Hello from my side,

After reading and benefiting from all the insights here, I can now post a short middle-term review. Overall, I am super pleased with the bike and the build.

Here are the specs:

Size: 54 metallic frame (I believe it’s colour 3)
Seatpost: Zero offset
Headset/Stem: Fully integrated FSA Headset and SMR Stem
Handlebar: Balugoe, 36.5cm wide
Shifters: 105 Di2
Derailleurs: Ultegra Di2 rear and front
Cranks: Magene PES P505 Powermeter, 165mm
Chainrings: Spécialités TA
Cassette: ZTTO 11-34
Wheelset: Tagoola Aeroraptor (60mm deep, 23mm internal, UD-Satin finish, 5mm bladed carbon spokes, 1260g)
Tires: Continental GP5000 S TR, 30mm
Saddle: Fizik

The bike just fits like a glove and rides super well. I was skeptical if the wheels would be problematic in crosswinds, but so far they perform better than expected. The communication and build process went without any problems.
I love that so many details are now standardized: UDH, BSA BB, and the headset. I first installed a Kocevlo integrated handlebar but felt it was too soft; I believe most of the movement came from the top headset cover. After switching to the FSA headset/stem combination, it felt totally different. I now have much more confidence in the bike and the build.

Super happy with the bike, the only problem is that I genuinely don't know what to upgrade now!

coming back on the thru axle spacers saga. For the ones that did not receive the flat surface axle. Did SP cycle ever sent a new axle or you had to buy it and they reimbursed? I noticed the play today in the rear wheel after my first ride and it seems it even damaged the udh. I wrote to SPcycle on aliex, will see what they reply, but I wanted to check what was their solution for others with the same problem.

Hi there,

I have finished my build. This is my second china frame after a Carbonda CFR696 whoch I build up in 2021 (my project againt COVID depression). Since i am us9ng it mostly on paved roads I wanted something more „racy“. Intried some bikes at the local bike stores and found out that the perfect bike for me is a Tarmac SL8. But, with all the features I would like to have they charge a whopping 9k€  Germany.

Today I did a quick technical testride. My observations:

- while building up I had a problem to install the front calipers. The 15mm screws were to long (at least I could not get them into place). I endee up using shorter screws and I hope tha works
- Riding experience is very fine so far. Much better accelerating than my gravel bike, like I espected. Although a sporty geometry the bike feels very comfortable. I do not know if this is due to a lack of stiffness and the frame is just flexing. But, so farbit feels nice. Keeping the speed above 30 kph ismuch easier than on the gravel hike (with the same wheels and tires).

- last point, and this is a real problem: the bolt pf the seatpost clamp kept loosening again and again and the seatpost went down. I did not have a torque wrench with me and therefore I was scared to tighten it too much. At the end of the ride I went all the way down and the seat post was stuck in the seat tube. It took some effort to get it out again. Do you have an idea whatbI could do to tighten the seatpost clampmso that it will never come loose again? Any advice is highly appreciated!

Yeah ; I think it will. I bought it during the sale and paid 550 with the more expensive paint incl shipping to EU

Photos of the build! As I mentioned previously, I can't ride the bike right now due to major fires in my area, so I can't comment on ride quality until things clear up. I've included close-ups of the UD glossy raw finish. In-person it looks like black marbling, similar to a bowling ball with similar finish! Also I pre-applied clear protection decals to certain areas of the frame. Some of the straight lines in the finish are from the protection decaling.