Advice for my 1st build

[cramy]

Hello Guys,

New on this amazing forum, I have decided to build a bike for my girlfriend as a Christmas present. It will also be a test, if everything is going well I will change my old B'twin bike (french brand).

She is 165cm, inner leg length 77cm and I am looking for a relax frame, if not possible, I would like to go for a look a like Specialized Tarmac SL7.

The plan is:
- relax carbon frame
- carbon or alloy wheels
- sensah empire 2x11 groupset
- handlebar to be defined if I can make a pack with the frame supplier, if not maybe OG Evkin
- cable & other accessories from Aliexpress

I have seen that the following shop have a pretty much good reputation:

- xmcarbonspeed (don't know if still in the game)
- zhongwei
- Dengfu
- Hongfu
- Carbonda
- Tantan Cycling
- Og Evkin

If you have any idea of a frame that can suit her, I will be more than happy, I am taking all your recommendation to find the perfect fit.

Thanks a lot,

Alex

[Matt_C]

First piece of advice I would give is have patience. There is no way you can have a bike fully built before Christmas. Dealing with sellers and getting everything right takes time and then the shipping times are slow also. Best of luck, you will get a great bike for a great price but the build usually takes a while.

[cramy]

yes, for sure before christmas, it will be impossible. It will be my christmas present to her but i am expecting to finish it in 2021

[cramy]

I am into my bike building journey and I found some frames that could suit me:

- LTK   LTK115-V
- LTK   LTK115-D

- Dengfu    FM098-V2

- Xmcarbonspeed   CS-13
- Xmcarbonspeed   CS-992

- Hongfu   FM169
- Hongfu   FM139

- LightCarbon   LCR015

- Carbonda    CFR515

Do you guys have any experince, with one of these frames? Or any advice on other frames.

Really hard to decide and found the perfect one.

Thanks for your advice.

[carbonazza]

I am into my bike building journey and I found some frames that could suit me:

- LTK   LTK115-V
- LTK   LTK115-D

- Dengfu    FM098-V2

- Xmcarbonspeed   CS-13
- Xmcarbonspeed   CS-992

- Hongfu   FM169
- Hongfu   FM139

- LightCarbon   LCR015

- Carbonda    CFR515

Do you guys have any experince, with one of these frames? Or any advice on other frames.

Really hard to decide and found the perfect one.

Thanks for your advice.

These are all sellers with a good reputation here. In general.
Contact them for pricing, paint, shipping option, etc.
And take the one that looks the best to you.
With a seller that cares and communicates well.

[pantherman]

I have always wanted to build a carbon frame bike with parts from Aliexpress.  I started gathering info and purchases in March 2020.  I finally got my bike together late summer.  Some of the parts took a very long time to arrive.

Here is a youtube link to the video I shot on the bike.  Parts break down is within the video description.

The frame is a BXT T800 road frame and drive train is Sensah Empire 11x2

[carbonazza]

...I have always wanted to build a carbon frame bike with parts from Aliexpress.  I started gathering info and purchases in March 2020.  I finally got my bike together late summer.  Some of the parts took a very long time to arrive...

Very nice result!
What are your impressions about the components ? Would you choose the same ones today?

[pantherman]

Thank you for the kind words.

I've been pretty happy with the bike so far.  The Sram like shifting system is something to get used to.

Only thing I regretting is not building a disc brake version.

Might have to start looking at the next bike project.....  LOL

Very nice result!
What are your impressions about the components ? Would you choose the same ones today?

[carbonazza]

See it positively, it is lighter than a disc version 

For the disc brakes, if you go with Ali, the ZRACE hybrid cable/hydro brakes look good:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001055183166.html
Soon to be tested.

The Sensah story is cute, SRAM leave a place, and people with the knowledge reopen the factory and build products.
I will start to build bikes with it soon.