in Ireland, land of the leprechauns.
Title: Re: Carbonal Venture SL budget lightweight 1x10 build
Post by: davidd on February 18, 2015, 10:52:10 AM
Quote from: Carbon_Dude on February 17, 2015, 08:45:22 PM
Davidd is in Ireland, land of the leprechauns.

 ;D ;)  Yep, and obviously the leprecahauns were busy moving trees and putting rocks in my way at the first race. It must have trespassing on one of their fairy forts.... ::)