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Re: TanTan Seraph TT-X34, FM639 or FM619
Nick 2000 just posted his experiences of the TT-X34 here: http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,3853.0.html BR Chris September 17, 2022, 04:30:06 PM |
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Re: Anybody see a big drop in comfort going from a round tube frame to an aero one?
I honestly Haven’t noticed a big difference between my triban rc520 round tube Alu bike compared to the canyon aeroad. Guess I’m not too sensitive about things like that. I noticed the difference in efficiency however. December 05, 2022, 07:15:15 AM |
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Deng Fu R13
Hi everyone. Longtime lurker, first time poster. I've learned a lot from the forum over the years so it's time to give back by sharing some knowledge. The first frame that I ordered directly from a Chinese manufacturer was a Hongfu FM069 in 2014. It felt a bit more like gambling then. Fewer people doing this, less knowledge about the producers, and not knowing anything about how customs would work. I was out of the game for some time because that frame lasted until spring 2022. The only trouble I had with it was due to a small design flaw. Shimano changed the front derailleur when they came out with Ultegra 6800 and the arm of the derailleur pressed on the frame, but like I wrote, it lasted for years and thousands of KM, until last spring. I noticed what looked like a slight crack on the top tube while sitting at a cafe after riding. It felt a little soft when I pushed on it, but I couldn't tell how bad it was. I road it a few more times and pushed on it, and pulled on it with my fingernail, etc. I eventually decided that I wasn't going to feel safe riding it at speed on the open road, so I dissected it the best I could around the crack. Long story short, I'm convinced that it is next to impossible to properly inspect a carbon frame without professional tools. Full stop. Sure there are visually obvious flaws, but we won't catch anything internal. The other side is just as true. I'm happy I retired that frame, but I'm not 100% that is was necessary. So I decided to order a new frame and use my existing grupo and wheels. It was spring and I needed a frame asap so I panic ordered a Rinasclta 2020 light weight rim brake road frame. They were professional, I got the frame relatively quickly, even with a custom paint job. It rides nicely and generally does what a frame should do: let you focus on riding. I had a little problem with the rear derailleur hanger. It was misaligned and there is so little carbon where it screws to the frame that I'm afraid to use a derailleur hanger adjustment tool to bend it into place. I made a shim out of thin plastic and that got it close enough that it shifts without problems. I can share photos or a tutorial if anyone has questions about what I did. I'm happy with that bike and it is now on my indoor trainer and I use it as my winter bike. I was ready to take a big step forward after putting in the training time the last few years so this autumn I started looking for a new frame to build up from scratch. My priorities were integrated cables, disc brakes, and somewhere on the aero spectrum of frames. After much lurking on the forums, I finally settled on a Deng Fu R12. The Yeoleo R12 (completely different from the Deng Fu R12) did work with me for geometry and taste. A few final contenders had BB86 bottom brackets, which don't play nicely with sram dub cranks. So the Deng Fu R12 with its BB386 was the call. Mia was helpful and answered my questions promptly. The price was nice. Everything was good until I changed my mind about the size. I wanted at 56cm frame instead of 58cm. The 56cm frame was out of stock. I was disappointed because I was ready to pull the trigger, but she got back to me to let me know that they had the new R13 in 56cm. She said it was very close to the R12, sent me a photo, but didn't have a geometry chart to share. I decided to order it anyway. It came about a month later. Mia shared a tracking number when it shipped and it arrived very well packaged in my country without incident. I tried to look at the inside of the frame the best I could without a proper insertable camera. Everything checked out. The only thing that I noticed was some latex leftover from the molding process. I built it up with sram force. The brake cable routing was easy; I didn't need anything other than tape and the plastic tubing that came pre-inserted in the frame. I'm not 100% happy with how the headset spacers are fitting into the integrated bar/stem. The spaces have a little dot that fits into a corresponding hole in the spacer above and then the stem. The space match up perfectly, but the carbon stem is tightened around the steerer tube, which changes its diameter, making this last interface slightly misaligned. It's about 99% there, just not perfect. Certainly not a safety issue. I have zero other comments other than it was easy to build. I used a Token thread together ninja bb. Besides having to find their tool in stock to buy, it was easy and tolerances checked out the best I could tell with calipers. The other part of the project was building wheels. I bought light carbon rims (Hi everyone. Longtime lurker, first time poster. I've learned a lot from the forum over the years so it's time to give back by sharing some knowledge. The first frame that I ordered directly from a Chinese manufacturer was a Hongfu FM069 in 2014. It felt a bit more like gambling then. Fewer people doing this, less knowledge about the producers, and not knowing anything about how customs would work. I was out of the game for some time because that frame lasted until spring 2022. The only trouble I had with it was due to a small design flaw. Shimano changed the front derailleur when they came out with Ultegra 6800 and the arm of the derailleur pressed on the frame, but like I wrote, it lasted for years and thousands of KM, until last spring. I noticed what looked like a slight crack on the top tube while sitting at a cafe after riding. It felt a little soft when I pushed on it, but I couldn't tell how bad it was. I road it a few more times and pushed on it, and pulled on it with my fingernail, etc. I eventually decided that I wasn't going to feel safe riding it at speed on the open road, so I dissected it the best I could around the crack. Long story short, I'm convinced that it is next to impossible to properly inspect a carbon frame without professional tools. Full stop. Sure there are visually obvious flaws, but we won't catch anything internal. The other side is just as true. I'm happy I retired that frame, but I'm not 100% that is was necessary. So I decided to order a new frame and use my existing grupo and wheels. It was spring and I needed a frame asap so I panic ordered a Rinasclta 2020 light weight rim brake road frame. They were professional, I got the frame relatively quickly, even with a custom paint job. It rides nicely and generally does what a frame should do: let you focus on riding. I had a little problem with the rear derailleur hanger. It was misaligned and there is so little carbon where it screws to the frame that I'm afraid to use a derailleur hanger adjustment tool to bend it into place. I made a shim out of thin plastic and that got it close enough that it shifts without problems. I can share photos or a tutorial if anyone has questions about what I did. I'm happy with that bike and it is now on my indoor trainer and I use it as my winter bike. I was ready to take a big step forward after putting in the training time the last few years so this autumn I started looking for a new frame to build up from scratch. My priorities were integrated cables, disc brakes, and somewhere on the aero spectrum of frames. After much lurking on the forums, I finally settled on a Deng Fu R12. The Yeoleo R12 (completely different from the Deng Fu R12) did work with me for geometry and taste. A few final contenders had BB86 bottom brackets, which don't play nicely with sram dub cranks. So the Deng Fu R12 with its BB386 was the call. Mia was helpful and answered my questions promptly. The price was nice. Everything was good until I changed my mind about the size. I wanted at 56cm frame instead of 58cm. The 56cm frame was out of stock. I was disappointed because I was ready to pull the trigger, but she got back to me to let me know that they had the new R13 in 56cm. She said it was very close to the R12, sent me a photo, but didn't have a geometry chart to share. I decided to order it anyway. It came about a month later. Mia shared a tracking number when it shipped and it arrived very well packaged in my country without incident. I tried to look at the inside of the frame the best I could without a proper insertable camera. Everything checked out. The only thing that I noticed was some latex leftover from the molding process. I built it up with sram force. The brake cable routing was easy; I didn't need anything other than tape and the plastic tubing that came pre-inserted in the frame. I'm not 100% happy with how the headset spacers are fitting into the integrated bar/stem. The spaces have a little dot that fits into a corresponding hole in the spacer above and then the stem. The space match up perfectly, but the carbon stem is tightened around the steerer tube, which changes its diameter, making this last interface slightly misaligned. It's about 99% there, just not perfect. Certainly not a safety issue. I have zero other comments other than it was easy to build. I used a Token thread together ninja bb. Besides having to find their tool in stock to buy, it was easy and tolerances checked out the best I could tell with calipers. The only difference that I can see between the R12 photos I've seen online and my R13 is in the seat stays. The R12 has slightly flared seat stays that are separate when they leave the seat tube. The seat stays on the R13 come off of the seat stay as a single, joined piece that then separates to each side. The other part of the project was building wheels. I bought rims from Light Carbon (https://www.lightcarbon.com/super-aero-undulating-rim-depth-700c-disc-brake-carbon-clincher-rims_p207.html). Super easy to deal with. Prompt emails. Answered questions. Shipped with a tracking number and I'm completely satisfied and enjoyed building the wheels. Last, I used a matte 2k clear coat on the frame and semigloss on the rims. I had more elaborate painting plans, but not a place to warm and dry to realize them in the winter. January 19, 2023, 09:38:30 AM |
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Re: Fake eeBrakes G4
I had read that one of the biggest complaints on these was the pad fixing bolt. i have replaced them with some titanium pad bolts that actually fit in the groove perfectly. Also swapped out the cable clamp bolt to a titanium one. i like the looks of the black better and it saves about 4 gr. per brake.
February 15, 2023, 05:17:15 PM |
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Re: Fake eeBrakes G4
due to popular demand, these are the bolts that i bought to replace the standard issue bolts that come on the fake EE brakes. i used the stock washer as it is very thin and fist well around the shoulder on the new titanium bolt. one other nice thing is the new ti bolts use a 4mm hex key instead of the T25 torx. i am not a huge fan of torx for bikes as that is the only thing that uses them on my bike. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804682267951.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.83.26821802TDMD8r&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US as for the performance of these brakes, i have only taken them around the block a few times. they seem to be very powerful in the few times i slammed them to test them out. i was able to lock them with ease and they do feel very firm and solid at the lever. i have read of some other super light brakes feeling very spongy but these are very nice. March 08, 2023, 08:44:43 PM |
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Re: Fake eeBrakes G4
the little circular arc has been rusting on me and I have been oiling it to protect it as much as possible and it's happening on both calipers.Overall, you've had good experiences with your fake eebrakes and don't have any concerns about how well they work? Besides rust on the return spring, any other QC or build issues? March 18, 2023, 03:10:28 PM |
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Re: Chinese cycling clothes
been using mostly aliexpress clothes for the past 4y so could say a bit about some brands.. I always try looking for those better ones, because the cheapest are trash after some months :/ Rion I had good experience years ago, but the newest stuff didn't had the chance to test yet... Darevie I have 3 bibs, 2 jerseys, and a baselayer. All are great quality, the fabric is good and comfortable, the padding is good too, at least the models I have. This blue bib from them is really great, fit well and comfortable, it's beautiful also so gotta say one of my favorites. Been curious about this one too and got it, the 'X straps' and the partially sewed chamois got my attention, but gotta say I didn't find too different from the traditional bibs From Ykywbike I have a lot of stuff, bibs, jerseys, windproof long sleeve, socks, arm and leg warmers, gloves, thermal bib.. first, they upped their game a lot in the last 1-2yrs, I had some of the old stuff and the quality difference is very clear. But still the prices nowadays are good, although higher than before This bib with a thicker chamois and this one with Elastic Interface are my favorites, the fabric is really comfortable I almost don't feel it, had 6-7h rides with them and all good too, a lot of use (1,5yrs weekly use) and still look like new this new summer jersey is a good example of the quality improvement, I compare it with my 2y old jerseys from them and it's like a different brand, better fabric, better finishing. also got some stuff from Spexcel, their jerseys are really high quality too, nice fabric, different colors from other chinese brands, got this purple, green and a beige one, all really good the bibs I got one back in 2019 and wasn't a good experience, one of the cheapest with gel padding and in less then 1y I couldn't use it anymore. I've been really curious about their latest launchings, the bibs look nice and seem to have a longer thigh length, but I've already got too many clothes lol This is something that the other brands are lacking, the thigh is a bit short on most, after riding a bit when the bib 'settles in' it looks a bit short.. hope they start launching some longer ones in the future also, something that I've learnt is that many times the cheapest items from each brand are not worth, you can spend a bit more but get much more quality with the mid-top products on these brands the same considering the whole offer of clothing.. like I mentioned in the beginning, those 'replica' jerseys and bibs, and the likes of X-Tiger and other brands that are really cheap, I don't have personal experience but a lot of friends got it and it becomes trash really quick. also worth mentioning, my references are some brazillian brands, which although we have good stuff here, are too expensive and the chinese products are same or better for a lower price. March 29, 2023, 12:42:04 PM |
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Tantan FM629 review (/ FM609 / FM619 / FM639)
Long time lurker here. I'd like to thank the community for their great trove of information and provide some content back in the form of a review of a frame that I've seen very little about. This review is less about Tantan and more about the frame. Tantan were fine to deal with, some small challenges and delays but nothing out of the ordinary. Ultimately, the correct frame arrived, in the right size, and painted to the correct specification (after a minor paint specification error was spotted in the QC pictures). The FM629 belongs to a family of lightweight endurance/climbing geometry frames. The geometry and some of the design features are heavily inspired by the Cervelo R5. There are 4 frames in the family, a non integrated and an integrated in both disc and rim. The non integrated has an IS42/IS52 headset and the cables pass through opening in the downtube. The integrated has an IS52/IS52 (we'll cover this a bit later in more detail as it's not quite to standard), with no opening in the downtube (or at least none on my frame), so you have to go through the top bearing. I bought the rim brake version so can't comment on the disc brake version (particularly the tolerance or flatness of the flat mounts, nor the routing of these). The FM629 as an integrated frame comes with a set of integrated bar/stem and headset/spacers. While I didn't use this bar and stem, due to being long reach (approx 85mm), in the hand it is good quality, and stiff. The headset is your standard Chinese affair, no name bearings and no seals. The spacers are aluminium, and satin finish so they might not match the frame and bars if you leave them unpainted If you want to run another set of bars on this bike you can but you need to be aware of the non standard bearing seat depth. IS52/IS52 normally has an 8.7mm bearing seat depth upper and 7mm lower. This has a 6.5mm upper and 7.5mm lower. The included headset lower has an increased flange thickness on the crown race and a taller bearing to compensate. With the included headset the upper has a small frame gap. If you run a standard IS52/28.6 upper you'll get a significant gap and will need to modify or use a customised compression ring/spacer to reduce this gapping. I used a Deda ACR nylon spacer and shaved material off to make it fit. This shallow bearing depth has an advantage though (particularly for rim brake) in that it means the brake cable doesn't need to make a "U bend" turn to head along the top tube to the rear brake. In terms of build quality of the frame, I can't fault it. The interior of the frame is clean enough and while there was some evidence of wrinkling, there was no evidence of resin pooling or voids in the areas I inspected. There was quite a bit of fibrous material left in the steerer tube which I would assume to be the remains of the internal mould. I would rate the internal of the frame as equivalent to a mid range frame. Safe to ride, but not as clean as I've seen from Carbonda. Tolerances seem fine out of the box. The frame is BB86. I had the frame reemed and faced, but out the box the dimensions were: Shell Width 86.95-86.98 (overwidth by 0.45-0.48mm) Left cup diameter 40.90 Horizontal 40.90 Vertical (undersized 0.08mm) Right cup diameter 40.94 Horizontal 40.96 Vertical (undersized 0.02-0.04mm). While I didn't weigh the frame pre build, weight built up is about average for 105 drivetrain and deep section carbon wheels is about 7.3kg with mount, pedals, and bottle cages. It's not a super lightweight frame, nor is it overly heavy. Thankfully this is Chinertown not Weight Weenies... The frame is a climbing/endurance bike so has (for a small/medium) a slack seat tube of 73 degrees. This is less of an issue for larger sizes, and perhaps even an advantage! The frame has a straight seatpost included to counteract this. The seatpost is a standard round 27.2mm, with an integrated wedge which does a good job of retaining the seatpost. However, if you are running carbon rails (7x9mm) you'll need to find a longer bolt as the included 35mm bolt is too short for the threads to engage with the wider clamp width due to the thicker rails. For people (like me) that need their seat far forward/are reach constrained you might want to consider this when sizing and potentially size down, otherwise expect to run the saddle towards the end of the rails. Finally, the bike rides like a superbike (with a good set of wheels). It feels fast to accelerate, it holds speed well, but it doesn't offer the most compliant and soft ride if you have a very stiff wheelset. The frame offers ample clearance for thicker rubber (28mm) to offset this. Overall the frame is worth considering if you want a modern rim brake frame and prefer a more endurance geometry. I would probably advise you go down the FM609 route unless you're set on internal cable routing since fully integrated mechanical isn't an enjoyable job, especially with the non standard headset. The frame is set up for outers to be run the full length so make sure your front mech is suitable for this. I can't really fault any aspect of it, but I think if you're going the disc brake route there's probably better options out there. Bonus review: Ltwoo RX (2x12 speed groupset). Use this groupset for the shifters only and pair with Shimano R7000 or higher. The front mech does work but doesn't allow for outers to be run to it, nor does it have cable tension, so not suitable for this frame. The rear mech doesn't work nicely with the mech hanger on this frame (which is a sandwich style as used on a few Cannondale frames). The hanger has a small tip, and the rear mech relies on a long b screw to get bigger cassettes to work, so the b screw will go past the tip due to the angles/alignment. This makes it impossible to set up. With an R7000 mech or anything with a shadow link it works perfectly. The 11 speed mech works perfectly with the 12 speed shifters so must have a compatible pull ratio. The Ltwoo shifters can get jammed up if you try to shift them without cable in, and not return to the fully relaxed position. But this can be solved easily as the shift mechanism in these shifters are in a cassette which can be removed from the shifter body and then the springs and pawls coaxed back into the correct arrangement. April 16, 2023, 03:48:55 AM |
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LTWOO ER9 & ERX - Electronic groepsets
LTWOO launched their electronic groupset for mindboggling prices. Any experiences with or expectations of these groupsets? Prices on alibaba are way cheaper than alixpress. Anybody ever bought from alibaba? Carbon groupset ERX: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/China-LTWOO-2x12-speed-Wireless-Electric_1600838655769.html?spm=a2700.7735675.0.0.63e7aDQdaDQdMY Aluminium groupset ER9: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/China-LTWOO-2x12-speed-Wireless-Electric_1600838975287.html?spm=a2700.details.0.0.5536138d2AnG1u China cycling on the ERX: June 05, 2023, 05:37:37 AM |
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Chasing Wind CW-G-001 Gravel
Finally built this up and took for test ride. Few things to figure out but its done and nice and super light (disregard the eufy vac in the background) Size XL - 58 Blue and Silver Spank Oozy Vibrocore 440 Bar Fizik Blue Terra Bondcush 3mm tacky tape Fizik Terra Argo X5 Saddle 150 mm, this is the bomb FSA Gossamer crankset , 175 mm, 42T chainring Shimano 105 5800 Shifters for mechanical brakes Shimano GRX RD812 Rear Derailleur Sunshine 11-42 Cassette Chiner Oil slick 11 speed Chain Chiner Oil Slick 160 mm rotors TRP HY/RD Flat Mount cable actuated Hydraulic brakes Chiner KO Shimano XT SPD Pedals Toseek Carbon Bike Stem +/- 10 degrees 100mm Elitewheels ENT 29 mm wide 40mm depth 700C 6 bolt Carbon 12K Carbon Wheels 12X142 12X100 Vittoria Adventure Trail Tires 700X38C tubeless West Biking Black Plastic Cages Onlynana Bike Computer mount with light undermount Rockbros Bike light d3-1000 lumens 120 lumen WT06 Smart Rear Light RockBros Rainproof c35 Bag June 05, 2023, 11:40:32 PM |
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