Velobuild VB-R-168 Frame

[coffeebreak]

With the color I have now understood everything. But still looking for the right dark red shiny color as in the posted picture. Is there a pantone color palette somewhere?

XDB check :-)

Pantone C color card. I can help you find closest color match to what you want but I need bright, good quality picture with colors visible.

[TeamO]

Thank you so much for trying to help me with the color. The frame is a surprise for my wife for Christmas.

She dreams of a shiny dark red or bordeaux bike. It should look like red caramel.
I have seen for example a original Tarmac SL7 which looks like what my wife wants. They call the color "red tint carbon".
You can find it here for example: https://www.biker-boarder.de/specialized/2858114s.html

Another color I found online is:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/234253420679?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=707-134425-41852-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=234253420679&targetid=1713533833844&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=20235&poi=&campaignid=17731953013&mkgroupid=142643597030&rlsatarget=pla-1713533833844&abcId=9301016&merchantid=115516150&gclid=CjwKCAiAyfybBhBKEiwAgtB7frJ_sEvBGAiL5-3I-ZfnSTin9RB3w4yEAnX7nR3FsVFMdZc_940F7hoCIN8QAvD_BwE

It should be as close to that shiny dark red as possible. Do you think that would be possible?

I would be very grateful if you could help me to find the right pantone.

[Unsworn5836]

The dark tint is semi transparent. I already asked VB to do this. They don t offer it.
Carbonda does.
Specialized did this paintjob on several models:
https://media-prod.velomotion.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/01213156/specialized_epic_EW-22.jpg

[carbonazza]

Trek started this a couple of years ago, isn't it ?
Their transparent blue and red were gorgeous.
My next Carbonda will be painted like this.

[Unsworn5836]

Just received a size 52 frame in matte black with the separate bar and stem.  https://imgur.com/a/F90D6Bd

Shipped 8 days after the order was placed and shipping took 7 days to Pennsylvania.  Overall, I'm impressed for the price.  Frame with derailleur hanger is 1020 grams - about 100g more than what I would expect a genuine Tarmac frame and 200g more than the S-Works.  Not bad.  The rest of the components come in at very respectable weights.  The bar and stem are quite a bit lighter than the Tarmac system and I could save 100g with a lightweight seatpost from Aliexpress. 

The frame and fork are clean from what I can see other than some imperfections in the paint work that I wouldn't expect to get through QC for a name brand frame. BB looks good and it remains to be seen whether the brake mounts will need faced.

I plan to build up with Ultegra hydro mechanical disc and HED 60/90 wheels from another bike.  I was planning on using an FSA ACR headset and stem, but the ACR headset leaves a noticeable gap with the top of the headtube and adds more stack than I would like, so I may modify the included headset cap to fit flush with the ACR stem, which should accommodate full internal routing and look clean. The included stem is actually a bit lighter, but I prefer the look of the FSA.  TBD.

Instead of the included 40cm bars, which look OK but are too wide for my fit, I will be using "The One" handlebar in 36cm.  Its pretty shamelessly "inspired" by the Enve SES handlebars, which I have on hand for another planned build.  Without having ridden either one yet, the build quality and finish looks comparable to the Enve and is a bit lighter.  Neither feel like they will noticeably flex under load.

Which seatpost did you order? I can only find SL7 fitting ones, which does not the 168. Thanks

[Greenred]

Has anyone tried to mod their vbr 168 seatpost, as for example in the following thread on ww?
Not just for weight but to reduce the offset.
https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=112588

I was confirmed by velobuild that they only offer one seatpost, and it’s with 20mm offset.
I got a nice fit so far according to myvelofit, but the offset is a painpoint. And assuming you’re not short legged with a long torso, same applies to you too.

[zambelletti]

Thank you to everyone in the forum. This has been an invaluable resource for building out the bike. I took my first test ride on my VB-R-168 yesterday and it's an absolute rocket. I am looking for black bolts for the saddle and headset. Any recommendations on the best place to find them?

[coffeebreak]

What’s the length of your screws? And do they have locking nut on the other end? If they have a lock nut on other side :
 https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804291572936.html
These are 18mm and I wasn’t able to find shorter than that + lock nut combination. Somewhat expensive so order only if length maches.

If you don’t have lock nut, then measure the length and order from many available on Aliexpress. Most probably M5x20 or 25. Many choices in those. Like these : https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832788031257.html

Edit, these are for headset/stem only.

[eico]

I finally received my frame and am really surprised by the quality.

Now the first questions come after I have looked at the headset.

1. is a distance of about 1 mm between top tube and top cover normal?
2. is it correct that the stem rests on the small pins of the spacer?
3. the standard top cap is exchanged for the cap from Velobuild?

Thanks a lot!
Eico

[Zoc]

I don't thinkt thats normal,
first check the length of the fork
second check the expander, sometimes it happens that it becomes loose

[eico]

I don't thinkt thats normal,
first check the length of the fork
second check the expander, sometimes it happens that it becomes loose

The fork is not yet cut and the expander not finally mounted. I was just checking how things belong together and was encountering the above questions.

[coffeebreak]

I finally received my frame and am really surprised by the quality.

Now the first questions come after I have looked at the headset.

1. is a distance of about 1 mm between top tube and top cover normal?
2. is it correct that the stem rests on the small pins of the spacer?
3. the standard top cap is exchanged for the cap from Velobuild?

Thanks a lot!
Eico

1. Yes. It rotates so cannot be perfectly flush with headtube
2. The stem should have small indentations where those pins go. Make sure you align the stem exactly so indentations match with pins on spacers.
3. Yes. I am not a fan of that VB cap. You can't have those fancy caps on Ali express fit on it.

[eico]

1. Yes. It rotates so cannot be perfectly flush with headtube
2. The stem should have small indentations where those pins go. Make sure you align the stem exactly so indentations match with pins on spacers.
3. Yes. I am not a fan of that VB cap. You can't have those fancy caps on Ali express fit on it.

Thanks coffeebreak!

Working on it...
I thought I got all parts I need upfront (before the frame arrives) but I forgot the flat mount adapter for the 160mm rear disc ... 

[bball3r823]

1. Yes. It rotates so cannot be perfectly flush with headtube
2. The stem should have small indentations where those pins go. Make sure you align the stem exactly so indentations match with pins on spacers.
3. Yes. I am not a fan of that VB cap. You can't have those fancy caps on Ali express fit on it.

I had a hard time getting the pins to align with the holes in the integrated handlebar when I put the spacers and front fork together on the frame.  The hole and pins were just off by a little bit and would not seat together.  I enlarged the holes on the integrated handlebar so that the pins can seat inside the holes.  Luckily I had a very small drill bit that probably increase the size of the hole by half a millimeter.

The top cap that came with the integrated handlebar did not fit nicely.  I decided to just use the top cap from the compression plug.

[Equalizer]

@eico seatpost clamp cover is original from Specialized SL7 Tarmac?