Quote from: renrew on August 22, 2021, 12:54:52 PM
1 question to those who have already assembled.
The saddle elevation on the handlebars is extreme due to the negative stem. How are you coping with it? Otherwise it was 9 cm, with a spacer I am 15. I also don't want to undercut that extreme.

2nd question .. do you have a disc in between or was that how it was?   

1. it depends on your body if your body can handle it , you will be fine if not put more spacer or change the handlebar.
2. i'm not familiar with the disc , i don't think it should be there, let's wait for others, mine assembled by mechanic so i don't know about it sorry

Quote from: jokage on August 21, 2021, 10:42:45 PM

My seatpost is still slipping even with carbon paste. Is there any trick to apply the paste?

Hello , you can try to tighten the screw
I add more carbon paste and tighten the screw more than usual but please be aware of your max torque
It solved my slipping seatpost

Quote from: 1Sigma on August 21, 2021, 06:43:33 PM
Question on the Handlebars and seatpost.

Did any of you require carbon paste for them or not
This can vary build to build, so just curious how the 168 fares in this regard

When i did my first ride the seatpost keep sliding down 2 times even though i apply some carbon paste
i will need more carbon paste to keep it in position
but i tried to tightening the seatpost as hard i can but don't put too much force and it works well

Wanna share about my ride impression,
just finished my 75KM ride this morning
i tried to sprint from 30 to 60 km/h and its fine , i don't feel any flex from the frame (note: i change the handlebar and i haven't tried the one that comes w the frame)
I hope you guys satisfied w the frame too

Quote from: renrew on August 20, 2021, 11:52:34 AM
The weight is great with the equipment. what kind of wheels do you have ... hubs rim weight
thanks

are you asking about my build?
i use Hyper X wheels from Lun , 50mm Disc weighted around 1450+- (mine 1480 with valve)

Quote from: Zdrenka89 on August 20, 2021, 02:56:13 AM
The bird has (crash) landed 
Amazingly it looks to be unscathed. Only a slight paint notch at the seatpost hole.

Paint is Cameleon blue with a matt finish. From other angles its dark purple - I'll add more pictures later.

Order date: 17-05-2021
Arrival date (in Denmark): 19-08-2021

Will be building it up this weekend.

Nice color
Thanks God its okay

Good luck with the build and enjoy

Hi Guys,

Update from me
Finished the Build
I change the handlebar you can look at the pict

The final build with bike comp + dual handlebar lamp + pedal is 7.8 KG
Quite good remembering i still use 105 and ultegra disc

Quote from: OlieSimpson on August 19, 2021, 02:53:33 AM
Did you manage to internally route the cables using your handlebar?

hi
i discussed it with my mechanic, and tomorrow will show you the result.
planning to drill the steel spacer but going to buy hard plasctic one from the aliexpress which weight less
the one which comes w the frame is quite heavy

Quote from: jokage on August 18, 2021, 10:20:11 PM
definitely the metal parts. those are massive contributors.

I've weighted my build and I've got it around 8.3kg including the pedals, bottle cages, and a Topeak racerocket 120. Should be 7.8-7.9kg without them.

I am also planning to remove 15mm or 20mm of the headset spacers.

Hello
Yes the headset spacers are heavy planning to buy a plastic one from aliexpress
just finished my build
it weight 7,7 kg with look keo blade pedal and bottle cage
Happy with 7,7 kg for now

Quote from: renrew on August 18, 2021, 06:17:45 AM


definitely doesn't fit

Thanks for sharing.
Been thinking about this and want to swap it but fortunately it doesn't fit.

are there any ways to reduce the weight from seatpost ?

Quote from: renrew on August 17, 2021, 02:14:00 PM
There are many retailers but only a few manufacturers ...
that says it all, that's the same handlebar

left Velobuild right Dengfu

This handlebar used by many brand
you can see Elves and other
they have the same handlebar but maybe difference QC?

Quote from: 1Sigma on August 17, 2021, 09:20:58 AM
You are probably right, but as I do not have my own paint shop, and in my locality a paint job will cost more than the frame (any good recommendations in Toronto, anyone?) I think I would kick myself for not trying to come to a resolution with Chris.

OR....I could just lean into it.  I recently purchased some vinyl unicorn stickers for my daughter's bike.   Maybe I'll just embrace my purple sparkle bike and let her slap a few stickers on.
What do you think?

As for handlebar flex - is this under load, as in out of the seat sprinting and climbing, or even is low wattage conditions?

I live in Indonesia and some of them are decent which cost 30-50$ but the premium one cost 300-500$ for a bike
vinyl sticker could help, there are some cyclist who wrap their frame and it does save cost and last quite a long.

As for handlebar i think it will flex when you do sprint but with low wattage its fine, but if you going to have a rough surface i think it will  have a flex it you put it under load.

Quote from: OlieSimpson on August 17, 2021, 02:36:10 AM
That bar looks nice, however I don't think you're able to route the cables down through the headset spacers and in to the frame, is that right?

Chris has confirmed that they will ship my order this Friday, and that if I do not want the bar he is happy to refund me cost of the bar.

So...do I proceed with the HB011 bar, or do I ship without and look for an alternative?

Can anyone recommend a good, fully integrated/hidden cable bar (most likely off AliX) that is going to work with the VB-R-168? I've got until Thursday this week to decide.

Yes, i told my mechanic to try find some way to fit it in.
i hope we can find some alternative way but i'm thinking about drilling the steel space and make some hole so the cable can get through
if can't i think i need new spacer that could help to change the cable guide

Quote from: renrew on August 16, 2021, 02:06:48 PM
I installed this handlebar on my colleague's house. Here, too,
I have to say a lot of flex. I would also be interested in what kind of handlebars you build


https://de.aliexpress.com/item/33021843997.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.13bb4c4dzIvwe4

i did buy this one https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001962258266.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.2c5e5ae45g7bjb&algo_pvid=6b819c2b-75f0-4fb2-bf80-e10a682aa628&algo_exp_id=6b819c2b-75f0-4fb2-bf80-e10a682aa628-1&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000018240190316%22%7D

and more stiffer than the velobuild one but i will get back to you after my build finished
just drop it at mechanic and will be finished around thursday or friday

Quote from: OlieSimpson on August 16, 2021, 11:01:57 AM
Such a shame it doesn't match what you asked for! Did you send over a colour picture reference to Chris or just request the colour via e-mail? Did you receive a mock-up of what the colour was meant to look like? Personally, I really like the look of what you have been sent but can imagine you're disappointed!

Aside from the colour, how is the quality of the paint job itself? Have you also inspected the frame and bars, are they also okay quality wise?

I only sent a picture of what the frame looks like and told him laser blue color , see my email below.
yeah the color itself not bad , its exactly the same as canyon aeroad but i do disappointed

The quality of the frame its fine actually (will test it soon for climbing) but the bar too much flexy but i think its flexy because it's design of internal cable so i won't use it.
my Deda alanera from aliexpress way more stiffer and doesn't flex like the velobuild , maybe will put it on market place

Quote from: 1Sigma on August 16, 2021, 11:40:52 AM
Thanks for sharing!

A shame about the paint.   I am still in discussions with Chris to try to find a mutually agreeable solution (although within rights, there is no way they will send a new frame. But asking me to ship it back at my expense is also not fair)

If the paint is off, for instance, the metallic blue was a little light or darker than expected, I would consider this an acceptable deviation.
In your case, it looks like they used the wrong Pantone code and you ended up with something like Relucent Blue (which has a very similar number)

Up to you how worth it is for you to put up a fight I guess, but at the very least you should get exactly what you ordered in terms of parts, and very close in terms of paint.

I have my own paintshop actually and the cost its' the same as velobuild to paint it but i decided to have Chris painted it because i don't want to do the extra work but somehow it doesn't satisfy me, in my opinion you should take it to your local paint shop instead arguing with Chris, even Chris never respond to my email again, and he assume he already sent the picture of finished frame which he never sent me and just send the frame to me

Quote from: Natas on August 16, 2021, 01:15:14 PM
For sure, this color is not close to laser blue metallic, I'm sorry for you
I am a little surprised at the weight announced in your spreadsheet, especially for the seatpost and the headset. Did you change something?
I am also interested to know which model of handlebar you will use.

Yeah i think i will be okay, soon gonna paint it maybe early in 2022
Seatpost in uncutted but i remove the clamp and change it to carbon clamp which save 20 gr
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000452319651.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.227e4c4dac3spL

i change the headset too from aliexpress , but you can get a branded one like carbon ti if you have the budget (here's the link of my headset and it works fine)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002091371858.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.227e4c4dac3spL

i use this one but will give you the feedback after couple of more rides uphill in my area
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001962258266.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.2c5e5ae45g7bjb&algo_pvid=6b819c2b-75f0-4fb2-bf80-e10a682aa628&algo_exp_id=6b819c2b-75f0-4fb2-bf80-e10a682aa628-1&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000018240190316%22%7D

so i received my frame today
okay here's my review so far :
The color is bad ( its not even resembling even an inch from what i request ) i request laser blue metallic and come blue pastel 
i'm disappointed , and going to paint it later after a few rides

except from the paint the frame is good
I have XS size
Frame with hanger come in 1101 gram (quite heavy paint around 100gr)

Here is my frame and will build it with other handlebar , i do find the bar is flexy and i don't like it
Should i sell it or keep it ?

My Build may weight around 7,4 - 7,7 Kg