Lightcarbon: LCR018-D (endurance all-road)

[rcwsr]

Update on lead times for those interested. I paid on June 17th and was told 25-35 days for size 52 frame in raw carbon glossy + 400x100 bars + C53DB wheels. 

Update yesterday (35 days post order) was that frame is 10 days away, fork 15 days and handlebar 30 days. Based on other's experiences in this thread I was expecting closer to 60 days in total so not exactly a surprise, but bizarre that their estimates are so consistently wrong.

I ordered 2 frames in May and still waiting. Update this morning:

The delay is due to mass production for the Vietnam Bike Show occupying factory lines, plus temporary carbon material shortage. I’ve been pushing the factory daily to rush your order. Your frames will be ready to ship in around 15 more days.

Last time I asked it was due to the European bike show and would ship from 20th July.

Longest I’ve waited for a frame 

[Ghandy]

I cancelled my order because they keep delaying, and everytime it’s for another reason.. they don’t really give me confidence.

[2wheeledbarbie]

As the reply next to your question, I also use the XMCS 26mm internal wheels on my LCR as seen here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DaQ0y6LiH-B/ paired with Pirelli P Zero Road 35mm. Think this width makes absolute sense given the LCR's clearance + allroad/comfort characteristics. This combo comes out at exactly 35mm with the wheels 33-35mm external width.

what was the delivery time like.  looking for a new set of wheels for my 018-D.

[Mvk]

Regarding the communication about delivery times, my experience differs from rcwsr's and Ghandy's.

Even before I paid for my order, the sales rep I dealt with, Joy, told me upfront that she couldn't commit to an exact timeline:

After payment, the production lead time for the frame and wheelset is 5–6 weeks, with an additional 3–4 weeks for paint.
Due to the high order volume at the moment, we cannot give an exact delivery time.

That was on the 12th of May. I paid the next day, on the 13th.
I appreciate that they were upfront about this before taking my money rather than after. I'd much rather have a vague-but-honest estimate.

Fast-forward ten weeks and I've just received photos of my painted frame in LCB-01HS, so the quoted lead time is holding up, though I'm at the top end of it.
The frame still has to ship, of course, so I'll report back once it actually arrives.

[kam]

what was the delivery time like.  looking for a new set of wheels for my 018-D.

I ordered/paid on 13.04. and took around 1 month before they shipped (16.05.). Once shipped, I received them within a week (22.05.).

[jksu]

april 4 order. received june 27. extra time for paint and delay with zero offset seat posts.  so just under 12 weeks. told myself give it 12 weeks even if they initially said 8 and pretty much worked out that way. 

maybe not the choice if you're on a tight timeline (bummed for those who had to cancel their orders).  LC seems to be an oem 1st and so these one-off direct to consumer builds seem to be more of a side hustle.  but if you have other bikes to ride while you wait, just enjoy those bikes for a few more weeks...because once you get your LCR018, you probably won't be riding those other bikes very much any more. :-)  it's a great bike, and, at least for me, well worth the wait

[rcwsr]

Our frames are just raw matte carbon, no decals, both size XL.

The frame will take about 2–4 weeks to produce before shipment.

That was on 18th May and I paid on 20th.

Tempted to cancel but not sure what alternatives there are that would come any quicker (I really wanted to ride it in the summer!)

[rcwsr]

Wow thanks for the sage advice Serge 


Edit: Oh you deleted your post!

[jksu]

before i decided on LC, i almost ordered a quickpro.  built bikes are available to ship immediately. an ultegra di2 ER1 at $4700 is a helluva deal with decent selection of stock colors, ability to spec bar/stem, crank length, seat post offset, at a very competitive weight and performance. 

their frames are $2000 plus 6 weeks for custom painting + shipping.

but i wanted endurance geometry and ER1 is typical aggressive race geo. LCR018 was the rare aero endurance geo option with even more paint customization at an amazing price.  the only drawback is the wait.

Our frames are just raw matte carbon, no decals, both size XL.

That was on 18th May and I paid on 20th.

Tempted to cancel but not sure what alternatives there are that would come any quicker (I really wanted to ride it in the summer!)

[2wheeledbarbie]

but i wanted endurance geometry and ER1 is typical aggressive race geo. LCR018 was the rare aero endurance geo option with even more paint customization at an amazing price.  the only drawback is the wait.

not as endurance as you might think.  It has a low stack. 

[rosteven]

not as endurance as you might think.  It has a low stack.

Low stack compared to what?

[jksu]

not as endurance as you might think.  It has a low stack.

i guess "low" is relative, but curious what other endurance bikes you're comparing the LCR018? in a 56, stack is 587 listed but there's an additional few mm from the bearing cap and HBR17 bar rise, so probably close to 600mm stack.

coming from a parlee altum (593), i was considering an envy fray (591).  but other "endurance" bikes include giant defy (605), specialized roubaix (605), trek domane (591), canyon endurace (590), cannondale synapse (590), specialized aethos 2 (580), factor monza (574).

so i'd consider the LCR018 very much in the "endurance" category in terms of stack.

[DrRoB]

Hi everyone,
I wanted to share my experiences with the LCR18 and perhaps ask for some help.
I ordered my frame on May 19th, and it arrived on Monday, July 20th (size 56cm, raw glossy carbon).
The packaging and the parcel itself survived the shipping to Germany well. During the build, I had major issues routing the 105 Di2 cable—likely due to sharp edges in the chainstay junction area. It took me two hours to get the cable through, even using a routing tool.

Build specs: 105 Di2 groupset with Magene P515, old carbon spoke Lightcarbon wheelset; total weight came to 7.9 kg including SPD pedals from ali. Carbon elitaone saddle.

I noticed creaking on the first ride, and it got significantly worse over time. I initially used the included Gineyea bottom bracket. I thought, "Okay, it must be the BB" (like the issue a fellow the English YouTuber had), so I installed a new Kaktus ceramic BB I had bought beforehand. After just 5 km, that one started creaking too. I wondered if it might be the old Magene P515 crankset, that I reused, so I swapped it for a brand-new, unused 105 crank, but the creaking returned after 5 km. I checked the frame for cracks or loose BB cups (I always apply plenty of Shimano Premium Grease before installation), but found nothing obvious. Checked and greased all of the true axles, Based on where the noise is coming from, it has to be the bottom bracket area. Strangely enough, it also creaks when you flex the frame from side to side while applying a bit of pressure, or even just when you step on a pedal. However, when the bottom bracket is removed, there is no creaking, even with lateral pressure.

Now I’ve ordered a Praxis Works BB and hope that fixes the problem.

Have any of you had similar experiences?
Thanks in advance.

Photos will follow once I've finally managed to assemble it without any creaking. 

[szorek]

What torque setting do you use for the bottom bracket? The Lightcarbon manual recommends 25 nm, but the bottom bracket often has a recommendation of 35–40 nm written on it.
btw chechk chainrings bolts torque

[Westman]

Have any of you had similar experiences?
Thanks in advance.

I'm guessing you've watched Darren French's video on this topic. I think it's an issue that affects certain models  .