Lightcarbon LCR72 "aero racing gravel"

[anqry]

What does 50 mm for 1x and 45 mm for 2x WAM even mean? Put these tires on a trendy 29+ mm inner width rims and you're already over the 'legal' limit for this frame. Just label it as 40-45 mm, with some room to spare, and be done with it. But then again, who buys <50 mm gravel bikes these days, so you do have to put at least 50 mm in the specs somehow.
I did some research and it seems that those 50 mm tires in a previously posted walkaround video are mounted on a 26 mm rims, and it already looks like that there's barely any room left for some decent mud.
I'm just angry, because I do like this frame and was seriously considering it. Rant over.

[Samuel BMR]

Let’s wait for the first batch to be sent & built and we’ll see whatbthe real MAX tiree clearance is.

Usually 50mm max tire clearance advertised means 52 to 54mm possible

[bicycie]

In the same file, there was also an image of suggested chainring size and tire clearance. I know some of you guys are not too happy with the tire clearance. What are your thoughts about the max chainring size.   

[RiP]

Chainring max sizes according to Jim:

1) If use Shimano crankset, max 2x chainring 50-34T, max 1x chainring 46T (smaller ones are all fine).
2) If use Sram crankset, max 2x chainring 50-37T, max 1x chainring 50T (smaller ones are all fine).

[Rolle2k]

Let’s wait for the first batch to be sent & built and we’ll see whatbthe real MAX tiree clearance is.

Usually 50mm max tire clearance advertised means 52 to 54mm possible

Yea, i will also wait for this. Would want to fit thunder burt 2.1's but not need any more than that.
So if those are possible to fit - with OK clearance i will go for this frame. If it really is max 50mm, WAM... then i'm don't know how i'll do.
The other thing to consider is - what is appropriate clearance according to Lightcarbon? I would say 6mm on each side at WAM should be a standard. Even more (1.5cm min?) above in the fork.

[bicycie]

I preordered this frame in size medium, and it's scheduled to ship in September.

The total cost for the unpainted UD matte frame and HBR18 handlebar was 719 USD, plus 200 USD for shipping and PayPal fees. If you pair your purchase up with a set of wheels from them, Lightcarbon will give you a 50 USD discount. However, the shipping cost would cost around 250 USD.

They also offer a 15 mm setback (offset) seatpost option.

How much would the aero seatpost affect ride comfort compared to a traditional round seatpost?

[Bonus79]

Hi all, I'm on the market for a new frame and to me it's between the LCR018-D (endurance road) and this one. Main sticking point for me is that I want to be able to put 40C tires on my bike and I think that's a bit of a stretch for the LCR. That's putting me on to this frame here.

Can someone help me understand: the stack and reach of this LCG072 frame are within single-digit millimeters of the LCR018-D. That can't be right, can it? To me, the LCG seems like the LCR with a marginally more slack seat tube angle, a slightly more slack head tube angle, plus a 9mm higher BB and a few more MM on the chainstays. Like, it's really not very different. Main difference is tire clearance, supposedly up to 50mm based on this thread.

So I guess my (perhaps naive) question is: am I wrong? And if not, why would one buy the LCR over this one? I mean, I worry that my 32mm road tires would look weird in the cavernous front fork, but are there other compelling reasons to avoid this frame if most of my riding is on tarmac?

That’s a question I’ve been asking myself, too.

I’m considering an aero road frame... in terms of looks, I really like the LCR020-D and XMCS VRT, but both have very little slope (seat tube length of 545/540mm for a size L/56). This means the exposed seatpost length would be quite minimal (170/175mm for a saddle height of around 765mm).

Their respective gravel versions (LCG072-D and XMCS GRT), aside from being very similar to the road models, have shorter seat tubes (520/490mm), which would look better aesthetically. However, they have quite different geometries, particularly regarding a higher stack/shorter reach, a more closed head tube angle, and longer chainstays... these features should make for a more stable and easier ride, though likely at the expense of the frame's responsiveness.

So, ultimately, I’m not sure if they would be the best choice for predominantly road use.

That said, the LCG072-D posted by Hambini and Jim looks amazing! Maybe even better than the LCR020-D and LCR018-D!

[Ghengis-Chron]

Their respective gravel versions (LCG072-D and XMCS GRT), aside from being very similar to the road models, have shorter seat tubes (520/490mm), which would look better aesthetically. However, they have quite different geometries, particularly regarding a higher stack/shorter reach, a more closed head tube angle, and longer chainstays... these features should make for a more stable and easier ride, though likely at the expense of the frame's responsiveness.

So, ultimately, I’m not sure if they would be the best choice for predominantly road use.

That said, the LCG072-D posted by Hambini and Jim looks amazing! Maybe even better than the LCR020-D and LCR018-D!

Hmm, so I’m looking at the geo charts and comparing the LCG072-D to the LCR018-D, in size L/560. They’re so similar. Single digit mm difference on stack/reach, head tube angle about 1 degree difference,  chain stay 5mm longer on the LCG and wheelbase  18mm longer on the LCG (that’s the most significant difference). So I’m not so sure that these would ride all that differently on tarmac unless I’m underestimating the difference a handful of millimeters here and there can make. Am I off base?

[Bonus79]

Hmm, so I’m looking at the geo charts and comparing the LCG072-D to the LCR018-D, in size L/560. They’re so similar. Single digit mm difference on stack/reach, head tube angle about 1 degree difference,  chain stay 5mm longer on the LCG and wheelbase  18mm longer on the LCG (that’s the most significant difference). So I’m not so sure that these would ride all that differently on tarmac unless I’m underestimating the difference a handful of millimeters here and there can make. Am I off base?

Hi, the comparison I’m making, though, is between the LCR020-D and the LCG072-D (the LCR018-D is sort of a middle ground between the two—perhaps closer to the LCG072-D than the LCR020-D). 

What I don't like about the LCR020-D is the top tube being so straight/with very little slope...the rest of the geometry would work for me.

[jksu]

stack and reach isn't everything.  i mean it helps you figure out if you'll fit on the bike, but it doesn't tell you much about how it will handle.

i have a LCR018.  just got it last week and taken in on a couple of rides and it's a fantastic aero endurance bike, replacing a 11year old non-aero endurance rim brake bike.  i also have a litespeed flint gravel bike (titanium). 

just because their stack and reach of the LCR072 and LCR018 are close, doesn't mean they handle the same.  my old bike's geometry was more criterium road bike so super short chainstays, short wheelbase, steep head tube angle, small bb drop (to high center of gravity)...so accelerated quickly and could turn on a dime. 

so when i got the gravel bike, with 2.5 deg slacker hta, 8mm more bb drop, longer chainstays and wheelbase, it was super noticeable. i didn't like it at first, to be honest.  felt sluggish when taking tight corkscrew chicanes or twisty road descents, versus the dartier/quicker handling of the road bike  but i've gotten used to it and appreciate what it's good at now: much more stable on bumpier descents.

but if you're fairly new to cycling and/or can't feel or care about the difference, then go for it.  some people don't care... one person's "sluggish" is another person's "it handles fine."

you can't have everything....super quick handling and ability to fit 57mm wide tires... there's compromises to every frame design.  i see the attraction of one bike to do it all, but it means compromises.  if you're willing to accept them, you do get a roomier garage :-)

i came over here to learn more about the LCR072 since i love the LCR018 so much... but at 50c max tire clearance, i'll have to pass.  my current gravel bike's a great bike other than being a bit heavy and max's out at 50c tires. for the trails i ride, i'd like a bit more tire clearance.

hoping LC will come out with a LCR073 for 2027 with a bit more tire clearance.

Hmm, so I’m looking at the geo charts and comparing the LCG072-D to the LCR018-D, in size L/560. They’re so similar. Single digit mm difference on stack/reach, head tube angle about 1 degree difference,  chain stay 5mm longer on the LCG and wheelbase  18mm longer on the LCG (that’s the most significant difference). So I’m not so sure that these would ride all that differently on tarmac unless I’m underestimating the difference a handful of millimeters here and there can make. Am I off base?

[Ghengis-Chron]

i also have a litespeed flint gravel bike (titanium). 

Ok so my current bike is a GT grade comp which, even as far as gravel bikes go, has a hilariously long reach and wheelbase. And yes I would describe it as “sluggish”.

Seems like the GT Grade size M is 55mm longer wheelbase than your Litespeed in size L, which is 48mm longer in turn than the LCG072 in 56. lol. Huge difference. Similar story for chainstay length.

For reference I tried my friend’s Trek Domane (56) and it felt downright squirrelly compared to what I was used to, and I’m trying to triangulate how the LCG072 might feel on the spectrum of “boat-like gravel bike” to “Domane.” My impression is that the LCG072 will handle far closer to a road bike than the gravel bike I’m used to, or even than the Litespeed you’re used to, which I would consider a win for my application.

Any insight to offer there? Thanks in advance!

[jksu]

i think you’re good. everything is relative, so yes, i think you’d find the LCG072 quick and sporty.

Ok so my current bike is a GT grade comp which, even as far as gravel bikes go, has a hilariously long reach and wheelbase. And yes I would describe it as “sluggish”.

Seems like the GT Grade size M is 55mm longer wheelbase than your Litespeed in size L, which is 48mm longer in turn than the LCG072 in 56. lol. Huge difference. Similar story for chainstay length.

For reference I tried my friend’s Trek Domane (56) and it felt downright squirrelly compared to what I was used to, and I’m trying to triangulate how the LCG072 might feel on the spectrum of “boat-like gravel bike” to “Domane.” My impression is that the LCG072 will handle far closer to a road bike than the gravel bike I’m used to, or even than the Litespeed you’re used to, which I would consider a win for my application.

Any insight to offer there? Thanks in advance!

[fitnessodjuret]

Anyway, I've already got two wheelsets... one Elitewheels Drive (gen 1) 50D running Conti GP5K 32C for road duty and one Elitewheels Marvel G35 running Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H 45C for gravel duty. Idea would be to build this frame up with a GRX 2x12 Di2 groupset, british racing green custom paint, with brown saddle & bar tape. I've always lusted after that color combo.

Sounds really nice, good versatility with GRX 2x too and racing green is a sweet color for sure - saw some other people posting their 018-D's in that color, really nice. Cool idea to match it with the bartape and saddle, it's giving like retro luxury.

Also re: the fork, yeah I think it's a new design. I started a thread about this on the Chinese Carbon subreddit and someone mentioned that Lightcarbon did redesign the fork for even more clearance, but that's unverified info since few details about this frameset exist in the real world.

Took another look at the fork and yeah, it is much more "angular" at the bottom - sharper. Reminding me of the new orca aero that released a couple of days ago (GCN did a video on it). Now that I think about it, this frame is general is quite reminiscent of the orca aero regarding seat stays and "aero shape", not that I mind, I think the orca is quite a beautiful bike.

How would you build this one up?

I thought I had settled on a build - 2x mix of ltwoo R9 mech hydraulic with 105 cassette and chain, 40m deep carbon wheels from superteam with Conti 5k all season TR 35c (or similar).  But now that I might be able to rock 50's... Now I kind of really want to build it up be able to do some proper off road bikepacking.

I'm now thinking a 1x mullet setup with either SRAM AXS or ltwoo GRT 12x (I'm not sure how much I want to spend yet...) with a 42 upfront and 11-52 cassette. Maybe bigger upfront, not sure yet. Also get some gravel specific rims and run the absolute widest tires I can fit. How are you liking the Cinturatos?

Either way mine will be raw carbon glossy without decals but with accent colors on the bartape, saddle rails and bar ends - not sure however which color that will be yet. And also very importantly: it will be ordered with the separate bar stem solution from a previous model of LCR017 so that I can mount whatever 31.8 handlebars that I'd like (for aerobars and other gizmos) - don't ask me how much time I spend figuring out that this was an option/solution for my mounting problems.

Planning all of this is honestly so much fun.

EDIT: added handlebar hack info.

[fitnessodjuret]

Fork can not be delivered with mounting points. I asked for my 56cm. Only the toptube can have 2 mounting points

Thanks a bunch for that Konajra! All in all, not massively important. I'll still be able to get water bottles or something light on there if I really need the space. Also I suppose nothing stops me from changing the fork at some point should I actually feel the need to...(did someone say Temu suspension fork?)

Bento box mounting points are going on there though!

Cheers

[Ghengis-Chron]

How are you liking the Cinturatos?

Not that I have a ton of points of comparison, but the Cinturato gravel H in 45C had me embarrassingly overbiked on cat 1 and 2 gravel. Felt like riding a couch. Absolutely no issues with grip (obviously). What did surprise me about them is that they also felt significantly faster than my previous Gravelking SS+ in 38C on pavement. Shockingly quick!