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Messages - koki1176

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29er / Re: Specialized EPIC WC (Replica)
« on: August 05, 2026, 09:08:51 AM »
For anyone interested, I purchased the Airwolf copy of Epic WC in September, 2025. But my experience with Airwolf is quite bad. So many problems with the frame, mainly the shock area. The screws that fixate the rear shock repeatedly break (two times in around half a year). For me it is straight evidence of poor tolerances. Because the screw holes and threads are so badly aligned, they cause too much stress on the screws, and they do not hold for long time. Eventually, they break and it is a terrifying experience when shock starts to rattle and almost breaks the frame. I never thought that is even possible. Their customer support is also so bad...
Can't recommend Airwolf in any way.

It is such a shame - the bike looks absolutely rapid, and for a full suspension bike it is fast, also a build under 10kg would be no problem. But for now, it is no more than a flat bar gravel bike. Can't trust the frame any further. If the shock disintegrates, probably rear triangle collapses...great for a serious injury.

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29er / Re: carbon short travel 29er - XL options?
« on: August 05, 2026, 08:50:04 AM »
Hello, a new member on the topic here. I don't know whether this will be relevant, but I have bought the YFM015 last September (2026). I completed the build mid October. If you need a quick summary: Do not buy anything from Airwolf.

Here is more detailed explanation: After about a month of use, I noticed some cracking noise in the frame, especially in the area of the rear shock. At first, nothing seemed broken so I inspected the carbon frame and still did a few more rides. But once, before the ride, I noticed, the rear shock had a lot of play. To my surprise, after I barely touched the screw that fixates the rear shock, it came out, but the problem was that threaded part remained in the frame. I contacted Airwolf - this is pretty serious failure - and they (you will not be surprised) did nothing. It is interesting, because you can look at the problem from different points of view. You could argue that the screws that Airwolf provided are from third manufacturer and therefore Airwolf are not responsible.

But wait... the screw that broke is structurally a critical point.  With the rear shock disintegrating, next concequence is rear triangle collapse. Definitely a serious injury. That should not happen.

By drilling into frame (done by pro mechanic), we actually managed to save the frame. But a few days ago (half a year passed), I again felt a little bit of free play in the rear shock and again, original (Specialized's) screw was broken. To me, this was a clear indication of how bad the frame is built. The tolerances are way too big, there is no precision in manufacturing. It think the screw holes are so far from being well aligned, that they cause too much stress on the screws and they all eventually break.

My goal is not to get anything from Airwolf, they did not even answer me when the failure happened second time. I just want you to be very cautious with Airwolf. They have terrible customer support, and as it seems, their products do not meet even the bare minimum quality standards. In fact, I would say they are really dangerous. And from what I can read from others, many have been disappointed with Airwolf.

I will also attach some pictures of bottom bracket area and head tube area, which I took when the bike was new. It will help you see how bad the quality is compared to some real Chinese OEM manufacturers.

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Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: LTK266-D-SL, race frame, 680g, <800g w/paint & metal parts (M), fits 35mm+ tires
« on: December 20, 2025, 02:33:51 PM »
Hi everyone,
I also received my LTK266-D-SL and for now everything looks really nice. The frame is very well made, no wrinkles, etc.. I went with custom paintjob, which is ok, not the best but not bad. I would say paint is relatively thin, probably the purpose behind it is keeping the weight down. My frame (size L) weighted in at 780g with derailleur hangers, forks are 330g (uncut steerer), seatpost with all hardware just under 150g...so it is indeed a lightweight frameset.
I assembled bike, but haven't ridden it yet.
Regarding the sizing - at the time I ordered the frame, only S, M, L sizes were available. At 183cm and a little less than 80cm saddle height i think it is okay, but it is a good idea to match the frameset with longer stem because it is not a very long frame in terms of reach. Also, I plan to remove spacers because I think bike will fit me okay if I slam it.
Based on what I have observed till now, it is a really nice frameset ,kudos to Long Teng :)

About the weight, I did not assemble my wheelset yet, but I weighed the bike with brothers' wheelset. With pedals (no bartape), it is 7.3kgs. I find this very good for a Ltwoo erx build & Magene P515 crank and Conti Grand Prix TR tires (are quite heavy). With GP5000s S TR and lighter wheelset, the bike will be ~ 7.0kg, pedals included.

Big thanks to everyone who helped make this thread very useful!


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Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: LTK266-D-SL, race frame, 680g, <800g w/paint & metal parts (M), fits 35mm+ tires
« on: October 11, 2025, 02:25:10 AM »
Quote from: klrdd on October 10, 2025, 08:36:43 PM
This bike is a great deal, but I dont know if it's going to feel special in that way some of the high end frames with a lot of r&d do. Truthfully I just dont know. But practically, for the price its going to be hard to beat. 500km in and I am more than satisfied with my.investment..But dont expect fireworks.

I agree. It is fair to say that with limited R&D it is cruel to expect it will ride like a high end frame for almost 10 times higher price. But from what I've read, I think the area where the frame really excels, is what you get for the cost  (Because as a student, you don't have unlimited amount of money and also you are a bit to old to expect that your parents will buy you a bike), and compared to riders' reviews of other similiar priced OEM frames, this one should be high on the list.

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Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: LTK266-D-SL, race frame, 680g, <800g w/paint & metal parts (M), fits 35mm+ tires
« on: October 10, 2025, 04:21:20 PM »
Quote from: klrdd on October 10, 2025, 03:40:24 PM
I'm just a hair under 183 and I am fine on the L. However, I run my seat height at 76cm. Presumably my legs are slightly shorter than yours, and also I do like to run a bit lower of a seat because of mid-foot cleat position, etc. I do not think the frame is too small for someone at 6ft/183cm but it's personal preference. I prefer a 56 with a long stem. And given that I'm running the 130mm/-10degree stem nearly slammed, I don't think I'd get along with the higher stack height of a 58/XL if one existed anyways. But that's all preference. Have you ridden a 58 previously as a racer? If you were a pro u23 i'd think you would want a smaller frame, tbh, given the trend toward running frames even two sizes 'too small' in the pro peloton.

I can't compare to other OEM frames, sorry. Looks-wise (and aero-wise) you need to be OK with the lack of aero shaping. The bike feels stiff and responsive but not harsh. So yeah the BB area is stiff enough but so much depends on touch points and wheels/tires as I'm sure you know as a pro. Definitely not feeling squishy or noodley. But I don't have the experience with modern (say post 2020) Western bikes to make good comparisons here--need someone else to chime in. Hope this helps.

I ran a bit longer frame in terms of reach, I was on the 56, but for the reach I think I can compensate with stem length. Head tube length is similar to my old bike, so I think I could ride it slammed without issues so I really think size L should be OK.
It is interesting because as a junior I raced Giant TCR and that bike went really well uphill. But in a pro team, you don't get to chose your bike - you ride what you get and on the team bike, which had more aerodynamic frame, I missed some responsiveness of the TCR. So now that I am going to retire, I want the bike to feel responsive, but I am okay with lack of aerodynamic - when you aren't competing, the ride feel will be more important ...of course a lot of the bike's handling characteristics come from wheels and tyres, but also handlebars.

So from what I understand the frame it super nice, if you don't mind lack of aerodynamics... as a U23 racer I trained a lot and when you spend that much time on the bike, you start to look at the bike differently and the thing I notice now...you start to appreciate the bike that feels nice to ride, not just the bike that looks great or performs the best.
Thanks for reply!

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Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: LTK266-D-SL, race frame, 680g, <800g w/paint & metal parts (M), fits 35mm+ tires
« on: October 10, 2025, 03:10:54 PM »
Hi, a newbie on the topic here :)
from what I can understand about LTK266-D-SL, the frame is very nice and also quite responsive and for me it really ticks a lot of boxes. But the thing I am slightly concerned about is the size of the frame for 183 cm because my legs are probably on the longer side, running 79cm seat height. I noticed a few of you riding the bike at approx. 180cm, do you feel the frame is on the smaller side for you?
Also where would you place the quality of the frame or its ride feel compared to other OEM frames? For instance, the Spcycle r088 seems quite nice but from what I understand, LTK266-D-SL should be better in terms of quality and ride feel. About LCR017d, I have mixed opinion. It is heavier, looks more aero, but some people say it is quite squishy in some parts, so I am not so sure about its stiffness. Maybe with slammed stem it would look nice, maybe a little bit similiar to the Cannondale supersix evo.
I am asking this because next season I am a retired U23 pro cyclist and to be honest I want the frame to be nice to ride, responsive. Not the type of frame that is fast on paper, but then it is sluggish to ride like if you got some bad replica of an SL8...yeah it looks nice, is good in the wind tunnel because it is same geometry, but isn't joy to ride.
Thanks for your thoughts!

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