Velobuild VB-R-368 Aeroframe

[Finiesta]

If anyone were to make an (un)educated guess, how aero do you think the VB-R-368 is?

Is it ignorant to hope it might be almost as aero as a Cervelo S5 just because there's so much carbon on it?

Maybe someone like @toxin that is really into bike design could tell. I would like to see any test even if it is cfd from Velobuild.

[toxin]

Nobody can really tell you which of these bikes will be faster from pictures, but you can look at some individual features and judge those. Really the VB doesn't make any disastrous mistakes. The fork crown and lower headtube are a bit odd. The head tube trailing edge is a bit narrow, so that might be a bit unstable at high yaw, the flat transition from top of bb to seat tube isn't the best, but with the mess that the airflow is in that area, it's probably irrelevant. The seat tube and post are a bit wide. The leading edge on the lower section of the fork is flat. The head tube is very narrow, so that's its biggest positive. Can't really say how fast it is when it's all put together.

The advantage big brands have is that they already have libraries of the optimised tube shapes and lots of time and money to spend on optimising every tiny detail (a real pain in the ass). Velobuild really can't afford to do that so they just throw deep tube shapes at the problem, but that's not really as good.

I'd lean towards the S5 simply because of the gap in resources and it tests well (though my suspicion is that the wind tunnel is more flattering to it than the real world), but I wouldn't expect the VB to be a parachute either.

[Joda55]

Nobody can really tell you which of these bikes will be faster from pictures, but you can look at some individual features and judge those. Really the VB doesn't make any disastrous mistakes. The fork crown and lower headtube are a bit odd. The head tube trailing edge is a bit narrow, so that might be a bit unstable at high yaw, the flat transition from top of bb to seat tube isn't the best, but with the mess that the airflow is in that area, it's probably irrelevant. The seat tube and post are a bit wide. The leading edge on the lower section of the fork is flat. The head tube is very narrow, so that's its biggest positive. Can't really say how fast it is when it's all put together.

The advantage big brands have is that they already have libraries of the optimised tube shapes and lots of time and money to spend on optimising every tiny detail (a real pain in the ass). Velobuild really can't afford to do that so they just throw deep tube shapes at the problem, but that's not really as good.

I'd lean towards the S5 simply because of the gap in resources and it tests well (though my suspicion is that the wind tunnel is more flattering to it than the real world), but I wouldn't expect the VB to be a parachute either.

Whoa thorough analysis, thank you.
Wouldn’t be surprised if the S5 is faster, just hoping the Velobuild is up there somewhere.
Maybe like an older gen Madone, if that is not too much to hope for?

[Finiesta]

Whoa thorough analysis, thank you.
Wouldn’t be surprised if the S5 is faster, just hoping the Velobuild is up there somewhere.
Maybe like an older gen Madone, if that is not too much to hope for?

I think the question we all have isnt if it is faster than s5 or newer full on aero bikes, instead what i ask myself is if it is faster than Gen6 Madone for example . Its also worth mentioning that i think the majority of gains will come from the "modern" geometry because it enables you to sustain more aero position and dont lose as much power.

[Tobi]

Hey everyone,

my Aerotrace is now fully built. I think the bike looks great. I built it up with 82mm Elite wheels 30mm in the back an 28 front, a 54T chainring. Shimano 105 mechanical groupset, one-by-one. I hope 366 ftp and 84 kg are enough to make it fast Frame size 58. I don't think the seat clamp is the best design. The bearing quality isn't the best, but that's not a big deal. You have to consider the whole package, and for the total price of €1700 for the build, you can't complain. The bike is lighter than my Specialized Allez Sprint, and hopefully faster too ;)I will be riding with Favero Assioma dou pedals. If anyone has a really good, suitable holder for a Garmin and the Velobuild handlebars, please get in touch.

[mchaggis]

Here you go....

Tobi that looks sweet  The frame is made for those deep rims.  How did you find the build with the mechanical 105?

1x would be fun, but I'm about 50W short of you with too many hills to risk it for my only bike.

For the Garmin mount, Velo do this: https://www.velobuildmall.com/products/cycle-computer-holder Chris included one free due to the delays, but it's not expensive and assuming being a small part shipping wouldn't be horrible.

It attaches to the rivets on the underside of the Velo integrated bar which it looks like you have - same as mine.  Does the job and has a GoPro type mount on the underside, for a light etc.

[Tobi]

Hey,

Thank you! I think mechanical shifting is great, since I only have to shift the rear derailleur and not the front. I enjoy riding with mechanical shifting; my Allez has a Di2 105. I live in northern Germany, where there aren't any mountains I already have the mount you suggested from AliExpress. However, the Garmin sticks up high and isn't a perfect fit for me. I might shorten the fork to lower the front end. Thanks for your feedback.

[tovu]

Here you go....

How’s the bike / wheels feeling in crosswinds?

[toxin]

Whoa thorough analysis, thank you.
Wouldn’t be surprised if the S5 is faster, just hoping the Velobuild is up there somewhere.
Maybe like an older gen Madone, if that is not too much to hope for?

As I said, It won't be a parachute. If you equipped them with the same parts, at worst, you'd probably be looking at the VB a few watts slower. The biggest potential gain of this bike is that you can get your saddle very far forward, which can enable big aero gains in rider position.

[Joda55]

As I said, It won't be a parachute. If you equipped them with the same parts, at worst, you'd probably be looking at the VB a few watts slower. The biggest potential gain of this bike is that you can get your saddle very far forward, which can enable big aero gains in rider position.

That and the moderate reach should make it particularly well suited as an hybrid TT bike with clip-ons, no?

Would also be interesting to hear if there are any other budget chinese road bike frames you’d recommend looking at if aerodynamics is a priority.

[Serge_K]

If anyone were to make an (un)educated guess, how aero do you think the VB-R-368 is?

Is it ignorant to hope it might be almost as aero as a Cervelo S5 just because there's so much carbon on it?

I would not expect it to be comfortable, and the stack is very low. I would run the widest tyres the frame can take as a starting point, and I think the bike can be fast IF you fit on it. That's a huge if. The geometry is extremely aggressive and doesn't fit most.
The worst bike you can buy is a harsh frame that doesn't even fit you.
I say this as someone who bought harsh frames that didn't fit me ..

[Joda55]

I would not expect it to be comfortable, and the stack is very low. I would run the widest tyres the frame can take as a starting point, and I think the bike can be fast IF you fit on it. That's a huge if. The geometry is extremely aggressive and doesn't fit most.
The worst bike you can buy is a harsh frame that doesn't even fit you.
I say this as someone who bought harsh frames that didn't fit me ..

I’m going for the size 58, stack is 591 mm and reach is 424 mm. Reach is longer than I’m used to but I can always swap down to 90/100mm stem in case it gets too extreme.
I want the bike to be uncomfortable but not unbearable. Planning to do max 3-4h rides on it, usually shorter. So believe it will be ok!
And plan to put XMCS wheels with 30mm tyre front and 32 mm rear, hopefully I can ride packed gravel with it too that way.

[Pistonbroke]

Imho it's not a harsh frame

[Finiesta]

I am really curious to see how the frame ends up when they add T1000 to the mix. Maybe they will decrease the weight a bit but it will also be interesting to see if the frame feels different from the current T800

[w1ll337]

Hi guys, I’m assembling the bike today and have a few questions.

What’s the correct way to do this? There isn't a C-ring at the bottom, right? And for the top, is it just the one large C-ring, or are there two?

Also, does the front caliper use M4 or M5 bolts? I have M5s, but I’m having trouble installing them. There might be some paint in the threads, has anyone else dealt with this?