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

[Takiyaki]

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

OK wow! Thanks for confirming

Edit- what's the clearance in front?

[hahel]

Long Term Long Teng update:

...

Swapped the 35mm Michelin Pro5 (37mm WAM) tires for 32mm
...

Do you know the internal width of your rims? I'm tempted to try the Michelins, currently running Vittora N.EXT 34mm (25 WAM) on i23 rims but i'd prefer not to go any wider. Thinking of going for the 32mm michelins to keep the WAM down.

[klrdd]

Do you know the internal width of your rims? I'm tempted to try the Michelins, currently running Vittora N.EXT 34mm (25 WAM) on i23 rims but i'd prefer not to go any wider. Thinking of going for the 32mm michelins to keep the WAM down.

My 9velo rims have an IW of 24mm. Sticking w the 32s is probably a good bet. I liked the tires a lot-- affordable and resilient.

[Serge_K]

This frame has been in the wild for a while, i got my local LLM to summarize the thread. For those interested, see attached.
Expect mistakes, it's one shot, 200k tokens. I read the whole thing, it feels correct enough.

pi --session 01a0908e-76fb-7730-abbd-b2911fbf1a52

[klrdd]

This frame has been in the wild for a while, i got my local LLM to summarize the thread. For those interested, see attached.
Expect mistakes, it's one shot, 200k tokens. I read the whole thing, it feels correct enough.

pi --session 01a0908e-76fb-7730-abbd-b2911fbf1a52

generally reads pretty correct!

*aero*, *high-stack*, and *40–41 mm* tire clearance - quite the ask for your client!

[Serge_K]

generally reads pretty correct!

*aero*, *high-stack*, and *40–41 mm* tire clearance - quite the ask for your client!

I know, i'm the client I'm rather tall, rather heavy, and my friends tend to be similar more often than not. Now that the GP5000 in 35C is out, it's only a matter of time until tall people ride that by default. I have friends who 2y ago were making fun of my tires, now they run the same acting like it's the most natural thing in the world. On bike handling, note to myself and the world, one of the best descenders i know is on a Caledonia with a full chimney of spacers, so my concern around whether a high stack bike works downhill is probably overblown. --> 40-41mm clearance, high stack, and aero because i'm over 40kmh a lot of the time, like a lot a lot.

[waltthizzney]

Thanks

I was actually asking about deciding between the small and medium, not large! The small seemed too small at 175cm, I think the medium is good, just adding some reach compared to my past bikes

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)

[Sakizashi]

OK wow! Thanks for confirming

Edit- what's the clearance in front?

Front clearance is the same. In my mind this bike is basically a giant TCR with 37mm of tire clearance.

I try really hard to avoid spamming the thread with how good this bike is, but in terms of weight and ride feel, I think it’s the rare sub $1K open mold frame as good thats as good as a branded frame. Unfortunately, it’s a bit like the TCR and Aethos: it looks dated from an aero perspective which is likely a reason this frame isnt more popular. There are also the seatpost binder and other issues documented.

I think it’s a bit telling that the Mondinice aero bike didnt seem to work out as well. Whatever they did developing this bike seemed to right thing vs. that one.

Without changing the profiles of the tubes too much in an effort to build on what they did right here, I would like to see a more hourglass + deeper HT resulting in a longer reach by 1-2cm and this thing could look the part of a Noah Fast 3.0 competitor—though it would still be lacking real aero credentials. That said, I would also love to see more BB drop, but that might be messing with the formula too much.

[oker_s]

and lower bottle cage mounts....more aero and way better looking...

[S700sse]

My build is now finished, so here are the final details.

I’ve made a few changes since my original post and I’m really happy with how it’s turned out. It’s currently sitting at around 6.6kg.

Final spec:

* LTK266-D-SL – Large
* Shimano Ultegra R8100 Di2
* 165mm carbon crank
* ENST 50mm carbon wheels
* T4 Ultra integrated carbon riser bar
* Lightweight RYET carbon saddle
* 2 × 9g carbon bottle cages
* Titanium thru axles
* Aero computer mount
* Superstar Components brake pads
* Chaser 160mm rotors

Now the build is finished, I’m actually going to sell it so I can start another one. I really enjoy building these bikes, probably more than I should!  If anyone is interested in a fully built bike then drop me a message.

[Takiyaki]

Front clearance is the same. In my mind this bike is basically a giant TCR with 37mm of tire clearance.

I try really hard to avoid spamming the thread with how good this bike is, but in terms of weight and ride feel, I think it’s the rare sub $1K open mold frame as good thats as good as a branded frame. Unfortunately, it’s a bit like the TCR and Aethos: it looks dated from an aero perspective which is likely a reason this frame isnt more popular. There are also the seatpost binder and other issues documented.

I think it’s a bit telling that the Mondinice aero bike didnt seem to work out as well. Whatever they did developing this bike seemed to right thing vs. that one.

Without changing the profiles of the tubes too much in an effort to build on what they did right here, I would like to see a more hourglass + deeper HT resulting in a longer reach by 1-2cm and this thing could look the part of a Noah Fast 3.0 competitor—though it would still be lacking real aero credentials. That said, I would also love to see more BB drop, but that might be messing with the formula too much.

Truthfully, for the aero stuff Im debating 3D printing elements like the deeper headtube and rear wheel wraparound deal. I might extend the fork profile as well. If it bears any fruit in testing I will share the .STL files. Truthfully I don't know if it will make a big difference but it will be a fun project. This bike ticks all the other boxes for me. I don't mind the continued insight.

[waltthizzney]

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)

do you think the medium will fit me will with enough seat post and stand over at my height (175cm with 31.5 inseam)

[GravelMaxxer]

Do you know the internal width of your rims? I'm tempted to try the Michelins, currently running Vittora N.EXT 34mm (25 WAM) on i23 rims but i'd prefer not to go any wider. Thinking of going for the 32mm michelins to keep the WAM down.

Running 35 Michelins on 24.2 iw, fits fine, even in mud & gravel. They measure about 36-36.5.