Guys, is there a frame that looks like this one but is cheaper?

Hey, I'm putting together a gravel bike on a tight budget and need a few things: shorts and jerseys, SPD shoes, a saddle (my old one snapped), bar tape and a couple of bags.
I'm 187 cm and 77 kg so sizing is always a pain. Anyone ordered from China (AliExpress, Temu, whatever) and been happy with the quality? Which brands or shops would you trust, and which ones should I stay away from?
Also looking for an indoor trainer for winter. I mostly want power numbers to train, nothing fancy. Is a used smart trainer worth it, or is there something cheap that works fine?
Thanks!  

Quote from: rovescio on October 26, 2026, 08:25:21 PMWhat are you unsatisfied with on your current carbon Topstone?
What are you goals with the new frame?
What are the features you're looking for that the Topstone doesn't have?

If you're on stock Topstone 3, I suspect a solid set of carbon gravel wheels plus splurging on some G-Ones is going to make the biggest difference.

If you really want electronic shifting, you can just upgrade that. Selling GRX parts is going to be substantially easier than selling a frameset.

Otherwise, I doubt a negligibly lighter frame, aero cockpit+seatpost etc will make a huge difference unless you're racing.

*You're right, to be honest. But my base Topstone weighs over 10.7 kilos, and I'm totally torn on whether to sell it or keep it.

If I sell it, I could get a more up-to-date gravel bike, because 45mm of tire clearance just isn't cutting it for me. Especially since 45s clog up and pack with mud really fast. Plus, it's not UDH compatible, and there's no in-frame storage.

Unfortunately, it's a 2024 model, but at the same time it already feels dated, if you know what I mean.

Hi everyone! I'm new here, from France, and this forum has been a goldmine for me. I'm 187 cm and thinking about building a gravel bike around the LightCarbon LCG072-D or sp cycle g029 , but I'm hesitating on the size (L or XL), and I'm open to other frame suggestions too. If anyone has photos of a complete build, I'd love to see them! What should I check before ordering (geometry, QC, customs)?

I'm also looking for an indoor trainer for the winter, and a few clothes, shoes and gear from China since my budget is tight. Any reliable sellers or brands you'd recommend? Thanks a lot!

Hey, thanks for the honest answer! Fair point, my question wasn't great. I'd like to learn more about geometry and be sure of my choice before I order anything. 32 inch is a good point, but I don't think I'll go that way, I'm not a big fan of the look. I'm taking my time, because there are so many Chinese frames I like, and I'm still looking for frames or cockpits where I can mount aero extensions. Also, where can I find photos of real builds, not just renders? Or maybe I should make a new post for that? Cheers!

Hey everyone, I'm a teenager and I'm trying to decide between two options for my next gravel bike.
Option 1: wait another year, work and save, then buy a bike from a big brand like Cannondale or Scott, with a warranty and a dealer network.
Option 2: order now a LightCarbon LCG072-D frame (aero gravel, 50mm tire clearance, integrated cockpit, UDH), with Serenade carbon wheels and a SRAM Rival XPLR groupset. I'd sell my current Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 to pay for it. The whole build would be around €2,700.
What would you do? Is it worth waiting for a big brand, or is a Chinese frame a good choice for a first custom build? Also, do you know any other gravel frame kits under €1,500, with at least 50mm of tire clearance, that I should look at? Thanks!

Thanks so much for the post, guys, but now you're making me second-guess the size I should get. I'm 6'1" (187 cm). What would you recommend?

Budget: ~3500€ total for the complete bike (frame to wheels). Up to ~1700€ can go toward the frame/fork/seatpost/cockpit kit specifically.s: 50mm+ tire clearance, very aero-oriented), UDH dropout, internal routing
Strongly prefer an integrated cockpit if it fits the budget, but open to a separate bar/stem if that gets me a better frame for the money
Riding: club road rides, cyclocross, some light bikepacking
Size dont know 1.87m rider
What would you actually recommend?