Thank you! I'm new to the XMCS extended universe so must have got my names mixed up 
The front can feel a little unwieldy on the velobuild, like it lags behind the rear slightly. It's hard to describe the feeling.
Did you happen to do any aero testing between those two bikes?

That must have been me, as I have a Velobuild here (my girlfriend’s bike).

The GRT feels a bit slower to turn to me, but the front is less ‘wandering’ if you like.

How is the handling feeling on this bike? I messaged Peter who had tested the Velobuild aero gravel frame I believe the same day and he mentioned the Velobuild feeling a little more spry, but the XMCS more stable. Would be interested too if Peter took some aero numbers from the Velobuild for comparison 

They don’t need to make a copy mold, they just need to make an aero 32 inch gravelbike and it will boom.

Exactly. At 197cm and 90+kg I'll take a 32" bike with a 1kg penalty any day. I nearly got a 29" full-sus MTB to replace my hardtail this year from LightCarbon but will wait for 32", which will likely just suit and fit me much better.

A 32" MTB has already won a Cape Epic stage, let's see how Cam Jones does at Unbound and go from there.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make a copy of the new Scott 32" gravel bike I'll buy it right away I promise
https://www.cyclingnews.com/bikes/pro-bikes/im-genuinely-scared-how-fast-ill-be-able-to-corner-scott-creates-32-prototype-bike-for-defending-champion-at-unbound-gravel/

I'm also heading towards LightCarbon, a factory owner here recommended them as being good quality. LightCarbon are telling me that the LCFS980 is available with 120mm frame travel, which, well that sounds ideal. I've asked them for more info - they also tell me the LCFS918 can be had with 120mm frame travel, too. Will update this thread!

I am more or less at the same point as you.

I‘m also searching for a downcountry frame and will chise between the spcycle and the lightcarbon. LCFS980
https://www.lightcarbon.com/lightcarbon-29er-light-xc-full-suspension-carbon-frame-internal-cable-routing_p242.html
which has only a rear travel of 90 mm. But lightcarbon has a better reputation than spcycle i think. The Spcycle frame is lighter, but there are reports of broken frames.

So if there is some help to clarify this here, i would be also happy to buy my next XC frame.

Hello!
I have a Velobuild gravel bike and a friend has a Tideace NOAH. Both are pretty comparable to a similar mainstream bike and offer really similar benefits and a much reduced cost and, if I'm being honest, a small compromise on ride quality (very small compromise).
I've been riding a Titan Racing hardtail with a 120mm fork now for about 6 months and I'm starting to get an itch to build up a Chinertown special full sus MTB. I would like something basically similar to the Epic 8, a 120/120 bike that could take a 130 fork, but that is extremely efficient for XCM racing.
So my questions are basically:

1. Is the Chinese MTB space as developed as the Chinese road and gravel space? How close can I get to the quality of a top-notch 120/120 frame from a major manufacturer?

2. What frame and components would people suggest getting direct from Chinese manufacturers? I see there's a lot of frames and also a lot of reports of cracking, etc.

So far the new https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,5095.0.html SPcycle M868 looks ideal, I like the look and reviews of the Orbea Oiz. Is buying a copy worth the 50%-ish discount from buying the 'real deal'?
I realize a lot of these questions are philosophical in nature, but this is a discussion board and I'm really interested to see what people think.

Thank you!
Conrad

Got the 2X version of these with the bottom bracket and threw them on my Surly. They look great and 2X is a treat.

Would you be able to let me know where you got these? I have the 1x Direct mount 3-bolt one on the gravel bike, but would like a set for my road bike, too.
Thank you!

Asked for a burnt terracotta with a satin (50/50 ish matte/gloss) clear, I got metallic copper, also the same decal printed for both L + R sides - although that was really my fault, I should have sent them the R (drive side ) decal too. I asked them to not place a decal but mask the paint, so it's in negative space. Then, the fork is raw + satin (looks nice in the sun) and insides are also burnt orange/copper. I'm really happy with how it turned out considering the price. I got some wax and some brown dye, mixed the two of them, and applied to the frame just to knock the color down ever so slightly in terms of brightness. Either way, I'm happy and I'd do their custom painting again.

Build:
Frame in L
LightBicycle WR45s
50mm G-One RX/R front/rear (tons of room in the front, would be happy to fit a 2.25 in there, would probably do 2.1 in the rear too)
Rival XPLR derailleur
Force XPLR hoods + brakes (wanted the bonus buttons)
EVOSID fake 5DEV MTB cranks 165mm (spindle is too long, ordered a smaller one. Until then, 8mm spacer on the LHS lol)
Ti bottle cages
RYET saddle
Bikedoc 34/40 bar + Kalloy UNO Project 120mm stem

Weighs about 8.8kg with pedals etc. - 8.3 with the road wheelset and tires on. The crank is pretty heavy, I used Ti bolts on the frame to drop a handful of grams. Derailleur/crank/cassette could easily drop 500-600g if I spent more, but all in, the cost was about £2200. Can't argue with that

I'm 197cm and all torso and the stem works great for me, but it's long.