Lightcarbon: LCR018-D (endurance all-road)

[klementino]

I’m waiting for my new frame to arrive, but since my current road bike (cervelo r5) has some issues, I’ve changed my initial plan, I was thinking about turning my LCR018 into a more aero-performing oriented road bike, with the right groupset and wheels.
I’d really appreciate some feedback from people who already own this frame, or from those who know more than me about bike geometry and performance, to understand if the LCR018 can actually perform well as a race road bike.
Honestly, I’m a bit confused because I see many riders here in this forum using it more for kind of gravel setups and only few as AERO performing bike. Of course I understand I would never have a real AERO bike but how close it could be?

The frame has an endurance geometry. Can it be used for road racing? Sure, it is a matter of preference.

I am planning to use the frame for fast paced group rides on road, and a few gran fondos per year. With Ultegra Di2, one wheelset for road, and one for allroad.

The geometry is similar to that of e.g. Fray, Caledonia, SIKA, ADHX, etc. You can find a lot of YouTube materials on these frames, and people’s opinions on the geometry.

I understand that some people plan to ride gravel with the frame, which probably works fine. But for me, a gravel bike needs to have clearance of at least 50 mm tires, YMMV.

[Nikh]

I’m waiting for my new frame to arrive, but since my current road bike (cervelo r5) has some issues, I’ve changed my initial plan, I was thinking about turning my LCR018 into a more aero-performing oriented road bike, with the right groupset and wheels.
I’d really appreciate some feedback from people who already own this frame, or from those who know more than me about bike geometry and performance, to understand if the LCR018 can actually perform well as a race road bike.
Honestly, I’m a bit confused because I see many riders here in this forum using it more for kind of gravel setups and only few as AERO performing bike. Of course I understand I would never have a real AERO bike but how close it could be?

I am Planning to use it as roadbike for grouprides and a few races in Summer and in spring autaumn with wider tyres for lightgravel. Frame not arrived yet.
If you are happy with the position at the r5, check if it is possible to get in a comprable position. For e.g. https://geometrygeeks.bike/compare/lightcarbon-lcr018-d-2025-52,cervelo-r5-2026-54/

Stack + rise of the handlebar has a difference of 1,5cm. If you got 1,5cm spacer at R5, lcr018 without spacer.
Frame reach is 7mm shorter, if handlebar reach is the same, stem slightly chosen longer.
Ofc there is more, but to get an idea, it may help.

[cycloholic]

I’m waiting for my new frame to arrive, but since my current road bike (cervelo r5) has some issues, I’ve changed my initial plan, I was thinking about turning my LCR018 into a more aero-performing oriented road bike, with the right groupset and wheels.
I’d really appreciate some feedback from people who already own this frame, or from those who know more than me about bike geometry and performance, to understand if the LCR018 can actually perform well as a race road bike.
Honestly, I’m a bit confused because I see many riders here in this forum using it more for kind of gravel setups and only few as AERO performing bike. Of course I understand I would never have a real AERO bike but how close it could be?

If you compare the geometry of the LCR018 with an out-and-out race bike you can get an idea of where the differences may be. I did this comparing the 52cm LCR018 (which I have on order) with a Pinarello Dogma in size 53 (dimensions available on-line). Reach is 10mm shorter (15mm if you include the shorter reach of the LCR018's handlebars). The stack is 10mm heigher (18mm if you include the 'rise' on the handlebars of the LCR018). The seat tube angle is about 1.5 degree slacker. The head tube angle is 0.5 degrees slacker. The rake of the forks is 51mm on the LCR018 compared to 47mm on the Pinarello. I think the differences in geometry are subtle compared to a race bike, but of course I can't comment about farme stiffness without riding both.

I think it should perform just fine as a race bike if fitted with fast road tyres. It'll perform just fine as a gravel bike with gravel tyres. I've always thought the term 'aero bike' is a marketing idea as 95% of the system is the rider size, rider's position and clothing.

[Bt]

Hello everyone,

Based on the positive experiences, I've now also ordered size 56 in raw carbon matte.

I'm still not sure if the HBR17 cockpit will fit me. The HBR14 cockpit is no longer
manufactured and isn't available in my size (400/110).

Can you recommend a cockpit that matches the shape of the HBR14?
The SEKA Rapier looks good. I like the shape of the cockpit, but unfortunately
it's very expensive.

Thank you very much

[bsharp77]

Hi all,

Just checking if anyone will be getting a frame in the UK anytime soon and wouldn't mind doing me a favour?!

I want to order the titanium Garmin computer mount ($35), but delivery is $25 extra.
If someone wouldn't mind including one in their order and then posting it over to me (im in N.Ireland), I would cover all costs of course.

If you could be of help, just send me a message - I would be most grateful!

[naiboo]

stupid question, where can i purchase this frame? on lightcarbon website only LCR17 is shown.

[RiP]

Contact them directly via Whatsapp, email, etc...

[klementino]

Hi all,

Just checking if anyone will be getting a frame in the UK anytime soon and wouldn't mind doing me a favour?!

I want to order the titanium Garmin computer mount ($35), but delivery is $25 extra.
If someone wouldn't mind including one in their order and then posting it over to me (im in N.Ireland), I would cover all costs of course.

If you could be of help, just send me a message - I would be most grateful!

Do you know whether the titanium is available in black? And if it also comes with a titanium GoPro mount?

I wonder if the mount will fit a Garmin 1040, considering it is approximately 1 cm shorter than the regular mount (according to previous posts). The 1040 needs approximately 60 mm from the center of the mounting point (towards the handlebars).

[CyclesNoir]

stupid question, where can i purchase this frame? on lightcarbon website only LCR17 is shown.

Look for the 2025 catalog on their site to get details on the LCR017

[CyclesNoir]

A bike with a rider on it will always go faster than one that's in the shed with no wheels.
Frame aerodynamics do matter, and it does matter if you go fast, like group rides at 40kmh on the flat. I can tell you that the wrong rig will cost you, and it's noticeable. Will a slow frame + tight clothing be faster than a fast one with loose clothing? Yes ofc, but that's not really the point.
From experience, the sum of marginal gains is everything but marginal. If you go fast.

Congratulations if you’ve found a bike that feels faster to you, we all love that feeling.  And, I don’t mean to troll but I believe that your comments should be tempered with some empiricism.

How does one know what is an aerodynamic bike (by which we mean an aerodynamically efficient bike)?

It is proven that we can’t necessarily see aerodynamics.  Many shapes which are proven aerodynamically efficient don’t look it and vice versa. 

Aerodynamic testing of bikes has improved, but still provides only approximations of real world aerodynamics.  Aerodynamic claims and advertising are generally general w/o reference to the key operating conditions of the claim.  I have yet to see bicycling related aero claims based on, or promising, results on the full frame and/or rider size range.

Marketing often touts the benefits of deep profiles w/o considering that the leading edge is most critical and should be parabolic. Rim/tire profiles are hysterical: they represent only one small portion of the 360 degrees of the wheel presented to the wind. 

Cross winds and controlling stall characteristics are critical to: 1) ensuring stability regardless of effective wind direction; 2) tend to guarantee shorter profiles which are less efficient than longer profiles.

Riding 40kph in a pack doesn’t depend so much on bike aero as it does pack aero.  That’s why people ride in packs. 

So it’s problematic for a rider w/o wind tunnel access to evaluate what is the most aero bike for themself.  And accordingly, it’s usually a fools errand for an individual to try to select a new bike based on supposed aero efficiency.

Aero is great, but hard to find,

[kubackje]

Congratulations if you’ve found a bike that feels faster to you, we all love that feeling.  And, I don’t mean to troll but I believe that your comments should be tempered with some empiricism.

How does one know what is an aerodynamic bike (by which we mean an aerodynamically efficient bike)?

It is proven that we can’t necessarily see aerodynamics.  Many shapes which are proven aerodynamically efficient don’t look it and vice versa. 

Aerodynamic testing of bikes has improved, but still provides only approximations of real world aerodynamics.  Aerodynamic claims and advertising are generally general w/o reference to the key operating conditions of the claim.  I have yet to see bicycling related aero claims based on, or promising, results on the full frame and/or rider size range.

Marketing often touts the benefits of deep profiles w/o considering that the leading edge is most critical and should be parabolic. Rim/tire profiles are hysterical: they represent only one small portion of the 360 degrees of the wheel presented to the wind. 

Cross winds and controlling stall characteristics are critical to: 1) ensuring stability regardless of effective wind direction; 2) tend to guarantee shorter profiles which are less efficient than longer profiles.

Riding 40kph in a pack doesn’t depend so much on bike aero as it does pack aero.  That’s why people ride in packs. 

So it’s problematic for a rider w/o wind tunnel access to evaluate what is the most aero bike for themself.  And accordingly, it’s usually a fools errand for an individual to try to select a new bike based on supposed aero efficiency.

Aero is great, but hard to find,

Riders position is the most important part in aerodynamics period. You need a frame that allows you to be most aero and efficient at the same time.

[CyclesNoir]

Riders position is the most important part in aerodynamics period. You need a frame that allows you to be most aero and efficient at the same time.

Agreed

[CyclesNoir]

The number of inanities in this message is so great i wont take the time to go point by point.
You do you.

Thanks, I stand corrected

[bsharp77]

Just had an idea that might solve a problem I've been having with my Garmin Varia Radar (RTL515).

I'm thinking of storing a very small power bank in the downtube storage compartment and running the cable to pop out at the seatpost so that I could connect to the Varia to give it extra power.
I tend to only get around 5hrs out of mine and want to do longer rides, so this seems like a superb, neat solution.

The only thing that would be a problem would be exposing the charging port & cable connection if it happened to be wet, so I guess it would mean either disconnecting while its raining, or finding a little waterproofing solution for when the cable is connected to the Varia.
Any ideas on this would be welcome, as it tends to rain quite a lot here :-)

Yet another win for the LCR018-D!

[JensenMacD]

For those who have received the bike frame. Did you have to specify for the carbon or alloy clamps on the seat post or does it come with both?