Lightcarbon LCR020 35c clearance aero frame

[Samuel BMR]

Ok so the design is VERY similar to XMCS AERYS

The LC has more tire clearance and is half the price basically? Heavier maybe?

[Leon1234]

Hopefully they release it with the upcoming Eurobike or something like that. Does anyone know if Lightcarbon does custom logos?

[Rolle2k]

Hopefully they release it with the upcoming Eurobike or something like that. Does anyone know if Lightcarbon does custom logos?

they do, for a cost.

[tjebakka]

Ok so the design is VERY similar to XMCS AERYS

The LC has more tire clearance and is half the price basically? Heavier maybe?

Both 35c. Biggest difference is seatpost angle.

[Swatt]

I emailed LightCarbon for info about a wheelset and also asked about the LCR020.

They replied that "All 7 sizes should be ready by the end of the year". They confirmed 1100g for the 54cm frame.
The price should be around 799$ including fork, seatpost and HBR17 handlebar.

So we are basically looking at half the price of XMCS and less than half the price of QuickPro or Tavelo.

Most of that price difference (I suppose) is given by the fact that it is a standard frame construction rather than a monocoque construction (XMCS). Another big difference I suppose is in the amount of high modulus fiber (that is the reason for the higher weight) and in the refinement of the layup (again another reason for higher weight). In terms of stiffness and riding quality, actually, the frame might be relatively close to the other ones (XMCS, QuickPro, ...) since more weight implies more material, therefore a thicker lower modulus carbon fiber frame might end up really similar in stiffness to a high modulus frame with thinner walls for weight reduction.

This kind of approach, as far as I remember, is the same chosen from Merida for the latest Reacto. CF3 is lower modulus, CF5 is the high modulus frame...but the CF3 layup was engineered to give the same stiffness and ride quality of CF5 (at a higher weight). Interestingly, Merida claims about 1185g for the Reacto CF3 frame (which is quite close to LCR020 declared weight).

I am really looking forward to buy my first aero bike (currently riding titanium) and I cannot decide what to do. The Merida Reacto here in Europe can be bought for about 2800-2900€ (I am referring to 105 Di2 setup and alloy wheels, to be replaced with wheels from some chinese brand), QuickPro/Tavelo/XMCS are relatively expensive (frameset + groupset is very close to Reacto's cost) and the LCR020 will still take some time to reach the market...

[meysow]

Most of that price difference (I suppose) is given by the fact that it is a standard frame construction rather than a monocoque construction (XMCS). Another big difference I suppose is in the amount of high modulus fiber (that is the reason for the higher weight) and in the refinement of the layup (again another reason for higher weight).

I think that's an interesting question, though we shall never get a proper answer. The quality will obviously be better with the XMCS, but since it will be two times more expensive, will it be two times better? (What does that would even mean?)

Concerning the ride quality, there is very little chance anyone will own both and do a comparative review unfortunalty, but my take is, for most riders, I'd bet that we wouldn't even notice the difference (just like there are few people that would notice the diff between CF5 and CF5?)

In definitive, I'd say it's a matter of taste, they are both good looking and (most likely) potent frame, way cheaper than what the west is offering (first hand), so you can't really go wrong I'd say.

[bsharp77]

Peter has been discounting heavily the gran tourismo frameset. Might tick enough boxes for you?
I might buy the upcoming LC20 myself for me / friends for next season.

I see the GT is reduced to $1200 - have you seen it any lower than that Serge?
Considering the frame comes in around 900g I will keep it in mind - it would be like an upgraded LCR018-D…could be built into a very light bike and would be great for massive climbing days - low weight and no need to riser bars to get a very comfortable position. Just not a fan of that damn saddle clamp :-(

[Ultramic]

Are they no longer packaging this with y shaped riser handlebar shown on the prototype and replaced this with the HBR17 ?

[Serge_K]

The quality will obviously be better with the XMCS

Obviously? Why?

[JensenMacD]

Are they no longer packaging this with y shaped riser handlebar shown on the prototype and replaced this with the HBR17 ?

I am just guessing but I think it may be a bit before that is available. I read somewhere the HBR18, gravel HBR17 with slightly different specs, will be available towards the end of July and that is located in their 2026-2027 catalogue. The riser bar is not even in their catalogue. I imagine it will come but still a ways out.

[k0M_hUnter]

There is a V2 of that initial catalogue with few changes (BB area , seat stays)
Geometry is identical
One more change (probably) is the:

V1: Disc Brake: Flat Mount,160mm/160mm
V2: Disc Brake: Flat Mount,140mm/160mm

V1: https://de.lightcarbon.com/uploadfile/downloads/2026-2027%20LightCarbon%20Frame+Component%20Catalog%20-V1.pdf
V2: https://de.lightcarbon.com/uploadfile/downloads/2026-2027%20LightCarbon%20Frame+Component%20Catalog%20-V2.pdf

[meysow]

Obviously? Why?

the "obviously" should prolly have been a "most likely" to reflect the fact that I don't really know but I'm projecting the fact that it is considering these few factors:

Peter's is known on this forum to be quality driven in his business and most of the reviews on the gran tourismo are great (seatpost clamp aside, which, if my understanding is good, is a system problem, not a frame quality's one).
Pat seems to have liked the new frame while testing it.
It is lighter for roughly the same shape therefore I conclude the materials used are higher quality.
There are likely more R&D on the XMCS side, as shown with the wind tunnel testing as an example.
And finally I'd say brand positioning (and price sort of),  XMCS is now targeting a premium segment and can't get away with "good enough" frames if they want to maintain the reputation that brings them clients.

Though as I said, whether the average rider would actually feel any of that on the road is another question entirely.

[Sakizashi]

The LTK 266D-SL is also a one-piece, so while there is extra cost, that is unlikely to be the only thing that makes up the price difference.

Quality is also something that needs careful consideration. It can mean many different things, and some shapes are easier to make than others. It should be relatively easy to achieve high-quality external and internal finishes on a bike like the 266D-SL, which has few sharp corners. It's a lot harder to do on something like the XMCS VRT. That XMCS looks like it has stuff going on inside the frame to try and address some of the challenges of production. I suspect that, between being made in two pieces and the reduction of sharp corners, the cost to produce/QC failure rate for LC might be lower without needing the internal structures

[Ultramic]

It's good to see they have filled up the area above the bottom bracket on the v2. My other wish is that they make a deeper fork.

[GravelMaxxer]

I emailed LightCarbon for info about a wheelset and also asked about the LCR020.

They replied that "All 7 sizes should be ready by the end of the year"..

Is this the first mention of 7 sizes being made? I saw only 5 in their catalog. I’m wondering what sizes that will be and if they have a geometry chart for the extra 2 aswell. Anyone got more info on this?