Does anybody know of replacement headset bearings that work for this bike with the integrated bars?

Quote from: Chamomile on November 05, 2023, 03:54:58 AM
Gentlemen, could anyone measure the front/rear clearance with your tyres, please? I wonder how thick I can go. And if there is a room for fenders.

I run 700X50C WTB Tires on 25mm internal width wheels. The tires measure 52.3mm when mounted. I have roughly 2.5mm of clearance on each side. I would not want to go any wider at all.

Recently installed a new bottom bracket and switched out to a praxis works crankset. Also switched the cassette out to an 11-46 as the bike will be spending the next 3 months in Brevard, NC on some gnarly pisgah forest gravel. All of the info for this frame says you need a hangar extender to run a cassette larger than 42, however, mine shifts flawlessly with this 11-46 cassette coupled with a 40T absolute black oval chainring. The derailleur seems to end up in a very odd position when on the 46, but it functions perfectly. Wil have better feedback after riding some 20% grades in NC soon.

I now have around 3000 miles of gravel riding on the bike and have very few complaints. My main complaint is ive had a tough time keeping the headset adjusted properly. It seems to always be either a touch loose or a touch too tight. Much more difficult than any other bike ive ever had to get it just right. Seems to be very little leeway. I also ended up having to put silicone in all of the mounting points on the frame that i do not use (Fender mounts) in order to keep gravel and debris from getting inside the frame while riding. One last thing is that it took a LOT of carbon paste and a slightly higher torque setting to get the seat post to hold when riding rough gravel.

Attached is a photo of the bike as it sits today.

Zero complaints. Have about 1500 miles on it now - a mix of nicely manicured gravel, chunky gravel, two tracks, single track, and a small amount of pavement. I abuse the bike pretty bad as I use it as my "I don't care" bike. It handles very well and it is very compliant with the 700x50c tires. I really enjoy riding the bike and actually think it's more comfortable to ride compared to my CruX. Now, the crux is around 1.5mph faster at the same watts/HR so the comfort comes at a bit of a speed decrease.

No real hiccups to speak of. Had to run the shift cable and rear brake hose twice, as I didn't have the headset spacers in place the first time. To my surprise, the cable routing through the frame was actually quite simple. The routing through the handlebars was a bit more difficult but still not bad at all.

I was surprised at the clearance with the 700x50c tires installed as well. Plenty of room for mud clearance. Bike rolls extremely well on them also.

My only complaint (and it's minor) - the supplied garmin mount does not have the tightest snap in fit for the garmin head unit. It is a bit loose which leads to some unnecessary rattling when on rough gravel. I may try to put a small bead of flexible silicone in the mount to make the head unit fit tighter and hopefully eliminate the rattling.

Recently upgraded my primary gravel bike (CruX) to AXS components so I had this perfectly good sram force1 mechanical group just sitting around. Decided to purchase a Lightcarbon "monster" gravel frame with integrated bars. First off, all communications with Wendy at Lightcarbon were detailed, prompt, and informative. Took about 3 weeks from order date to having the frame at my doorstep in Michigan. Built the bike up completely with spare parts around my little bike mechanic area (had to buy bottom bracket and the 700x50c tires) The bike currently has red cannondale stickers on it as I had those laying around my shop and wanted to get an idea of how the red/black theme would look.  New custom red Lightcarbon decals are ordered and expected any day.

Have about 400 miles on the bike so far and absolutely love it. Crisp handling, stiff and responsive yet quite compliant on rough and loose/rocky gravel. My CruX is notably faster at similar watts, however, the Lightcarbon would be my choice for a ride lasting longer than 3-3.5 hours. Excited to get the bike on some single track soon.