As Carbonazza says, changing out a pressfit BB shouldn't be an issue at all with the right tools. I don't know how trivial it is without the specialty tools but it's doable. I have the Wheels MFG version of the threaded press fit and it's absolutely the...best...thing...ever.

Your spacer and handlebar issue though...

Once you cut your steerer tube down to size, that's it, there's no going back. The TanTan handlebars came with around 4 cms of spacers and I use all of them. My steerer is cut 3 mm below the top of the stem and I still have to use another generic round 2mm spacer I picked up from my LBS on top of the stem, just underneath the top cap, to get the head tight enough. Maybe if you can figure out a way to stack 2 cms+ of generic spacers above your stem until your set arrives, you'd be able to cut the steerer to the correct size and get riding. It'd be fugly though, and judging from the generic spacer I use, not a very stable stack on top of your stem.

Just got off the phone with FSA, extremely helpful. They have the FSA ACR in stock and ready to ship, and the tech confirmed that the set-up should work without the FSA top cover, as a long as the top cover used allows for cable and hose passage.

I'm moving foward with the upgrade, will update...

I was actually thinking of doing the same thing but when I checked you'd have to swap out the handlebar as well because the little dimple things on the headset wouldn't match up with the stem.  Unless that doesn't really matter

Yeah, that's only if you have to use the FSA Top Cover though. If you can use the cheapie top cover and spacers that comes with the handlebars, then you're good to go! I actually really like the way the cheapie set looks way better than the blocky FSA top cover and spacers.

I went ahead and ordered the FSA ACR Headset. 30 day returns FTW. I'll let you know how it works out!

The only experience I have is with the DT Swiss 240s, 240 Ratchet EXPs to be exact. I got those on a coup when I ordered my wheels from Light Bicycle. The NA were house specced out an AR46 wheelset that would build and ship right away, originally with DT Swiss 350s. When they found out those were actually out of stock, the swapped in the 240 Ratchet EXPs at no extra charg and shipped out the wheels right on schedule. Great experience with Light Bicycle!

The Ratchet EXP system is fantastic and easy to service. My freehub popped off when I was transporting my wheels in the back of my car. Fished the ratchet and spring from backseat floorboard, dusted off the beachsand and Cheetoh crumbs, greased em up, popped em back in, no issues. If you need to replace any of the inner parts, they are readily available, but my understanding is that you probably will never have to unless you want to "upgrade" to 54t.

Can't speak for any other of the hubs listed as far as bang for your buck goes, but two thumbs up for one more worry free part with the DT Swiss. That being said, I would have gone with the Novatecs if that's all Light Bicycle would have had to build my wheels with.

Fantastic! Looks good.

Did they put the tubes through the frame for the internal cables, or did you do that? Mine came without them, but the cables through the frame were super easy to do even without the tubes or a Park Tools Kit. Looks like you got a different set of handlebars, which, for me, are different than the ones pictured on their site.

Just an fyi about my headset issues. Turns out, a lot of the front end play came from the front axle. The axle I bought from TanTan just didn't quite fit  the fork and will not tighten enough to take up play. I tried switching out the thru axles from my old bike first, but it does seem to be an issue with the T21 fork at least partly. I had to fit a small spacer for the front axle, but that that did care of the axle problem.

Most of the rest of the headset issue was with the compression plug. It kept slipping, even after a thorough inside cleaning of the steerer, so I replaced it with an FSA compression plug. That took care of most of the rest of the issues. Lastly, I don't really know if I have the headset bearings in as intended. I put the shorter height black bearing at the bottom and taller height red bearing at the top because they just seem to be a cleaner fit that way. At this point, my headset has no play at all and works nice and smooth, but I can't tighten the top cap enough to dampen the steering at all.

Anyway, looking forward to the build!

Hi All,

My X21 build is almost done. It's mostly new components but I'm waiting on things like correct sized bolts for brakes. I have used shifters with an overtightened bleed port cover that I had to pretty much destroy to remove. Its holding the brake fluid, but ordered a replacement. I also have a loose headset that I can't seem to tighten down with the supplied compressor assembly.  Might have to go to the LBS for that.

Hi All,

Happy New Year!

My new TT-X21 frame arrived this morning.

I first contacted Lisa on 11/25, ordered the frame on 11/29, the frame shipped on 12/16, and arrived today, 01/04. I'm sure it would have arrived faster if shipping hadn't been in the middle of the Holiday Season.  Overall, I'd give TanTan a solid B for quality of service. There were a ton of details that needed to be clarified, I wasn't sure how the frame would be shipped until I saw the EMS waybill, and even then, Lisa told me not to expect the frame until the end of January after it got hung up in Tianjin. In retrospect, no issues that were TanTan's fault and all minor stuff that didn't affect the actual transaction.

The build quality looks good, but it's my first carbon frame. Here are some pre-build pics. If you see anything I should be concerned about, please, if at all possible, let me know.

Thanks!

I didn't buy that bike, but...

A teammate of mine is considering buying one and inquired about it in September. At that time, the tire width was 25C, and we were told it would be 28C by the end of the year. The bikes were VANYAR disc and FALATH disc.

Just FYI.

Maybe a 32C when the mithril versions are released.

Edit - To add something that may actually be useful.

I like the Vanyar geometry. I ride a Giant ML frame now, comfortable enough, but probably a touch on the big side. Their 2XL seems comparable in size to a medium Propel or Aeroad.  I'd consider a 2XL 54 Disc Vanyar, if it could fit 28C, and, if I could get matte black to knock a couple hundred off the price, and the silly name off the frame.