LTK266-D-SL, race frame, 680g, <800g w/paint & metal parts (M), fits 35mm+ tires

[Minai64]

I've been riding the frame with the Tavelo Avro handlebars - which I do like - however, I'd like to reduce the reach maybe 10mm. I'm considering going separate bar/stem for this.

What are people using that can do cable routing through the headset, stem/handlebar and headset cover wise?
Ideally I'd like a handlebar with channels for the hydraulic lines rather than them going in at the shifters and out through a hole where the stem clamps.

I've seen some people recommend the balugoe handlebars, which while they don't have this channel for the hoses, have a hole before they meet the stem at the middle so the cables could be run under the stem. They look nice too with the flat tops.

In terms of the stem, I like the look of the FSA SMR but if there is a nicer chinertown approved option that people like to do for, I'm all ears. Main goal here is for the cables to discretely run under the stem and into the hole of the top cover.

I did buy the 55r headset from FSA when I assembled the bike, if that helps.

[waltthizzney]

This bike comes with a zero-offset post, so there is likely more room to experiment going forward if you want with the Medium. Longer, not lower, is the current meta, and if you can get the stack you need slammed anyway, no reason to buy the small.

I am worried about stand over and not getting enough seat post out.

I owned a first gen Scott Foil in medium, that bike always felt big, I ride caads and tarmacs in 52cm, but I need some spacers on those, reach seems pretty good with a 120mm stem, I race cat 2 but don't really want an aero bike

[Takiyaki]

Can anyone comment on sizing?

I am 175cm and ride a 52cm Tarmac with a 120mm stem

Should I go for small or medium, looking for racy geo, but with the medium I could slam it, correct?

I had a LTK118 before and it was a great bike, trashed it for 30,000KM with no issues

Ha, I am your height and ordered a size L. I am currently riding a size 54 bike with a ~140mm stem and I want a less aggressive fit.

Whether or not you can slam it depends on your fit, stem angle etc. I am looking to slam mine with a 6 degree stem and riser drop bars.

[waltthizzney]

Ha, I am your height and ordered a size L. I am currently riding a size 54 bike with a ~140mm stem and I want a less aggressive fit.

Whether or not you can slam it depends on your fit, stem angle etc. I am looking to slam mine with a 6 degree stem and riser drop bars.

Is your seat slammed all the way forward? you must have long arms haha, how much seat post is showing on yours?

[Takiyaki]

Is your seat slammed all the way forward? you must have long arms haha, how much seat post is showing on yours?

It is pretty far forward but not all the way. I do have long arms. Saddle height was 70cm but I just raised it to about 72cm. I think if I can get my hand position a little higher and further forward. I just realized standover height might be an issue though.....

[Rada]

I am in touch with Alisa regarding the frame purchase. She suggested their new HB266 handlebar, which is lighter than the other models. The top cover and the fork retaining ring are aluminun and other parts are plastic.
It should cost around $100. Here is the link to the geometry specs: https://www.ltbikes.com/index/products/view/id/441.html

[waltthizzney]

It is pretty far forward but not all the way. I do have long arms. Saddle height was 70cm but I just raised it to about 72cm. I think if I can get my hand position a little higher and further forward. I just realized standover height might be an issue though.....

My saddle height is 70cm, I have about a 31.5 inseam, is that close to you? Do you have issues with stand over height?

[acador]

I got the HB266 handlebar with my gravel frame from mondince. I have two points to add, the drop is actually 110, they have incorrect dimension measured on drawing - that plus for me. Second more pressing issue/niggle is that the top part of stem is not perpendicular to the fork steerer, so you cannot add any more spacers on top of it, before you commit to the cut. The preload screw, then sit not fully flush with top cap. It´s at a slight angle.
Besides these two things, the bars feel really nice and also the cable routing was possible to do without any tools.

[Rada]

I got the HB266 handlebar with my gravel frame from mondince. I have two points to add, the drop is actually 110, they have incorrect dimension measured on drawing - that plus for me. Second more pressing issue/niggle is that the top part of stem is not perpendicular to the fork steerer, so you cannot add any more spacers on top of it, before you commit to the cut. The preload screw, then sit not fully flush with top cap. It´s at a slight angle.
Besides these two things, the bars feel really nice and also the cable routing was possible to do without any tools.

Thanks for the valuable insights, especially regarding the drop and the top cap angle! Do you happen to have any front-facing photos of the handlebar installed? I'd love to see how it looks mounted.

[acador]

i will send photos later,
but here are the handlebars mounted on bike from Italian brand Cicli Galetti.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Jd1yfsgnb/

[Takiyaki]

My saddle height is 70cm, I have about a 31.5 inseam, is that close to you? Do you have issues with stand over height?

Not on my current bike, but I have a ~32 inseam and the 266 standover height in size L with 32-35c tires gets damn close. Will be really interesting getting on the bike on the trainer. I do know how to track stand so that might come back into play

[klrdd]

My saddle height is 70cm, I have about a 31.5 inseam, is that close to you? Do you have issues with stand over height?

just want to jump in here to say I would definitely caution against an L frame if you're 175 cm with an 80cm inseam and 70cm saddle height. It sounds like @Takiyaki has quite unique proportions, so the advice might not transfer even if you're the same height. Size L is a standard 56 climby race frame, very close in measurements to the current supersix evo or bmc teammachine slr01 (just slightly shorter reach).

If you've been on a 52 tarmac, you're going to be adding ~37mm of frame stack, ~8mm frame reach, ~18mm to the Front-Center, and if i'm reading this correctly, you'd be going from a seat tube length of 456mm to 520mm (granted, top tube slope is different, but still).

So alongside the standover issue, you're just not going to have much exposed seatpost compared to what you had before, and the bike is already pretty stiff feeling.

Size M/54 might be the safer bet if you're looking to size up. Jumping 2 sizes might be a risky prop. and this bike is great, dont want you to regret it!

(I'm on 183cm, 88cm inseam (~34.5in), on a size L with 77cm saddle height and slammed 130mm+ stem..somewhat long arms and flexible, comfortable in a long and low position)

[klrdd]

Long Term Long Teng update:

Currently at 4,970KM, will surpass 5000KM after a short afternoon spin tomorrow.

No problems at all with the bike since I built it up. I love it.

A few things I have changed:

Swapped to an ENVE Selle Italia Boost SLR 130, which fits me better and which, when slammed forward, is helping me rotate into and sustain the aero hoods position.
Swapped the 35mm Michelin Pro5 (37mm WAM) tires for 32mm Continental GP5000 S TR (33mm WAM). The fat tires were comfy and fast, but I am happy to drop the weight ~150g, and I think the GPs fit the bike better without much compromise. I am back on shit roads in New England, though, so I don't think I can afford to go skinnier. I think, despite the generous tire clearance, that the bike probably fits 30mm tires best--is designed around 28-30mm. I was getting toe overlap on the 35mm Michelins, and I think for big tires a slightly larger BB drop would be welcome.

I just got 165 cranks but haven't put them on yet. I'm on 170 currently but want to keep optimizing the trendy progressive fit and also open up the hip a bit as I'm dealing with some chronic hip mobility issues on one side from an old hip flexor injury on the squash court some 8 years ago 

Attaching a picture of the current setup.

[Takiyaki]

Sakizaki- when you mention the clearance in the OP, is that on either side or total?

[Sakizashi]

Sakizaki- when you mention the clearance in the OP, is that on either side or total?

I can fit that size hex key between the frame and the tire, checked at both the seat and chainstays.