Carbonda 505SL Integrated Stem

[ElRey]

Hi all

First of a couple of posts about my build of this bike.

I’ve bought the integrated frameset in XL painted RAL 5025 - metallic effect Pearl Gentian Blue. The frame has arrived and quality of manufacture and paint job is very high, even better than the already good 29er hardtail I bought from Carbonda last year.

I wasn’t sure whether I’d want offset or zero offset seatpost so bought both. And like a number of others looking at Carbonda’s integrated gravel bars, CGB02, ideally I’d have wanted a longer stem and narrower bar than they offer (80x400, 90x420, 90x440, 100x440). But I took a punt at their 44cm bars and 100mm stem version. And as someone else has observed, they actually feel narrower than their stated width, which for my preferences is a good thing. They feel stiff and the cable ports are well finished (and wide).

I’m halfway through building with the parts listed below. Will post pictures and conclusion when finished. For now, a word on the headset:

I wanted to replace the headset that came with the frame - mainly because I don’t trust the bearings (and with an integrated set up I didn’t want to be replacing them in a hurry…), but also because the FSA ACR headset cover looks neater than the Carbonda one. So I ordered the FSA ACR #55, which is compatible with the Carbonda bars (and spacers). Slightly problematic. The headset top cover works well with the bars, and looks better than the Carbonda one. And it is compatible with Carnonda’s top bearing compression ring (which as it happens looks like a better design than the FSA one). But the FSA bearings are a) 51.8 OD wheareas the Carbonda ones are 52 (which is the required size for the frame, the 51.8 bearings are a bit loose); b) the FSA bearings are 36/45 and the Carbonda ones are 45/45 (which makes no difference if you don’t mix and match race and compression ring); but c) the FSA bearings sit much lower in the frame and so (either) top cover rubs against the top of the headtube when tightened. So, I’ve gone and ordered a pair of Hambini MH-P16 bearings and plan to use these with the Carbonda compression ring, Carbonda crown race and FSA headset top cover. We’ll see.

Build list:
- SRAM Force XPLR 2023 1x (with Pass Quest 42T chainring)
- Ali X cheap ‘Carbon Fibre’ saddle. Now use this on all my bikes - cheap and comfortable, even on my hardtail
- ZTTO T47 bottom bracket. Looks ok, not ridden.
- two pairs of wheels: both rims supplied by Leon at Yuananbike - 24mm internal, 39mm depth tubeless hooked. One pair will be built 28/28 with Pillar Wing 20 straight pull on Goldix GDR310 hubs. Waiting on rims. Other pair being built 24/24 with Sapim CX Ray on Malcolm’s Borg hubs (The Cycle Clinic). Will put 33mm slicks on the 24/24 and Conti Terra Trails on the 28/28.
- ZTTO bottle cages.

Cheers
Ben

[makl]

I didn't find it in the threat: Could anybody comment on frame and fork weight?

[ElRey]

The pictures Wing sent me showed 980g and 400g unpainted. I think for XL but not sure. I didn’t weigh the frame/forks painted.

[pushpush]

980? Dont Carbonda claim a 1200 weight? That is a big weight improvement.

[ElRey]

If I’m not mistaken 1200 is the original 505. This is the 2023 CFR505 SL (Super Light).

980? Dont Carbonda claim a 1200 weight? That is a big weight improvement.

[Pedaldancer]

If I’m not mistaken 1200 is the original 505. This is the 2023 CFR505 SL (Super Light).

Exactly!  Although the shape and geometry stayed rather unchanged, the usage was shifted to more allroad  than bikepacking. As its less strong e.g  it's not having all the mounts.
That's not bad in general , but if anybody wants that for bikepacking, the SL is maybe not the best choice.

[ElRey]

Almost built. Just waiting on rotors and tape to arrive.

Build was unproblematic. Internal hose routing through the integrated stem/bars was obviously more of a faff than external routing but not a deal-breaker. Only very minor complaint is the rear caliper mounts aren’t perfectly faced - but not so off to bother rectifying.

Without doubt the hardest and most time consuming job was mounting the Challenge tyres. WTAF. I almost cried, broke my thumbs, cut them up and set fire to them. I’ve mounted many tubeless tyres on many different rims but this was on a whole new scale of ridiculous. Not getting them off in a hurry/ever.

I plan to use it most of the time on road with offroad outings here and there - so wanted something sprightly enough for the former without being so aggressive it’s limited for the latter. I knew I wouldn’t need many if any spacers given how massive the headtube is, and I wasn’t wrong - esp with the positive angle stem / bars.

Paint looks great in the flesh - metallic effect hard to come through in the photos.

7.3kg not including pedals or rotors or bar tape. Pretty good for an XL build that’s not massively weight weenie (wheels are 1530g, tyres 335each etc)

[carbonazza]

Exactly!  Although the shape and geometry stayed rather unchanged, the usage was shifted to more allroad  than bikepacking. As its less strong e.g  it's not having all the mounts.
That's not bad in general , but if anybody wants that for bikepacking, the SL is maybe not the best choice.

Or you can take the new frame with the old fork

[Pedaldancer]

Or you can take the new frame with the old fork

I am not sure if this is completely compatible in the crown sizing. I would guess so.. at least this would be only a bit cosmetic, but not a functional thing.
Due to some bad luck I needed to order a new fork for my old 505. And the one thing that you need to consider: the old fork comes with external routing only. And the new fork with internal routing only. I asked if the new fork could be an option .

I was also considering a new frameset frankly, but all of my friends said "you always tell everybody how happy you are with your gravel." They are right... and Carbonda will paint it in my color, they still had the color swatch of my painting. That's awesome..


(Plus I have a brand new Yoeleo build finished 4 weeks ago.. bad timing)

[Jcobus]

(Plus I have a brand new Yoeleo build finished 4 weeks ago.. bad timing)

How did you experience the order process of your Yoeleo? I am considering to order the R12 but I read some negative stories on delivery times etc.

[Pedaldancer]

How did you experience the order process of your Yoeleo? I am considering to order the R12 but I read some negative stories on delivery times etc.

I bought it brandnwe from someone in Europe. Sorry, I have no experience with direct orders at Yoeleo.

[carbonazza]

Here's a new build with a mulet with the new SRAM Red shfiters/brakes - GX Transmission derailleur - X0 Transmission cassette and chain
And the Lexon gravel bar https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004788375665.html which is very nice and stiff

To have a better chainline (49mm instead of the road limited to 47.5mm) I did put a non boost MTB crankset.
So there was no more rubbing of the chain.

The setup app is limited to 38T, so with this 44T I did add 6 links(inner+outer) to the 118 advised.
But had to remove one after testing.

From two other builds, for better shifting, the setup key had to be set on B even if the app was saying A.
But not on this one. So the setup app is not really accurate for mullet builds.

Edit: I forgot the wheels, these are the WR40 from lightbicycle with their carbon aero spokes + ceramic hub v2.0

[rasch]

Here's a new build with a mulet with the new SRAM Red shfiters/brakes - GX Transmission derailleur - X0 Transmission cassette and chain
And the Lexon gravel bar https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004788375665.html which is very nice and stiff

To have a better chainline (49mm instead of the road limited to 47.5mm) I did put a non boost MTB crankset.
So there was no more rubbing of the chain.

The setup app is limited to 38T, so with this 44T I did add 6 links(inner+outer) to the 118 advised.
But had to remove one after testing.

From two other builds, for better shifting, the setup key had to be set on B even if the app was saying A.
But not on this one. So the setup app is not really accurate for mullet builds.

super nice build. Any idea of the total cost?

[carbonazza]

super nice build. Any idea of the total cost?

No, as I didn't buy the components myself.
All prices are on r2-bike.com
1160USD for the wheels
1100USD for the frame set + paint
The RED shifters are prohibitive, but look and feel better than before.

[Hessu]

Nice looking bikes! Has anybody checked the real tire clearances. Could you squeeze in a 45mm tyre?