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Re: New frame: Longteng RD301-D Took delivery of the completed bike this morning. Will share more details when I'm home later...
November 07, 2024, 05:25:58 PM 		1
Re: New frame: Longteng RD301-D Latest decoration on my LT

from the 2nd pic you can see I used the plumbing tape to tape the downtube cover to the frame, as an insurance until I feel confident the cover would stayed locked and won't fell off.
January 07, 2025, 02:57:08 AM 		1
Re: New frame: Longteng RD301-D Just finished building my FM301 — and I'm loving it so far!

I finally completed the build of my FM301 frame, which I ordered from Tantan. The delivery took a bit longer than expected, mostly due to Chinese New Year and a delay getting the fork in the correct matte black finish. But it all worked out in the end.

Build details:

    Frame: Tantan FM301

    Wheels: 50mm carbon wheels with carbon spokes and ceramic bearings from Xiamen Carbon Speed (via Peter on the forum)

    Groupset: Shimano 105 shifters and brakes

    Crankset: Riro carbon, 165mm

    Weight is 8.05kg with th 40mm tires, bottle cages, Garmin mount and pedals. So ride configuration.

I started with 30mm Continental GP4000s, which measured about 33mm on the 26mm internal width rims. For my first gravel race, I borrowed a set of 40mm tires from a friend (actual width at the knobs was 40mm). I've now ordered a pair of Hutchinson Caracal Race 40mm semi-slicks for all-around use. I mostly ride endurance routes and have a lot of easy gravel around here, so they should be a good fit.

A few build notes:

    There’s a small gap at the headset, but nothing that bothers me.

    I went with a SRAM bottom bracket based on a forum tip, but it was very tight fitting the Riro crankset — I ended up using a rubber mallet.

    Internal cable routing was easier than expected for a first-time build. I found a great YouTube guide that used a brake cable to route through the bars — worked like a charm.

    I opted for a different cockpit setup than the standard one from Tantan to get flared bars. Switching it out was no problem when I asked during the order.

I raced it for the first time in a gravel event — came 4th and was absolutely stoked!
May 25, 2025, 10:55:32 AM 		1
Re: New frame: Longteng RD301-D
Quote from: frosto on July 11, 2025, 05:39:31 AM
Just to make things clear. I am not saying that the brand is not reliable. They are for sure professionals in what they do and as you said configuration and custom paint is nice. However I was really surprised by the price. In this price range ~4,5k USD you can have top market Chinese frame like SEKA and equip it with mechanical 105/GRX and alu wheels.

Not so sure you could do the Seka build without getting some serious discounting--which a brand won't account for in their pricing.

One thing to remember is that retailing is expensive. In the US, at least, a good rule of thumb for a business is that to achieve an average 7-10% margin, you need to be 3x the cost from a factory when retailing goods. In this community, we are lucky to have the ability to buy directly. I don't think it's a good reason to rake brands that use open molds over the coals or judge their customers.
July 11, 2025, 10:13:59 AM 		1