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

[klrdd]

In the process of calculating expected costs for the build. Would you mind sharing what bar / stem combo you used (and how satisfied you are with it). Any additional costs for frame and handlebar to be considered?

I bought a Tavelo Avro handlebar from Panda Podium for $300 flat - DDP and free shipping to US. I was looking for a bar measuring 380mm width in the hoods, 130mm stem length, and at least -10 degree angle. So my options were somewhat constrained. I also wanted a bar with a longer reach >75mm and a slight outward flare to the drops. https://www.pandapodium.cc/product/tavelo-avro-gen-1-handlebar/ In the order, I specified FSA compatible headset spacers. Additionally, I paid ~$50 shipped for an FSA ACR No55R headset https://shop.fullspeedahead.com/en/headsets/road-mtb/no-55r-1-5-acr.

On my other bike I have used a $30 KOCEVLO 380mm bar from AliExpress paired with various stems, ending with a $50 120mm/-17degree Zip Service Course aluminum stem. That setup still works great. My budget has changed, I knew my fit, and I was ready to splurge for a really stiff, light, and sleek integrated setup. Worth it? 100%

[Rebel_Yell]

I bought a Tavelo Avro handlebar from Panda Podium for $300 flat - DDP and free shipping to US. I was looking for a bar measuring 380mm width in the hoods, 130mm stem length, and at least -10 degree angle. So my options were somewhat constrained. I also wanted a bar with a longer reach >75mm and a slight outward flare to the drops. https://www.pandapodium.cc/product/tavelo-avro-gen-1-handlebar/ In the order, I specified FSA compatible headset spacers. Additionally, I paid ~$50 shipped for an FSA ACR No55R headset https://shop.fullspeedahead.com/en/headsets/road-mtb/no-55r-1-5-acr.

On my other bike I have used a $30 KOCEVLO 380mm bar from AliExpress paired with various stems, ending with a $50 120mm/-17degree Zip Service Course aluminum stem. That setup still works great. My budget has changed, I knew my fit, and I was ready to splurge for a really stiff, light, and sleek integrated setup. Worth it? 100%

Sounds similar to my new XMCS bars except the stem length. I got them for $320 when I ordered my R01 frame.

[Sakizashi]

If I had to pick a one-piece, and I didn't have access to my library of 3d printed parts, those bars from Peter or the ones from Speeder Cycling are a great choice because they use the FSA ACR spacer stack. You should be able to simply place them on top of the supplied bearing cover that comes with the FSA No55R headset.

Makes for easy compatibility and pleasing aesthetics, with the caveat that I don't own either of those specific products. I tinker too much to go one piece.

[klrdd]

Sounds similar to my new XMCS bars except the stem length. I got them for $320 when I ordered my R01 frame.

very similar, but the tavelo bars are on the lighter side - 363g with a 130mm stem and Wahoo computer mount installed.

[Rebel_Yell]

very similar, but the tavelo bars are on the lighter side - 363g with a 130mm stem and Wahoo computer mount installed.

True.  I wasn’t claiming they were the lightest but I don’t consider them heavy at all.

[BeeMC]

Just need to cut the steerer tube and it’ll be fully dialed in.

I’ve only managed one ride so far, but like others have noted, I’m very impressed for the price point. The bike feels very nice to ride, responsive, snappy. I have used the FSA ACR headset and all seems fine.

   •   Handlebar: Xiamen Carbon Speed
   •   Wheels: XCMS 60mm deep / 24IW
   •   Tires: Continental GP5000 30mm tubeless
   •   Groupset: Mix of SRAM Force and Red E1 (Force D2 levers)
   •   Frame size: Small

Weight (with Favero Duo pedals): 6.4kg

[oker_s]

Just need to cut the steerer tube and it’ll be fully dialed in.

I’ve only managed one ride so far, but like others have noted, I’m very impressed for the price point. The bike feels very nice to ride, responsive, snappy. I have used the FSA ACR headset and all seems fine.

   •   Handlebar: Xiamen Carbon Speed
   •   Wheels: XCMS 60mm deep / 24IW
   •   Tires: Continental GP5000 30mm tubeless
   •   Groupset: Mix of SRAM Force and Red E1 (Force D2 levers)
   •   Frame size: Small

Weight (with Favero Duo pedals): 6.4kg

nice bike! what handlebars are these? can you please send a link? cant find them on theire homepage? what did you pay for?

[BeeMC]

Read this thread, 320USD: https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,5260.msg86361.html#msg86361

nice bike! what handlebars are these? can you please send a link? cant find them on theire homepage? what did you pay for?

[oker_s]

Read this thread, 320USD: https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,5260.msg86361.html#msg86361

thanks

[klrdd]

Just need to cut the steerer tube and it’ll be fully dialed in.

I’ve only managed one ride so far, but like others have noted, I’m very impressed for the price point. The bike feels very nice to ride, responsive, snappy. I have used the FSA ACR headset and all seems fine.

   •   Handlebar: Xiamen Carbon Speed
   •   Wheels: XCMS 60mm deep / 24IW
   •   Tires: Continental GP5000 30mm tubeless
   •   Groupset: Mix of SRAM Force and Red E1 (Force D2 levers)
   •   Frame size: Small

Weight (with Favero Duo pedals): 6.4kg

Enjoy! Black gloss looks really good. And now you're making me want to weight weenie mine... EDIT: just weighed mine (Size L, all Force E1) and its 7.1kg with the wahoo and varia taken off. I think I could get nearly to 6.8kg swapping out the tires. 6.5 with ultralight shallow rims and carbon spokes (<1100g) -- the weight of the frame gives so much room to get the bike super light.

[Sakizashi]

Hi all, I am continuing to edit the first post on this page to keep it current with information about this frame, how to order it, and ideas on how to build it.

I'm not sure if this frame is truly one of the best open molds, or if they are all this good, but I am so impressed that I want to make sure it doesn't get overlooked. Please let me know if you have thoughts to add.

While it would be cool to get them to open molds in a few more sizes, that is still really far away, and the Mondinice crowdfunding campaign probably isn't helpful to the cause.

[klrdd]

Today the Specialized Aethos 2 was just released, and it is a nice comparison with this bike. Non-aero, superlightweight. Specialized has increased the stack, so it is roughly 15mm higher across the board than the LTK266-D-SL (dealbreaker for me, tbh). But it now has UDH and support for 35mm tires with 6mm of clearance (CEN Standard) just like the LTK does.

But I bring it up because the Aethos 2 Pro with SRAM Force E1 comes in at $8,499 before taxes. In a size 56 with no pedals and 28mm tires, it weighs 6.71 kg.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/aethos-2-pro-sram-force-axs/p/4221564?color=5466393-4221564
My LTK266-D-SL with full SRAM Force E1 cost $4,700 including taxes, shipping, duties, and all the rest. If I was more frugal about touch-point components and wheels without compromising on group/crankset, it could have been more like $4,250 -- so fully half the price of the Aethos.
My LTK in size 56 with 250g 1stgen Assioma Duos, 50g in bottle cages, 20g in computer mount, and 35mm Michelin Pro5 TLR (400g each compared to the 275g each of the 28mm S-Works Turbo TLR Race Tire on the Aethos2) comes in at 7.1kg. So no compromise in weight.

I bet the Aethos has a comfier ride. Resell value is incomparable, as is support from Specialized dealers.
But at double the price even with a spendy retail buy of new Force, it's an object lesson in the value proposition of these open molds, at least to me.

EDIT: I wrote all this froth, but really let's just think about the frameset: $3,499 before taxes https://www.specialized.com/us/en/aethos-2-frameset-fact-10r-carbon/p/4221561?color=5446330-4221561 versus the LTK

[Vasegaard]

Hi all, I am continuing to edit the first post on this page to keep it current with information about this frame, how to order it, and ideas on how to build it.

I'm not sure if this frame is truly one of the best open molds, or if they are all this good, but I am so impressed that I want to make sure it doesn't get overlooked. Please let me know if you have thoughts to add.

While it would be cool to get them to open molds in a few more sizes, that is still really far away, and the Mondinice crowdfunding campaign probably isn't helpful to the cause.

They Sakizashi,
Why do you think the failed Mondince indiegogo campaign isn't helpful?

[MARIOVL]

Hi all, I am continuing to edit the first post on this page to keep it current with information about this frame, how to order it, and ideas on how to build it.

I'm not sure if this frame is truly one of the best open molds, or if they are all this good, but I am so impressed that I want to make sure it doesn't get overlooked. Please let me know if you have thoughts to add.

While it would be cool to get them to open molds in a few more sizes, that is still really far away, and the Mondinice crowdfunding campaign probably isn't helpful to the cause.

Thak you for yuor work!!
What are the thru axles like? Is it worth ordering them with the frame, or can you get something better for a similar price?

[Sakizashi]

I bet the Aethos has a comfier ride. Resell value is incomparable, as is support from Specialized dealers.
But at double the price even with a spendy retail buy of new Force, it's an object lesson in the value proposition of these open molds, at least to me.

EDIT: I wrote all this froth, but really let's just think about the frameset: $3,499 before taxes https://www.specialized.com/us/en/aethos-2-frameset-fact-10r-carbon/p/4221561?color=5446330-4221561 versus the LTK

I've been using this bike as my around-town bike as well as doing some longer rides on it. I still think it's worthy of the froth.

With most of the cheaper frames I've had or ridden over the years, even the small brand versions of open molds, I've always had a sense of what I was giving up compared to the top frames of their type. In many cases, it was tangible (e.g., weight, part compatibility) or revealed itself while riding (e.g., an overly stiff ride, a lack of composure over rough roads, awkward handling at the limits). With this frame, I'm unsure what I am giving up vs. other light or even all-around road bikes. I think I am giving up some aero, but I'm not sure, and evaluating it when the bikes have different geometries is tough. Yet, I am gaining the ability to run wider tires.

They Sakizashi,
Why do you think the failed Mondince indiegogo campaign isn't helpful?

The size availability is a huge downside for the 266SL. If LTK is aware of Mondinice's campaign and they need 50+ orders to open an XL, I don't see that happening unless a brand steps in and commits to volume, in which case we might lose access to the frame. Creating the XL mold for the Chinese market for Permeants and Tideace appears to be a significant risk to take, with limited upside. 5 people asking isn't going to move the needle.

Thak you for yuor work!!
What are the thru axles like? Is it worth ordering them with the frame, or can you get something better for a similar price?

I am pretty sure this bike is using a UDH thru axle on the rear, paired with a Giant TCR / Defy front. It's rather challenging to find an aftermarket front only unless you are getting into the expensive lightweight stuff or are buying spares from Giant.

You can do what I am doing, which is use a flat axle washer on a 118mm or 120mm thru axle to make it the right size.