Quote from: Yunglord on February 15, 2023, 06:37:07 PM
a direct hanger has advantages over a regular one for Shimano rear derailleurs on top of being lighter.

Yes, exactly. Slightly better shifting, and lighter.
Plus longer term i wonder what if Velobuild didn't stock them or whatever. Having another source to get parts is always helpful.

Quote from: hazzer19 on February 15, 2023, 12:29:45 PM

I've been after this for a while as well and no luck. I'm seeing more direct hangers come out that look like they would fit but it seems like the VB design is fairly unique, or doesn't match what is out there yet. Looking at the options in the ad, it would seem like a few could work but they don't quite fit from what I can see.

Yeah, I found more on AliExpress and quite a few look super close. But like you said, it might not quite match.
I feel like odds are it's not a Velobuild exclusive. They are just buying it from someone. At least I assume haha.
If so, there has to be a source that we can track down and find the exact model it's based on.
But maybe I am just dreaming haha

I know this was asked like a year ago, but thought I would follow up. Has anyone tried and found a direct mount derailleur hanger that works for the vbr168?
Stumbled on these on Ali and was tempted, but not sure about if any would work.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004545854616.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.5a3b571ahIjVub&algo_pvid=a151bde9-9936-474b-8420-aaf6402c1a0b&algo_exp_id=a151bde9-9936-474b-8420-aaf6402c1a0b-1&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000029559594136%22%7D&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21CAD%2118.46%216.19%21%21%21%21%21%40211bd8be16764112249635138d0763%2112000029559594136%21sea%21CA%210&curPageLogUid=VkTffr2goehC

Quote from: bdotx on October 12, 2022, 10:56:13 AM
Completed my build the other day. Haven't taken it out on a real ride but a quick shakedown ride and the bike feels great so far. Didn't have any issues with the install although trying to run 4 cables through the integrated cockpit was a massive pain. Parts list:

Frame: VB-R-168 Size 52
Groupset: Mechanical 105
Brakes: Juin Tech F1
Wheels: Roval Terra CL
Tires: GP5000 32c

It looks great!

Quote from: vTuga on September 29, 2022, 03:27:35 PM
It's done

Velobuild VB-R-168
SRAM Force AXS Disc 12v
Cassete 10-33
Crankset 46/33 - 165mm
Elitewheels Drive 50D
Pedals - Favero Assioma Duo
Tires Continental GP5000 Cream 25c
Tubolitos
Bartape Lizardskins 1.8mm
Garmin Edge 830
Garmin Varia RTL515

Weight: 7.6kg
(With pedals, garmin mount and bottle cages)

Looks great!

Quote from: voshond on September 12, 2022, 09:05:26 AM
Does anyone know the type of screw for the seatpost clamp?
It's getting colder and wetter here and i've seen the bottlecage, seatpost and seatpost clamp screws already starting to rust. For the bottlecages it's an easy replacement. For the seatpost i think i got the specs already in my sheet. However for the clamp i cannot figure out the style. I'm german, so i cannot really tell on how you would call the screw, that is basically only a thread and has a hex inserted in the screw.

Another thing is about the handlebar screws. Seems like it's M5 or M4, that has a nut that you need to put in another hex key at the other side to tighten it. I had a handlebar from china before and it had the same style. All my other stems just have threads inside of them. I cannot figure out the name of the screw either. I found one handlebar screw on Aliexpress that is titanium from "Risk", but in case that ever fails i don't want to order stuff that takes 30 days+ to eventually arrive. So if anyone knows the type of screw on the handlebars, i would greatly appreciate the name and specs!

For the stem I used this set and it was great for me.
C$ 17.03  36％ Off | Wanyifa Titanium M5x16 18mm Blot for 3T ARX LTD Stem - Complete Titanium Bolts Hardware Upgrade Kit
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mP7Ymf6

Unfortunately no idea about the seat post, but I would like to know as well.

Quote from: jokage on September 02, 2022, 06:52:01 AM
My 168 raked more than 9000km outdoor and indoor now. No issues other than creaking headset.

And recently, I've tried to change its attitude. And it worked! Here it is.

Conti Terra Speed 650x35B on Hunt Adventure Sport wheels.

This looks great! 650b and 35mm gravel tires is a great idea!
How does it feel on the gravel?

Quote from: voshond on August 29, 2022, 05:16:31 PM
Here is my final build now. 8.1 kg including everything, bike computer, bottle cages (with hidden multitool), pedals, mount etc.

I think it turned out great.

Looks great! 8.1kg is excellent for the complete setup.

Quote from: vTuga on August 25, 2022, 05:57:51 PM
Anyone else had problems like this here in the forum?

Yeah I had this issue, was impossible to get the calipers to align properly as they were kinda twisted at an angle. I could get it so close, but never right. This week I took it in and got the mounts faced (cost $70 cad) and completely fixed it. Then I had the calipers set up and aligned in minutes.
At first I was a touch annoyed at Velobuild for not doing it at the factory. But since I have talked to a bunch of bike mechanics and they basically all said it's just part of building up a brand new frame - regardless of price.
I think sometimes maybe we assume things aren't done cause it's a cheap frame from china. When in reality a lot of  these things and little issues are just industry wide. But when buying a complete bike, someone has already dealt with a resolved them. Obviously that's just my opinion haha

Quote from: gbrnole on August 22, 2022, 01:58:15 PM
did you measure the inside face to face of the fork? it seems more like the through axle is mismarked for OLD of 130 rather than overall length of 130mm?

Yeah I think it has to be something like this. The carbon parts are made in a mold, so I can't see how a completely different dimension could even happen. I mean unless the fork got crushed in shipping, but that would be fairly obvious.
Have you tried sliding a wheel into the fork and see how it fits?

Quote from: patliean1 on August 10, 2022, 05:54:25 PM
Just returned from my VB-168 maiden voyage. Hooray seatpost clamp finally arrived. Did a quick 45km jaunt and here are my initial thoughts. Naturally my opinion will probably change over time...

1. As a "complete" build, I consider the 168 an "everyday" aero bike. It doesn't punish you by being too harsh, and neither is it flexy.

2. No creeks, rattles, or headset play. This is a combination of using a quality threaded BB, cable sound insulation, and the FSA headset working as intended. I also used light thread-locker on both derailleur hanger bolts.

3. No brake rub issues. I purchased brand new Shimano Ultegra rotors and aligning the calipers to them was super easy. Shimano is known to sell rotors that still need to be slightly "trued" upon arrival, but in this case I suppose I won truing lottery. I haven't been so lucky in the past...

4. I am still an advocate that quality wheels are more important than a frame. But I will also include having a proper bike fit and really paying attention to the decision of components at the contact points (saddle and handlebars). A frameset is only one aspect of the complete ride experience, albeit a critical one. As a complete bike with my current components, and assuming everything continues to work as intended, the 168 is a solid value if budget is really tight and if you can only have "one" bike. It doesn't have the same feeling of "urgency" as my Winspace T1500 or Allez Sprint which want you to go fast all the time, and that's okay. Those frames cost 3-4x more and wheels/tire/tube selection also play a huge role. The 168 frame wont be the reason your performance suffers I can assure you...

Regarding the topic of facing the caliper mounts (and subsequently the bottom bracket and headset opening) I spoke to a professional bike mechanic earlier today, who mostly deals with high-end bikes for competitive racing of all disciplines. He says it's very common for new frames from major brands to arrive needing to be faced. Do what you want with this information LoL

Of course my personal experiences and industry conversations are purely anecdotal. I've been fortunate not have any brake rub issues on any of builds due to caliper facing issues. And this is regardless of whether or not a brand actually faced the mounts from the factory. I was concerned my 168 would have facing issues, but the brand new set of trued rotors immediately solved that issue.

I'll follow up in a couple of weeks. Probably.

Thanks for the great review! Appreciate your thoughts. And looking forward to your YouTube videos as well.
I agree on the facing. I have been asking a few friends in the industry and have been told the identical feedback as you. I got a quote from my local shop and they said $70 to do mine. That seems fair to
me.

Quote from: voshond on August 10, 2022, 03:44:59 PM
Also as promised, i collected all the specs and products from reading every page that i thought matter to collect here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NpMFVEhRhZikKWWa3ZGyseyyIX_4spwQJXQ4DVVXCTA/edit#gid=0

It includes torque specs, bearing specs, alternative headsets + stems, SL7 parts, bolt specs, geometry table and links for the loctite that i used

this is great, thanks for doing that

Quote from: eucalyptus on August 10, 2022, 01:19:24 AM
My caliper mounts are not faced either.... Nightmare!

There is NOT ONE single shop in Sweden that carries these tools required. 2 shops have the Park tool DT 5.2 but they are missing the crucial part, the diamond cutter accessory, meaning they can only face alloy and steel frames and NOT carbon.

I mean sure it is expensive, but for a shop buying at much lower prices and not a single shop carrying these precious items... Real bummer! Will have to use a file and do it manually.

That's super annoying! I called almost every bike shop in my city to find one that had the tool. But thankfully I did.
Seems like a tool most bike shops should have, considering the instructions on most even high end  frames say to face the brakes on a new build. My buddy ordered a new Factor frame only online and it says to face the brakes on first build.

Quote from: gilj on August 04, 2022, 07:42:48 AM
For people who have recently received their frames, how are the disc-brake installation areas faced?

I bought mine awhile back, but the brake mounting points were definitely not faced. And it's been a bit of a pain. Brake calipers are a nightmare to align and even when you get it, it won't last long.
The tool to face them is crazy expensive, so I plan to just spend the cash and take it to a local shop and pay them to do it. Don't really have another option haha

Quote from: patliean1 on August 06, 2022, 09:19:28 AM
...just waiting for my saddle clamp to arrive 
The seat post is being propped up by cardboard inside the frame for photo purposes LoL

Looks awesome! Nice build