New VeloBuild gravel race frame in the works...

[VeloBuild.Bikes]

If I was designing a frame, the last thing I'd do is ask a bunch of random internet strangers what features/geometry it should have.

raisinberry777 wins, we'll go with this

In all seriousness, thank you to everyone for taking the time to share your feedback and comments. We think you'll be happy with the end result! We'll be sure share updates here as soon as we can.

[viktorN]

Hey Velobuild, my birthday is coming up!!!

Here's my wishlist

Need to haves

• T47 internal/ BSA - Because I'm more of a "shower with the bike type" as opposed to "hammer my bike type"
• 50-53mm clearance - Hello Thunder burts!!!
• Top tube mounts - Ride time= snack time
• Frame bag mounts, 2-3 on top tube, 1 on downtube for stabilization - Aero bikepacking?!
• Chainstays 420-425mm - Sporty rear
• Trail around 63-68mm - Sporty front

Nice to haves

• 27.2mm seatpost - Elite One for the win!
• Fender mounts - For when the world collapses and I go AWOL
• Aero tubes - For looks
• Sub 1000g - Because 3 (digits) is a magic number?

[Nerve29]

A lot of these suggestions I can get behind, but the tire widths suggested call for chainstays longer than 420mm.

To me 420mm is really the max for a race oriented or " fast and nimble" gravel bike. I do think there is a noticeable difference between the old 3T Exploro and the Open U.P. for example. But if+ 50mm tires are possible with short chainstays, go for it.

[kwantani]

have an option for front suspension fork! 30-40mm ok.

[jonathanf2]

Can I test a prototype frameset? I can ride it hard in several km/mi of California desert dirt! 

[jes2k13]

Since I have had a Giant Revolt and tried to convert that into my 2 in 1 gravel and road bike but suffice to say that I determined the biggest factor for that Racier feel is the drom roll;


CHAINSTAY LENGTH! it should be 420 or even lesser and should be made stiffer. I don't know if max clearance should only be up to 47mm tires but this is very important.


Thanks for coming to my ted talk

[neobiker]

raisinberry777 wins, we'll go with this

In all seriousness, thank you to everyone for taking the time to share your feedback and comments. We think you'll be happy with the end result! We'll be sure share updates here as soon as we can.

It would be great if you could give us insight on how you design new frames, the challenges, the manufacturing process, the test/QC. Bonus point if you collaborate with Patrick to make this a cool video content :-)

That would be such a good ads and data for those who still doubt about the quality of your brand :-)

[Takiyaki]

If I was designing a frame, the last thing I'd do is ask a bunch of random internet strangers what features/geometry it should have.

So whats a better place to find out what direct from China bike buyers want?

[wandulus]

Can I test a prototype frameset? I can ride it hard in several km/mi of California desert dirt! 

I'm in for beta tester also!! Costa Blanca is also a nice playground for Gravel (full of rocks and rough, besides being a worldwide cycling destination) 

[VeloBuild.Bikes]

The cat is out of the bag and we're taking pre-orders of our new AERO GRAV frameset! The first 300 orders will get $50 off (USD $479 to $429)

Highlights:

- Aero frame and seatpost made from T800 carbon (~1050g for size M with a clear coat)
- Threaded T47 BB
- EPS + latex moulting technology
- Integrated cabling
- Clearance for up to 700C x 50C
- UDH rear derailleur hanger
- Choice of integrated bars or separate bar/stem
- Option of 0mm or 20mm offset seatpost
- Fork and frame fender mounts

Thank you to everyone that shared feedback on what you would like to see included in this frame. We did our best to incorporate all the features we could to deliver a fast and practical gravel race frame that works with a set of chunky tires or some skinnys as well.

Check it out! https://www.velobuild.com/products/2025-velobuild-carbon-fiber-racing-gravel-bike-frame

[Tilmanstoa5ty]

Looking good but judging by the pictures it's a one screw saddle clamp design like on the VB-R-268, correct? I think a two screw design is way better especially on rough terrain. On the 268 a lot of people have issues with tilting seats.

[BeR]

Very nice!
I'm curious, would you be able to make a pie chart with who is buying gravel frames from you, vs who is buying road frames?
I feel that in continental Europe, gravel is not too popular, and i suspect it's very popular in the US.
So, pie chart 1 could be gravel frame sales per shipping destination: US X%, Germany Y%...
and pie chart 2 could be road frame sales per shipping destination.

I'm in Europe, and nobody around me has even said the word gravel in months. I have 2 gravel bikes in a friend's attic i havent touched in 1y. And the other gravel frames i built for friends are being used with road tyres only...
That'd be very cool to see.

Gravel has become popular in France since ~ 2-3 years.

[rockerplates.de]

Gravel is the only increasing product segment in Germany...e bikes not counted in..

[pavlo.k]

frame looks really nice and it also comes in a size for big boys which is rare for chinese frames but that seat clamp desing... does 20mm offset seatpost come with the same type of clamp?

[Tilmanstoa5ty]

Very nice!
I'm curious, would you be able to make a pie chart with who is buying gravel frames from you, vs who is buying road frames?
I feel that in continental Europe, gravel is not too popular, and i suspect it's very popular in the US.
So, pie chart 1 could be gravel frame sales per shipping destination: US X%, Germany Y%...
and pie chart 2 could be road frame sales per shipping destination.

I'm in Europe, and nobody around me has even said the word gravel in months. I have 2 gravel bikes in a friend's attic i havent touched in 1y. And the other gravel frames i built for friends are being used with road tyres only...
That'd be very cool to see.

In germany gravel has gotten really popular around the year 2020 i would say and while the hype isn't at it's peak anymore you still see a lot of gravel bikes out there. People treat it more as a lifestyle and bikepacking bike i'd say. I don't see gravel racing being popular in germany. We don't have those beautiful long gravel roads like a lot of parts of the US have so the riding is probably quite different. I think a lot of people had the same experience as me and started out with a gravel bike which led them into road bike territory.