Velobuild VB-R-168 Frame

[Greenred]

I finished my vbr 168 some time ago and have around 500km on it so far.
Great bike, love the looks, and simply the fact that I built it with my bare hands.

Weighting in at 7.3kg incl. pedals, I’d like to review a bit more in detail once I find time.

Question: anyone using the vbr 168 in a Hometrainer? I'm considering getting the Tacx Neo 2T. Preparing for the colder seasons before they get potentially sold out again.

[OlieSimpson]

I finished my vbr 168 some time ago and have around 500km on it so far.
Great bike, love the looks, and simply the fact that I built it with my bare hands.

Weighting in at 7.3kg incl. pedals, I’d like to review a bit more in detail once I find time.

Question: anyone using the vbr 168 in a Hometrainer? I'm considering getting the Tacx Neo 2T. Preparing for the colder seasons before they get potentially sold out again.

Do you have a spec for your build? Mine is 7.9kg's and I'd like to try and loose a bit of weight on it 

I've also used mine with no problems on my Wahoo Kickr Core trainer. Did maybe 300 km's on it before the weather improved and I've been outdoors since with around 3,500km's clocked so far this year on my 168.

[patliean1]

For what it's worth...my VB-177 build is also my indoor trainer bike (Wahoo Kickr + Kickr Climb). Used it all winter with no issues.

[Irideslowly]

My bike is the LTK268(Velobuild 099). It has been used more on the trainer than outside. You will not have any issues.

[hazzer19]

I finished my vbr 168 some time ago and have around 500km on it so far.
Great bike, love the looks, and simply the fact that I built it with my bare hands.

Weighting in at 7.3kg incl. pedals, I’d like to review a bit more in detail once I find time.

Question: anyone using the vbr 168 in a Hometrainer? I'm considering getting the Tacx Neo 2T. Preparing for the colder seasons before they get potentially sold out again.

I've used my 168 on a Kickr Core and regular Kickr and both have been great.

[voshond]

Hello and good morning!

Also new to the forum, there is some great info around this thread, i haven't been able to collect and read every page yet, but you stumble upon some good stuff.

I think once i got confirmation, i'll compile it down to a google sheet for everyone to consume.

In order to prepare the build i collected the torque specs for all the bolts from Chris:

Seat post clamp	6.0Nm
Seat post saddle	8.0Nm
Front Derailleur	4.0Nm
Rear Derailleur	2.0Nm
Handlebar mounting	5.5Nm
Shifters on handlebars	5.0Nm
Axle	10.0Nm

I would also like to get the specs from the axle, but he only mentioned that they will be on the axle itself. has anyone found a link for this on the Robert Through Axle project or elsewhere? I will probably buy another one.

He also said that the SL7 headset compression ring + Di2 seatpost battery holder should work.

For the Bearings i got these specs so far, will post an update once i got it all confirmed:

Inner width	38.1mm
Outer width	52mm
Height	???mm
Outer Angle	45deg
Inner Angle	45deg

[zxcvbnmjm]

Great idea

Ive attached a picture of the axles with the specs. I believe you can get j&l lightweight axles with these specs from ebay

Also, i think the inner diameter of the headset bearing is 40mm, not 38.1mm

[voshond]

Great idea

Ive attached a picture of the axles with the specs. I believe you can get j&l lightweight axles with these specs from ebay

Also, i think the inner diameter of the headset bearing is 40mm, not 38.1mm

Thank you very much for the reply, much appreciated!
I'm a bit surprised to see, that the through axle is 130mm with L21. 2.1cm of thread seems a bit overkill.

By any chance, does the axle stick out when installed at the front/backwheel? Do you have pictures?
Might be a way to shave off some weight by reducing the axle length by a bit.

I also asked Chris if the mounting surfaces from the break callipers are faced, he ignored it twice so far so assume they are not. Anyone know a cheap way to face it?

For the headset i requested the specific specs and if the top and bottom are the same. Do you know if the fork is also 31.8? Do you then need a shim or does the compression ring make the fork stay in place? I never had a bike with internal cable routing and i was wondering, why you would want space between the fork and the bearing.

[bamboo_mountain]

Rear axle is perfect for me, front is maybe a tiny bit short if anything. I agree the threaded part is excessive.

[gilj]

For people who have recently received their frames, how are the disc-brake installation areas faced?

[Greenred]

Do you have a spec for your build? Mine is 7.9kg's and I'd like to try and loose a bit of weight on it 

I've also used mine with no problems on my Wahoo Kickr Core trainer. Did maybe 300 km's on it before the weather improved and I've been outdoors since with around 3,500km's clocked so far this year on my 168.

I’ll do a more detailed review soon hopefully, but in short: Juin tech, sensah empire pro, lightweight rotors, bottlecage, bar tape, rims, tubes, tires etc. Or in other words: researching every single part considering cost vs weight also.

I might consider doing a YouTube video if there’s enough interest and time, let’s see.

[zxcvbnmjm]

For the headset i requested the specific specs and if the top and bottom are the same. Do you know if the fork is also 31.8? Do you then need a shim or does the compression ring make the fork stay in place? I never had a bike with internal cable routing and i was wondering, why you would want space between the fork and the bearing.

Yes, both top and bottom headset bearings are the same size(if im not mistaken). Sorry, im not sure what the fork diameter where the bearing sits is, but im pretty sure it isnt 31.8 if the bearing is 40mm ID. I think its closer to 40mm. And the fork steerer is 1-1/8" (28.6mm)

You can refer to this video from velobuild for the rest of the headset assembly parts. Btw, this isnt a 168 in the video and some pieces are different different

[voshond]

Yes, both top and bottom headset bearings are the same size(if im not mistaken). Sorry, im not sure what the fork diameter where the bearing sits is, but im pretty sure it isnt 31.8 if the bearing is 40mm ID. I think its closer to 40mm. And the fork steerer is 1-1/8" (28.6mm)
You can refer to this video from velobuild for the rest of the headset assembly parts. Btw, this isnt a 168 in the video and some pieces are different different

Heyho, thanks for the reply.

Apart from the bearing height, it looks like i got all the dimensions.
OD: 52
ID: 40
Angles: 45/45

Does anyone have pictures of the markings on the bearings? (possibly all of them?)

I'm waiting for my frame now, but it's going to be a sick build. I've got my Zipp 303s that i will transfer from my Gravel bike to the frame.

[patliean1]

What are people using for seat post covers, and does the provided saddle clamp also work for 7x9 oversized cable rails?

[patliean1]

...just waiting for my saddle clamp to arrive 
The seat post is being propped up by cardboard inside the frame for photo purposes LoL