Velobuild AERO GRAV Frame

[Uberflo]

You should always cover areas with tape where a bag or something else moves on the frame to protect the paint.

[Whiteman83]

You should always cover areas with tape where a bag or something else moves on the frame to protect the paint.

My previous bike rode over 10k km with that bag without any protection, and it looks better

[ricchirock]

I will be more precise. While riding, especially on rough terrain, the saddle tends to tilt up or down (see the attached picture). It feels like the clamp in the seatpost isn’t holding it firmly enough.
Could this be a defect in the seatpost clamp system, or is there something I can adjust/tighten to fix it? Where to put that carbon paste exactly?

I had same issue on my Lightcarbon with same 1 bolt fixing when I didnt use the torque wrench.
When I tighten the bolt at the specified torque (15Nm, that is a lot) I had no problems anymore. Does Velobuild specifiy a torque?

[Whiteman83]

I had same issue on my Lightcarbon with same 1 bolt fixing when I didnt use the torque wrench.
When I tighten the bolt at the specified torque (15Nm, that is a lot) I had no problems anymore. Does Velobuild specifiy a torque?

Switching the bolt to the opposite side and over-torquing it did the trick. Thanks.

[sbixify]

I’m finally eyeing the finish line with this project! I just did a bikefit on the home trainer and hope (if weather allows) to take it out for a spin tomorrow and fine tune brakes and derailleur (and put on some bartape). Will give my review on performance after a few rides 😊

Side note: Pass Quest removed the “compatible with SRAM Flattop chains” on their listing after I contacted them and asked why it didn’t fit my chain. They are trying to guilt trip me and refuse to offer any solution, so I’m stuck with a useless chainring (and the wrong chainbolts). Not too fond of Pass Quest after this.

[Uberflo]

My previous bike rode over 10k km with that bag without any protection, and it looks better

Better paint quality & luck

[Edopizzo]

So after 3 months and a half the frame finally arrived... I was one of the first to order. I ordered size XS, glossy UD carbon, both seatposts, no handlebar but with the semi-integrated headset.

I was fearing that they would forget to send me both seatposts and indeed... I'm missing the offset one. I've written to Chris let's see what he answers me.
I've only inspected the frame and weighted everything, so I can't give any build impressions.

The good:

• The price is the lowest you can get and no taxes or customs with XDB shipping
• The paint surprisingly seems well done and the weave under it is visible and cool
• the frames seems very well done inside, definitely latex mould
• the hardware is nothing exceptional but the wedge and the axles are well made
• the weights are sort of what's claimed ( the claimed 1020g I guess is unpainted and no hardware, mine was 1075g with the clear coat and no hardware) and it's definitely light for a gravel frame

Now let's go with the bad, some things I guess are expected at this price point

• The top headset bearing doesn't fit because there is some excess resin in the frame, Some Dremel work should fix it but it's not acceptable, I've written to Chris
• The hole for the front and rear derailleur cable have the correct insert for a mechanical build but no plugs for di2 or axs
• The seatpost maximum insert is not that low: my saddle height is 70cm (not *that* low) and I will probably have to cut 1cm off the end of the seatpost
• Most of the holes had bolts, some didn't but I have ordered aluminum screws all over
• axles are not the lightest and for some reason the rear is 1.0mm thread pitch which is less common and for no reason edit: SRAM UDH is 1.0mm pitch

Let's see how it's going to build up but for now I'm satisfied for what I got if only they refund me the missing seatpost

Weights:
Bare frame: 1075g
Bare fork, uncut: 456g
Seatpost wedge, front hanger, UDH, all the screws that came with the frame: 97g
Headset: 99g
Axles: 74g
Seatpost: 208g
Expander and top cap: 58g

[jo1673]

What paint job did you go for? Pictures, please!

[Dr J]

Now let's go with the bad, some things I guess are expected at this price point

• The top headset bearing doesn't fit because there is some excess resin in the frame, Some Dremel work should fix it but it's not acceptable, I've written to Chris
• The hole for the front and rear derailleur cable have the correct insert for a mechanical build but no plugs for di2 or axs
• The seatpost maximum insert is not that low: my saddle height is 70cm (not *that* low) and I will probably have to cut 1cm off the end of the seatpost
• Most of the holes had bolts, some didn't but I have ordered aluminum screws all over
• axles are not the lightest and for some reason the rear is 1.0mm thread pitch which is less common and for no reason edit: SRAM UDH is 1.0mm pitch

Nothing unusual and nothing that cant be fixed. All of my china frames needed a little tender love, except for my Longteng. That was perfect.

[shy-b]

I’m finally eyeing the finish line with this project! I just did a bikefit on the home trainer and hope (if weather allows) to take it out for a spin tomorrow and fine tune brakes and derailleur (and put on some bartape). Will give my review on performance after a few rides 😊

Side note: Pass Quest removed the “compatible with SRAM Flattop chains” on their listing after I contacted them and asked why it didn’t fit my chain. They are trying to guilt trip me and refuse to offer any solution, so I’m stuck with a useless chainring (and the wrong chainbolts). Not too fond of Pass Quest after this.

Nice build! What size is it and what is your height and inseam if I can ask you?

[sbixify]

Nice build! What size is it and what is your height and inseam if I can ask you?

Thanks! Height is 183 cm, inseam 88 and I got a size M. I bought the 380/100 mm integrated bars but I probably should have picked the 380/90 after fitting myself. I like an aggressive position, so I will see after a few rides if I'm too stretched out.

[tmhbrl]

I've had the chance to put in some longer rides over the last few weeks with my new setup – a couple of rides on 40 mm Challenge Strada Bianca tires, mostly on tarmac and some Cat-1 gravel.

First impressions: I’m really happy with how the bike performs. Both in terms of ride feel and on Strava segments, it’s noticeably faster on road and light gravel compared to my Cube NuRoad. The frame definitely seems to offer more aero potential, and the fit is spot on for me.

Honestly, for minimalists, this bike could easily be a true “one-bike-fits-all” solution – as long as you’re not doing road races, it covers just about everything. I even find myself reaching for the Velobuild with the 40s for pure road rides instead of my SL7, just because it’s so much fun. It almost rolls as well as a road bike, but can handle gravel no problem.

Last week, I took it out for some proper gravel sessions, including some seriously rocky sections and even singletrack. It’s quick and agile, and the 48 mm Thundero tires definitely contribute a lot to the ride quality. It also performs impressively well on 2.1” Thunder Burt tires, proving its versatility across different terrains. The Zipp SL80 bars are also growing on me – didn’t love them at first, but now I really appreciate the grippy, textured tops, especially in aero hoods and puppy paws position.

Only minor regret: in hindsight, I might have chosen the frame in “gloss over carbon” instead of matte black. Still debating whether to go 1x13 with the drivetrain, too.

All in all, super satisfied with the bike. It may get its first race outing this weekend.

And… the next China frame project is already in the works – more on that soon!


(P.S.: Please ignore the bar tape color, just a test run 😅)

40mm


48mm


2.1"


Tire clearance 48m:


Tire clearance 2.1"

[shy-b]

I've had the chance to put in some longer rides over the last few weeks with my new setup – a couple of rides on 40 mm Challenge Strada Bianca tires, mostly on tarmac and some Cat-1 gravel.

First impressions: I’m really happy with how the bike performs. Both in terms of ride feel and on Strava segments, it’s noticeably faster on road and light gravel compared to my Cube NuRoad. The frame definitely seems to offer more aero potential, and the fit is spot on for me.

Honestly, for minimalists, this bike could easily be a true “one-bike-fits-all” solution – as long as you’re not doing road races, it covers just about everything. I even find myself reaching for the Velobuild with the 40s for pure road rides instead of my SL7, just because it’s so much fun. It almost rolls as well as a road bike, but can handle gravel no problem.

Last week, I took it out for some proper gravel sessions, including some seriously rocky sections and even singletrack. It’s quick and agile, and the 48 mm Thundero tires definitely contribute a lot to the ride quality. It also performs impressively well on 2.1” Thunder Burt tires, proving its versatility across different terrains. The Zipp SL80 bars are also growing on me – didn’t love them at first, but now I really appreciate the grippy, textured tops, especially in aero hoods and puppy paws position.

Only minor regret: in hindsight, I might have chosen the frame in “gloss over carbon” instead of matte black. Still debating whether to go 1x13 with the drivetrain, too.

All in all, super satisfied with the bike. It may get its first race outing this weekend.

And… the next China frame project is already in the works – more on that soon!


(P.S.: Please ignore the bar tape color, just a test run 😅)

40mm


48mm


2.1"


Tire clearance 48m:


Tire clearance 2.1"

Nice Setup(s) and thanks for the pics

[samsam]

Hello.
Bike is almost finished
Just picture for tire clearance with Tufo gravel thundero 48 / zipp 303 xplr
The bike is superb, it's great to assemble it yourself. However, I find that the frame is missing some essential elements: the chain guard, the front derailleur cover and the protection under the frame. And above all, instructions with all the tightening torques.

[jlsr]

Hello guys,

I received my frame yesterday and built it the same day, here it's my build:

- Size XS with my "rouleur" logo
- Old Sram AXS 2X force with 46x33 front and 10x36 rear (might change for the newer shifters)
- For the moment I put my TT wheels, I'll build next week a gravel ones (37mm wide rims)
- Maxxis rambler tires on 40mm


I order the flared cockpit version but received the road style... I'm planning to change to a more gravel cockpit.

As I used my old road groupe, the clearance is not great as I have the non-wide front derailleur... I think the max I can have in this setup is 45mm


What do you think?

José