Just began my first Chinese build: ICAN Flyee

[buggadagak]

Hello all,

After much debate and research on here, reddit, and YouTube, I decided to pull the trigger on an ICAN Flyee 54cm custom color frame. I've decided on an 11 speed mechanical Ultegra groupset and carbon wheels from elite wheels (50mm depth). For anyone who is a first timer like me, you can follow this thread in the next few weeks as parts come in and I complete the build to get a sense of my experience both in the build and on the ride.

I am amateur in every sense. Middle aged dad with little spare time and not in the shape I used to be. I have a gravel bike and do 2 - 3 hour rides on saturdays. My avg pace is slow and I'm looking for something to improve my comfort and time on pavement.

I struggled to find a post from someone like me so I hope you find it helpful if you're in the same boat.

Stay tuned.

[buggadagak]

Alright, but of an update on the build I've picked and ordered.

I am 180cm with shorter legs, longer torso and shorter reach compared to my height peers. Basically I've got the build of a gorilla with a gut.

Frame + Bar ($1,199)

ICAN Flyee 54cm
ICAN blade-R 420mm x 100mm stem

Groupset - Mechanical Ultegra 11x drivetrain ($1,097)

I know, I know, not Chinese. I got a bit turned off by Trace Velos comments on LTWOO "chunkiness" so I decided on a known quality brand.  It was hard to find a proper groupset where everything fit together properly and was in stock. I think mechanics are what make bikes beautiful, but unfortunately in this day it means I had to source components from different businesses. Shout out to Merlin Cycles sales dept for being very responsive and helpful.

Ultegra R8000 crankset → $203
Token T47 BB → $128
RD-R8000 GS → $113
FD-R8000 → $34
CS-HG800 11-34 cassette → $83
CN-HG701 chain → $39
Ultegra R8020 STI levers + R8070 calipers (pair) → $377
RT-CL800 rotors (pair) → $120

Wheelset and tires ($701)

Elitewheels ENT 2.0 Carbon Wheelset (50mm, disc, tubeless)
Continental GP5000 S TR 32c tires (pair)
Tubeless setup kit (valves, tape, sealant, plugs)

Tools ($288)

This will seem a bit silly to some folks since I could use my local bike shop to cut the fork, but I am determined to do this completely independent. I'll keep some tools and perhaps sell the rest at a discount after I am done.

Park Tool MLP-1.2 Master Link Pliers
Park Tool FR-5.2 Cassette Lockring Tool
Park Tool SR-12.2 (correct chain whip)
Topeak Universal Chain Tool
Bottom Bracket Tool (52mm OD, 16-notch, T47)
Torque wrenches (total range 1 - 120nm)
Hydraulic hose cutter + needle driver kit (with BH90 olives)
Bike stand
Carbon tube cutting blade
Hacksaw frame
Clamp
Cutting guide
Bleed kit + Shimano mineral oil
Misc. shop consumables (carbon paste, grease, alcohol, rags, etc.)

OK, that's it! I expect my front door to look like Christmas the next few weeks.

[jonathanf2]

Don't forget to add an internal cable guide toolkit. That's an important tool to have when building up a bike. 

[Ludo]

And so the fun begin, as well as spending!

[crazyravr]

And so the fun begin, as well as spending! LEARNING

Fixed that for you

[buggadagak]

Don't forget to add an internal cable guide toolkit. That's an important tool to have when building up a bike. 

That is the thing I am most nervous about, followed by cutting the fork (measure ten times cut once?)

[Blueberry]

ooh send pictures when you have it! I've built two Flyees, one for me and one for a friend, we've both been quite happy! I think the geo is a really nice combination of snappy and responsive but also a little more upright and comfortable.

[jonathanf2]

That is the thing I am most nervous about, followed by cutting the fork (measure ten times cut once?)

Honestly I would recommend working your way up before tackling a more advanced frame with full internal routing. I started building semi-internal disc and external rim brake bikes before tackling full internal carbon frames. There's a ton of little things in addition to the bike building process. Like using different grease/paste on certain parts, immersive waxing chains, different techniques for beading tubeless tires, straightening disc rotors, etc. Tuning an FD is a skill in itself, but so satisfying when you nail it to absolute perfection.

Either way, you have to jump into the pool if you want to swim! Just ask questions if you get stuck! 

[buggadagak]

ooh send pictures when you have it! I've built two Flyees, one for me and one for a friend, we've both been quite happy! I think the geo is a really nice combination of snappy and responsive but also a little more upright and comfortable.

Your post is actually one of the few I found where a normie (non-influencer / non-marketing) bought the bike! Your bike looks beautiful, can't wait for mine to arrive. Any complaints or issues you found when assembling or riding the bike?

[HarryFunmaker]

That is the thing I am most nervous about, followed by cutting the fork (measure ten times cut once?)

I always cut it to the length of one or two more spacers than I need. A little trial run for both your cutting method and your bike fit.

[buggadagak]

For those following, or anyone who is a first time builder like me, here are a few updates and lessons from the last few weeks.

The frame arrived today so I have not yet started the assembly on the frame itself but have done some prep work.

First, and most important. Don't buy crucial bike parts on amazon. I bought most of my parts from my LBS but there were a few parts they didnt have on hand, an 11 speed Shimano chain, Shimano SPD pedals, and two 160mm rotors for the brakes. The pedals and chain failed the "fake parts" checklist and I returned the rotors just because I had lost all faith. I re ordered those all through my LBS and am waiting on parts.

The other lesson is don't use chatgpt to assemble your bike. It has been wrong twice already, and I haven't even begun adding parts to the frame. First, it told me to buy the wrong wrench for my BB. Second, it gave me the incorrect instructions on which sprockets to place the spacers on my 11-speed cassette.

All of these instructions can be found by looking for documentation from Shimano and the BB manufacturer but I was curious if chatgpt could do it. And turns out it can't (but it sounds very confident).

I'll post photos and other lessons when I complete the build!

[Blueberry]

Your post is actually one of the few I found where a normie (non-influencer / non-marketing) bought the bike! Your bike looks beautiful, can't wait for mine to arrive. Any complaints or issues you found when assembling or riding the bike?

building fully internally routes frames is always sort of a pain but it's nice when it's all together! Both the Flyees I built used a non-ICAN barstem with a custom 3d printed transition spacer so I'm not sure what might be different if you are using a barstem from them. The main issue I had was my own fault, I just didn't torque the expander plug down quite enough so when I was tightening the headset it was never feeling quite tight enough. There was also the issue with the threads for the thru axle on the fork being messed up but once I tapped them it was all good to go. The second frame build was smooth sailing. I initially built mine up as a fun project and figured I'd sell it down the line but I've enjoyed it so much I've decided to hang onto it for a while longer. It's extra fun now that it's got my nice FarSports wheels on there too.

Definitely check and make sure there's no paint in any of the threads and that the headset bearings seat well. Initially I wasn't a big fan of how the little rubber piece that covers the seatpost wedge was held down. But by the time I built the second frame, it looked like they had changed the design slightly and it's held down more securely and doesn't pop off as easily. It wasn't a big issues for me but when I lent the bike to a friend, she kept knocking it off to the side somehow.

Also yes, ChatGPT is terrible for bike info, I've seen it get tons of stuff wrong. Shimano manuals are definitely the way to go.

[Takiyaki]

Don't forget to add an internal cable guide toolkit. That's an important tool to have when building up a bike. 

That is honestly what broke me. I can do anything else on a bike. But even with a route kit I could not pull the cables through the handlebar. I like my Tavelo integrated bars but I will never buy integrated bars again.

[buggadagak]

Finally finished and rode the bike!

I did a short ride just in case there were any issues, a quick 12 mile loop around my town, going fairly easy. What surprised me was I hit 4 segment PRs on segments I ride frequently on my flatbar gravel bike. Pretty amazing what a change on bike and geometry will do for riding performance.

Anyway, here are a couple photos of the finished product.

Regarding the build, it wasn't too bad but here are few lessons I learned.

• Routing cables sucks, especially the handlebar. But it is worth it. Also, get a routing kit
• Indexing isn't too bad, but the front derailleur is tricky. Watch a few videos before attempting
• aligning the brake calipers may require a manual adjustment rather than the centering trick, watch your fingers!
• the only piece I didn't do myself was replacing a bad front caliper. Unfortunately Shimano only warranties through a certified bike shop, so I had to take it in. Otherwise I did the full build myself, which was rewarding

[K-Ninja]

What is the weight of the bike?