Velobuild VB-R-368 Aeroframe

[patliean1]

The white frame decals probably aren't desired for most folks in here. But I understand it from VeloBuild's marketing perspective for sending me a frameset for review. Perhaps a different font in the future. I think the decals will look totally fine with some matching white decal wheels. A billboard on wheels I am.

Size 52/Medium - Basically the equivalent stack/reach of a size 56 in most Western brands, if you factor in 20mm of spacers for the recessed headtube. I've been running my bikes slammed for the time being anyway.

VeloBuild provided TWO 3D printed headset covers: One is for VB's in house stem, and the other for using an FSA/ACR standard cockpit. A really nice touch. VeloBuild also created a 3D printed Shimano Di2 battery holder since the battery itself wont fit inside the actual seatpost. Go figure. I've seen these sorts of detail and hardware only on Western bikes.

I'm pretty excited to get this thing built up. We are quickly running out of outdoor weather here in Chicago. Most likely I will pump and dump my TanTan X68 for the groupset and components. This 368 is more intriguing anyway. My affection toward budget Chinese frames is like when I used to date back in my 20s. That pretty girl with daddy issues is probably a waste of my time and effort. But...you never know until ya ride it. 

[aeroquest]

Tell us about the quality of the carbon fiber and the rigidity of the frame.

[pertual]

is that a VB stem? can you comment on the build quality? what about the weight?

[w1ll337]

The white frame decals probably aren't desired for most folks in here. But I understand it from VeloBuild's marketing perspective for sending me a frameset for review. Perhaps a different font in the future. I think the decals will look totally fine with some matching white decal wheels. A billboard on wheels I am.

Size 52/Medium - Basically the equivalent stack/reach of a size 56 in most Western brands, if you factor in 20mm of spacers for the recessed headtube. I've been running my bikes slammed for the time being anyway.

VeloBuild provided TWO 3D printed headset covers: One is for VB's in house stem, and the other for using an FSA/ACR standard cockpit. A really nice touch. VeloBuild also created a 3D printed Shimano Di2 battery holder since the battery itself wont fit inside the actual seatpost. Go figure. I've seen these sorts of detail and hardware only on Western bikes.

I'm pretty excited to get this thing built up. We are quickly running out of outdoor weather here in Chicago. Most likely I will pump and dump my TanTan X68 for the groupset and components. This 368 is more intriguing anyway. My affection toward budget Chinese frames is like when I used to date back in my 20s. That pretty girl with daddy issues is probably a waste of my time and effort. But...you never know until ya ride it. 

The colour is black with flakes?

[Cyclinglondon]

is that a VB stem? can you comment on the build quality? what about the weight?

If thats the same stem they sent when I got my VB then it wasnt great.
I couldnt ever get the stem bolts to tighten down and it led to many a mid right adjustment.
Eventually VB replaced with the integrated cockpit and I never had an issue since.
I always thought the issue came from the fact that both of the stem screws entered from one side rather than being opposites.

[Sander2177]

Tell us about the quality of the carbon fiber and the rigidity of the frame.

#

Mate the frame is nearly 1500g! They have not spared any material on it so I would assume they will be no issues with flex                      If this is not a bone rattler I will be shocked!

[patliean1]

The provided stem from VeloBuild has been problematic. It's the same exact stem from 3+ years ago which came with my VB-177 frameset. And led me to making a full video on its inherent headset play issue.

The pinch bolts aren't really the issue. You would need to run at least a 10mm spacer on this frame for bolt clearance anyway. Otherwise the lower pinch bolt is blocked by the 3D printed headset cover. It's the overall design of the stem and top cap. You basically need to cut your steer tube perfectly otherwise there will be headset play. And you can't run standard spacers above the stem. Lose lose.

I wasn't planning on using VB's stem anyway, which is why I purposely pushed for them to offer at least some compatibility with FSA/ACR. Peter's integrated cockpit from XMCS slots in perfectly into the 3D printed ACR headset cover. 

Now to the topic of weight. Yeah it's heavy by comparison. I mean just look at it. A TT/track bike for the road. It's still lighter than my Specialized Allez Sprint albeit a different material. But more carbon doesn't automatically mean stiffer/harsh. In fact in my experience more carbon sometimes leads to the capability of soaking up road vibration better. Especially thick seat tubes. Less flex yes, but more vibration soak.  Maybe it's all in my head.

I'm hoping this frame is ultra stiff in the BB and headtube area. Only time will tell whether or not the back end is sloppy. When it comes super aero frames in this price range, past trends usually predict future trends.

[Pistonbroke]

To be fair to this big 'ol girl, a Dare VA AFO frame weighs in at 1073g and I think a Ridley Noah fast 3.0 is a bit more than that so this isn't outrageously heavy given all the deep sections.

[Uberflo]

To be fair to this big 'ol girl, a Dare VA AFO frame weighs in at 1073g and I think a Ridley Noah fast 3.0 is a bit more than that so this isn't outrageously heavy given all the deep sections.

Yes. This frame is ridiculous heavy. Even my chunky Tideace aero frame "only" weighs 1300 g in a size L.

[toxin]

Yeah idk, I was okay with the quoted weights, I could've swallowed a bit above that, but this is a bit too much when combined with the rest of my apprehensions.

[pertual]

i would be fine with anything below the 9kg mark for a complete bike, i'm not built to go fast uphill and my current TCR is 8.4Kgs anyway. Might as well chase the aero gains if any

[patliean1]

Granted...the 368 seatpost and fork combined is around ~250g heavier than all of these framesets.

Size 56
Tavelo Arow - 1014g
Tavelo Attack - 1041g
Giant Propel - 1071g
VeloBuild 268 - 1080g
Yishun R086D - 1114g
Winspace T1500 - 1218g
Allez Sprint - 1521g

My Tavelo Arow as a complete bike (2x drivetrain, pedals, PM, computer mount) comes in at exactly 7kg all in. That includes 55mm deep wheels as well. I'm not defending the weight on the 368. It really is heavy. But a sub-8kg complete bike is totally reasonable. And I will be going Sram 1x. I reckon I'll be around 7.9kg all in with 60-65mm deep wheels.

[tovu]

Granted...the 368 seatpost and fork combined is around ~250g heavier than all of these framesets.

Size 56
Tavelo Arow - 1014g
Tavelo Attack - 1041g
Giant Propel - 1071g
VeloBuild 268 - 1080g
Yishun R086D - 1114g
Winspace T1500 - 1218g
Allez Sprint - 1521g

My Tavelo Arow as a complete bike (2x drivetrain, pedals, PM, computer mount) comes in at exactly 7kg all in. That includes 55mm deep wheels as well. I'm not defending the weight on the 368. It really is heavy. But a sub-8kg complete bike is totally reasonable. And I will be going Sram 1x. I reckon I'll be around 7.9kg all in with 60-65mm deep wheels.

Are you experiencing any back and forth wobble on your fork?

[patliean1]

Build Update #1

You are gonna need a lot of spacers...

I'm using FSA/ACR with already 20mm of spacers. 10mm of those spacers is just to get the stack to the advertised geometry spec for my size (548mm). Even just to get the equivalent stack of a slammed stem on a traditional frame (565mm on the SL8) I still need 15mm of spacers. I'm okay with a slammed stem, but it's probably not optimal for most folks with shorter arms.

Basically 35mm of spacers total is required to equal that of a traditionally slammed stem. I can't imagine the potential loss of stiffness with that amount of plastic spacers.

The stem angle on that XMCS cockpit is -10°. You could buy a separate ACR stem with only a -6° angle which should mitigate a spacer or two.

EDIT: I could have gone up one frame size to add 20mm of stack and then size down from a 120mm to 110mm stem. But man, a 1014mm wheelbase would handle like a boat around corners. Basically gravel bike territory.

[Pistonbroke]

I thought you'd have finished the build by now