Hey everyone, long time lurker, first time posting. I’ve been between this R088 frame and a Tantan x68 for awhile now for my first Chinese carbon build. I was about to pull the trigger on the R088 from ali express because there’s a good sale going on right now that brings the cost to right around $600 shipped (about $200 less than the x68). Unit I saw the latest video from GCNTech with the dude who built up the R088 and shows a crazy amount of front end flex. He’s using a toseek integrated handlebar and to me it looks like a lot of the flex is just in the handlebar, but it’s hard to tell. I’m hoping if anyone who’s built up a R088 this past year could provide some feedback if they’ve had any issues like that. I don’t expect the stiffest frame out there, but also don’t want a noodle… Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
A few pages back some people were concerned about exactly the same thing. While I can't say for sure how noodly the frame is while riding outside, I am pretty confident that the flex shown in the video looked exaggerated, probably, as you mentioned, due to a lot of flex in the handlebars. I have done a similar test on my SP-R088 with HBR17 handlebars, and it doesn't look worrying to me at all (and definitely not as pronounced). Another person made a video a while back which also showed minimal flex.
There was also some top tube flex reported at the beginning of the thread; I am experiencing none of it. When I squeeze the seat stays, however, they appear more flexible with SP-R088 than on my other carbon bike (Velobuild VB-R-177).
I will report once I ride the bike outside, but inside, on the trainer, the frame itself has appeared solid.
