Hi, I bought your frameset via Aliexpress. Looks really nice. Can't wait for build and firs ride.

What is the max size of chainring for 1x drivetrains?

My GF-002 build is complete.

Some observations:

1. The painting of the frame took 2 weeks like Chris said. After it was painted, though, the shipping was fast. From China to my doorstep in Seattle it took exact 5 days.

2. Paint quality itself is satisfactory. The paint matches 90-95% with what I had in mind and has no obvious flaws that I could notice. All the screw/bolt holes were devoid of any paint and didn't have to clean anything.

3. Bottom bracket was not included in the box. Chris sent it after about a week. I decided not to use it anyway and got Token Ninja thread together model off of Amazon for $50.

4. I went with separate stem and handlebar combo thinking that it would be easier to route cables - big mistake. The internal cable routing was a nightmare. It was my first bike build so experience was lacking too but in the hindsight I should have just bought integrated handlebar. I am sure it couldn't be any more difficult than what I went through. On top, the frame came without any cable guides. Anyway, lesson learnt.
Also the compression-less SRAM brake cables caused more friction once I routed the cables than the cheapo cables that I got from LBS in the end. After multiple attempts at making SRAM cables work I gave up. So much time wasted and no returns, not to mention extremely hard to route. All the cables currently are moving freely without much friction and I am happy.

5. Apart from missing BB, rest of my order was complete with nothing missing. I got extra headset spacers, RD hangar, bottle cages.

6. The headset dust cap needed to be filed a little on the inside (previous few comments in this thread, for more detail) before it fit flush.

7. For my 183cm height, the seat tube is almost too tall. I have set it to lowest marking (10) and it is still a tad bit tall. My frame is size L.

8. The rear triangle of the frame does not accommodate post mount TRP HY/RD brakes with flat mount adapters. I learnt that the hard way. I don't think it is a problem on VB' side though. The TRPs are massive. They came off of my donor bike and I was disappointed that they did not fit. This caused me to order Onirii BR-05 set that took almost 20 days to deliver! Word of caution, if you are planning on using PM brakes with FM adapter, those either might not fit or will be too close to upper arm of the triangle for comfort.

9. The FD cable routing is confusing and the parts supplied by VB aren't a good fit. I used rubber grommets from a local h/w store to route FD cable to my liking.

10. No torque markings on any screws. I referred to my other CF bike for all the screws and used a torque wrench bought from Amazon.

11. Didn't want to risk anything and used carbon paste on seat post, handlebar/stem.

12. Token Ninja BB is a god sent gift. The fit is excellent and installation was a breeze.


Took almost a month but that's a blame on my part for not ordering right parts from get go, with those damn brakes taking frustratingly long time. Unlike most builds here, it is a mechanical build with parts that came off of a donor bike. Parts that did not come from donor were bought from Craigslist, OfferUp etc while brakes, misc. bits and pieces came from AliExpress.

And now the pictures from maiden ride today. It rides amazingly well. For my novice hands, the way it came together in the end, makes me proud.

Yeah same here, all the Risk components I'm using are very good including the cables and titanium bolts they sell. I just ordered the brake cable kit. I'll report back once I receive them and have the time to install them. I'll see if they're a viable alternative to Jagwire compressionless.