Author Topic: New build bike  (Read 1311 times)

damned

New build bike
« on: July 23, 2026, 02:03:51 AM »
Hi guys!

I went back to proper training on my bike this year after competition during my teenage years
I got myself a Cannondale S6 and it’s coming back ! My best friend is joining me but he would need proper gear as he’s using my previous commuter rim brake CX. He’s 170 and very lightweight

I’m trying to help him on a 2k/3k budget and as I bought myself some XMCS 50mm 26mm IW that I love  + elilee crank-  I naturally though that Chinese frame / wheels / cockpit  would be the best for him at his budget.

I’m debating where to allocate the money

- Groupe 105 di2 around 700euros
- Tires, BB ,saddle, misc around 250€ looking for good offers/2nd hand

I was thinking about XMCS VRT, Winspace M6 Bundle (1610€, Quick pro ER:ONE
Those options don’t leave much margin and it would need to get entry price carbon wheels (400euros?)

lightcarbon could be an other option but it’s a bit more complicated to understand their offer. Their new coming LCR020 frame seems insane as well but not much really known at this stage or clear date/price
I’m even more lost with other brands

After checking the forum I’m thinking maybe, seraph x68, Speeder Cycling SC-R55D, Velobuild-2024-vb-r-268, Spcycle R065,
could be  good as well and keep the budget safe and allow top wheels. I’m not sure we ride fast enough for a need of a fully aero combo anyways at 30km/h average. From what I read the speeder cycling have very good feedback, so does the lightcarbon but I may be wrong.

What do you think and what would be your recommendation to help my friend : ) I also wonder  if he should get the same 26IW xmcs or some other a bit cheaper wheels could be enough and let him save some budget ? I still think he’d need 24-26

 

Serge_K

Re: New build bike
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2026, 04:12:28 AM »
Tavelo is the new winspace. i wouldn't get a winspace.

"very lightweight" --> https://www.velobuild.com/products/2023-vb-r-177-super-light-carbon-fiber-road-frame-disc-version-hidden-cables ?
It's not aero and the tyre clearance is modern enough but not future proof, but if you're very lightweight, shouldnt matter (as per Joe from Panda podium).
Check the (long) thread on it here, but value wise, hard to beat. And proven.

I also wouldnt buy a SPcycle because it's an aliexpress brand and you simply never know what you're buying, who you're buying from, and so on. For example, the ltwoo official store on aliexpress has nothing to do with ltwoo. I could open a store called the orange donald there, that wouldn't make me potus.

VRT for a beginner light guy sounds like a major overkill. You wouldnt willy nilly put beginners on a Cervelo S5, would you?
Quickpro also sounds an overkill, unless your friend has a significant athletic background or what not.

I bought a bunch of XMCS CS-R06 for a few beginner friends last year, they're all happy too (more recent release, but velobuild claims a higher grade of carbon used, and the 177 is extensively reviewed). I went w CS-R06 because of the higher tyre clearance, which you dont need (arguably) for someone very light.

If you save money on the frame, you could spend it on carbon spokes, for eg. light riders tend to like snap, and weight matters more to them as 100g saved for them is a bigger percentage of system mass. The downside of carbon spokes is aero (debatable) and comfort (irrelevant for lighter riders).

Dont skimp on tyres. I'd do TPU tubes + GP5000 because i wouldn't force tubeless on a beginner, and they perform almost as well (and it's cheaper).

Also, 170 is short, so think about crank length, bar width, and so on.

damned

Re: New build bike
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2026, 05:38:29 AM »
hey ! thanks a lot for your very interesting message!

yeah I'll think your right and flagship aero expensive frames are overkill. He is in good form and does sport already but yeah lets avoid an overkill ; ) knowing him I'm sure he's gonna be good in no time as he's good at running

thanks for the recommendation and inputs, after adding your recommendation and removing Seraph / a-cycle I guess it'd leave the list to
-vb-r-177
-Speeder Cycling SC-R55D
-Velobuild-2024-vb-r-268
-LightCarbon LCR018-D

I just saw the LongTeng LTK266-D-SL which seems lovely as well - I should stop looking around or the list will get too long haha

I think he'd like the design of the non 177 a bit more - what do you think of them? the 177 price point make it hard to beat I must say and less of a financial risk

I'll either give him a pair of 28mm powercup or recommend gp5k

for the crank I was thinking about an elilee 165 (or 160?) but it may be a bit overkill as well? with magene or similar power spider as he's started doing some intervals with me.

bar width ideally 360 when available in the frame bundle, 80/90mm stem tbc, I have some KEO2 pedals sitting in a box as well



« Last Edit: July 23, 2026, 06:35:14 AM by damned »

Serge_K

Re: New build bike
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2026, 02:27:04 PM »
My daily driver is a long teng so if you like a long teng model, I'd probably suggest that. But for velobuild, both models are good. It's just that I think various people commented on how stiff and responsive the 177 was (velobuild being entry level historically riding quality wasn't expected to be noteworthy, but the 177 sounded like a great frame). The other one is pretty much an SL6 from memory, and it had weird thru axles. Also a good frame, but maybe not as good.  The LC 18D killer feature is the tyre clearance which is probably irrelevant for your friend, and they can take forever to ship.
I always end up comparing stuff in a spreadsheet. Do factor in shipping time. Some of the models discussed on this forum currently do not really exist just yet. If your friend expects a bike this summer...

damned

Re: New build bike
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2026, 06:35:42 PM »
yeah it's more of a fall bike anyways, to find time to collect everything as well and get good deals, especially on the groupset !
I feel like  it'll be between the 2 velobuild. the speeder cycling seems very good but it's quite a bit more expensive and doesn't include handlebar so maybe not worth it, lightcarbon being very slow and not providing colours could be an issue.

i have to look more about long tent as well if you recommend them - how are they price wise?

Serge_K

Re: New build bike
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2026, 12:32:45 AM »
LT can be cheap, sometimes it isn't. Email Alisa. It's similar to VB, lower than LC, usually.

Marcello Casati

Re: New build bike
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2026, 03:18:08 AM »
I would also suggest the BXT SL-115.

Round seatpost, option for 0 mm setback
No pressfit BB
Nice paintjobs
Nice price

I had one, but the frame was too small for me and I will order a new one in size L.

I have also a frame from SPCycle - M05 and the quality is fair for the price.

yanko_mr

Re: New build bike
« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2026, 03:45:52 AM »
I have a good experience, limited but good with the Spcycle R088,

BSA Bottom BRacket
Available for Mechanical Groupset
32c clearance
EPS Mold
Light frame


damned

Re: New build bike
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2026, 04:26:06 AM »
thanks I'll have a look at those suggestions and email long teng as well! it's not for me but I'm getting very excited about this projets :  )