Agreed but I do think that email response was on the very conservative side. Looking forward to see what can fit in the real world

I wasn't super worried about it until I started developing an initial plan of grabbing the Elite Wheels Aero+ gravel wheels with 32mm internal rim width. I plan on running a 2x Ultegra group and wanted to go for 45mm tires (maybe the Schwalbe G-One RS Pros) but now worried about the potential increased width with the large internal rim width. I haven't ordered yet as I am waiting for a full bike fit, so I guess waiting benefits me a bit so that others can get their frames built up.

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to build up the new LightCarbon LCG072-D aero gravel and I'd love some advice before I commit. I want a great value-for-money, do-it-all build: gravel races, bikepacking trips, and winter riding so I can spare my race bike. So it needs to be fast-ish but above all versatile and reliable, not a weight-weenie special. I'll probably run SRAM 1×12 or 1×13 (XPLR AXS or a mullet setup — still deciding), so I'd need an XDR freehub.

1) Size: S or M? (my main question)
I'm 170 cm, ~70 kg, right on the S/M border. My fit numbers from a pro bike fit (currently on a Tarmac SL7 size 52, reach 374 / stack 524):

Saddle height 711 mm (BB → saddle), 165 mm cranks
Effective seat angle 74°, saddle setback ~78 mm
Bar position to replicate: BB → bar 473 mm reach / 594 mm stack (110 mm stem + 35 mm spacers, 400 mm bar)
LCG072-D geo: M = reach 377 / stack 565 (HTA 71.5°); S = reach 368 / stack 547 (HTA 70.5°), both 74° seat angle.

M: reach 377 ≈ my Tarmac 374 → keep ~110 stem, few spacers.
S: needs ~120 stem + ~25–30 mm spacers, but more exposed seatpost (which I like) and more standover — shorter front-center though (toe overlap with wide tires?).
What would you pick at 170 cm for a do-it-all bike that'll also carry bikepacking loads?

2) Availability
LightCarbon (Jim) told me size M can be booked now (~1–2 months), but I'm unsure about S — worried it might be M-only for a while. Anyone ordered an S, or knows the real lead time for the smaller sizes?

3) Budget wheels (XDR, ~50C max frame, winter + bikepacking proof)
Looking for good-value gravel wheels that are durable and easy to service (winter grime + loaded trips), not the lightest. Got a quote from Zen for a 45mm-deep, 32 mm internal superlight set. My frame maxes at 50C and I'll run 40–45C, so I worry 32 mm internal is too wide (better for 60c frames?).

Would 25–28 mm internal be the smarter pick for my tire range?
For winter/bikepacking I'm leaning to 24/24 Sapim CX-Ray over carbon spokes — agree?
Recommendations among value brands (Zen / Winspace / Yoeleo / Farsports / Elitewheels), XDR, ~1300–1400 g, bombproof?
4) Cockpit / handlebar problem
The dedicated integrated gravel bar for this frame (HBR18) is currently only available in 40 cm (other widths = much longer wait), but I'd probably want a 38 cm (my road grip width is fairly narrow). So I'm considering alternatives: another LightCarbon integrated bar (the HBR08 gravel comes in 38/40/42), or a separate stem + flared gravel bar from another brand for more fit flexibility.

With this frame's full-internal routing, can you actually run a standard stem + bar (does the headset/top-cap allow external-to-internal cable entry), or are you locked into LightCarbon's integrated cockpit?
Anyone running an alternative cockpit on an LCR/LCG LightCarbon frame? Recommended 38 cm flared gravel bars?
5) Anything I'm missing?
Open to any advice — the proprietary seatpost, tire choice, bikepacking mounts, or general build tips for best bang-for-buck on a do-it-all rig.

Thanks a lot in advance! 🙏

Sorry couldn't answer most of your questions but I did inquire about the S sizes a few nights ago - I'm about the same height as you though I'm much heavier at 100kg. Got a response from Jim that they'll be done end of September along with the rest of the molds/sizes. Unsure if this means that actual bikes will be available/sent off or if final production will set off in Sept. I also did inquire about an XS size because my inseam is about 27.5-28inches/~700mm+ as I felt the S might still be a bit big but there is currently no plan for it.

I am looking at getting this bike myself and looking in a S. Currently have a 2012 CAAD10 in 52cm (had been sitting for a while until wife picked up cycling) and it's quite close in size to the LCG-072 via BikeInsights.com but higher stack and a bit shorter reach. The CAAD10 is a little big for me so I swapped my stem for a 20mm shorter one last month. It's helped my reach issues but I feel this geometry will help with getting less pressure off my hands. I'm going to get a bike fitting at the end of October so will know more but definitely looking forward to what others have to say once they get their frames.