My Dengfu R12 - First Impressions and Video

[patliean1]

Hey All!

My name is Patrick. I've been lurking for a couple of months and finally have enough newsworthy details to create a post. Have not seen much discussion on the Dengfu R12 frameset, so I'm happy to share my first impressions and build experience. Included below is a 10 minute video of my unboxing and thoughts.



Here is what I currently own/have built for comparison sake:

Dengfu R12 - Just finished building this past weekend. Currently conducting test drives
Allez Sprint - Fully built with Winspace Hyper 65 rim brake wheels.
Yoeleo R6 - Fully built with Yoeleo SAT C50 wheels.
Winspace T1500 Disc - Awaiting build, with Hyper 65 wheels and Integrated Handlebars.
VeloBuild 177 - Just arrived today!! Will share my first impressions soon.

Ordering Process: Their customer support is decent and always reply to emails with 24 hours. They also answered every question I had from specs, to various options, and pricing.

Main criticisms -  I requested the 400mm/120mm integrated bars. They told me it was in stock. Two weeks later AFTER I made the purchase they said it was not stock, and had to go with the 400mm/110mm cars. This was quite frustrating because since I have a professional bike fit, my overall is very dialed in and I can immediately tell the 10mm difference. Also I would have loved to a rubber seatpost cover included.

Already I think I've been rambling for too long. The video explains everything much clearer. Im happy to answer any questions thanks!

[Velovelo]

Cool!
Thanks for sharing.
You have an awesome collection. I'm looking into the vb-r-177. Looking to know how yours goes.
Awesome video btw.

[patliean1]

For some reason...the forum can't/won't load my YouTube URL. My apologies if this is against the rules.
Here is the title of the video: I May Have A Problem - Dengfu R12 First Look

A couple of other thoughts:
1. This was my first time building up a hydraulic disc brake frameset. It absolutely was AWFUL and thankfully all the learning lessons means that I could probably build my next disc bike in a single day....rather than over four days 

2. What took the longest during the process was undoubtably routing the cables and bleeding the brakes. And that's including using the Park Took internal cable routing guide tools as well as a legitimate brake bleed kit. While routing from the calipers to the lever is easier...next time I'd rather start from the levers. I initially had some brake oil leak from the levers so I'd rather have that setup properly first.

3. Having now built 3 bikes in the span of just over one year, I've learned that you really have to take your time. Watch as many YouTube tutorials as you can and don't skip or fast forward like I did haha. I originally overlooked the "burping" of the levers by tilting the bike up/down at 45 degree angles.

I'll upload a couple of finished photos later today.

[FHS]

For some reason...the forum can't/won't load my YouTube URL. My apologies if this is against the rules.
Here is the title of the video: I May Have A Problem - Dengfu R12 First Look

A couple of other thoughts:
1. This was my first time building up a hydraulic disc brake frameset. It absolutely was AWFUL and thankfully all the learning lessons means that I could probably build my next disc bike in a single day....rather than over four days 

2. What took the longest during the process was undoubtably routing the cables and bleeding the brakes. And that's including using the Park Took internal cable routing guide tools as well as a legitimate brake bleed kit. While routing from the calipers to the lever is easier...next time I'd rather start from the levers. I initially had some brake oil leak from the levers so I'd rather have that setup properly first.

3. Having now built 3 bikes in the span of just over one year, I've learned that you really have to take your time. Watch as many YouTube tutorials as you can and don't skip or fast forward like I did haha. I originally overlooked the "burping" of the levers by tilting the bike up/down at 45 degree angles.

I'll upload a couple of finished photos later today.

Thanks for sharing your videos! I think I might have watched your PRO Stealth review awhile back before pulling the trigger on a practically new PRO Stealth carbon on EBAY for $100.

Definitely a learning curve with any bike build, but Chinese open mould frames are super special. I've also built up 3 separate frames since COVID, but I've rebuilt my Chinese frame at least three times, not including cable and hose changes which practically require a entire rebuild. Does get easier each time. The problem with disc brakes is that the routing issues make the brake bleeding much more complicated. What you think may be a bleeding problem is just a hose that's pinched somewhere because of all the 90 degree bends and choke points from the levers through the headt tube.

[patliean1]

The problem with disc brakes is that the routing issues make the brake bleeding much more complicated. What you think may be a bleeding problem is just a hose that's pinched somewhere because of all the 90 degree bends and choke points from the levers through the headt tube.

Thanks for supporting my videos! Much appreciated.

Yeah this was my first open mold build. I wasted A LOT of mineral oil trying to bleed the brakes of bubbles. In theory the process is straight forward but can easily become a literal mess if not handled properly.

To be fair...I was totally rushing to build the bike over this past weekend because the weather forecast for Chicago had a three-day window of 45F+ degrees (7+ Celsius) in the coming days, before the cold is permanently here to stay. This week will probably be my final chance to ride outdoors comfortably until the Spring

[1Sigma]

Subscribed!

[patliean1]

And here is the final build.

The decals/logo are my own design and I painted the frame at home myself: 3 coats of Dupi-Color Special Effex metallic paint and 3 coats of Spray Max 2K clearcoat. Wanted a little sparkle and protection while maintaining the "raw carbon" showing through.

The Hyper 65 wheels are intended for my Winspace T1500, but these will do until my other wheels arrive.

7.8kg without the PowerTap P2 pedals

[1Sigma]

Was painting a challenge in the cooler temperatures, or do you have a heated indoor space for this?

[patliean1]

Was painting a challenge in the cooler temperatures, or do you have a heated indoor space for this?

I would keep the paint and clearcoat sitting in a warm bucket of water right until it was time to apply. Had some minor drips and orange peel but nothing that a little compounding did not diminish. Plus it was first time so I'm pretty happy of the results. With perfect technique and ideal room temps you probably would not need to buff like I did

[hazzer19]

And here is the final build.

The decals/logo are my own design and I painted the frame at home myself: 3 coats of Dupi-Color Special Effex metallic paint and 3 coats of Spray Max 2K clearcoat. Wanted a little sparkle and protection while maintaining the "raw carbon" showing through.

The Hyper 65 wheels are intended for my Winspace T1500, but these will do until my other wheels arrive.

7.8kg without the PowerTap P2 pedals

SOOO GOOD

[jannmayer]

It's beautiful! I bet it's even better looking in person.


Did you polish the clear coat? I'm debating whether or not to do that when I paint my frame. Part of me wants to, but the more pessimistic part says it will just get scratched up before long anyways when I ride offroad.

[patliean1]

It's beautiful! I bet it's even better looking in person.


Did you polish the clear coat? I'm debating whether or not to do that when I paint my frame. Part of me wants to, but the more pessimistic part says it will just get scratched up before long anyways when I ride offroad.

Thank you! I'm gonna explain this in a video, dropping this weekend. But yeah I spent 2 hours compounding/polishing the frame before the decal work. It made a subtle but huge difference in both the shine and allowing the raw carbon to seep through.

[Schumo]

Finished bike looks super sick!
I'm an R12 owner myself too.

[patliean1]

Finished bike looks super sick!
I'm an R12 owner myself too.

Nice! What are your thoughts? And where are the pics lol?

[Schumo]

I'm liking it a lot!
I have no comparison to other "modern" bikes tho, so I'd be interested about your opinion comparing it to the other 3 chinese carbon frames.

Still haven't got any good photos of it yet.