Carbonspeed CS-GR01 gravel frame build thread

[Ulkem]

So I recieved some pictures from Peter, his spacers seem to fit very neatly.
I ordered the L-twoo EGR groupset
Magene PES 515 powermeter

Very excited to build and test this ride.

[simo8891]

Started the build of my XMCS GR01 today. Gone as far as I can go until rest of parts arrive. Will be my first SRAM build so have been watching plenty of tutorials from SRAM and GCPerformance etc al to get tips on setting up (mainly the brakes and AXS as new to me).

Build so far:

XMCS GR01 - Large
XMCS Road Bars - 40 X 100
Tagoola XPLR wheels (asked for no decals, but easily removable. Will decide when finished)
Bikone Dub BB
SRAM Red Brifters
SRAM Force 12 speed RD
Generic SLT headset bearings
Ryet/Lexon headset spacers
Chaser UDH

Parts waiting on arrival:

SRAM Force Wide Crankset
SRAM Red/Force 46t Chainring
45mm Terra Speed Tyres
SRAM Rival 10-44 Cassette
Force 12 speed chain
Ryet Saddle

Build Comments:

Frame is very well finished. Super smooth internally and evidently faced where it matters (BB, headset seats, brake mounts). I am very impressed. The supplied mounting bolts are heavy and will be replaced with titanium. I got the XMCS road bars, not the fancy ones, and they were seriously easy to route didn't even need a routing kit, the cables just pushed in and came out where they needed first time. The BB threaded in resistance free by hand on both sides (possibly watched too many BBinfinite videos on this topic).

Paint for a black glossy is fine. I like black bikes, the majority of my bikes have been. Can't see any evidence of imperfections.

The supplied headset was slightly problematic. 1) No bearings provided, although Allen has said he's sent me some.  2) the gap between the headset and top (52x40x7) bearing was humongous, this is as a result of the bearing sitting flush with the top of its seat, and the supplied compression ring being very tall with the majority of it's bulk sitting above the bearing. Solution was to use a much lower Ryet compression ring and top cover/spacers and then epoxy XMCS handlebar spacer to the Ryet spacer. Given if bought the handlebar and how easily it routed I was keen to use it. Appears to work well, minimal gap and aesthetically is not too displeasing. 2nd minor issue, and easily resolved, was the supplied rear thru axle when torqued allows lateral play of the wheel. Having reinstalled the supplied UDH it still had lateral play. I tried a 1mm shorter, and built in additional flat washer, thru axle and play was immediately removed. I assume when the rear thru axle was installed the factory forgot to add a washer which is required to lock down the rear stays sufficiently. It's plausible I did something dumb, but not sure what, tried two hangers and two different rear wheels. The different thru axle resolved it immediately.

Will update again when I've finished my build.

[Ulkem]

Does anyone know where I can a ring for under the bottom spacer?
My headset does not fit well after all. Or does anyone have other solutions.

I used 40x52x7 36 degree bearings

[simo8891]

Does anyone know where I can a ring for under the bottom spacer?
My headset does not fit well after all. Or does anyone have other solutions.

I used 40x52x7 36 degree bearings

See my post above.
Had exactly the same problem.

[srf0638]

Just throwing this out there for everyone's consideration, the integrated handlebar that shipped with mine is pretty damn loose on the steerer tube, quite a bit more than the bolts can take up. I suspect it was designed to be used with a shim of some kind, but there wasn't one shipped with the frameset. See pics.

[bremerradkurier]

Just throwing this out there for everyone's consideration, the integrated handlebar that shipped with mine is pretty damn loose on the steerer tube, quite a bit more than the bolts can take up. I suspect it was designed to be used with a shim of some kind, but there wasn't one shipped with the frameset. See pics.

Yes, it's a native 1 1/4" stem, so you need the shim to adapt it to the 1 1/8" steerer tube.

[srf0638]

Yes, it's a native 1 1/4" stem, so you need the shim to adapt it to the 1 1/8" steerer tube.

Oh duh, that makes sense. Thanks. Is there anything special to consider when shimming carbon to carbon or will any old shim be fine?

[bremerradkurier]

Oh duh, that makes sense. Thanks. Is there anything special to consider when shimming carbon to carbon or will any old shim be fine?

You may want to contact Peter to get the correct version with a lip on the top side-otherwise with the way the integrated stem cap fits it may be difficult to pre-load the bearings enough.

[srf0638]

You may want to contact Peter to get the correct version with a lip on the top side-otherwise with the way the integrated stem cap fits it may be difficult to pre-load the bearings enough.

Weird update:
I've been going back and forth with Allen about this and he has no idea what I'm talking about. They're being generous and aboveboard as far as I can tell, they sent me the full headset kit, but none of the stuff they sent me has any kind of shim in it and they say nobody else has brought this up with them. It's possible that I'm dumb and lost the shim when I first opened the packaging, but even then you'd think they would know what I meant. As of now, the best advice they have for me is to buy a random one off Ebay that I linked to provide an example and see if it works. So I guess that's what I'll do. Kind of baffled.

[srf0638]

Further update: I tried installing the headset using the spacer I found on Ebay, which I am pretty sure is the same as https://soshanger.com/en/accueil/2678-giant-od2-stem-shim-286mm-to-318mm.html

It did not work. The shim fits inside the stem, and fits over the steerer tube, but will not fit over the steerer tube when it is inside the stem. I fear that I have damaged the steerer tube in my attempt. See pic.

I'm extremely puzzled by this whole situation.

[Ulkem]

Sorry for the long waiting time for an update.

So i bought the frame and combined them with these wheels https://www.xmcarbonspeed.com/Productinfo.asp?f=1652 from carbon speed.
I also ordered the handlebars from them, and I really like them! https://xmcarbonspeed.cc/products/one-piece-molded-stiff,-reliable-carbon-speed-revenger-road-integrated-handlebar
And i used the Schwalbe G-one RS Pro tires on them.

The problem with the gap at the spacers I solved by buying this on aliexpress: https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005005134607110.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.27.b14c1802AanGrS&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld and combining it with the countercup XMCS send me and a bit of sanding of the bottom spacer.

The bearings XMCS send are 51,8 x 40 x 8 x 36°/45°, but this was a little lose when I inserted them in the frame. So I ordered other bearings with the size 52 x 40 x 7 x 36°/45°. These fitted the frame tightly.
XMCS did not send the countercup for the bottom bearing, I therefore used the crane creek 110 series 52/40mm.
I asked Peter the wrong hub on the wheels so I had to replace it with Z-race hub, these fitted the wheel perfectly.

Other items I used are:
The chainring I used a 40T as a 1x setup with the big casette. But 40T is actually to big for this frame. This made me buy spacers for the hollowtech crankset so that the chainring does not touch the frame. I now ordered a 36T gear and hope that this way I need less spacers. I also never used the 40x9 gear at the moment.
Casette: ZTTO 9-46 12s
BB: ZTT0 T47 But I think i'll have to replace this one, its a bit lose on the cracks.
Saddle: Ryet 3D printed full carbon, I did couple of 4-6h rides on the saddle. For me this saddle is very good.
Powermeter: Magene PES P 515 but I have battery problems with the powermeter, Magene will send me a new one.
Groupset: L-Twoo eGR 1x12s
The groupset worked but not the lowest 2 gears. I messaged L-Twoo and they send me a new rear derailleur. I replaced it yesterday and tested it today. It all seems in order now.
The Groupset works surprisingly good. But the breaking callipers are to wide for this frame the aero flap on the front wheel is in the way. So i had to sand it down to make it fit. I will replace that one with a smaller caliper in the future.

I now did 6 rides with the bike, 4 on offroad terrain (120km, 110km, 80km and 60km) and 2 on the road (110km and 60km). This frame is FAST! I really love this frame, I prefer to ride with this frame over my Trek Madone (2025).

10/10 would recommend if you are willing to work a bit on it. Probably would have been way easier to make this bike ride if I just ordered a SRAM or shimano groupset.

I added more links but I could not post then. I'll try again later if required.

[Ulkem]

Update: I broke my saddle post in a Pothole. I contacted Peter for a replacement.

[Nilist]

Damn.... hope you get a replacement soon.
Peter is busy like crazy, so have to be lucky to catch him on WhatsApp.

Anyway, think this will be my next build. I'm planning to use a ThinkRider PP5 carbon crankset but with BikinGreen 46/30t compact chainrings. This will apparently move the chainline inboard by 2mm, so I'm curious it there is still space for the inner chainring?