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Re: Elves Falath EVO 2023 This frame is still something to try if it would be safe to stack up more 20mm - 30mm spacers above the top tube level for me.
March 27, 2023, 03:56:14 AM 		1
Re: Carbonda FM1136 Some pictures of my setup.
April 20, 2023, 02:02:30 PM 		1
Re: SEKA Bikes? Out of contact? Alright, I've added some action shots and I'll provide my review here.

You can find a spreadsheet of my build at this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1z20zeKtriG4WqEXxRvezuxrfo9ZRBZkz3rY3xrKfrCU/edit?usp=sharing

Re: version and weight, I have the standard exceed in midnight blue, size large, with 380mmX130mm barstem. When I first built it up, it weighed about 16.6lb (incl. pedals & cages). I have since gotten that down to 16.2lb by swapping out some parts and cutting down the seatpost. Check the spreadsheet for detailed weights.

Re: seatpost slipping, I have experienced problems with that myself, as well as creaking. I have gone into more detail on weight weenies, but basically the seat post as a lot of slop between the seat tube, and it makes it so the compressor has to do pretty much all stabilization. This is not an uncommon problem, and while most manufacturers put in a chunky compressor to solve this problem, Seka's is small and flimsy for weight saving. Furthermore, Seka's stock seatpost is VERY long, so at even normal post heights, you will hit the seat tube cutout changing the post angle, and this messes up the interface with the compressor. So you NEED to cut the post, both to avoid damaging your frame, and to ensure a proper interface. I have addressed this issue with lots of carbon paste, putting 3M protective film on the surface that doesn't touch the plug to take up that slack, and overtorqueing the screw a bit, and since dialing this in, I haven't experienced problems with slipping.

Re: Flex, my previous bike was a Tarmac SL5, bikes in general have gotten much stiffer since then. This bike feels stiffer yet more vertically compliant compared to my Tarmac. When I first got the bike, I sensed a lot of fork flex under braking. Since then I've tightened up the headset and haven't noticed it. Either I've gotten used to it or it was the headset. I do not experience fork chatter under braking like you do with some really flexy front ends.

Re: Price, preorder was $581USD, remaining was $1290USD. This is the final price billed to my card, which includes shipping/customs fees.

Re: Elves falath evo or Seka, I would choose Seka. Take this all with a grain of salt since the Seka--being a semi-aero bike--has a different design philosophy/goals to the Evo, and I've never even seen an Elves in real life. But, based on all the build videos I've been watching from the usual youtubers, I really do not like the Falath Evo. I don't think it fulfills the goal of being an aero bike very well. If you really look at the tubes, lot of the design doesn't make sense aerodynamically:

The leading edge of the downtube is a semi-square face, when you want a rounded one. Same goes for the seat tube gusset. All leading edges on the Seka are rounded.

There's huge gaps between the seat tube cutout and the tire, even when running a 32mm tire. The Seka also has gaps, but they're smaller, not to mention that Seka isn't intending to shroud the wheels as much as the Evo is.

The Evo's headtube--the most aerodynamically sensitive area on the bike, is the widest I've ever seen, which runs counter to how western brands like Cannondale are doing everything possible to make the headtube as narrow as possible to minimize the frontal cross section. Seka's is much narrower, and even has an hourglass profile to minimize it even more.

I don't think the way the Evo's integration of the headtube with the top tube improves aerodynamics. TT bikes do it because the base bar is always designed to run slammed with the stem flush to the top tube. I think the way the Evo executes it actually presents more frontal area compared to a conventional, lower top tube.

The Evo's super-narrow downtube does next to nothing to shield the water bottle. I'm of the opinion that every aero bike should be designed with round standard bottles in mind. The reality is that sane people not racing a TT will ride with round water bottles, and the water bottle will spoil all the airflow coming off that narrow down tube on the Evo. In contrast, the Seka's downtube gently flares out as it approaches the bottle to shield it a bit more. The shielding isn't perfect (as on most bikes), but at least it's considered on the Seka.

All in all, I would not be surprised if someone put the Seka and Evo in a windtunnel (with 2 water bottles on each bike), that it turns out the Evo is not actually faster than the Seka.

Lastly, I think the fact that Seka is willing to show off their carbon under clearcoat while Elves paints over EVERYTHING says that either Seka's paint and finishing is just a tad better, or that Elves may even be trying to hide imperfections in layup. Seka's paint isn't exactly phenomenal (soft, scratches easily, comes with subtle scratches/swirls in the clearcoat), but it's very special to see the carbon underneath.

Coulmain made the point that for average riders, "aero optimization" doesn't really matter. My counter to that is that a) all of these un-optimized features add up, and b) if it doesn't really matter, then don't bother with an aero bike, or at least not one that postures as a super-aero bike. You pay for "aero features" in weight, comfort, impact resistance, and added engineering/manufacturing complexity that trickles down to cost. I think Coulmain weighed in a 52cm at over 1200 grams. If that's a 52, what could a 56 be? 1300g?!! Meanwhile a 52cm Seka Exceed Std is about 950 grams I think. That means the Evo is ~20% heavier! I have a hard time believing the Evo's aero gains--if there are any, are enough to offset that much of a weight penalty.
May 25, 2023, 01:57:21 PM 		1
Re: Lightcarbon: New LCR017-D (or Yishun R1058-D) Hiya, I have ordered the Yishun R1058_D. It is different to the new lightcarbon, they have different geometry. Lightcarbon is the direct to consumer arm of yishun who are the OEM manufacturer, however you can sometimes order directly from Yishun. Apparently you can't always. I started a separate thread for the Yishun 1058D if you were interested, just search it. The model is there own design and mould, they have their own R&D department and are registered as a company in germany. You can get the frames with a 5 year warranty for 20% additional cost which I went for, all in it cost about 800gbp. The frame is a mix of T700 and T800 carbon, T800 on all high stress areas. Yishun are the OEM manufacturer for Ribble in the UK and Da Rosa in italy as well as some other small italian brand, the quality is supposed to be top notch. I am expecting delivery end of august/early september.
July 18, 2023, 05:17:06 AM 		1
Re: Systemsix frame here you can also find pictures.

austrian seller selling this frameset for boutique prices: https://www.1of1.at/rad/aero/
August 25, 2023, 04:29:14 AM 		1
Re: Velo Build R-099 Build First ride complete, just a quick 20km. What can I say other than wow, it's stiffer and somehow more smooth than my aluminium bowman. This is the first carbon bike I've ridden disc and with 28mm tyres so I'm very impressed.

Just a few little setup niggles to iron out. I did a quick and dirty job on the FD so will take some time to do it properly.

Also shout out to the tiagra calipers, they work much better than the ltwoo ones do with the same 105 brifters.
September 22, 2023, 05:36:51 AM 		1
Yuanan Carbon fiber wheelsets Year end discount promotion Hello dear friends, have a nice day! This is Leon from www.yuananbike.com。Please allow me to say Happy Christmas/New Year to you in advance! Christmas and New Year are coming, and our factory is conducting year-end promotions. Unprecedented huge discounts, free spare spokes, free DIY stickers, free hub upgrades, and many other benefits are just waiting for you. We are the manufacturer of Exxxxwheels. In addition to this, we are also a supplier to many international brands. Such as Rxxx, and Hxxx, FXXX,Sxxxxx,Cxxxxxxxx,etc.Recently we have been running a Year-end promotion.UNI series ultralight carbon rim+RD13 ratchet system hub/Novatec D411/412 HUB+pillar wing 20 spoke+tubeless valves+tubeless tape. We need 4xx-5xx USD+tax-included channel shipping to EU countries/USA. UNI ultralight carbon wheelset with 21mm internal width, and 28mm external width.40mm depth just 1289+-30g. UNI 45:1309+-30g.UNI 50:1329+-30g. UNI65:1489+-30g. Also, the carbon-spoke wheelset is at a discount. Such as the 40mm depth carbon-spoke wheelset just 1260g+-30g.All the carbon wheelsets are more than 3X off. The Gravel/MTB /3/4/5/6- spoke carbon wheelsets are also in promotion—with the best cost-effective price. Any interested friends can contact me at any time. Hope our friends all don't miss it! Whatsapp:+8615738274372. Email:sales@yuananbike.com.
December 09, 2023, 02:48:22 AM 		1
Re: WheelTop EDS TX Full Wireless Groupset (Chinese SRAM) Weight and price comparison.

Wheeltop EDS TX
Source
Shifters - 430g
Front derailleur - 185g
Rear derailleur - 320g
Overall - 935 g.
Current price on aliexpress around 720 USD. Price for Malaysia 2900 RM or around 620 USD (source https://www.instagram.com/p/C2ExxBas-Wf)

L-TWOO ER9
Source:
Shifters - 450g
Front derailleur - 141g.
Rear derailleur - 293g.
Battery case - 22g.
2x 14500 batteries - around 40g.
Cables - 27g.
Overall - 975g.
Current price on aliexpress around 500 USD.

L-TWOO ERX
Weight is almost the same as the ER9, 20-30g lighter due to carbon brake levers and a carbon rear derailleur cage.
Current price on aliexpress around 660 USD.

Shimano 105 R7100 Di2
Source https://www.bikeradar.com/features/shimano-105-di2-weight
Shifters - 442g.
Front derailleur - 138g.
Rear derailleur - 301g.
Battery- 52g.
Cables - 21g.
Overall - 954g.
Current price on aliexpress around 800 USD.
January 16, 2024, 07:17:53 AM 		1
Re: Yishunbike R1058-D vs Velobuild VB-R-268
Quote from: patliean1 on January 25, 2024, 10:30:22 AM
If I may ask you...what is it you are really looking to know in regards to both of these frames?

We are all here to help. Questions like these make me believe there is some transparency missing or underlying motive.
I am going to briefly outline my situation, in the hope that this will make my needs clearer.
I started cycling approx 2 years ago, using a 10 year old, rim brake bicycle with a basic aluminium wheelset.
The bicycle is a chinese endurance frame, imported and branded (and overpriced) by a local bikeshop, but it's soft as a noodle in the bottom bracket and headtube (while also not being to comfy either, due to the small tire clearance and 31.4mm seatpost).
(I've compared it with an S-Works SL7 of a riding buddy, night and day difference).

Now I want to upgrade in terms of frame and wheelset, but because my budget is limited to approx 2k euro, I am looking to a chinese frame and second hand compontents (I also like the mechanics of a bicycle, so building it myself is something I will enjoy).

In terms of the type of bike rides I plan with the bike, I do criteriums (flat), longer bike rides in Belgium (cobbled classic roads and occasionally the ardennes) and 1-2 times a year in the alps.
So I want a bike that is sufficiently aero, not too heavy (<8kg), sufficiently stiff where it needs to be stiff (unlike my current bike), and ideally also sufficiently comfortable (my list is getting long, and I know there will always be compromises, especially on this budget. I don't expect S-Works SL7 performance either, but want to get as close to it as possible).

In terms of possible frames for my purposes, my eye fell on the VB 218 & the Yishun 1058, but if you guys know of other frames that would be suitable for me, suggestions are always welcome  :D.
Given that the VB 218 is a 250 euros cheaper than the Yishun (and that I can choose it in a colour of my liking without a big extra cost, not entirely necessary though), this one is my preference (+ slightly larger tyre clearance for the VB-268, so possibility for wider tyres on the cobbles.)
 However, now I ride with 25mm tyres, so 30mm might be an improvement too). But if there is quality difference in the desired features of the frame (sufficient stiffness, aero), I'd rather pay 250 euros more than regret my purchase.

@Patrick, I already watched several videos of yours and saw that you have had several VeloBuild models - 168, 177, CX-002 (which you rated higher in terms of build quality than the 168?) - and you also ride a Yishun now. How do you rate the different bike brands?
With the VB 268 being a newer (and hopefully better) version of the 168, I had hoped that most of this bike's downsides had already disappeared, but as long as there are no reviews of it, this is obviously guessing;
January 25, 2024, 12:42:08 PM 		1
Re: Ace Sprint carbon wheels on Aliexpress Got a message from them yesterday. Decals and rear disc are done. Should have pics of the others later this week.

Best communication I've had from any seller. So far buying process has been superb.
January 31, 2024, 06:07:04 AM 		1