Gas Cycle Nitrogen 6069 alloy budget road frameset

[jonathanf2]

I took advantage of some of the Black Friday discounts and Paypal cashback deals and ordered the Gas Cycle Nitrogen 6069 alloy frameset:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808715144266.html

Spec-wise it comes with dropped seat stays, 27.2mm seat post, threaded BSA bottom bracket, internal cable routing, carbon fork, 35c tire clearance and flat disc mounts. The seat tube is round and accepts an FD clamp for 2x. I've done some research on Chinese social media and the frame comes out to 1365g bare frame. I've also seen some builds come out in the high 7kg weight range. Also it's made using 6069 alloy which should be a step up from 6061 alloy in terms of strength and longevity. The only downside is the frame runs small sizes, so you're SOL if you need a frame larger than 54cm.

I've also seen their upcoming Gas Cycle "Oxygen" gravel frameset that's reminiscent of the old GT mountain bikes with seat stays that connect to the top tube. They seem to be doing some interesting and affordable frames with alloy. Apparently the company Gas Cycle names their bikes after elements on the periodic table according to their Red Note/Xiaohongshu account. 

Anyways, I'll report back once I receive this frame. I plan to use Wheeltop EDS TX and I'll try to keep this build as lightweight as possible. My goal is to get it between 7.5-7.9kg. 

[bremerradkurier]

Looks somewhat similar to the Fuji SL-A frameset.

[jonathanf2]

Looks somewhat similar to the Fuji SL-A frameset.

Looks similar, but geometry is slightly different. Gas Cycle have several videos (on their social media) of their manufacturing process and factory. What's interesting is their upcoming gravel frame will feature T47. I haven't seen any Chinese alloy frames yet that are going this direction. They might be another viable option in alloy framesets similar to Seaboard bikes. Though I like their direction with more modern features like UDH and internal cable routing.

[jonathanf2]

Today I received my Gas Cycle Nitrogen disc frameset, no paint (no logos) in size 51cm. I ordered on Nov. 27th and it arrived Dec. 27th. The seller sent it via container vessel (my first time receiving an ocean shipped frameset). This frame is definitely raw alloy. I'm debating if I want to paint it or just give it a few layers of UV clear coat and go with that industrial look. Welds look a tad rough, but solid looking. Geometry-wise it's very similar to my SPCycle R088 with slightly wider tire clearance. Quick weigh-in has the frameset at 1340g with no RD hanger (or FD clamp) and the carbon fork weighs-in at 430g. All the necessary components were included: RD hanger, headset, seat post clamp, grommets and front/rear thru axles.

I'll get photos done when I have more lighting. Overall though, for the price it seems pretty decent. I plan to keep it as lightweight as possible to compensate for the extra grams. Though it's not that much heavier compared to my gravel carbon framesets, but nowhere near my R088 in weight. I think this frame is best suited as a budget bike, winter build or a crit-style race frame that you don't mind roughing up. 

[jonathanf2]

I've added photos of the Gas Cycle frameset and carbon fork. The other day I sprayed UV gloss clear coat and I plan on keeping it bare alloy. I believe the Allez Sprint Disc is in the 1400-1500g weight range. Someone in the reviews mentioned their Gas frame came out to about 1285g at the same 51cm size. Though I'm wondering if his scale was off or maybe my scale is broken. Anyways, I'm using a Wheeltop EDS TX carbon groupset I won for free, an Elita One seat post, RYET saddle, UNO lightweight stem and a 170g RXL drop bars. I'll also be using the Cruz carbon ti axle crankset, Stone 52-36t chainrings, 10-33t XDR cassette and KMC X12 fully waxed chain. Also I just plan on using some spare carbon disc wheels with tubeless Scwalbe Pro One tires.

[jonathanf2]

Finished this build. Wheeltop EDS TX is a PITA to tune. I had to use the hacked Wheeltop web based app to do some proper fine tuning. Frame build comes out to 7.8kg with pedals, computer mount, bottle cages, power meter, etc. Still need to ride the bike since it's been raining for the last few days.

[jonathanf2]

Just a quick ride report on this frameset. It's surprisingly comfortable, has excellent power transfer and I really didn't feel like I was giving anything compared to carbon. It accelerates and handles nicely. Also I initially ordered a 48cm, but the seller suggested I go with the 51cm instead. I probably could have gone either way, but the 51cm definitely rides smooth for me with no discomfort.

Anyways, I know everyone is into the latest and greatest carbon frames on here, but it's surprising how good and affordable alloy frames have become. If someone is looking to build a solid road bike, but are on a budget I think this is a good buy. The money saved could be applied to an electronic groupset, carbon crankset and/or lightweight carbon wheels. In my case I just wanted to build a winter/backup bike and I think this frame does the job! 

[Blablablaomfg]

that sounds great. might consider getting one down the line for my partner. seems pretty well received on XHS too.

[jonathanf2]

that sounds great. might consider getting one down the line for my partner. seems pretty well received on XHS too.

I think it might be possible to build this bike out in the low 7kg range, possibly even less if going 1x or using lightweight components. I was actually convinced by this frame seeing the Gas Cycle XHS profile page. They seem like a small vendor who are passionate about making solid, yet affordable alloy framesets.

[POTOOOOOOOO]

This is one of the more interesting frames around at the moment. It looks great, and the price is fantastic.
I already have a winter bike. But this would be hight on the list if I didn’t.

[Blablablaomfg]

I know the listing states that it fits up to 35c tires, but do you think there are possiblities to get wider tires in there?

[jonathanf2]

I know the listing states that it fits up to 35c tires, but do you think there are possiblities to get wider tires in there?

I tried putting my gravel wheelset with 700x36c WTB Vulpine tires on the frame. It's a tight fit especially at the fork. 35c max tire clearance is accurate with this frame.

If you want gravel clearance their new Gas Cycle Oxygen gravel frame looks so cool! It has those GT style seat stays that connect to the top tube. Though it sucks this vendor stopped selling to the US, but good for everyone else!   

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010593927973.html

[jonathanf2]

Sadly I assumed this frame was UDH (my fault for not verifying with the seller). It uses an RD hanger that's very similar with 1 mounting screw. In fact it's so similar, I'm not sure why the frame maker didn't just go with UDH to begin with! Luckily I found the RD hanger, but it does knock a point off this frame for not being UDH.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805910268231.html

[jonathanf2]

As I mentioned on the Wheeltop EDS TX thread, the Wheeltop groupset did not work for me at all! Last night I swapped back to the V1 LTwoo ER9 and everything shifts so much better! For those interested in using a wired electronic groupset on the Gas Cycle frame, there's just enough space in the bottom bracket shell to fit the RD and FD battery cable. Though you'll have to route the cables first and then install the bottom bracket.

[Blablablaomfg]

As I mentioned on the Wheeltop EDS TX thread, the Wheeltop groupset did not work for me at all! Last night I swapped back to the V1 LTwoo ER9 and everything shifts so much better! For those interested in using a wired electronic groupset on the Gas Cycle frame, there's just enough space in the bottom bracket shell to fit the RD and FD cable. Though you'll have to route the cables first and then install the bottom bracket.

It will be able to run a mechanical groupset through the frame rigt? If i do go ahead with this id be running a 1x.