Chinertown
Chinese Carbon MTB => 29er => Topic started by: Kommandant33 on May 02, 2024, 02:30:15 AM
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Well, my wonderful child has just turned 12, and having 2 parents over 6' - she has been growing like a weed.
She currently rides a Polygon Cleo 2 in XS that she got for her 8th birthday which has rapidly become too small for her.
After joining this forum, lurking and looking at AliExpress I thought it would be a good opportunity to use the collective knowledge of the forums and build my daughter a lightweight Chinese carbon bike!
My goal is pretty simple - I want to build a 29er bike that will last a good few years, and I want to to be as light (or lighter) than her current bike (XS frame, 27.5" wheels), I want it to be comfortable and capable on suburban streets, but I also want her to be able to to come riding with me on the MTB trails.
So I have started making purchases, and should hopefully have it ready to ride in a month or so.
Frame
I have gone with the Carbonda FM1306a.
I had sent an email to Wing last year enquiring about one of these frames for myself - but heard nothing back - that is when I found out that the emails had most likely ended up in my junk mail! Wing has been an absolute dream to deal with, super quick with replies, very detailed and helpful.
The frame ended up costing a bit more than I had hoped (US$230 shipping is a hard pill to swallow), and I also paid extra for the chameleon paint scheme as my daughter had requested it.
Fork
I was lucky to snap up a second hand RockShox SID off Facebook marketplace for AU$450. It was un-used, and taken off a 2024 Giant Anthem Advanced 29 3.
Wheels
I bought some EliteWheels off AliExpress - I will add more details later.
Brakes
ZTTO MTB Team Brakes in Silver and Gold.
I will update this post over the coming days with more information - been stuck busy at work...
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That’s my kind of dad! Nice built sheet, she will surely enjoy it!
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Great! Let us know your feedback on EliteWheels from aliexpress
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Love it! I recently built a Carbonda FM1001 for my wife. Your daughter is lucky!
If it's not too big for her: the Elita1 Specialized Power clone is an amazing deal. <120g for the saddle, padded, costs about $20-25. I also had good luck with Toseek carbon handlebars.
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Love it! I recently built a Carbonda FM1001 for my wife. Your daughter is lucky!
...Elita1 Specialized Power clone...
Do you have the link around ?
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ELITA ONE Carbon Saddle MTB/Road Bike saddle Super Light Leather Carbon Cushions 96g
https://a.aliexpress.com/_Exam3oT
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ELITA ONE Carbon Saddle MTB/Road Bike saddle Super Light Leather Carbon Cushions 96g
https://a.aliexpress.com/_Exam3oT
Interestingly, the saddles at your link are about 60% cheaper than where I've been buying them for years: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32808616991.html
At first, I couldn't spot any differences, as the shop has the same name.
Now, I'm wondering which one is the official store? ;D
On my link, they provide excellent communication and replacements in case of a faulty product
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I may have started the thread a bit too early - it's not as exciting talking about new toys when they still haven't left mainland China...
BUT in other news, the forks arrived today - Rock Shox SID 110mm travel with remote lockout. $450AUD ($297.30USD).
Now all I need - and any help would be appreciated:
Drivetrain - 12 speed shimano preferred - any deals on Ali worth looking at? BB, Cranks, shifter, derailleur..
Seat post - Rigid to begin with, probably eventually move to a dropper post when she gets a bit taller.
Seat post clamp?
Saddle - something comfortable and light would be best!
FM-160PM adapter for the back brake
Stem and handlebar.
And I think that would be everything!
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i just paid 65 for a deore 12 speed group set. this was shifter, derailleur, chain and cassette. i have found that the cost difference between SLX and XT is pretty minimal so i usually always go XT with my builds. A full group set can be had for $200-$300 USD normally.
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For the seat post - Elita 1 again - pretty cheap and light.
If you want to save $ on the group, I would buy a nicer shifter and a cheaper derailleur, as the shifter determines the shift quality more.
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This morning I ordered pretty much the rest of the gear needed to get up and running:
Shimano Deore M6100 12 speed groupset.
Elita One Carbon Seat Post
Toseek ST006 MTB stem
Toseek MTB Carbon Handlebar
Lexon Ultralight Bicycle Seat post clamp
Kocevlo SM-MA-F160 flat mount to post mount brake adapter 160mm
Ryet 3d Ptinted bicycle saddle
Still to get:
Tires, pedals + grips. And any incidental things that I may have forgotten...
In other news - the brakes arrived today! Packaging was OK, the brakes themselves look fine.
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In other news - the brakes arrived today! Packaging was OK, the brakes themselves look fine.
I was using those brakes before swapping them with the Lewis LV4. Pretty good brakes but I think they work better with 2.3mm thick rotors ;). I paired mine with Godridge braided hoses just for looks back then ;D.
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I was using those brakes before swapping them with the Lewis LV4. Pretty good brakes but I think they work better with 2.3mm thick rotors ;). I paired mine with Godridge braided hoses just for looks back then ;D.
Nice - I hadn't seen those braided cables before!
I am a little concerned that my daughters smaller hands won't have a good grip on the lever... I will have to see what they are like on the bike.
How are the Lewis LV4? I was looking at getting them, but they were just a bit too pricey for something that doesn't have a strong warranty here in Australia.
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Nice - I hadn't seen those braided cables before!
Those are the same braided hose Hope and Trickstuff use for their brakes :D.
How are the Lewis LV4? I was looking at getting them, but they were just a bit too pricey for something that doesn't have a strong warranty here in Australia.
They are pretty amazing for the price. There is plenty of power and the build quality is top notch, nicest brake I ever used.
I got mine on Lewis's official shop on Taobao using an intermediary service called Superbuy and I spent like $270 in total with shipping but if I have an issue with them, I'm pretty much on my own though.
My bike was stolen in January and i ordered a set again but for the new bike i'm currently building.
Lewis also sell a cheaper versions of vertical brakes called CL2V (2 pistons) and CL4V (for pistons) but only in China as far as i know. Those are actual copies of the Piccola with the alu levers and prices are $164 for the CL2V and $192 for the CL4V on Taobao ;D.
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Wing has just emailed through a image of the frame, the paint job looks fantastic and I can't wait to see it in the flesh!
For an idea of the timeline:
First email to Wing - 26/04
Payment made - 27/04
A couple of technical questions in emails between then.
Photos of frame sent - 11/05
I will let you all know when the frame arrives with me and ready to build!
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Wing has just emailed through a image of the frame, the paint job looks fantastic and I can't wait to see it in the flesh!
For an idea of the timeline:
First email to Wing - 26/04
Payment made - 27/04
A couple of technical questions in emails between then.
Photos of frame sent - 11/05
I will let you all know when the frame arrives with me and ready to build!
How much was the frame??
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How much was the frame??
This is all in USD:
FM1306A-SL : $560
Headset :$15
Rear axle : $ 15
Extra rear derailleur hangers: $8ea
(One is included with the accessories and one is mounted on the frame.)
Chameleon paint: $125
Shipping cost(1 set of frame in one box):$ 230 + $50 if you live rural/remote (I am near the city so didn't need to pay)
All up I paid US$995. A fair bit more than I wanted to spend - but I was more interested in paying more for a reputable manufacturer.
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This is the hard part - the waiting game!
Wing has emailed to let me know the tracking will be available soon.
I have a few other orders on their way from AliEx:
Shimano Deore 12 speed drive train
ZTTO Carbon Headset Washer Stem Spacers (not sure if needed, but one of those things that will be handy to keep in the spares bin)
Toseek Handlebars
Lexon 3d printed seat
Toseek ST006 MTB Stem
Lexon seat post clamp
Elita One seat post
Kocevlo Flat mount to post mount adapter.
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The wheels arrived today - I am stuck at work, but managed to un box them and weigh them only to box them back up so my daughter can unbox them after school :D
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The wheels arrived today - I am stuck at work, but managed to un box them and weigh them only to box them back up so my daughter can unbox them after school :D
Good! Add some details, impression on the wheelset; thanks!
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Good! Add some details, impression on the wheelset; thanks!
I will update once on the bike and built up, but so far:
They feel very light. Again, once I get some rubber, cassette and rotors on there, I will have more of a realistic understanding.
Build quality so far seems nice, nice finish, hubs feel nice and have a good sound to them.
Keep an eye on this thread for more to come :)
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The frame is out for delivery! It will be a long wait for my daughter to get home from school to unbox it...
In other news, we have been doing bits and pieces whilst waiting for the frame:
Most parts have now arrived, just need grips and pedals - and then any incidentals that may pop up during the build.
Set the wheels up tubeless - got some Vittoria Barzo tires on sale. 2.25 up front, and 2.1 on the back.
Not 100% sold on the disks - we will have to see how they perform.
And had to do a test fit of the tire and wheel on the fork... can you tell we can't wait for the frame to arrive?
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I got excited when I saw the delivery man... but I am getting too many deliveries at the moment!
Ride Wrap for the frame and fork :)
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Well, the build is complete!
It was very straight forward for my first full bike build.
There are a couple of things that I will need to change: the 1 x 12 groupset came with a 30t front ring, which just is not big enough for the wide range 12 speed. We don't live in a hilly area, so the bigger rear cogs aren't getting used at all. I will change it to a 34t - unless anyone has any suggestions?
The brakes are big and bulky - they look lovely, but the rear caliper only JUST fits, pressing up against the frame. I might get a mixed set of brakes - 2 pot on the back, 4 pot on the front like the magura trail sport, OR a custom order from Lewis bike.
The current weight is, and I will remind you this was not a weight weenie build, comes in at 9.86kg (the aim was to be lighter than her old, smaller 27.5" wheeled bike that was just over 12kg)
I will reply when I get some more time with the final costs (spoiler: it was significant, but still half that of a similar build from a boutique brand)
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Wow. that looks really great. More importantly, how does it ride and does she love it?
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In other news - the brakes arrived today! Packaging was OK, the brakes themselves look fine.
The brakes are big and bulky - they look lovely, but the rear caliper only JUST fits, pressing up against the frame. I might get a mixed set of brakes - 2 pot on the back, 4 pot on the front like the magura trail sport, OR a custom order from Lewis bike.
Regarding the ZTTO Team brakes - our hands have been forced. It seems a seal has busted in the rear caliper, and oil has contaminated the pads, the rotor and we need a full bleed done. I will take these brakes off and install some XT 2 pot brakes and Shimano Ice Tech rotors. I really should have gone with quality brakes from the beginning.
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Those are the same braided hose Hope and Trickstuff use for their brakes :D.
They are pretty amazing for the price. There is plenty of power and the build quality is top notch, nicest brake I ever used.
I got mine on Lewis's official shop on Taobao using an intermediary service called Superbuy and I spent like $270 in total with shipping but if I have an issue with them, I'm pretty much on my own though.
My bike was stolen in January and i ordered a set again but for the new bike i'm currently building.
Lewis also sell a cheaper versions of vertical brakes called CL2V (2 pistons) and CL4V (for pistons) but only in China as far as i know. Those are actual copies of the Piccola with the alu levers and prices are $164 for the CL2V and $192 for the CL4V on Taobao ;D.
I never got the Lewis Brakes. I did try the IIIPRO versions of these and they were a big disappointment from the feel to the amount of braking force. Bled them a few times but passed them on for free in the end. I used them on a weight weenie build and they looked sexy, too.
Are those prices you quoted per brake of for each set? F+R?
thanks JAKE
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I never got the Lewis Brakes. I did try the IIIPRO versions of these and they were a big disappointment from the feel to the amount of braking force. Bled them a few times but passed them on for free in the end. I used them on a weight weenie build and they looked sexy, too.
I still have the ZRace version of the 4 pistons calipers paired with Deore XT levers. It's more powerful than the 2 pistons XT that i was using before, but the metal is pretty soft in my opinion...
I could feel the calipers expanding in my hands when pressing the levers. Some people noticed this on the MTBR forum as well and apparently it's worse on the 2 piston model.
Are those prices you quoted per brake of for each set? F+R?
Paid that for a pair of LV4 (so front + rear) but i got them on Taobao with an agent (so probably no warranty for me). You can also get them on their official website but they're more expensive there (at least $339)...
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I have been meaning to tally up how much this bike ended up costing.
Although comparable bikes would cost nearly twice as much, this is a LOT of bike for a 12 year old. That being said, she does love it.
Would I build another Chinese carbon bike? It depends. The bike market has come back down to earth now post COVID, and the value of building your own bike vs buying a commercially available bike with full manufacturer warranty is negligible.
All that being said, there is a certain pride when it comes to seeing the bike you built vs the bike you bought.
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Would I build another Chinese carbon bike? It depends. The bike market has come back down to earth now post COVID, and the value of building your own bike vs buying a commercially available bike with full manufacturer warranty is negligible.
I don't think i'll ever got a bike from a name brand again... Maybe a frameset but not a full bike ;D.
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Great build!
Can I ask if you have yet tested the wheels and which model of SLR (rim specs) have you bought?
thnks
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Great build!
Can I ask if you have yet tested the wheels and which model of SLR (rim specs) have you bought?
thnks
We bought the wheels off AliExpress - which is relevant because there is a difference between the EliteWheels website and their Ali site.
We got the SLR-MTB 29er, and due to manufacturing delays on the 25mm rims, we ended up opting for 29mm rims and got:
XC33 29" Rim, pillar spokes and nipples 12 speed MS.
The only issue was the cassette didn't line up very nicely the first time I mounted it and it felt like the threads were starting to fail, the aluminium used in manufacturing didn't feel as strong if that makes sense. The same thing happened with my set of gravel wheels and the centrelock brakes.
All in all you can't beat the value for money for these wheels.