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Messages - kr78

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1
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Velobuild VB-R-168 Frame
« on: April 05, 2023, 06:25:12 AM »
thanks a lot for this hint/description!
I also went with the separatet Bar/stem Combo and now I am about to change it towards a HB010.
The separated one with 100mm stem technically fits perfectly but just doesn`t look good imho so I am now trying to figure out which size I shall pick for the HB010.

I have now repeatedly stumbled on your post and the explanation of dodgiepapa in Post #1090. It totally makes sense, that despite the 5mm more reach of the HB010 also the angle makes a difference, but I hardly cant imagine that this extends the total reach by such a significant amount as you`ve shown.

Did you doublecheck if VB really delivered the correct sizes for both systems by measuring the stem length or equivalent measure for the HB010 only?
If not it would be great if you could doublecheck it. I also recently ordered a 110 stem and got a 120mm instead^^

thanks again and kind regards

I ordered the HB010 with 400mm width. The maximum length shown on the HP is 100mm. Thus, I doubt that they delivered something longer than that. Also from measurements it seems to be a 100 stem.

2
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: VB-R-168 & FSA SMR stem
« on: November 22, 2022, 10:24:00 AM »
The FSA SMR (assuming you mean ACR/SMR) system uses a similar, but different top/headset cover and c-clip design than the supplied hardware from VeloBuild.

If you choose to use FSA's ACR system you will need the following:

1. ACR Top Cover / NO. 55R 1.5" ACR STD headset system.
2. An FSA ACR stem or ACR integrated 1-piece cockpit.
3. Any ACR spacers if the headset system does not include them.
4. Most likely a thinner upper headset for the headtube opening, because the ACR system in general leaves quite a bit of "gap" between the new top cover and the headtube. The supplied ACR c-clip is pretty thickkkk.

A few folks in here have been able been to use a hybrid mix of both Velobuild and ACR headset hardware. Just depends how deep down the rabbit hole you wanna go. The stuff listed about will at least get you where you need to be.

Thanks for the detailed explanation!

3
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / VB-R-168 & FSA SMR stem
« on: November 20, 2022, 02:37:35 PM »
Hi all,

I would like to mount a FSA SMR stem on a VB-R-R168. Has anybody ever done this or can give an advice how to fit that with the Velobuild headeset/speracers? Or is it better to use another headset/spacers?

BR, Ralf

4

...

Photo #5 - The blue headset bearing from VB. As you can see the bearing is recessed.
Photo #6 - The black headset bearing is from FSA. Ever so slightly more recessed.

Question: The black headset bearing is slightly more recessed. This preferred in order to better close the headset "gap" when using the FSA C-ring/clip. However, this bearing is very slightly loose in the headtube cup despite being a standard bearing size. Will this be an issue in overall headset play? The included VB headset bearing seats very snug in the headtube.

Be aware that you will find these bearings with different hight, e.g.

I finally went for the stainless steel 7mm version to avoid immediate rust and to extend the maintanence period of a fully integrated headset. These bearings are sitting snug but less recessed compared to yours.

5
It's a great bike :)



Nice :)

Which handlebar have you used?

6
... What solution did you come up with in your case?

I modified the carbon computer holder to make it fit

7
Finally thinking about building my frame, got out the handlebars that came with it and test fit the computer mount I bought. Check out how misaligned the mounting holes on the bar are! Yet another VB QC fail...

Too bad that these kind of problems (still) exist. Same issue as with mine: http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,3147.msg36515.html#msg36515.

I think it's a general problem since on the picture on their website it somehow seems to be misaligned...


8
To me, quality and customer support is the most important aspect. This, I am not trading off against a reduced price. Even from the sub-$1000 brands I expect that they do their homework right:
-   No misplaced holes
-   No misplaced or warn out rivets
-   Frames delivered without scratches
-   No frayed drill holes/recess
-   Headsets without play or improperly sized gaps
-   Avoidance of sliding seats posts
-   Good quality paint jobs without jamming the cable holes etc.

I know that these frames cannot compete with the higher end frames from the big brands. But there are only two reasons for which I accept that:
  • Less amount of engineering, R&D: the sub-$1000 brand companies closely look to the design and engineering considerations of higher value brands. They become "creative" for taking over ideas into their own design. However, they do not invest in wind tunnel test etc. Squeezing out the last bits of power savings is a huge amount of engineering work which has to be paid. I would roughly say that the last 10% of improvement make up 90% of the engineering. Since I am a hobbyist I am not depending on these marginal improvements.
  • Less expensive fiber: the higher value brands use more expensive fiber and more sophisticated layouts for achieving frame weights of ~750 grams. I am fine with a frame weight of ~1050grams.

Instead of providing good quality and customer support, it seems that several of these sub-$1000 brands take us for fools – I have made my experience with Velobuild. They know that there are no laws which protect us customers. We are totally at their mercy. They have their money and do not really care about satisfied customers. There are still plenty of buyers left that are not aware of the situation or are dazzled by the bling bling photos posted on Instagram or sponsored reviews with selected parts that do not show the otherwise usual shortcomings. Thus, there is no need to change strategy – still a lot of butter left for their bread. The only way to change that is to write objective reports on forums like this.

9
After The Ride / Re: Where is everyone from?
« on: June 18, 2022, 04:50:31 AM »
Germany, nothern area of Black Forest

10
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: VB-R-066 D Build
« on: June 11, 2022, 02:53:35 PM »
My wife's 066D in size S - as recommended by Chris, perfectly fits. Complete Ultegra setup. She loves it  :)

11
Handlebar considerations – a hint

Along with the 168 frame I ordered a 100/400mm fully integrated handlebar. I also ordered the VB-HB-021 (2021 New Carbon Handlebar with Separate Stem) with a 110mm stem and a 400mm bar. With the VB-HB-021 option I intended to have a longer cockpit compared to the fully integrated one. However, it turned out that the VB-HB-021 option is shorter than the fully integrated one, although number wise the stem is longer. 

12
No response so far  :(

Some final words. After I had opened a case on Paypal and VeloBuild became aware of my postings, they responded. It required some dicussion whereas Chris was quite cooperative. Meanwhile we have sorted things out and came to a solution we both can live with.

13
Despite of all the reported problems, I did a dry run on the headset today.

The good thing is that the new version of the headset is delivered with split spcers and that it should eliminate any play without adding micro spacers.

On the downside, the compressing ring with the dustcover builds up that high that there is a gap of 2mm between the frame and the dustcover. Thereby, the dustcover has no rubber sealing. So there is no protection for the bearing, which btw is of poor quality as well - the sealing is not worth its name, one can see the balls.

I menwhile deeply regret the purchase of the frame.

14
What a mess. And those aren't scratches. They're large chips. Scratches you could buff out.

Dunno wtf they were thinking letting those forks / bars and a clearly mishandled frame leave to a customer

Makes me a bit nervous about receiving my 099.

Cross my fingers for your 099 order. Indeed, these are more tha scratches. Attached another exmple of the fork of the second frame.

I am indeed really upset. Not only that such quality should not got out to costmers. Even more, they have read my description of the problems on Sykpe but did not react at all. Nothing, not even something like we will discuss and get back to you. The acting of Chris/VeloBuild is simply unscrupulous and arrogant.

15
... I just ordered a VB 168 and am very much hoping it comes out better than my Workswell did a few years ago. I am now a little nervous I decided to go with a three color design… :-\

I cross my fingers. Lets us know details once it arrives.

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