Hi All,

So the frame is built up and really happy with how everything went. It all went smoothly. Di2 battery is stowed nicely in an internal clip in the downtube. I was nervous around seatpost slippage and headset play, but both areas have been spot on so far. A question was asked around could the seatpost be reversed to alter offset. This wouldn't be possible unfortunately. The build so far has been with 12speed Ultegra Di2. Still waiting on the new crankset. For now I have repurposed an R8000 fitted with Pas Quest 54/40 from Ali X.

I have done a couple of short rides so far. One pretty spirited with some sprints thrown in to gauge stiffness. For info, I am around 5ft 7 (on a good day), 72kgs, peak power of 1250w.

I must say, everywhere I want it to be stiff, it is stiff! Front end is spot on with no flex, as you would expect by the beefy forks and headtube. Bottom bracket, I can't detect any deflection under load. The rear triangle feels great also.
All very different to my SL7 clone. That is by no means a noodle, but it does feel like you are fighting with the bike when in a max sprint. The WR054, when sprinting, everything feels solid and planted if that makes sense?

I know this all sounds very positive, but at the minute I'm over the moon with it. It is a heavier bike.but that really isn't an issue for me as I race flat crits. It's currently sat at just over 8kgs. However that is with a heavy 1650g wheelset and a heavy alloy railed saddle. There is room to budge around 3-500 grams there alone if that is a concern. I will certainly be looking at CRW, Farsports, Magene etc. over the off season. Also considering 1x for races.

Will keep you updated over the coming months, on how I am getting on with the bike.

Kind Regards,

Mikey.

I have just taken delivery of this frameset, and must say so far, I am impressed. In the end I ordered UD Glossy. So bare carbon with a coat of glossy lacquer. My frame is in size Small.

Frame, size Small, front and rear derailleur hanger attached - 1168 g
Fork - 527 g
Seatpost - 265 g
Handlebar 380/110mm - 352 g
Thru axels - 93 g

I’m just waiting on a new 12 speed Ultegra group set, and will look to get it built as soon as possible. The build will come in at just under 8kgs with the 1600g wheel set I am currently using. For next seasons races, I am looking at wheels along the lines of CRW, Magene, Farsport, No6 etc. This will take the bike to approx 7.7kg, less if I decide to run 1x, which I would be more than happy with!

Also for anyone wondering about geometry. In size small (not looked at other sizes), it is ‘extremely’ similar to a Canyon Aeroad XS. Again for me this is great, knowing that geometry fits me well.

Service from Kitty through the process has been great. Especially with me changing my mind halfway through the buying process, and my constant questions!

Will keep you updated once the build is done.

Kind Regards,

Mikey.

I have ordered this frame in a Size small. I will post frame, fork, seatpost weights when I get it. Will also post pics of the build.

This will be my crit bike so not too fussed about weight. I actually like a bit more material around BB, headtube, seatstays for stiffness.

I have an 11 speed Di2 groupset to go on. 54/40 chain rings. Really looking forward to seeing how this build goes.

Kind Regards,

Mikey.

Hi All,

Looking for an aero and stiff crit frame, and have come across this on Ali Express.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005881698655.html?src=google&aff_fcid=2cd20f25c0c44c2bb0b2121adeab4041-1711535479840-09454-UneMJZVf&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=aaf&sk=UneMJZVf&aff_trace_key=2cd20f25c0c44c2bb0b2121adeab4041-1711535479840-09454-UneMJZVf&terminal_id=1aba640e3dc04528a023d4f5b2dc2bdb&afSmartRedirect=y

Compared the geometry charts with a SystemSix and it comes up pretty much exactly the same, in my size however (51cm).

Looks a little heavier at 1250 grams for a 54cm. I’m ok with that though to be honest. Looks like there is plenty of meat around the bottom bracket and head tube area. Plenty stiff enough for my poultry 1100w sprints!

Mikey.

Yep same here, the Bross Zenith I'd top of the list at the moment. Just waiting to see how I can get hold of one here in the UK. Looks like I will be racing crits on my SL7 copy for the first half of the season. Not a terrible thing, however was wanting an all out aero beast!!

Kind Regards,

Mikey

Nice!

Looks very much inspired by the Aeroad. I would be interested to see if it excepts other, similar integrated handlebars. Deffinately on my shortlist for an aero frame.

Mikey.

Hi All,

I currently have an SL7 inspired chinese bike. It’s great. Pretty light and pretty aero. It’s just not the stiffest. I am dabbling in Crit racing and now looking at something unapogetically aero. Im a little over the one bike to rule them all, and some of the compromises that come with that.

If I was buying western brands, would be along the lines of the SystemSix, Aeroad, S5, Venge etc.

Have seen a few of TanTan/Seraphs options, which I’m bearing in mind. For example, the Foil, Venge Vias and Madone enspired frames. Each have their own merits. Also the new VB 268 looks very Venge like, so also in consideration!

Wondering if there was anything that I had missed?

Kind Regards,

Mikey.

Good spot on the similarity with the Venge Vias! I can't believe I didn't pick up on that! Just checked the geometry,  Very similar!

I have emailed Seraph and they have some available currently. Tempting.....