Bike build

[Guilherme_]

Hello everyone, I am looking for somebody with a bit more knowledge that could eventually rate my future bike build, Im sorry but i have few contacts so just keep reading if you would be interested and possibly say some things I could change, Thank you very much!
Frameset: LightCarbon lcr017-D with the integrated handlebar hbr17 that comes with the set
Wheels: EliteWheels Drive II Mixed Depth Wheelset (Front 50mm and rear 65mm)
Groupset: Shimano Di2 R7170
Saddle: LightCarbon 3D Printed Carbon Saddle SD02

I am paying for everything around 3300€, is it good?
This are the main things but if anyone wants I can share the rest of things I have in mind 
Have a blessed day and thank you for any help given!

[Guilherme_]

everything incluiding tires and all of that, not just those things

[benquick]

Go ahead and share everything, and include prices so we can advise on whether you are overpaying for anything.

[Guilherme_]

Go ahead and share everything, and include prices so we can advise on whether you are overpaying for anything.

Ofc! Thank you so much for helping me, I will put everything
Frameset: LightCarbon lcr017-D- 890€ with shipping and custom paint
Wheels: EliteWheels Drive II Mixed Depth Wheelset- 963€ with discount code
Groupset: Shimano Di2 R7170- 945€
Saddle: LightCarbon 3D Printed Carbon Saddle SD02- 56€ discount with frame
tires-continental gp5000 folding tire 30x622- 45 each
inner tube- pirelli o zero smartube- 21€ each
bar tape- supacaz super sticky bar tape- 31€


I dont think i am forgetting anything so please tell me if something is missing, thank you so much for the help 

[Dan S.]

inner tube- pirelli o zero smartube- 21€ each

Imho you could save quite some money swapping these for RideNow TPU tubes. :-)

[Marcello Casati]

RidenowTPU +1
I live also in Europe (Switzerland...) and I can compare the costs of shipping.
I bought a BXT SL 115 including Seat Post and Handlebar: CHF 520.-
Elite Wheels Edge 40 mm: CHF 520.-
Used Ultegra Di2 11-speed: CHF 600.-
my total build was < CHF 2'000.-

Have fun

[benquick]

I would suggest writing to Zen or Serenade (or any other manufacturer popular here on the forum) and getting a quote for their wheels. You might get a better price or lighter wheels that way. I ordered from Serenade a while back and paid around 550€ including shipping for 1100g 45mm deep wheelset.

The saddle you suggest seems similar to this one: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010400282535.html. You might be able to get a larger discount on AliExpress. I have the same one, but EVA padded and I like it a lot. Don't know whether the 3D printed one is as good though.

I suspect you are buying the groupset on AliExpress? If not, it might be good if you check there as some people report getting all the parts really cheaply this way. Also, if you are not committed to the Shimano crankset, you might be able to save some weight by opting for a Chinese carbon one.

Finally, I have learned with my first build that it pays off to buy headset bearings separately, as the ones that came with the frameset corroded really quickly (less than 2 years; I didn't ride much in rain, and I don't live in a humid area). It is unnecessary work that I really didn't want to do when I had to replace them. I don't know what kind of bearings LightCarbon supplies, but stainless steel ones should hold up much longer. Same goes for all the metal screws on the frame (bottle cage and seat / seatpost screws being the most important imo), as they corroded within months of being on the bike. With my latest build I bought titanium screws, but I am sure stainless steel is good enough, especially if you don't care about weight.

[Dan S.]

105 Di2 for better price, depending on where you are in Europe, at Bike Discount, is around 900 EUR:
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/shimano-105-di2-r7170-2x12-speed-group-disc-140/160mm-1

You can also save 2 EUR per tire if you buy the GP5000’s there as well haha: https://www.bike-discount.de/en/continental-grand-prix-5000-folding-tyre-20067135-40162855

[Guilherme_]

I would suggest writing to Zen or Serenade (or any other manufacturer popular here on the forum) and getting a quote for their wheels. You might get a better price or lighter wheels that way. I ordered from Serenade a while back and paid around 550€ including shipping for 1100g 45mm deep wheelset.

I suspect you are buying the groupset on AliExpress? If not, it might be good if you check there as some people report getting all the parts really cheaply this way. Also, if you are not committed to the Shimano crankset, you might be able to save some weight by opting for a Chinese carbon one.

Finally, I have learned with my first build that it pays off to buy headset bearings separately, as the ones that came with the frameset corroded really quickly (less than 2 years; I didn't ride much in rain, and I don't live in a humid area). It is unnecessary work that I really didn't want to do when I had to replace them. I don't know what kind of bearings LightCarbon supplies, but stainless steel ones should hold up much longer. Same goes for all the metal screws on the frame (bottle cage and seat / seatpost screws being the most important imo), as they corroded within months of being on the bike. With my latest build I bought titanium screws, but I am sure stainless steel is good enough, especially if you don't care about weight.

Firstly, where can i find Zen or Serenade? And do I message them to know or I can see somewhere what they sell?

Second, no, i was getting my groupset from probikeshop, i was now looking at used ones because that can make it cheaper, what parts can i rely on the chinese side, not just for lighter, but that can do the same as a shimano 105 or the groupset oficial that i am picking?

Thirdly, do you enjoy your saddle? is it confortable? I might get that if so

Forth, I will look for headset bearings, what measures should i considerate? I will buy some titanium screws at side thank you for the suggestion

[Guilherme_]

105 Di2 for better price, depending on where you are in Europe, at Bike Discount, is around 900 EUR:
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/shimano-105-di2-r7170-2x12-speed-group-disc-140/160mm-1

You can also save 2 EUR per tire if you buy the GP5000’s there as well haha: https://www.bike-discount.de/en/continental-grand-prix-5000-folding-tyre-20067135-40162855

thank you sir, great thing

[benquick]

Firstly, where can i find Zen or Serenade? And do I message them to know or I can see somewhere what they sell?

Second, no, i was getting my groupset from probikeshop, i was now looking at used ones because that can make it cheaper, what parts can i rely on the chinese side, not just for lighter, but that can do the same as a shimano 105 or the groupset oficial that i am picking?

Thirdly, do you enjoy your saddle? is it confortable? I might get that if so

Forth, I will look for headset bearings, what measures should i considerate? I will buy some titanium screws at side thank you for the suggestion

First:
You can check the threads on this forum (under Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components) where you will find more information on their offerings and how to contact them. There are also other threads for other manufacturers. You can go really deep and optimize price / performance, if you really want to.

Second:
I don't have experience with them, but people around here are quite happy with ordering Shimano parts from Anrancee: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1954042 (if you will consider buying from AliExpress). I am not sure about additional taxes to EU though, best you search this forum or ask the store directly.
I personally went with the CRUZBIKE carbon crankset from AliExpress and it has been ok so far (I have only used it on the trainer though). There are also some other popular and cheap Chinese brands like Leese or BigRock. You don't have to go with the carbon crankset though, as this is one of my personal priorities since I am a little bit of a weight weenie.

Third:
I am very happy with it. As far as objective characteristics go, it is well made, the top material is not slippery, and the padding is fair. Again, I have no idea, if the 3D printed version is as good. I think I got used to all the saddles I had in the past (all were different shapes, and one of them without any padding), but this was the first time I didn't feel like I needed an adjustment period. That being said, I think by far the biggest part of the saddle comfort is your fit on the bike, so it might not be the most important choice whether you go with EVA padded, 3D printed, or raw carbon. The preferences are also very subjective, as everyone has different physiology and needs in this regard. If anything, I would say it is the safest to go with something similar you already know suits you, or perhaps experiment only slightly in this regard. There is a whole thread dedicated to saddles on this forum, if you will search for it.

Fourth:
It is best to ask LightCarbon about what kind of bearings they use in the first place. The frameset is not the cheapest, so maybe they already include something higher quality.

[Hainesy]

Have you looked at the LCR-018D instead? It's not properly on their website curently but it's the newer version of the one you're looking at and there's a massive thread on the subject on this forum.  I've just taken delivery of one and built it up - it's excellent.

[Guilherme_]

Fourth:
It is best to ask LightCarbon about what kind of bearings they use in the first place. The frameset is not the cheapest, so maybe they already include something higher quality.

I am buying the "premium option" of them, its a ceramic bearing that will cost 85usd, i will show you a picture

[Guilherme_]

Have you looked at the LCR-018D instead? It's not properly on their website curently but it's the newer version of the one you're looking at and there's a massive thread on the subject on this forum.  I've just taken delivery of one and built it up - it's excellent.

I did and i got the impression this one was more aero focused, however those couple bucks can do me in customization of the frame and iam settled with it already 

[benquick]

I am buying the "premium option" of them, its a ceramic bearing that will cost 85usd, i will show you a picture

Its good to invest in good bottom bracket bearings as well, but just to be clear, I am talking about headset bearings. If thats included in your "premium" option, then you are all set.

Edit: In a previous post I referred to the Anrancee store, but I am not sure that the linked store is actually the right one. This is another one that has "anrancee" in the url: https://anrancee.aliexpress.com/store/1735445. This one I actually ordered from recently (got a 12-speed mechanical 105), it was cheap and I assembled it without any major problems. A minor thing was that not all bits were included (barbs, for example), but I easily sourced them from a local bike shop.

For example, they have a full Di2 105 available for fairly cheap: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005024569017.html

You can also use coupons on AliExpress, which is going to make this even cheaper.