Chinertown
Chinese Carbon Road Bikes => Cyclocross Frames, Wheels & Components => Topic started by: Changebiker on May 16, 2025, 04:12:06 PM
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My frame from Taiwan arrived - and to build a gravel bike from it, I'm looking for parts suggestions for pretty much everything else.
It's a bit of a 'special' frame, as I'm needing a foldable bike for short, overcrowded train rides to get out into the countryside.
As I ride a Brompton as a city bike, that's the way to go.
As there's little choice in full sized, foldable gravel bikes, the foldable MTB frame was my choice in the end.
https://www.changebike.com/change-mountain-folding-frame-df-933b
Here's a geometry comparison between a gravel bike that fit me well when riding (Rose Backroad AL 2024 size 53 haven't tried the 2025 one yet: https://www.rosebikes.com/rose-backroad-al-grx-rx400-2715780) and the measurements from an existing gravel conversion from that folding frame (flatbike in the US does that https://flatbike.com/product/folding-gravel-bike).
https://www.bike-stats.de/geometrie_vergleich?Bike1=Changebike_Flatbike%20Road%20Warrior_2024_17&Bike2=Rose_Backroad%20AL_2024_53
Not the ideal gravel geometry, but I want to get as close as I can to the Backroad - with your help!
As this is my first build (apart from several Bromptons), I have little to no preset parts in mind - and am looking for suggestions from the community.
For the intended usage:
Terrain: mostly flat (thinking 1x gearing), mix of tarmac, dirt roads and moderate single trails. I like the switch of being able to speed a bit on the road, woke being able to go considerably offroad in one and the same tour - and the frame allows for massive tire clearance.
Possibly with more altitudes to come, so an upgrade/switch to 2x at some point without swapping the whole transmission would be nice to have, but not fundamental.
Riding/trips: 75kg person, mainly from single day outings to weekend overnighters to occasional longer trips. A fork with mounting points would be nice.
Budget: On one hand, I don't need to be cheap if it comes with considerable concessions for the riding experience that bug you, everyone you get on the bike. On the other hand, I am a big fan of good deals, value for money and the 80/20 rule.
Plus - I have little prior gravel experience, so it's hard to estimate what really suits my likings in practice, so it might be smart to not splurge like die parts you're super certain about, especially geometry wise.
Also, I'm not good at talking extraordinary care of bikes - and am happy if things just work for long time - without being pampered - or can be easily and affordably replaced.
other: I'd like a lightweight build - without breaking the bank for the very last possible Milligramm (80/20 rule striking again). Especially since the frame itself is not the lightest already. E.g. I'm not sure about carbon wheelsets for example, possibly also due to my scepticism regarding disability/lifespan.
Don't know what else could be helpful for context, let me know if I'm forgetting something fundamental.
TLDR:
Long story short, I need all parts - from the geometry related ones, fork, seatpost, handlebar etc. to the big parts like groupset and wheels - to all the small and tiny ones.
Let me know your suggestions and picks for all and everything - I would love to learn and understand your thinking and choices!
Here's a list of the given standards the frame is using:
Bottom Bracket Shell 68mm (BSA)
Head Tube / Headset: Semi-integrated，Top：1-1/8"，Bottom：1.5"
Rear Dropouts / Axle Type: QR 135mm
Brake Mounts: IS mount
Front Derailleur Mount: Clamp
Seatpost Diameter: 31.6mm
Derailleur Hanger: Standard
Brake rotor size compatibility: 160mm
Tire Clearance max.: 27.5*2.1