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« on: October 20, 2024, 07:15:19 PM »
Hi All,
I currently run a fuji 2009 original spec in almost new condition, she is the fasted bike I have ever own for a little over 10 years. But I suspect I suffer a lot of lost watts from rolling resistance / crank bearings and not fully tuned setup.
After lots of reading across the web and here in particular is think I have narrowed down to a single Chinese manufacture. Frames I have looked at in no particular order. There were a few other brands but I dismissed them quickly for various reasons:
Trifox - No TT frames
Airwolf - No TT frames
Yoeleo - No TT frames
lightcarbon- No Disc brake versions
Twitter - No TT frames
ICAN - No TT frames
Falco - Can't find a website and alix is all old resellers (I read somewhere the molds have been purchased but no real details)
TanTan - No TT frames
Winspace - No TT frames although the T1550 is close (seat tube angle might be too great)
Winow Sports - TT119 but not sold on the look.
Seraph - TT912 has press in BB. Feels a bit old looks like the TT119
Elves - No reviews on their V frame, only one I could find said it "could" be sloppy and has a max weight limit of 100kg. I am a heavier rider but no there yet. Also looks like very mixed quality from their frames still.
VeloBuild - VB-TT-023 I saw a recent build on here and was also leaning towards this based on their frame reviews before looking at the build-up
The bike is primarily for Full Ironman events. One event per year plus the 1000's of km of training rides (Once a week averaging 100 - 150 kms), the rest is done on a indoor trainer bike.
The planned build will be if I can settle on a frame:
Tektro HD-T910 brakes
Sram force ASX running gear (24 speed) with wireless blips (3d printed mounts for the blips)
EliteWheels Full disc rear, 80s spoked on the front (considered the 3 spoke carbon as well). With maybe an 80 spoked spare rear, for race day if cross winds are too much.
EC90 seat
Now for the questions:
Have I missed any frames that people would recommend? Given Elves was top of my budget for a frame, any higher and I will pickup a western brand (I know) from a local store. But the price point is just too much.
For the people who have built the VB-TT-023 or any other disc brake based TT bike how is the ride after months. Is there anything I should look out for?
With the Alix double 11 sales coming up is it better to get from the website and try to ask for a price match or to get it from the "alix offical store"?
The VB frames in general have mixed reviews but seem to have more +ve reviews than most others who do TT bikes, hence why I am leaning towards them.
This is not going to be a cheap build in local currency but I should have a very competitive bike (maybe no the rider) once all is done and hopefully I get another good 10 years out of the bike.
Thanks for all your input.