Chinertown
Chinese Carbon MTB => 26er & 27.5 (650b) => Topic started by: JoBru on June 24, 2025, 02:32:43 AM
-
Hi everyone,
I just registered here to share and exchange some experiences while doing my first Chinese Carbon build.
I'm not new to bike building in general but this will be the first non-brand built.
So what's the plan?
I have a super nice lightweight 27,5 Wheelset laying around and was thinking about building a really light rigid MTB out of it. I'm going to use mostly parts of the spares I got on hand and cheap but well known AliExpress parts. That said it might be some mix'n'match at some point...
Let's talk about parts:
FRAME
Meinier Snake (Size L) + Meinier internal routed rigid fork (29er frame, so wish me luck with avoiding pedalstrikes) -> 2012g incl. Axles and Headset
T47 Bottom Bracket -> 110g
DRIVETRAIN
Cranks 175mm XX1 Quarq -> 358g
Shifter and derailleur M8100 -> 399g
34t Alugear oval 0mm offset -> 63g
KMC X12 Chain -> 277g
Ztto SLR3 12s 9-46T Casette -> 280g
WHEELSET
Custom PiRope with Newmen Fade hubs and 27,5 SL-X. A. rims (IW25 rear + IW30 front)
Complete weight for the set incl. Brake Discs, valves, tubeless tape - > 1440g(!)
TIRES
Conti RaceKing/XKing 27,5x2,2 - > 1116g
BRAKES
IIIPro Peerage 4Piston -> 442g
ERGONOMICS
RYET VISR integrated Stem/Handlebar - > 310g
Limotec A1 170mm Dropper with remote lever and cable -> 742g
Ryet carbon fiber / Eva Saddle -> 120g
No-name Pedals with titanium axles (nowadays Litepro branded) -> 171g (the pair!)
Regarding to my calculations I should be in the 8kg ballpark with this setup - but we will see...
Currently I'm waiting for all the parts to arrive but I will update you ASAP when they get here.
-
Is it just that simple to put 27,5 to the frame and you're ready?
-
Should be, of course I'll have to get the gearing right. And the bottom bracket will be quite low aswell- around 275mm in my calculation.
Attached you see the Geo data according to a 490mm A-C rigid Fork instead of a Suspension and the lower BB/Standover because of the smaller wheels. So pretty much Gravel-Bike territory there.
BTW I already got a small upgrade on the way - might be changing tires to Speedking in 27, 5x2,2 - which sheds off close to 800grams of the bike weight 😅 but I'm not sure if they might be too slick for me
-
My Frameset arrived today!
Parts included if you buy the set from carbomania:
Frame
Fork (490mm A-C - fully internal routed with brakehose outlet in the Headset area)
Headset for internal routing
Expander for the Forkshaft
Thru-Axles front and back
UDH Derailleur Hanger
Seat post Clamp
I'm going to attach Fotos and details on upcoming posts...
Weights:
Frame Size L (black matte with logo) with UDH + rear axle + Seat post clamp = 1195g
Headset complete with a quite massive Top Ring = 120g
Fork with front Axle (uncut shaft 280mm) = 615g
-
Aaand finally some details of the Frame:
All in all I'm pretty impressed what <300€ (using coupons) on AliExpress can bring to you
From the outside the Frame is pretty much flawless. Paint and finish look nice, I only could find some really minor scratches on the matte finish and of course it is very prone to get more of them whilst building and riding
All the important surfaces on the frame are machined:
Headset bore(s) - the lower one being a bit on the rough side
Axle / Hub mounting surfaces
Rear Brake mount
Seat Tube (all the way down to the bottom bracket)
The T47 Inset looks fine, no cross-threading or paint spray over.
But: the surface around the bottom bracket are not machined even
That's something name-brands also tend to do so no big deal for me. What's more concerning are some very tiny hairlines on both sides of the bottom bracket. I'll definitely have an eye on that when doing the first rides...
On the inside this first impression continues
There's a lot of space for dropper post, shifting and brake line Routing around the bottom bracket!
The Carbon layout is mostly very even with some wrinkles around the more weirdly shaped parts like bottom bracket in direction of the rear chain stays. As far as I can tell nothing no be worried. I saw worse before tbh.
-
Same goes for the fork:
On the outside pretty much flawless although not the most premium.
Brake mounts are not machined sadly.
Axle fits just fine, so does a brake hose through the routing canal.
Steerer tube is nice and uniform
Also the inside looks rather clean
-
I haven't done too much but this already feels like insanity to me - my front end (fork, caliper and wheel with disc but without tire) weighs in at 1440g :D. Not to mention I have to cut the Steerer tube to size still. Frameset with bottom bracket, seat post, Wheels and calipers mocked up is at 4650g. Just a test-fit but quite promising
I might even put a dropper post to the frame. But for now I've to wait for the Handlebar and also need some minor things to put everything together properly.
-
Small update regarding Chainring fitment:
Tested Sizes that fit the frame at given Chainline
CL 49mm -> 30T round / 28T oval (not recommended for Boost Axle of course)
CL 52mm -> 32T round / 30T oval
CL 55mm -> 36T round / 34T oval. Maybe even 38t round but this is getting super close
CL 57 superboost+ -> 36T and up, pretty much without restriction but terrible Chainline to be honest
Pictures below show:
Shimano FC-M8100 - 28T oval on 49mm CL
Shimano FC-M8100 - 30T oval on 52mm CL
SRAM XX1 - 34T oval on 55mm CL
-
Almost there...
Had time today to nearly finish my built. I had to do some changes due to the restrictions of which Chainring I could fit with a proper/useful chainline...
Final transmission setup therefore: 34T oval Chainring and 9-46 Cassette (Ztto SLR3)
For the moment I have Kcnc lock on grips on there, the brake needs to be connected and bled, and there's no sealant in the tires. Weight so far is 7,86kg as pictured below. Pretty stoked so far. Can't wait to get it ready and do the first ride finally...
-
My bike is finished
Final weight after completing / bleeding the brakes and filling up some sealant into the tires I am at 8,05kg
Sadly I discovered a mayor problem with the Ryet Handlebar. The delivered Clamping bolts are too long. I already contacted Lexon official (the aliexpress seller I got it from) - just to let them know. This could lead to serious injuries if someone doesn't notice, that his handlebar isn't fully tight before heading for a first ride
-
Good catch on the bolts for the stem. Otherwise the build looks very clean! Let us know what LEXON says about the issue.
-
Okay, not the worst first response on my Handlebar issue. Lexon Store is going to investigate if my order is the only affected and I got an instant refund from aliexpress of around 60% the original price. I'm pretty impressed how serious this was handled, I had waaaay worse responses in the past from other sellers
-
Hi all,
today I received my replacement bolts and it was time for a quick test-drive.
It is an absolute blast to ride. Because of the low weight the bike accelerates like a dream and is super responsive but never harsh. Of course I am super paranoid because the BB sits quite low, but I'll see how bad it really gets with time. I have to fix some minor gremlins in shifting and also some brake-rub when putting down power but that is to expected with a full on-the-stand setup
Also I really like the Geo, it's not too aggressive even tough pretty low and low-stack due to the rigid Fork.
Take a look at this thing!
-
It looks great. Glad you like it.
-
I love the minimalist look!
-
Parts included if you buy the set from carbomania:
Frame
Fork (490mm A-C - fully internal routed with brakehose outlet in the Headset area)
Headset for internal routing
Expander for the Forkshaft
Thru-Axles front and back
UDH Derailleur Hanger
Seat post Clamp
Hey well done on making the build work and thanks for sharing all the info. I was just looking at these on eBay, but their eBay shop won't ship to Australia. I reached out to them and they suggested I use AliBaba, but I've just found them on AliExpress (carbomania store).
I didn't find a "kit" with all the parts you listed, thought they do seem to have all those parts separately. Did you order a kit of some sort when you bought your frame? Or did you put it all together bit by bit by adding parts bit by bit to your cart?
Thanks in advance for any help!
-
Hi,
i bought mine from carbomania on AliExpress aswell. On the Listing i chose (carbomania usually has more than one for the same bike) there was an option to choose a Set of frame+fork which came including a fitting headset aswell (really handy and kind of unsuspected as the whole set was only around around 50€ more than a frame alone back when i bought it)
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005006874812778.html?gps-id=pcStoreLeaderboard&scm=1007.22922.271278.0&scm_id=1007.22922.271278.0&scm-url=1007.22922.271278.0&pvid=c1866985-2878-4514-9892-69ddfba150b1&_t=gps-id%3ApcStoreLeaderboard%2Cscm-url%3A1007.22922.271278.0%2Cpvid%3Ac1866985-2878-4514-9892-69ddfba150b1%2Ctpp_buckets%3A668%232846%238113%231998&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2229%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%2212922%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22recommend%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21EUR%21159.67%2152.69%21%21%21184.27%2160.81%21%402103834817586526763343023e5993%2112000047176673423%21rec%21DE%21%21ABX%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29910%3Bd%3Ae872380d%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&spm=a2g0o.store_pc_home.smartLeaderboard_2010303960651.1005006874812778&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu (https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005006874812778.html?gps-id=pcStoreLeaderboard&scm=1007.22922.271278.0&scm_id=1007.22922.271278.0&scm-url=1007.22922.271278.0&pvid=c1866985-2878-4514-9892-69ddfba150b1&_t=gps-id%3ApcStoreLeaderboard%2Cscm-url%3A1007.22922.271278.0%2Cpvid%3Ac1866985-2878-4514-9892-69ddfba150b1%2Ctpp_buckets%3A668%232846%238113%231998&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2229%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%2212922%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22recommend%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21EUR%21159.67%2152.69%21%21%21184.27%2160.81%21%402103834817586526763343023e5993%2112000047176673423%21rec%21DE%21%21ABX%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29910%3Bd%3Ae872380d%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&spm=a2g0o.store_pc_home.smartLeaderboard_2010303960651.1005006874812778&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu)
EDIT:
quick note - it says frame and fork black in the listing but you can simply let them know about any other color of your choice before / while ordering and they are going to do it. After my order they also contated me about any wishes like that (custom color, no logo, etc.)
-
TY! Yup I saw that combo frame + fork. Good to know it comes with a headset! What a steal of a price.
-
it is! - i was pretty surprised because i ordered it and simply hoped for the best.
If you are using the top cap of the delivered headset, just make sure to remove any burrs and sharp edges beforehand - there are some razor sharp edges on it which will destroy your shiftcables or brakelines!
-
Just a quick update:
I went to 29er wheels for the upcoming season as the BB simply sits too low and I got pedal strikes just too often for my personal taste. Even as the bike no longer fits this sub I'll post a few pics. Weight of the current setup is 8,1kg, and the frame is still going strong. Only slight downside is my headset which has a tendency of becoming loose over time...