LightCarbon LCR017-D geometry and alternatives

[aggeliki6]

Hi guys!

I have been wanting to go for a Chinese road bike build for a while, it'd be my first one but hoping to have it be my main road bike once built. I was ready to pull the trigger on the LightCarbon LCR017-D after having read a lot of positive reviews, but have ended up hesitating due to questions I've had come up on its geometry.

I am a fairly small rider at 160cm/5'3 (female). I currently ride a Liv Langma in XS, with a stack of 508 and reach of 371. I'm running it with spacers but can definitely lower it further (and have been wanting to for a more aggressive position, just haven't been bothered to do it 😅). Don't know if it matters but I have fairly long arms...

I have looked at bikes like the SuperSix EVO (stack 505, reach 370 in size 44) and the SL8 (stack 514, reach 375 in size 49) and like their geometry/fit, so was going to go for the LCR017-D in size 46 which has a stack of 502.6 and reach of 371. I started second guessing whether its geometry is appropriate though when I read on here that it requires some mandatory spacers that essentially increase stack by about 1.5cm and decrease reach by about 1cm. Am I overthinking it or would that result in a much more relaxed geometry than the Supersix or SL8 for example?

If so, any other frames I could look at? As light as possible, ideally, as at my 50kg frame weight savings do matter... I do really like the Winspace SLC 5.0 but for 2800 USD it feels on the expensive side...

Thanks!

[Chiyou]

The LCR0170 situation is slightly involved, so you indeed want to approach things eyes wide open. The first tidbit to know is that this frame is sold as two versions, LCR017-D ('integrated handlebar') and LCR017S-D ('S' for 'stem only'). The reason I mention this is because the spacer configuration (and hence stack) differs between the two versions. I am attaching two pictures from LightCarbon's website for ease of reference.

LCR017-D (with integrated handlebar)

If you look at the LCR017-D picture, you'll see something that they call 'bottom cover' (usually called 'headset cover') that sits above the top bearing and the C-shaped clamp. This cover is a mandatory piece which adds to the stack height. Guesstimating from the pictures it's about 12mm tall; maybe someone on here has documented the exact height, or you can ask LightCarbon.

Quick aside: most bikes need a headset cover, so that's not special to LightCarbon. The height of the cover varies by manufacturer/model, however.

Important note: the HBR17 handlebar that comes with this frame has an (unusual) +8mm lift, increasing stack by that 8mm. (Most handlebars are neutral, meaning they don't have any lift.)

LCR017S-D (stem only)

The LCR017S-D diagram shows two covers, the bottom cover and the top one; I believe these are the mandatory spacers you mention. The top one looks quite chunky; maybe that's the 15mm you mention.

And yes, assuming these numbers (12mm for the bottom cover + 15mm for the top cover) you'd see your reach decreased by about 1cm (8.8mm according to what my computer tells me). But if you are worried about reach you can go with a longer stem.

LCR017-D vs. LCR017S-D

Overall, I think the minimal stack height on the LCR017-D will be a little lower since you don't have to deal with the top cover; you do get that +8mm rise from the handlebars though. And as discussed, the top cover effectively decreases reach. These numbers don't mean much, however, without taking into account any of the additional regular spacers you may or may not want.

Alternatives

Take a look at the Long Ten LTK266-D; size XS: stack 506, reach 374. It's a 'bring your own stem+handlebar' deal, so you have plenty of options for how you want to set up the front end of your bike.

Potential heartbreak: there is a lightweight version of the LTK266-D, the LTK266-D--SL. But I don't see a lightweight size XS in the geometry chart, plus the charts between the versions don't agree - hopefully someone can shed some light on what's going on here.

a) regular version: https://www.ltbikes.com/index/products/view/id/211.html
b) lightweight version: https://www.ltbikes.com/index/products/view/id/421.html
c) several threads on the forum

[Chiyou]

Oh, and if you like the SL8, consider the Chinese frames that were 'inspired' by that bike; there is lots of discussion around these on the forum but look at TanTan to get started.

TT-X70 http://tantancycling.com/index.php?_m=mod_product&_a=view&p_id=1195
TT-X68 http://tantancycling.com/index.php?_m=mod_product&_a=view&p_id=1160
Size 49: stack 514, reach 375 for both of these, just like the SL8

TT-X71 http://tantancycling.com/index.php?_m=mod_product&_a=view&p_id=1199
TT-X67 http://tantancycling.com/index.php?_m=mod_product&_a=view&p_id=1186
Size 49: stack 503, reach 370 for both of these

[Sakizashi]

Hi guys!

I have been wanting to go for a Chinese road bike build for a while, it'd be my first one but hoping to have it be my main road bike once built. I was ready to pull the trigger on the LightCarbon LCR017-D after having read a lot of positive reviews, but have ended up hesitating due to questions I've had come up on its geometry.

I am a fairly small rider at 160cm/5'3 (female). I currently ride a Liv Langma in XS, with a stack of 508 and reach of 371. I'm running it with spacers but can definitely lower it further (and have been wanting to for a more aggressive position, just haven't been bothered to do it 😅). Don't know if it matters but I have fairly long arms...

I have looked at bikes like the SuperSix EVO (stack 505, reach 370 in size 44) and the SL8 (stack 514, reach 375 in size 49) and like their geometry/fit, so was going to go for the LCR017-D in size 46 which has a stack of 502.6 and reach of 371. I started second guessing whether its geometry is appropriate though when I read on here that it requires some mandatory spacers that essentially increase stack by about 1.5cm and decrease reach by about 1cm. Am I overthinking it or would that result in a much more relaxed geometry than the Supersix or SL8 for example?

If so, any other frames I could look at? As light as possible, ideally, as at my 50kg frame weight savings do matter... I do really like the Winspace SLC 5.0 but for 2800 USD it feels on the expensive side...

Thanks!

Do you have the ability to play with your current setup? If so, could you consider making the change to a more aggressive position before buying a frame to see if you can achieve the desired fit?

I would specifically check on the following changes:

• Bar width, going narrower: I don't know if you need UCI compliance on this one, if so keep the 36cm, but if you can go narrower, I would consider it. It's hard to know for sure, but I would guess that you can gain a lot of comfort and speed by moving to a narrow bar like the Bikedoc HB24.
• Stem length instead of dropping spacers: I think you are on an 80mm stem? This would be the stock stem with the Langma. If this is the case, I would consider going longer and seeing how you like longer vs. dropping a spacer or two. I would start with a stem 20mm longer than your current and compare that to dropping a spacer or two from your current setup. If you go with a narrow bar, be aware that narrow bars break bike geometry a bit so I would try the same stem, +20mm, and then +40mm
• Saddle position moving forward and potentially shorter crank length: Both of these are related and somewhat difficult to test with your current setup, but try moving the saddle forward a bit (say 5mm and then 10mm) and see how it feels on the front side of the pedal stroke vs. the rear. If you like the position but don't like reaching back with your foot when either in drops or in the aero hoods position, you might benefit from a shorter crank, particularly if you have impingement or instability at the top of your pedal stroke. I think you have a 165mm stock on your bike, so stepping down more than 5mm will be hard unless you go with a Chinese carbon crank, some of which have 150mm and 155mm options

The reason, I would test these before buying a new frame is that if you end up liking the first two changes, you would have the option to move up a frame size. If you want all three, I would definitely look for a longer frame.

If none of this sounds appealing, consider the Speeder Cycling SC-R55D and a SC-RH01 handlebar with your choice of stem.

[crazyravr]

My wife is 164cm tall with longer legs and shorter upper body. Recently I build up Hygge Model S for her in the samlest XS size. We have the bar with only 1cm spacer. With the 360mm x 80mm bar, the fit is aggressive (low and long) but NOT uncomfrtable. The frame is quality and was easy to build up.

[eugeniob]

Resurrecting this thread for the 2026 season! I’ve been reading through all the feedback from last September regarding the LCR017-D. Now that some of you have a few thousand kilometers on the frame, how is the long-term reliability holding up? Any issues with the headset or the seatpost clamp?

With my LCR017D I have done more than 10K km and the only problems I had were due to my mistakes in assembling the gear cable housings (mechanical SRAM RED 22 groupset) the headset ant the seatpost clamp is OK