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VB-R-168 Build- A sceptic's experience
Hello all. I am located in USA so all of the links below may not work for you. This is just an overview of my experience and what I found while building the new bike. I purchased a VB-R-168 frame, integrated bars, VB-60 carbon wheels, and the rest of the components needed to make it a rolling machine  . Before I start, I wanted to say I was very sceptical of this purchase and worried that it would not turn out as good as it did. Chris from VB is very helpful and responsive. I have read of negative experiences relating to VB, but mine was thankfully a pleasant one. Parts ordered - VB-R-168 frame (size 58- matte black)- Velobuild http://www.velobuild.com/products/-171 - VB integrated bars (440 mm width- matte black)- came with frame/forks/seatpost/spacers - VB-RC-60 carbon disc wheels (matte black) - Velobuild http://www.velobuild.com/products/-57 - Continental GP5000 25mm tires- Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08RNVPQY3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - Inner tube- Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XMJFJ5L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - Carbon assembly paste- Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012RIEM6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - Park tool grease- Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NORVHI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - Foam cable covering (to stop noisy cables)- Hardware store that sells everything https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/2029n11 - Shimano 105 groupset/ disc brakes/ press fit BB- Aliexpress- 007Bike Store https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32943199402.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.4cdd4c4dIxdtcS - Bleed kit- Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWN4LSD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - Shimano Ultegra center lock discs (160mm front 140mm rear)- - Fizik saddle- Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PDLTTNN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - Sram bar tape- Amazon- I would not do this again. terrible feel https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00142FFCG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - Inner cable set (2) - Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JLWSF82/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The good- The frame, bars, and forks came within two weeks (to USA). The wheels took longer because I requested 350 straight pull hubs. Everything went together nicely (I definitely recommend using carbon paste and torque wrench). Getting the cables through the frame and bars was reasonably difficult, but not too bad. The bike is all together and I have a few rides under my belt. Great bike, stiff, fast. Definitely a great bike for the price. I hate when my bikes are noisy from cable rattle, etc... so I made sure I took all necessary precautions when building this one. The end result is pretty great considering the price point. The not so great- The seat post has slipped on me (it may not do this if you are smaller. I am 220 lbs-100 kg). I found adding more carbon paste and upping the torque setting slightly definitely helps. The wheels took a bit longer due to covid and my customizations which isn't the end of the world. The aero bars may be too aero for some. I purchased the VB separate stem and bar combo to replace the integrated bars- that hasn't arrived yet. I left the steerer tube slightly long to add spacers later on. I have added some pictures of the bike fully built. Feel free to ask any questions if you have. Thanks for reading/viewing. October 08, 2021, 09:01:24 AM |
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Re: VB-R-168 Build- A sceptic's experience
My brake calipers were already connected to the hoses, so I didn't want to disconnect those. I ran my rear brake from back to front (afterwards I realized that the brakes were pre-bled so I am glad I did it that way) and slid the foam tubing on from the front of the frame down the downtube. *By pre-bled I mean that they already had fluid in them, so when I cut them to size and inserted the fitting, I didn't need to bleed the brakes. The front brake hose I sent up from the bottom and added electrical tape around the steerer to keep that in place. The rear derailleur I ran from the back to front as well (and slid the foam tube on after). The front derailleur was the most difficult. Had to run that down the downtube and get it to seat into the frame mount for the cable housing down by the bottom bracket. It was difficult to get that lined up without seeing it. Once all of those were in place and poking out where the bars connect, I slid all of the spacer rings over the hoses/cables, ran the hoses and cables through the bars, cut to size, connected, and was done (I realize that probably sounds like it went smoothly...I did have to redo it once I realized I forgot the headset spacers the first time  ).
October 08, 2021, 02:20:14 PM |
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Re: Subcompact crankset
For Shimano cranks (asym 4x110 BCD) there are 46/30 and 48/32 rings on eBay. The brand's name is Bikingreen. I use 46/30 set. October 16, 2021, 04:21:34 PM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-168 Frame
Wheels are Hunt 4 Season All-Road. Very nice budget wheelset for this type of bike. 20mm wide internally. https://eu.huntbikewheels.com/collections/road-cx-disc-brake-wheels/products/4season-gravel-disc-road-cx-wheelset-1589g-24deep-24wide Tires are Vittoria Terreno Zero 32c setup tubeless.  This setup has seen shit.  
November 15, 2021, 01:45:28 AM |
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Re: Velobuild GF-002
Hi All, Hello there, I can fully understand your point. Using the compressionless Jagwire cable makes a huge difference. Last year I built a bike for my GF and was not aware of this fact and used cheap outer cables with the steel coil. Result was an unsatisfying feeling when breaking that needed way too much force. Additionally the ZTTO brake callipers where not working well. As a result she got an upgrade to Shimano full Hydraulic. For my new build I went with Jagwire compressionless and made sure there were no tight curves in the routing, which may be challenging for all internal cabling trough the hanbdlebars... In my case the routing through the Ti frame allowed for smooth bends and the resulting break feeling is very good and quite close to hydraulic disc. How good the break power is, needs to be confirmed during longer rides.  But don't write off the cable actuated brakes without trying compressionless... BR Chris January 21, 2022, 02:36:47 AM |
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Re: Velo Build R-099 Build
Hey as i prommised... that is specialized sl7 seatpost cover. Seems not to fit. Or did you receive it bent - hence why the front is furled upwards? Also it looks aggressively tapered ... Not sure the genuine one is like that. March 02, 2022, 02:48:27 PM |
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Re: Fake eeBrakes G4
I have taken apart my calipers to grease the pivots and the centre mounting bolt is actually titanium, which is nice. If you want unbranded brakes, just remove the logo, it's a simple alloy cap held in place by an o-ring. edit: forgot to mention that mine came without pads as well but they were advertised without pads. edit 2: shite spelling lol March 06, 2022, 07:52:29 AM |
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Re: VB-R-168 Build- A sceptic's experience
Good to hear, does it come with enough spacers or did you have to order more? How tall are you? I’m 5’11.5” with slightly longer arms and trying to decide between sizes. I think there are 5 spacers that come with the frame/fork/bar when you order the frame. When I ordered the separate stem/bar combo, I asked Chris from VB to include some more spacers (which he did). I am 6' 1" and have pretty long arms. However, I do not like a super aggressive position on the bike, so I opted for the added spacers. Hope that helps. March 15, 2022, 09:50:27 AM |
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Re: L-TWOO RX 2x12 road groupset
Here's a new video showing the Wheel Top 1x12 wireless electronic MTB groupset in action. Rumors are pointing to Wheel Top revealing their road groupset this year. And L-TWOO just dropped the companion app for their upcoming 1x wireless electromechanical MTB shifter. Not that exciting since it's just another Archer D1x/Cell NXS/XShifter-style implementation. News on Sensah's electronic groupset and hydraulic brakes will come "after the Shanghai bike show" according to the comments section on this video March 21, 2022, 11:40:53 AM |
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Re: Velobuild VB-R-177
Hey Everyone, My 177 is finally live on my channel: YouTube title: VeloBuild 177 Review - Verdict: Lightweight Affordability March 22, 2022, 09:15:22 PM |
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