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Messages - FHS

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1
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Yishun R086-D Aero Road
« on: August 22, 2023, 07:04:48 PM »
Hey Pat,

Checked out the review. Maybe a separate topic, but it sounds like you are on the verge of tapping out on cheap Chinese frames. What would your YouTube presence look like?

2
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: dcrf26 frame - Scott Foil?
« on: August 15, 2023, 08:21:24 PM »
Quote from: patliean1 on August 15, 2023, 08:57:38 AM
Best way to describe the feeling and sensation is think 1990s Japanese tuner sports car versus their modern day stock counterpart.

Funny. If I had the itch to do another bike build, your review wouldn't put me off, or get me very excited about this particular frame. Not a bad thing. It's just, like you said, nothing too distinguishing other than the polarizing looks. I feel like I could just edit in "TT-X21" for every specific reference to "TT-X38" in your road tests.

Thanks for the review!

3
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Alternatives to Winspace/Yoeleo/Seka/Elves?
« on: April 01, 2023, 01:10:02 PM »
Quote from: patliean1 on April 01, 2023, 05:36:39 AM
Wonder if I could source the latest Propel frameset from an authorized dealer. Already have wheels and groupo plus full builds get pricey quickly.

Chicago is the land of Tarmac SL7s - AFAIK Specialized only has two flagship retail shops outside of California...and both of them were opened here within the last two years. Kudos to the brand for doing their market research.

I'd probably dump my Allez Sprint for an SL7 if they weren't so ubiquitous around here. However, like you said, there is a reason why the SL7 is popular.

Tarmacs seem to be everywhere. I don't know about flagship   stores, but there are 2 authorized dealers within driving distance of my home. Otoh, I've only ever seen 2 other Propels in the 3 years I've been riding my local roads. I know my LBS can get Giant products and service any Giant warranty issues. I will definitely be looking into a new Propel frameset when they become available.

4
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: ProX carbon wheels (LightCarbon)
« on: March 31, 2023, 08:48:11 PM »
Yikes.

Did you get a leak into the chamber?

5
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: 2022 Cervelo S5
« on: March 30, 2023, 03:19:00 PM »
Quote from: patliean1 on March 30, 2023, 11:29:36 AM
What exactly is the allure of purchasing a fake/counterfeit/non-authorized frame? I'm not asking maliciously or looking to debate. I just genuinely wanna know...

I'm a watch enthusiast myself. There is an entire sub-culture for fake Rolexes, however these watches have now gotten so close to the real thing they are almost indistinguishable without both a magnifying glass and an understanding of balance wheels and silicone hairsprings. Crazy stuff like that.

While I myself would rather opt for a high quality branded homage than a fake Rolex, truthfully I can understand the rationale. And a fake Rolex probably won't send your skull and collarbone into the tarmac if it fails on you.

Yeah, I think this question has been touched upon every time someone posts a link to the latest look-alike frame. If you're talking about an actual fake/counterfeit that somebody is trying to pass off as the real thing, I think the answer to your question here is probably something similar to the answer someone would give after buying a fake Rolex.

As for non-authorized, what do you mean? I'd say that most open mold frames are an "homage" to something being sold by a big name. Big names can try to cut into competitor's profits by throwing around the word "unauthorized" but it seems like a way of saying "you copied me" as if they don't spend half their RD budget trying to copy each other without saying they're doing it.

6
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Alternatives to Winspace/Yoeleo/Seka/Elves?
« on: March 30, 2023, 12:54:22 PM »
Quote from: StiffWeenies on March 25, 2023, 07:13:13 AM
So this brings me back to Giant. Why not just get a TCR or Propel? Sure they don't feel 'exciting' as an established brand but there's a reason why they're the biggest in the world. I've also noticed that there isn't much ownership content of them on the internet so perhaps you could capitalise on the TCR's cult following like the Allez? Do keep in mind that they'll probably release a next gen fully integrated TCR soon for '24 MY

I currently ride a '20 Propel after picking up a cheapish, newish, frame a couple of years ago. It's a true aero bike. The new '23 Propel is more like an SL7, an all-arounder with aero characteristics. In the past, if you were thinking Giant road bike, you either went with the superlight all arounder TCR, or the portly but really fast Propel. I think both had idiosyncrasies that would push potential buyers in one direction or the other. The new Propel, though, has closed the major gaps between the two bikes. The totally redesigned, fully integrated two piece cockpit versus the old one that nobody liked, and the weight savings pushing the top end bike below 7 kgs, have really changed Giant's game. The only people who have questions about the new Propel are people like me who would have rather seen them go all in on Aero. Not sure if a Giant will help your YT branding, but they are damn good bikes.

7
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: SES AR Road Handlebar from Aliexpress
« on: March 28, 2023, 08:05:32 PM »
Quote from: Froglover825 on March 27, 2023, 07:34:31 PM
Taking the gamble on aliexpress carbon Aero Handlebars doesn't seem worth it imo, they all seem to be very prone to cracks.
You can pickup a pair of prime doyenne aluminum aero handlebars from wiggle for what, $75 aud? and carbon for $275

I have the aluminum version on two of my bikes and they look really nice especially if you reverse wrap with no tape and don't wrap the flat tops.

I like that they have a decent looking aluminum bar option at a reasonable price. The 75mm reach makes it something I'd be interested in as well. But, $275 puts the carbon option out of consideration when there would be so many other brands to look at in that price range.

I would also like to know why you think all aliexpress carbon bars are prone to cracking. I took the gamble on a set of EC90 bars and I'm pleased so far. It has cosmetic issues, but seems well built enough to not have to worry about it imploding in the middle of a hard sprint.

8
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Carbon Aero Bar search…
« on: March 06, 2023, 02:32:05 PM »
Quote from: pearl on March 02, 2023, 03:33:12 PM
i did see those too, but it looks like the EC90 bar? i'm looking to put them on my gravel bike... so worried about destroying it!

Identical to the EC90 bar, which I just picked up from Aliexpress. The set I have has a crappy finish, you can see some "ridges" in the layup, but it's stiff enough and functional. The ridges would be kind of annoying if I ever rode the tops, but I don't, so f' it. Can't complain for how inexpensive they are and the less than two weeks shipping to California.

9
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Any opinions/experiences with Spcycle bike framesets?
« on: February 13, 2023, 02:50:34 PM »
Quote from: jonathanf2 on February 13, 2023, 12:26:34 PM
There are other frames I'm looking at that are threaded BB. The only reason I was looking at these Spcycle framesets were from a cost perspective, I'd rather not have to deal putting more money into the BB if I can buy another frame with an easier setup.

The three PF bikes I've had, two from Chinese manufacturers, have been fine. I think PF is generally fine, unless they are misaligned or out of spec because of poor manufacturing. Poorly manufactured bottom brackets are not exclusive to Chinese manufacturers. I'm saying all of that, because, if the PF frames from Spcycle are the best bargain for you, then go for it. Really, the biggest benefit to threaded PF BBs is that they do help mitigate some of the issues that go with misaligned PFs. If your frame doesn't have those issues to begin with, you won't need one.

I did go with a Wheels Manufacturing Thread together BB86 for my first Chinese frame, just in case. When I switched to DUB, I had to go with a non thread together, and, as it turns out, I didn't have any issues with that one either.

To FullCarbonAlchemist's point, if it's a crapshoot, definitely don't buy something that's already certified as crap.

10
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Carbon Repair - Is my frame fixable?
« on: January 23, 2023, 11:11:58 AM »
Hopefully Canyon honors your warranty but, if not, I'll second third and fourth what everybody has said about sanding and inspecting for damage. I'd be surprised if you found cracks. The responsible person in me says go see a professional for inspection and repair, but, having done some home fiber carbon repair with a $90 usd DIY kit off Ebay, I can say it's not something that requires tons of skill or lot's of specialty equipment, especially around the area you'd be repairing.

Here's about the most complete, start to finish,  DIY job on a chainstay anybody would need to do.


11
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: 2022 Cervelo S5
« on: January 01, 2023, 11:07:28 AM »
Quote from: Velovelo on January 01, 2023, 09:08:24 AM
Btw, I was trying to avoid buying a copy frame when I got the LTK268 / tt-x21 / 099 . Turns out it was a Dolan Ares or Lokka Ranger.
I wonder if there is a true open mold frame out there for people who want to avoid copied / homage frames.

Apologies to Dolan, but I wonder where they source the Ares frameset from.

Here's a Road.CC Bike at Bedtime article from Feb '22. It says the Dolan Ares was released somtime in '21.

https://road.cc/content/feature/bike-bedtime-check-out-dolan-ares-road-bike-289985

I bought my X21 in Nov '20, and it had already been out a couple of months at least.

Regardless, I don't think the issue is with "homage" frames. I think the issue with the S5 knockoff is kind of a similar issue with the Trek Madone knockoffs. Could the isospeed decoupler on a Madone really be replicated on a knock-off? Similarly, the S5 knockoff looks the part, if that's what you want. I'm trying to imagine what building a bike from that frame and handlebar set up must be like.

I think with a supplier like VB, you at least have a know quantity with the Chris collective. Just look at all the build issues that have been worked out on this forum.

Whoever does an S5 build is going to be the guinea pig, but I feel like you'll have an audience at least.





12
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Shoes rubbing crank arms
« on: December 29, 2022, 03:07:27 PM »
I just repositioned my cletes to stop my shoes from rubbing. I don't think Q factor is that big of a deal. If you decide to drop $700 on a set of Assioma pedals, they will change your Q factor.

13
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Rinasclta
« on: December 29, 2022, 01:04:00 PM »
I came accross their primer on Chinese bikes wayyyyyy back (Oct '20) when I first started looking at purchasing a Chinese frame. I sent them an email and they responded pretty quickly to that first inquiry. I can't remember exactly what I asked for follow up questions but they never responded.

After doing a bit more research I decided that their range of offerings was pretty limited and overpriced compared to other identical offerings from other trusted sellers. The fact that they never got back to me just put me off for good.

14
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Frame Sizing Confusion!
« on: December 13, 2022, 03:02:37 PM »
Quote from: Yogidave on December 13, 2022, 01:08:00 PM
Methodology:
1. Over time....
.
.
.
8. I'm a total dork and I realize this.

Um, yeah.

I don't mean this as a criticism in any way, but you've probably done more "due diligence" than 99% of the posters here who went out and built up a Chinese frame. I just don't think you're ever going to resolve your sizing issue to your satisfaction by just crunching data. It'll get you in the ballpark but, clearly, no one seller has exactly what you need. Even if you purchase all of the parts, relevant to sizing, piece by piece from multiple sellers to try to get exactly what you want, you're more than likely going to find that actual measurements don't have the accuracy you're looking for either.

This ain't archery, it's more like playing golf. Take your best swing, buy the frameset you think is going to get you closest to your fit, then make your adjustments. Luckily, you're not purchasing pieces that cost thousands of dollars, or even hundreds of dollars, for the most part.

If you think purchasing the frame is fun, wait til you start building it.

15
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Velobuild VB-R-218
« on: December 08, 2022, 11:42:03 AM »
Quote from: madmax on December 08, 2022, 10:30:15 AM
The rear hole near the seatpost i so small I can just get a brake cable through it & housing will not fit without drilling the hole & making it larger

The campy groupset housings were way too short so I had to order a 30' roll of jagwire shifter housing which showed up yesterday & a 20' roll of jagwire brake housing which will show up today

I will run a piece of fishing or lawn trimmer line through the hole starting at the rear to front & then put housing on that till it reaches the end of the frame on the rear.
At that point I will fish the actual brake cable through the housing, while removing twine & the cable will go through the hole & I will put a sleeve on it & that will resolve the issue without trying to drill the hole etc etc.

I think Sebastian and Coffeebreak have the right idea. I would think you'd have to run the housing all the way to the brake caliper for it to work properly? No way this would work with hydraulic brakes as is, so I would think that useless flap of CF covering the hole is a screw up. Dremel it out, sand it smooth, then run the housing through. It'll operate with or without the plug Coffeebreak linked. The plug will help keep water out of the opening, help guide the housing, and make for a cleaner install, but I would think that you really just need an opening big enough to run the housing through.

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