Velobuild VB-R-168 Frame

[joegal]

First broken one?

Oh damn, how did that happen? Already contacted Chris? what did he say?

[Unsworn5836]

Discovered today, Chris informed. Let’s see what we are going to do.
No Crash or something happened. Just 2000 down on the road. No turbo trainer.

[Unsworn5836]

First contact with Chris is, well, sobering.
Should double check with pressing on and „feel“ whether structure is damaged and/or grind down the paint

[Honda118]

Hmm - keep us updated

[TCal]

Well, this thread has provided a wealth of info and several evenings worth of reading.thank you all. I am nearly sold on doing my first Velo build, and I am so stoked that I’ll be attempting two builds, one with the 168 frame and one with the CX-002.  Am I crazy? We shall see.  The entry point for these frames is hard to pass, specially when you consider that the industry has just run amok with their pricing. I’ll be posting here periodically on the progress.

A question about sizes on the 168.  On my current specialized Tarmac Elite (circa 2007) I am a solid 56. The chart for the SL 7 has my as a 58 (i am 182 placing me squarely at the low end of the 58 size). Does that compute with folks here? Your thoughts appreciated.

[Easyfunk]

A question about sizes on the 168.  On my current specialized Tarmac Elite (circa 2007) I am a solid 56. The chart for the SL 7 has my as a 58 (i am 182 placing me squarely at the low end of the 58 size). Does that compute with folks here? Your thoughts appreciated.

I would stay with the 56.

[Eddy_Twerckx]

You mean putting threadlocker on the tiny little screw that's off center the thru axle? if so, it is a must indeed. There have been reports of people losing that screw.
When i see a thread, i usually wonder: lithium or loctite? I like my girls wet and my threads lubricated.

Glad you didnt die!

This is why I bought a new derailleur hanger that had the main thru-axle threads on the outer piece. The thru-axle itself then tightens down the whole back end. The tiny little screw then doesn’t offer any structural support.

[Eddy_Twerckx]

I was now finally able to assemble my bike.

For all of you please remember to unscrew the mounts where the Thru-Axles are mounted and screw them back in with threadlocker.

On my second ride, the rear bracket fell out at 45 km / h because the screw has loosened. The back wheel began to vibrate as hell but i was able to recover the bike without a crash.

What size tires are those? They look tight.

[hazzer19]

This is why I bought a new derailleur hanger that had the main thru-axle threads on the outer piece. The thru-axle itself then tightens down the whole back end. The tiny little screw then doesn’t offer any structural support.

And it fit the frame ok? Mind sharing which hanger that was? Thanks!

[Unsworn5836]

Ok, my claim was blocked by velobuild.
On the one hand i should try whether the point feels soft, on the other side the engineer said its full carbon. So it's probably only the paint.
Without grinding down, I wont be sure.

[TCal]

Hi guys, thank you for all your advice, here is finally my bike mounted.
Very happy final weight:7 kg pedals.
Two exits the first two hours per setup, the second over 4 hours and a drop 1600 meters, excellent sensations.

@dalon  May I ask about your decals? they are beutiful. i am thinking of making my own "brand" for my upcoming 168 build. where did you buy it? Thanks.

[Eddy_Twerckx]

And it fit the frame ok? Mind sharing which hanger that was? Thanks!

Search this thread for my posts. I think I put a link to everything I bought. Can’t remember off hand but it was a Cube hanger.

[TCal]

Hey folks. 
has anybody had to machine their caliper mounts down?  Just doing my do diliegence on all aspects.  i am reading a lot of creative solutions on the stem, have not read yet any issues with the flat maounts being uneven or needing machining.
Thanks.
This thread is so long and informative, is taking me weeks to get through it. 

[BerndSon]

Hi there ,

finished my build already some time ago and now found the time to wrap it up in a Summary after approx. 4000k and 60000m of elevation gain on my vbr-168.
I have remained loyal to my old Stevens road bike for many years and now wanted to build a technically up-to-date and decent looking but reasonably priced bike which accompanies me (climber by heart, sprinter by Body Mass Index) on my tours through the austrian alps.
Ordering Process was quite smooth, the Chrisses have been patient with me when i changed the paint mockup several times. After painting, it took two more weeks until they had everything together since they have been short on accessory parts back then.

Shipping to Austria took 12 days, shipped with XDB-DPD since austrian custom regulations are a nightmare and need to be avoided at all cost.
Frame in size 58 came in at surprinsingly low 1054 grams (including screws, without seatpost clamp, hangers and through axles)
I ordered the Frameset with seperate bar and stem (with two different stems for bike fitting options).
Unfortunately they sent both stems in the same size. Since i didn`t like the bulky and heavy stem and spacers, i only built it far enough for a proper bike fit and then changed it to a fully integrated cockpit purchased on alibaba.
This saved more than 100grams and greatly improved the look in my opinion.
Paint of frame and fork was exactly like defined and quality satisfying for me.

Final Configuration:

• vbr-168 in size 58
• OEM Version of "The One Pro" Handlebar, directly from Manufacturer via Alibaba in 440/100 including their garmin mount
• VB Saddle
• VB bottle cages
• Shimano Ultegra Di2 8100 Groupset with 11-30 Cassette and 50-34 Q-rings (refitted from my old 11sp bike since back in spring no brand offered ovals for Shimano 12sp  )
• DT Swiss ARC1100 db50 Wheelset
• Tubolito tubes and Conti GP5000s 28mm TDF edition (quite heavy but other than that perfect for me)
• Supacaz handlebar tape
• Favero Assioma PM Pedals

--> weights in at 7.8Kg including everything mentioned above.

I never built a bike before but would describe myself as quite passable in terms of craftsmanship.
Since i already knew about the Headset issues from reading here, i paid some attention to it and found a way which worked for me (even with the old C-ring and VB parts)
Details to be seen here:
http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,3147.msg45858.html#msg45858

Some weeks later, VB announced the new C-ring design which most likely will solve the main problem but i still find it to be poorly designed.
Furthermore, i´ve been affected by the issue that the saddle had been somehow twisted. Other members experienced this issue too and we found out its caused by too much play between seat post and seat tube and a clamping mechanism that forces the seat post to twist to one side, - more to be seen here:
http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,3147.msg45220.html#msg45220

The only additional thing i would like to highlight is that prior to the assembly it is a good idea to check all the contact surfaces for Headset bearings and especially those for the alumnium inlets /wheel mounting parts at the fork and rear wheel area. Found some excessice resin or coat there which i had to grind down in order to maintain a smooth and even contact.

Conclusion: I´ve been prepared to deal with some minor issues but the one with the seatpost was a surprise. Finally all problems could be solved with reasonable effort (also thanks to the hints in this Thread!) so i am O.K with it. Generally i am satisfied with the project and would buy the frame again.  Meanwhile i purchased and built some more frames (one VBR177, two gf002) which i will post somewhen later in the respective threads.

I don´t ride any crits but occassionally gran fondos / marathons and hillclimbs. So I wasn`t looking for an ultimately stiff crit racer, but it should feel reasonably stiff and safe, -no matter whether i throw in my 80 kg for a >1500W Sprint or if a fast descent on a rough pass road is on the agenda.
So far the bike meets this requirement perfectly in my opinion, I can not report anything negative in this regard.

ride on,
Bernd

[TCal]

Frames received. Ordered a Cx-002 and a VBR-168 both in 56 to do slow builds in the spring. Reporting here that they arrived to the US in a very fast 5 business days.  Both frames look fantastic, well crafted , no blemishes that I can see.  Noticed that the seatpost have a grippy surface , I suspect in response to the numerous reports on slippage. All headset bearing included. As well as extra RD hangers.  Received one seatpost dust cover rather than two. Minor issue. Looking forward to a thrilling spring doing these builds.