Carbonda 505SL Integrated Stem

[jfcb]

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

Last week I installed 45mm tires (vredestein aventura on 26mm internal width rim) on my bike. There is still a bit of space and after a couple of semi-wet rides, I can conclude they don't touch or damage the chainstays while riding.

[DouglasDDX]

I'm interested in this frame with a 1x SRAM AXS group. However the 42T max chainring size is not enough. I need minimum 46t for this build.
The old 505 on carbonda site says max size 46t. How big can you guys fit on your 505SL frame?

[jfcb]

I'm interested in this frame with a 1x SRAM AXS group. However the 42T max chainring size is not enough. I need minimum 46t for this build.
The old 505 on carbonda site says max size 46t. How big can you guys fit on your 505SL frame?

I'm currently running a 48T (oval) chainring without any issue and could even go bigger. I must say, my crank is a rotor 3D24 crank which I previously used for 2X chainring. Not sure how much that influences the space between the frame and the chainring.
My set-up is AXS Xplorer derailleur with 10/44 cassette (goldix) and 48t chainring with an shimano 12sp chain. No issues so far. 

[DouglasDDX]

Thanks for the feedback!

[ElRey]

Some reflections having put some miles in on the bike. In case helpful for those maybe thinking about one.

All told I’m very happy with it and would recommend. I guess the way that gravel bikes are going this is going to be seen more as an all-Road bike than a gravel bike, principally because you’re limited to 42-45mm tyres (I’ve got 44mm Mezcals on no prob, but would be wary about going bigger in clingy-mud). And lack of mounts mean it’s not designed for bike packing etc. But that suits what I want it for and I’ve been happily riding it fast on the road with 33mm slicks and off-road on 44mms. I haven’t found its ability to do both a compromise on either which I thought I might. If I’m on stuff where 44mm isn’t enough I’d rather take my mtb anyway.

I had seatpost slipping issues - the seat tube  is +0.15mm over and 2 Carbonda seatposts supplied are both under 27.2 to about the same degree. No amount of carbon paste was solving the issue. The seat collar supplied is 13mm high - I wondered if a taller collar (18mm?) would solve the problem but most collar listings don’t specify height dimensions and the few that do all seem to be max 15mm. In the end I solved the problem with some adhesive  0.2mm vinyl sheeting designed for covering books. A single layer of that on the seat post has worked without issues.

On chainrings - I’m running the stated max 42T ring with a 6mm offset (as recommended) on a SRAM DUB road crank (with 10x44 XPLR cassette). I don’t think you could go more than 42T with this set up without putting on a ring without an offset (or maybe 3mm instead of 6) - there isn’t much room to play with, see pictures. I’ll defer to others’ experience of increasing the chainline on shifting performance and wear etc. As it happens I don’t spin out with 42x10 until over 40mph which is fine by me for the type of riding I’m doing on this.

Finally - in going 1x fully wireless without a chain guide I had to buy some rubber hole plugs/bungs to cover the unused holes. Cheap on eBay.

[ElRey]

Picture now included

Some reflections having put some miles in on the bike. In case helpful for those maybe thinking about one.

All told I’m very happy with it and would recommend. I guess the way that gravel bikes are going this is going to be seen more as an all-Road bike than a gravel bike, principally because you’re limited to 42-45mm tyres (I’ve got 44mm Mezcals on no prob, but would be wary about going bigger in clingy-mud). And lack of mounts mean it’s not designed for bike packing etc. But that suits what I want it for and I’ve been happily riding it fast on the road with 33mm slicks and off-road on 44mms. I haven’t found its ability to do both a compromise on either which I thought I might. If I’m on stuff where 44mm isn’t enough I’d rather take my mtb anyway.

I had seatpost slipping issues - the seat tube  is +0.15mm over and 2 Carbonda seatposts supplied are both under 27.2 to about the same degree. No amount of carbon paste was solving the issue. The seat collar supplied is 13mm high - I wondered if a taller collar (18mm?) would solve the problem but most collar listings don’t specify height dimensions and the few that do all seem to be max 15mm. In the end I solved the problem with some adhesive  0.2mm vinyl sheeting designed for covering books. A single layer of that on the seat post has worked without issues.

On chainrings - I’m running the stated max 42T ring with a 6mm offset (as recommended) on a SRAM DUB road crank (with 10x44 XPLR cassette). I don’t think you could go more than 42T with this set up without putting on a ring without an offset (or maybe 3mm instead of 6) - there isn’t much room to play with, see pictures. I’ll defer to others’ experience of increasing the chainline on shifting performance and wear etc. As it happens I don’t spin out with 42x10 until over 40mph which is fine by me for the type of riding I’m doing on this.

Finally - in going 1x fully wireless without a chain guide I had to buy some rubber hole plugs/bungs to cover the unused holes. Cheap on eBay.

[frnchy]

Can an owner of a 505sl measure the tire clearance for 650b? If I can put 52mm measured width 650b tires with ~2.5-3 mm clearance on all sides then this frame becomes extremely attractive to me. Even 50mm would probably be enough, but I’d like to have options.

[johnnyboy4711]

Hi lovely build.
what was the price for f &F and bars etc?
thanks
John

[carbonazza]

...I had to buy some rubber hole plugs/bungs to cover the unused holes. Cheap on eBay...

Do you have the links? I always miss some...

[ElRey]

Do you have the links? I always miss some...

I bought them from here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264763709464?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=AoBSuMVjTx2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=6Z99glLAQgu&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

For seat tube holes I used Size A (5.5mm shaft diameter).

They ship from China so probably can be found cheaper on Ali etc but not big bucks either way.

B

[ElRey]

Hi lovely build.
what was the price for f &F and bars etc?
thanks
John

This is what Wing @ Carbondale quoted me, noting prices change:

CFR505 SL : US$660.00 with frame, fork, seat post,clamp.
CFR505 SL : US$820.00 .with frame,  fork, seat post ，clamp. +handleabr CGB02
 
headset: US $15.00
F&R axle: US $26.00
 
extra rear derailleur hangers: US$8.00
 
spacers:  10MM , 5MM  a set : $5
( It contained in the CGB02 handlebar, if you do not buy the CGB02 handlebar,Spacers are not present by default ,   It need additional purchase required)
 
extra rear derailleur hangers: US$5.00
(One is included with the accessories and one is mounted on the frame.)
 
standard matte : free
standard matte is between black matte and UD matte , It have clear coat protect the paint
 
UD matte , UD glossy : $105
One color: US:$70.00(matte or glossy,solid color )
Two colors: US$ :95.00 ( all matte or all glossy,solid color )
Two colors: US$ :105.00 ( matte and glossy,solid color )
Two color gradient : US$ :115.00 ( all matte or all glossy ,solid color )

[Kactusdog]

You'll need a 1.5" dust cover

Ritchey is doing one :
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/ritchey-comp-logic-e-cartridge-drop-in-1.5-headset-upper

This one looks promising, but I never tried :
https://acros-components.com/en/headsets/is52-headset-cover---integrated-cable-routing?number=24.52.113-OD56-AM

How funny, these are the two I was also split on! The acros one seems nice for the multiple ports, as I will run mechanical shifting at this time.

From your experience building up these all internal open mold frames, how would you recommend I go for running my two brake hoses AND a shifter housing line? I live in the American Southwest, it is extremely dry so rain/moisture is NOT a concern.

[carbonazza]

How funny, these are the two I was also split on! The acros one seems nice for the multiple ports, as I will run mechanical shifting at this time.

From your experience building up these all internal open mold frames, how would you recommend I go for running my two brake hoses AND a shifter housing line? I live in the American Southwest, it is extremely dry so rain/moisture is NOT a concern.

Each time I'm asked for one, I try to convince the rider to consider electronic shifting 
A definite no is cable disc brakes. Hydro brakes are easier to work with and require a fork with an internal hole.

Shifting needs a bit more care, there will be some additional turns in your hose, which add friction. Avoid sharp curves as much as you can.

[gints]

I received my CFR505-SL this week, building up with Shimano GRX810 2x11. I've never been disappointed by Carbonda, and pretty happy with the quality on this one. They did forget to include my seatpost clamp, fortunately have a spare in my parts box. Will post more pictures later.

I've built up many frames up over the years, this is the first using an integrated handlebar (the CGB02).

Differences between CFR505-SL and CFR505:

• Headset size: 1-1/2"* 1-1/2”ACR (two 40 x 52 x 7mm: 45x45 deg bearings)
• Rotor size: 160/180 mm
• The rear brake cable exit was changed to the same design as CFR707
• The front derailleur cable routing was changed to the same design as FM1056
• Seat tube was changed to normal seat tube clamp design, same as CFR696
• Removed rack and fender mounts. Only keep two sets of water bottle cage mounts. (My frame has 3 with the downtube mount)
• Max tire size:700x42c  / 650B*47c
• Max chainring: 50-34T / 42T
• T47 bottom bracket
• All mounts removed from fork. There are internal and external routing versions.

Build Notes:

• Rear caliper: flat mounts on the chain stay are 25mm thick, so if you're using Shimano calipers & SM-MA-R160D/D adapter, you will need 38mm long bolts (Shimano part Y8N208020)
• Headset bearings: Don't quite trust the quality of the supplied bearings, and considering what a PITA it will be to replace the them, I plan to order new Cane Creek or Enduro bearings for the build
• Front derailleur: cable uses housing from the shifter to to a plastic guide below the BB (pic attached). From there it's inner cable to the RD. You'll need around 1.4m of housing
• Rear derailleur: cable use housing from the shifter all the way back to the rear derailleur. I'm using a GRX810 RD, so I need to use the flexible Shimano OT-RS900 housing where the cable exits the frame to the RD. I'm using a Jagwire Double-Ended Housing Connector CHA062 to join the two cables. Note the Jagwire Pro cable kits (e.g. PCK500 ) also include the flexible cable section and double-ended connector.
• Get some Internal Housing Damper foam (6mm ID, 10mm OD) for the rear brake hose and shift cables to stop it rattling in the frame. I have some made by Jagwire (ZSK600), you'll need around 2-3m

Did you get the headset from Carbonda and just replace the bearings? Which bearings did you end up ordering - I am finding the headset compatibility with integrated bars very confusing!

[ElRey]

Yeah it is a bit confusing. In the end i:

- replaced the bearings with MH-P16 40x52x7 45/45 - also known as 1B3 K4052H7 MR128 TH-070E MR170. I bought mine from Hambini at £11 each.
- used Carbonda’s crown race and top compression ring (through which cables feed)
- used an FSA ACR 55R dust cap, along with an FSA ACR spacer. The FSA ACR dust cap is compatible with the Carbonda compression ring and the FSA spacers are compatible with the Carbonda bars.

For reference (I learned by trial and error) - the FSA 55R ACR bearings are 51.8x8. This means they’re not compatible with Carbonda’s crown race or compression ring. And the design of the frame means you can’t run an FSA 55R top bearing, FSA 55R compression ring and FSA 55R dustcover because the bearing seats lower in the top of the head tube, the compression ring has a lower stack height and so taken together the dust cover rubs on the top of the head tube.

The FSA dust cover aesthetically is a lot nicer than the Carbonda one - not sure if you can buy it separately without having to buy the whole headset.

Hope that helps!