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Re: LTK266-D-SL, lightweight frame confirmed under 800g w/paint and accessories (M)
I think there are people on here who have literally the opposite idea of what a “chinese” or “Asian fit” bike is. Also remember that some western brands include their headset cover in the frame stack and reach numbers. None of these brands do. The Asian fits are typically shorter reach at the same stack. Thats the theory. That said, this bike is a race bike meant to match up against bikes like the Tarmac SL8, Giant TCR and the Seka Spear. A Defy is the wrong comp since thats an endurance bike not a race bike. September 20, 2025, 12:23:17 PM |
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Re: LTK266-D-SL, lightweight frame confirmed under 800g w/paint and accessories (M)
My build of the LTK266-D-SL is now finished! I took the bike out for a 2 hour team ride this morning here in the Northeast US. Photo attached, plus photos of the two BMC bikes that are my points of comparison. To be honest, I have to 100% echo Sakizashi: Honestly, it's just a good bike to the point of being boring. Coming from my aggressive road bike, the bike feels slightly lazy. He is so right, though to some degree I attribute this in part to running fat ass tires, as I am coming from putting 16K km over a yearish on a bike with exactly the same geo. The LTK266 just isn't that exciting I guess, but it is so so good at what it does. And I have to remind myself that that's why I bought it and built it up the way I did -- around running 36ish WAM slicks @ 50psi, yet still having a markedly lightweight bike just over 7kg. That it is so smooth and controlled is quite jarring coming from a decade old race/climber rim brake bike, but on my local roads it is a blessing and then some. But the other thing is, the bike feels really stiff. I do not know how much this is due to the bars and wheels, too. Way stiffer than the 2015 BMC with 2015 35mm ENVE hoops, which is my reference point. Perhaps the LTK's stiffness would be jarring with skinny high pressure tires, but because I'm making use of the 35C clearance, it all evens out, and makes the bike very responsive, but not twitchy or chattery at all. A month ago I rented a BMC Kaius 01 Three -- a race oriented gravel bike with very long reach and only 44 WAM clearance -- to do some gravel riding mostly on strade bianche type roads in southern Vermont (though also a little class 4 mixed in, which I wouldn't advise; I don't like being underbiked). It was fitted with SRAM Rival and 40mm Pirelli Cinturatos. The LTK feels very reminiscent of the Kaius in certain respects, but without the gravel geo and the extra weight. I'd put the similar feeling down, again, to it having SRAM componentry and similar width tubeless tires. Maybe once I put some more time in and get used to the Longteng, it will be something of the best of both worlds: The geo of the teammachine but the versatility and comfort of the Kaius. Pretty psyched tbh September 20, 2025, 12:24:02 PM |
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Re: LTK266-D-SL, lightweight frame confirmed under 800g w/paint and accessories (M)
Update after slamming the stem to match my previous bike's position, and doing a 90 minute solo where I could really pay attention to feel. This was an object lesson in how much fit matters. I didn't realize how uncomfortable I was with the extra 30mm of spacer stack and how much that was affecting my sense of the bikes handling. As I settle in and get used to the LTK266-D-SL, it is starting to wow me. The only thing I'm missing right now is a certain snap of acceleration, and I attribute that almost entirely to the change in tires. If it had 30mm GP5k mounted instead of these Michelin Pro5 35mm comfy boys, I doubt it would miss a beat. Having tires that are each +~180g and doing group rides with surges was not a good test. After a solo, the LTK is showing how comfortable, responsive, and confidence-inspiring it is. OK, enough from me now. Excited to see other people's builds and just chime in if people have issues. Long term review next year. September 23, 2025, 10:38:02 AM |
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Re: LTK266-D-SL, lightweight frame confirmed under 800g w/paint and accessories (M)
I think this is more than I want to take on today. Really kicking myself for not putting on hydraulic couplers on this frame. It’s literally the only frame I have that I didnt do that for since I figured I would be bleeding this bike every time I changed things around anyway. I will do this tomorrow unless someone else beats me to it. Edit: I also contacted Alisa to see if she can have someone confirm with the drawings. September 23, 2025, 05:45:29 PM |
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Re: Shimano di2 groupsets from aliexpress
You have same price in your country without any risk and with warranty and package in two days: https://www.bike-discount.de/en/shimano-ultegra-di2-r8150-2x12-speed-group-disc-140/160mm-3 1400 eur on bikediscount = 1640usd. after coupons you get ~1300usd that's a nice discount i would be willing to gamble on aliexpress personally. you can also get the groupset without crankset and brake calipers for under 900 too September 26, 2025, 03:06:31 AM |
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Re: LTK266-D-SL, lightweight frame confirmed under 800g w/paint and accessories (M)
Just need to cut the steerer tube and it’ll be fully dialed in. Enjoy! Black gloss looks really good. And now you're making me want to weight weenie mine... EDIT: just weighed mine (Size L, all Force E1) and its 7.1kg with the wahoo and varia taken off. I think I could get nearly to 6.8kg swapping out the tires. 6.5 with ultralight shallow rims and carbon spokes (<1100g) -- the weight of the frame gives so much room to get the bike super light. October 02, 2025, 06:01:15 AM |
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Re: LTK266-D-SL, allroad race frame, 680g bare, <800g w/paint and accessories (M)
Today the Specialized Aethos 2 was just released, and it is a nice comparison with this bike. Non-aero, superlightweight. Specialized has increased the stack, so it is roughly 15mm higher across the board than the LTK266-D-SL (dealbreaker for me, tbh). But it now has UDH and support for 35mm tires with 6mm of clearance (CEN Standard) just like the LTK does. But I bring it up because the Aethos 2 Pro with SRAM Force E1 comes in at $8,499 before taxes. In a size 56 with no pedals and 28mm tires, it weighs 6.71 kg. https://www.specialized.com/us/en/aethos-2-pro-sram-force-axs/p/4221564?color=5466393-4221564 My LTK266-D-SL with full SRAM Force E1 cost $4,700 including taxes, shipping, duties, and all the rest. If I was more frugal about touch-point components and wheels without compromising on group/crankset, it could have been more like $4,250 -- so fully half the price of the Aethos. My LTK in size 56 with 250g 1stgen Assioma Duos, 50g in bottle cages, 20g in computer mount, and 35mm Michelin Pro5 TLR (400g each compared to the 275g each of the 28mm S-Works Turbo TLR Race Tire on the Aethos2) comes in at 7.1kg. So no compromise in weight. I bet the Aethos has a comfier ride. Resell value is incomparable, as is support from Specialized dealers. But at double the price even with a spendy retail buy of new Force, it's an object lesson in the value proposition of these open molds, at least to me. EDIT: I wrote all this froth, but really let's just think about the frameset: $3,499 before taxes https://www.specialized.com/us/en/aethos-2-frameset-fact-10r-carbon/p/4221561?color=5446330-4221561 versus the LTK October 02, 2025, 01:39:05 PM |
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Re: LTK266-D-SL, race frame, 680g, <800g w/paint & metal parts (M), fits 35mm+ tires
Curious to hear if there is more feedback on this frame. I stand by my initial take that this bike is delightfully boring. It lacks the "alive" feeling that makes you want to go fast and be a little reckless, but it always feels surefooted, even when pushing it through high-speed corners. I also still have no complaints regarding how it handles broken pavement or gravel roads even running an unpadded saddle. It's a strange thing, this bike doesn't feel any less than higher-end bikes, but it also lacks a standout quality (other than its very modern tire clearance and weight as low as the best frames from 2024). It just seems too good to be true. Part of me is hoping for a reality check. And yes, I sound like Serge and hate every second of it. October 12, 2025, 08:56:53 PM |
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Re: LTK266-D-SL, race frame, 680g, <800g w/paint & metal parts (M), fits 35mm+ tires
Any suggestions for OEM frames that feel more alive? Kinda a bit worried the bike might feel a little too boring for me...eventhough I have not found a OEM frame that ticks more boxes for me than the LTK266-D-SL... Want @Sakizashi to weigh in... however: I don't have any OEM frames to compare it with, nor do I have an extra, lighter wheelset and thinner/lighter tires to A/B test whether my impressions are frame-related or not. Sorry! @patliean1 just posted a Youtube video comparing the x68 with premium components to a genuine sl8 and said it got about 75-80% there...for 1/5th of the price of the frame. Same here, I think. "Delightfully boring" and my "dont expect fireworks" is about moderating expectations. I'm going to happily put 10k km on this bike over the next 9 months unless fate intervenes. edit: i misspelled username October 13, 2025, 09:04:42 AM |
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Re: LTK266-D-SL, race frame, 680g, <800g w/paint & metal parts (M), fits 35mm+ tires
The Seatpost is 30.3mm at the widest and 29.8mm long. Ive also sized some of the different parts of the wedge area in the attached photo. I'll happily pay for one of your 3d printed covers once you work out the design. I've made peace with the Longteng rubber thing (mostly because I can't see it while riding) but its the most unsightly aspect of my bike as of now. And I do want something there to minimize water and sweat ingress. October 25, 2025, 06:12:52 AM |
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