Airwolf YFR039/Tantan FM231/Mondice road frame

[adam900710]

Hi,

Just received the new frame, initially planned to replace my current LTK-266D-SL.
And it looks like LTK266D-SL will stay. Or I may just give up and buy an Aethos 1 frameset.

There are several frames with the exact geometric along with the same weight/price tag:

• Airwolf YFR039

https://airwolfcarbonbike.com/product/airwolf-yfr039-t1200-full-carbon-endurance-road-bike-frame-light-weight-disc-brake-frame-only-940g-frame-with-fork-46-49-52-54-56-58cm/

Priced 569USD, which is around 3870RMB, which includes a stembar.

• Seraph/Tantan FM231

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=889630908221

Priced 3000 RMB, without a stembar.

• Mondice one, without model number

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=847574467784

Priced 3350 RMB, without a stembar.

The one I chose, and seems to be the worst one, not only for the higher price.

Firstly, the generic spec:

• Weight: Claimed 850g for 49, weighted 864g for my 49
• Tyre clearance: 32mm claimed
• Rear derailleur hanger: UDH, 1.0 pitch
• BB: T47 86.5mm
• Cable routing: fully integrated, aka through the upper headset bearing
• Headset spec: FSA No055
• FD compatibility: Shimano and some Sensah FD only

The FD compatibility is mentioned on both Mondice and Tantan/Seraph taobao pages.


The weight is not that good but not too bad either.

Haven't yet cut the steering tube/seatpost, but the full frameset (everything like thru-axles included, with a 9mm alloy stem) it's around 1750g, which is around 100g heavier than my CRF51/Bigrock.
But that's just 100g, and I believe real weight weenies will find ways to cut that 100g off.

Secondly, the BB is T47-86, I guess a lot of people have already scratched their frame trying to remove the BB once.
Thankfully this frame doesn't take full use of the width, so it has a lower chance to scratch the paint, but still easy to slip the flange.
Parktool BBT-RS is still strongly recommended for any T47-86 BB.

Finally, the worst part of the customization.
I have told the seller to fill the mechanical FD exit, guess what? They filled the drain hole, but leaving the mechanical FD exit open.
What an idiot that filled the drain hole?!

Especially you can still see the drain hole opening inside the frame, but filled the outside with putty. I believe I need to manually drill a hole to undo the stupid "customization".

Overall, I believe I just wasted over 4000 RMB (3350 RMB price, 335 Aussie GST, 300+RMB shipping by sea), meanwhile I should just go back to the tried-and-true CRF51.

[adam900710]

Forgot to mention, the frame is not using EPS. The Mondince taobao page mentioned only PU is used for the head tube and BB area.

Through the headtube, I have already see some excessive resin between top-tube and down-tube.

I guess that's also why the weight is not that good, but still, just within 100g of those 730g claimed framesets, thus I'm not that dissatisfied.

[Dark17]

just get directly from longteng

[Takiyaki]

As for the frame, really interesting. I have an FM639 which I kind of feel like is the spiritual successor to this frame, but it solves a LOT of my extremely specific gripes:

- Pretty aggressive fit- way more TT/reach than the typical work frame
- Good tire clearance finally. I can't run anything wider than 28c in the back
- Weight is OK but not great. Fine for the price I guess
- SL7 style head tube should help a good bit with aero

Good to see Tantan moving into more original designs. This is a kind of weird frame, but I wish it were available when I did my FM639 build.

[adam900710]

As for the frame, really interesting. I have an FM639 which I kind of feel like is the spiritual successor to this frame, but it solves a LOT of my extremely specific gripes:

- Pretty aggressive fit- way more TT/reach than the typical work frame
- Good tire clearance finally. I can't run anything wider than 28c in the back
- Weight is OK but not great. Fine for the price I guess
- SL7 style head tube should help a good bit with aero

Good to see Tantan moving into more original designs. This is a kind of weird frame, but I wish it were available when I did my FM639 build.

Yep, the geometric is pretty aggressive for sure. Just compared to my LTK 266 size S, it has similar reach but much lower headtube.

Tire clearance I think it's good enough, I won't jump to the 35mm tyre ship anytime soon, so it can last several years I guess.

A 32mm VAM tyre fitted, and a 5mm hex key can pass (slightly touching the tyre). So the claim of 32mm clearance seems to stand.


The sell points, to me at least, are:

- Round 27.2 seatpost
  Much better compatibility, and easier to replace when you got a creaking one.

- Common 31.8mm seatpost clamp
  Other than less common 30mm ones from CRF51/bigrock.

- UDH
  I do not like the 1.0 pitch from the official UDH spec, but there are tons of 1.5 pitch ones.
  And finally I do not need to spending tons of time finding a direct mount hanger for a specific frame.

- No molded FD cable exit
  Even not properly filled, the FD cable exit is pretty hidden already. And rubber plug installed already.

[Takiyaki]

I'm legit torn between this and that 266D SL. I'm leaning towards the Long Teng for more tire clearance. I can just get a longer stem