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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
I’ve done around 2000k now on my VB218. No issues. I recently serviced my chain and noticed that my crankset spun VERY smoothly. So my initial concerns about possible BB misalignment seem unfounded. I had some seatpost slippage. I have since put some textile tape on the seatpost were it contacts the clamping wedge to see if that helps. We’ll see. I put a pair of used Bontrager Speed Stop Pro brakes on this bike that I got very cheap. Those are nice brakes indeed. Particularly the braking power adjustment is cool so you can fine trim the brake feel to your particular brifter. The set weighs around 220g. They also have a lot of tire clearance. I’m confident that I could fit 32mm tires (measured width). My Vittoria Corsas currently measure around 29mm. I also put one of those one piece machined superlight SROAD cassettes from Aliexpress on. VERY nice piece of kit. Just around 230g for an 11-32 cassette. Shifting with Campag is super smooth. And, since this is one piece it completely eliminates cassette bite on alloy freehubs which is a bonus. All this saves a bit of weight. The bike now weighs 7.7kg including power meter pedals, Garmin mount and bottle cages. With my tubular race wheels, I could get it down to 7.5kg. But that’s as low as it’s ever going to be. I’m pretty happy with that. March 16, 2023, 04:20:02 PM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
@Sebastian Those are screw axles from German bike retailer Rose: https://www.rosebikes.de/rose-lite-axle-spannachsen-50001 I bought them mainly for the looks. I don’t like how QR skewers look on this bike. Particularly on the fork. Also, I got a multi tool with me anyway when I’m out for a ride. So taking a wheel out isn’t a problem. March 17, 2023, 02:25:42 PM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
Nice build Matt what wheels are those I dig the finish and that paint is sparkly!!! Definitely go to a shop and get the brake mounts faced to help with the rubbing! That’s what I was gonna suggest. Your postmount calipers should be fine. The misalignment is most likely due to uneven brake mounts. Nice bike! I dig the paintjob. March 19, 2023, 12:48:01 AM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-177
Any thoughts on 177 vs 218? Will appreciate that @patliean1 and others who have both. I know 218 is copy of Dogma and probably looked down upon but I like it and don't mind owning a copy. I own a 218 but not a 177. The 218 will obviously always end up being heavier than the 177. Other than that, it’s a stiff frame and not exactly a very forgiving ride. Which might not really be surprising. I think its most striking characteristic is its handling - at least for the size XXL (54) that I’m riding. The head angle is very steep, the fork rake is shorter than on the 177 and the front Center is very short as well. That results in a frame that is super quick in responding to steering impulses despite my longish 120mm stem. It’s borderline nervous but I like it. This feeling is offset by a very low bottom bracket at -72mm which results in a planted feeling. Still I’ve never had trouble with striking my pedals on the ground despite running 175mm cranks. The geometry and handling of this frame is what I like most about it. March 23, 2023, 06:16:19 PM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-168 Frame
Build is finally done! Pretty happy with the Spechinalized S-Wok It would be pretty hilarious if you actually put “S-Wok” on it. March 24, 2023, 02:08:21 AM |
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Re: 2022 Cervelo S5
Also availability: I never set out to buy a fake Dogma. I went to my LBS thinking about actually buying a new road bike in the middle of covid supply chain issues. I was told I’d probably have to wait two years upon ordering and even that would not be a guarantee. So I decided to stick with my wheels and groupset for the time being which meant staying with rim brakes. But knowing where the bike industry is going I accept that at some point high end rim brake stuff will be harder and harder to get. So I wasn’t going to shell out thousands for a rim brake frame and I certainly wasn’t going to pay 6 grand for a rim brake Dogma F frameset. There’s next to no direct mount rim brake frames from China with modern shapes and cable integration available. So that’s why I went with the VB 218. I’d never stick decals on it to make it look like the real thing, though. Now had I found an equivalent non counterfeit option, I’d probably have picked that. But with all that said, I’m very pleased with the bike. April 01, 2023, 01:49:19 AM |
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Re: 2022 Cervelo S5
I don’t judge people on bikes with 5digit price tags. I don’t like where the market is going but if they got the money they’re entitled to spend it on bikes like that. If I had money in abundance I’d probably contemplate buying a top end road bike as well, no matter the price tag. But for me, one of the biggest reasons to go with Chiner-frames is also: I’m a DIY guy and I like custom solutions. I love fiddling around with stuff. I love building bikes myself. I have very particular ideas and I like to get a custom paintjob. And whenever I’m checking complete bike offerings from the big brands, I tend to find something I don’t like. So I much rather collect parts myself and build my own. April 03, 2023, 03:40:19 AM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-177
Hey folks, How low you have to cut depends on how much clearance you need between your steerer expander plug and your top cap in order to compress the whole headset assembly. I dunno what that top cap looks like from the bottom and how far it protrudes into the steerer. But that measurement is critical. Cutting the steerer below the upper clamping bolt is definitely too short, however. Because that bolt is there for a reason and your stem will only clamp to the steerer with the lower bolt. Personally, I prefer to cut the steerer in line with the stem and have one small spacer below the top cap, just for peace of mind. With one piece bars like this one however, this becomes increasingly impossible due to the shape of the top cap. April 06, 2023, 03:09:01 AM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
Thanks, If I was you, I'd probably use this method: Yes, it would require you to drill the bar down at the bar end where the junction box is inserted. But that can be done with pretty much no risk IMO. You then route from there externally below the bar tape to the right brifter. Connection between the brifters and into the frame can then be done by using the existing holes for brake and shifting lines. So there's minimal modification needed. April 06, 2023, 05:11:27 AM |
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Re: Spider mounted power meter advice
I pulled the trigger on the Magene P505 for my Sram 3 bolt crank. I got a very good price and another small discount from Magene. I got a set of Favero Assioma pedals that I can compare the device with. I’ll let you know how it performs. Shane Millers favourable review is what convinced me in the end. April 06, 2023, 11:59:32 AM |
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