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Re: Velobuild VB-R-168 Frame
Pantone C color card. I can help you find closest color match to what you want but I need bright, good quality picture with colors visible. November 24, 2022, 01:24:06 PM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
Update on eBay chain (Ultegra spec) that I got at $17 earlier this week. While it was in transit, I went ahead and got the same HG701 from REI too just to compare the two. Here are some observations with regards to packaging - slight difference in font type face in some places, font size on the rear of the box and texture of the overall packaging is a little shiny on eBay one v/s matte on the REI one. Biggest two difference that I can see are 1) inner transparent plastic sheath that wraps the chain. The eBay chain had masterlink and rest of the chain all packed together, while REI one came with a neat little separate pouch for masterlink and another for actual chain. 2) eBay chain can only be had in 116 link length while REI's came with 126 links. Apart from that, it is VERY hard to distinguish the actual chains from one another - both came with slight lubrication, markings are all correct, even the master links are exactly same not to mention the weights. I honestly don't know what to make of the eBay chain. For reference eBay chain came in at $17 + tax while REI was $40 + tax. November 27, 2022, 11:57:51 AM |
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Re: ZRace Disc Brakes
I too am currently looking at this or Zrace pair and interestingly only the black pair of Onirii has free shipping every other color and combination has paid shipping while everything from Zrace has paid shipping. I like the Zrace logo over Onirii but Zrace doesn't have silver/chrome option. Decisions decisions! My Onirii brakes were (finally) delivered on Friday after spending 10 days in California. First impressions are good. The machining looks good, no obvious sharp edges or oil leaks. Interestingly, they are marked IIIPro on the inner side of the calipers. So may be these two are the same companies? Have installed them on my build but only rode the bike in our little cul-de-sac. I will report how they work, soon! November 27, 2022, 12:05:24 PM |
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Re: ZRace Disc Brakes
For best break power make sure to try alternative break pads, that improved braking power on mine... close to my Juintech F1's. I have ordered semi metallic ones. Any other suggestions? November 28, 2022, 11:16:17 AM |
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Re: Velobuild GF-002
My GF-002 build is complete. Some observations: 1. The painting of the frame took 2 weeks like Chris said. After it was painted, though, the shipping was fast. From China to my doorstep in Seattle it took exact 5 days. 2. Paint quality itself is satisfactory. The paint matches 90-95% with what I had in mind and has no obvious flaws that I could notice. All the screw/bolt holes were devoid of any paint and didn't have to clean anything. 3. Bottom bracket was not included in the box. Chris sent it after about a week. I decided not to use it anyway and got Token Ninja thread together model off of Amazon for $50. 4. I went with separate stem and handlebar combo thinking that it would be easier to route cables - big mistake. The internal cable routing was a nightmare. It was my first bike build so experience was lacking too but in the hindsight I should have just bought integrated handlebar. I am sure it couldn't be any more difficult than what I went through. On top, the frame came without any cable guides. Anyway, lesson learnt. Also the compression-less SRAM brake cables caused more friction once I routed the cables than the cheapo cables that I got from LBS in the end. After multiple attempts at making SRAM cables work I gave up. So much time wasted and no returns, not to mention extremely hard to route. All the cables currently are moving freely without much friction and I am happy. 5. Apart from missing BB, rest of my order was complete with nothing missing. I got extra headset spacers, RD hangar, bottle cages. 6. The headset dust cap needed to be filed a little on the inside (previous few comments in this thread, for more detail) before it fit flush. 7. For my 183cm height, the seat tube is almost too tall. I have set it to lowest marking (10) and it is still a tad bit tall. My frame is size L. 8. The rear triangle of the frame does not accommodate post mount TRP HY/RD brakes with flat mount adapters. I learnt that the hard way. I don't think it is a problem on VB' side though. The TRPs are massive. They came off of my donor bike and I was disappointed that they did not fit. This caused me to order Onirii BR-05 set that took almost 20 days to deliver! Word of caution, if you are planning on using PM brakes with FM adapter, those either might not fit or will be too close to upper arm of the triangle for comfort. 9. The FD cable routing is confusing and the parts supplied by VB aren't a good fit. I used rubber grommets from a local h/w store to route FD cable to my liking. 10. No torque markings on any screws. I referred to my other CF bike for all the screws and used a torque wrench bought from Amazon. 11. Didn't want to risk anything and used carbon paste on seat post, handlebar/stem. 12. Token Ninja BB is a god sent gift. The fit is excellent and installation was a breeze. Took almost a month but that's a blame on my part for not ordering right parts from get go, with those damn brakes taking frustratingly long time. Unlike most builds here, it is a mechanical build with parts that came off of a donor bike. Parts that did not come from donor were bought from Craigslist, OfferUp etc while brakes, misc. bits and pieces came from AliExpress. And now the pictures from maiden ride today. It rides amazingly well. For my novice hands, the way it came together in the end, makes me proud. November 28, 2022, 08:03:04 PM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
#9 looks like dust cap. All your headset spacers will go on top of it November 29, 2022, 11:14:32 AM |
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Re: Velobuild GF-002
Nice one! What frame size is this one? I got size 56. Didn't measure if it's actually 56 though  in place of sizing sticker I have an evil cat.
November 29, 2022, 11:15:31 AM |
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Re: ZRace Disc Brakes
We should compile a list of sellers who ship items fast. I've received items from Ali that come faster than items I purchase domestically from Ebay. You are lucky! The only overseas item that came to me faster than domestic shipping are ones sent by Japanese camera equipment sellers on eBay (MAP camera for example). But yes, a list like that would be helpful. On Aliex, the fastest shipping I had was from Zrace for rotors. I wish I had ordered the whole caliper, rotor, pad package from them in one go instead of Onirii. On second position, Rockbros and IIIPro. November 30, 2022, 01:22:00 PM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-168 Frame
What’s the length of your screws? And do they have locking nut on the other end? If they have a lock nut on other side : https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804291572936.html These are 18mm and I wasn’t able to find shorter than that + lock nut combination. Somewhat expensive so order only if length maches. If you don’t have lock nut, then measure the length and order from many available on Aliexpress. Most probably M5x20 or 25. Many choices in those. Like these : https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832788031257.html Edit, these are for headset/stem only. December 02, 2022, 12:56:32 PM |
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Re: ZRace Disc Brakes
Back to BR-05 brakes, have ridden the bike in snow+rain for about 100 miles since installation and brakes are getting better. Definitely needed longer than expected for them to settle in but good bite and reasonable modulation control. I’m on default pads they came in. The rear squeals when wet but front doesn’t. All in all, pretty good performance. I’m sure in dry, summery conditions they would be even better. Rear is 140mm rotor, have ordered 160mm (Zrace) to match the front. December 02, 2022, 01:36:44 PM |
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