Hey zooky,

could you keep us updated.

Did it work, are you going to claim warranty (does it even work, like do they respond and so on) or how are you going to do it?

Carbonda is very responsive and the customer service people are easy to work with. I’ve never heard of them ghosting anyone or treating them poorly.

That said, I’m not completely sure what their response to this would be.

I just ordered a 707, which will be my third Carbonda build after an FM1002 (170F/150R AM 29er) and FM1003 (single crown 180mm DH/enduro 29er). Carbonda has a very solid reputation and my experiences have borne that out.

The 707 uses the same drop-in 1.5/1.5 headset setup as the FM1002, to give the option of headset cable routing. I’ve found their OEM headset to be prone to rust, knocking/creaking, and dirt/water ingress. I replaced the one on my 1002 with an FSA no.55R-558 (no cable routing) and have been very happy with it…precise tolerances so you don’t need the thin spacers the OEM headset uses to correct for imprecision, and better protected against the elements. If you want headset cable routing, the no.55 ACR should have the same benefits.

I picked the 707 for multiple reasons and didn’t even really consider VeloBuild, but looking over the CX-002’s spec sheet I see several differences in favor of the 707 if you want maximum gravel firepower…being a gravity MTB rider that’s my focus. Since you’re considering racing I’m sure your ideal is a bit different, but to my way of thinking:

*50mm clearance is better than 42
*180mm rotor clearance is better than 160
*BSA threaded BB is better than press fit
*707 strikes me, visually, as a bit more rugged

…however, you’re talking to someone who’s putting a suspension fork on his 707 that is heavier than the frame itself! I’m planning to do a substantial amount of trail riding with mine and I like to spice up my gravel rides any way I can, including small jumps that might end up not being so small with this new build.

On the flip side of that argument, thinking more like a racer: the CX-002 is significantly lighter (claimed weight)…about 300g less on the frame and 100g less on the fork.

Order is in for a large 707 with external routing, and I’m planning to run it with a SR Suntour GVX suspension fork for a very upright setup. Obviously for a frame design that’s a few years old now this presents some geometry challenges but I think I can live with them.

Gravel (and a bit of road when there’s no choice) fills a big part of my riding year, particularly in spring so that I can stay fit to do the enduro/DH riding I’m really passionate about. But I have injuries and a nasty autoimmune disease that have done a lot of damage to pretty much all my bones — spine and neck in particular — so even with a short high rise stem I run into a lot of back problems. This build aims to be as capable as possible for trail and steep backcountry dirt roads but as gentle on my back as drop bars will allow.

Does the 707 always come with external cable routing ports or do I have to specifically request that? Some of the frames in this thread don’t seem to have any.

I believe that’s one of their Universal Derailleur Hangers so you can get any UDH hanger. Personally I like Wheels Manufacturing…I replaced all my Carbonda hangers with them after one seized up and snapped off while trying to remove and the other had to be removed with an Easy-Out because the hex interface stripped out.

Those grommets are a real PITA. I tried repeatedly to get them seated right (came out of place during cable install) and eventually gave up trying. Even had a local shop give it a go and no dice.

Ended up just leaving them imperfectly seated and it’s never been a problem.

https://www.amazon.com/VViViD-Gloss-Black-Adhesive-Release/dp/B083QSL6FQ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?hvadid=631555815337&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9021400&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9324566939558593874&hvtargid=kwd-30699347335&hydadcr=7056_13293877&keywords=gloss%2Bblack%2Bvinyl%2Bwrap&qid=1700849264&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Thanks! I ordered a roll for my Framed Alaskan Carbon fat bike…it’s otherwise black with red accents and I think it’ll look better without the big silver logo of a defunct company.

This is how my FRAMED Piedmont/Flybike build ended up.   (If need to be ridden now and tuned.) - But it is winter....

Looking good!