Quote from: Sander2177 on October 03, 2026, 07:21:14 AM

I've been using Cybrei chainrings for around two years now without any issues. Those are aluminium chainrings with carbon plates bonded to the faces.

I also have a set of the new LiteTech chainrings. These use a full carbon spider/body with aluminium chainring sections, similar to the Carbon-Ti design. Mine are the aero version, although they also do standard rings with cut-outs.

I haven't had the chance to try them yet as they're destined for my new SL8 build, which is currently on hold while I wait for one small, annoying part to arrive!

Assuming the mechanic is happy with the shifting performance, they'll go straight onto the bike. I do have a set of Cybrei rings ready as a backup just in case, but for now I can't really comment on long-term performance because I haven't had the opportunity to ride the LiteTech rings yet.

I checked LiteTech page a week ago and when I saw the prize i asked myself why should anyone chose these over carbon-ti. Guess cybrei should be right in the middle ? (Edit: hm no I think the cybrei are similar to the XMCs, with the aluminum base plate, but probably better teeth profile etc.)

V2 are slightly heavier and I don't know about shifting performance yet.
I'll probably stay with DA chainrings.
Or carbon ti. Don't know whether cybrei are fine. But sacrificing weight AND shifting performance compared to Shimano doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
More expensive as well probably. 

I have had These for years and they work great

https://www.speedercycling.com/Carbon-Aero-Road-Flare-10-Handlebar-SC-RH01-_p324.html

Great input Sander.
I am really surprised one goes to these lengths when i tcomes to personal wheel experience 😄
Kudos

Hi everyone, I wanted to share a quick update on the XMCS 52/36 chainrings since they don't get talked about much these days.

Note: These are just my initial unboxing impressions—I can't install them yet due to an issue with my crankset, so I haven't tested the shifting performance.

For context, I had shifting issues with the first-generation version on my Ultegra 12-speed setup. This newly revised version shows some clear updates:
Visuals & Construction: The new chainrings look distinctly different (the new one is top/left in the photo).
Outer Chainring: The rivets have been repositioned, the back is no longer milled out like the original, and the crank arm opening has been reworked.
Weight: The design changes are reflected in the weight—the new pair comes in at 182.3g, compared to 198.9g for the old set (weighed on my kitchen scale).
Inner Chainring: The small ring now features a carbon finish. Interestingly, it's on the side facing the outer ring, so it won't really be visible once installed—correct me if I'm wrong on that!
While I can't speak to the shifting quality just yet, I'll post another update once my crankset issue is sorted out. Overall, I'm really happy with how constructive the process was and it's great to see the brand making tangible revisions.

Quote from: adam900710 on July 31, 2026, 12:11:21 AM
LEESE have cranks as short as 135mm:

https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=994760212896

Of course there is a 160mm version.

Or you can also find one on aliexpress:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008832402315.html

Then pick whatever spider based power meter and call it a day.

AFAIK there is not a single cinch powermeter that performed consistently well.

Quote from: Serge_K on July 20, 2026, 12:39:43 PM
if you re happy w 170mm, best value in 24mm is probably Riro / Racework. If you want 165mm or less, in 24mm, it gets expensive and complicated.
as long as you buy something that fits your need (length, spindle, chainring interface, Q factor, then i would treat them all interchangeably.
I ve installed 5 pairs of racework carbon cranks years ago, they re still running. i did break one NDS crank ark, but they changed the design since.

How did you break yours? Mine broke yesterday on another brand aswell.

Quote from: Rallyfocus on July 01, 2026, 05:33:53 AM
Do you have pricing for the 58/58 wheelset Peter?

These?
https://www.xmcarbonspeed.cc/products/xmcs-26mm-iw-58mm-depth-t1100-carbon-700c-road-gravel-bike-wheelsets-with-20-20h-straight-through-version-hubs-and-carbon-spokes

I'm also not hating on my 48d and it has been great but it's very stiff.
In the end I was much more satisfied with it than my giant propel. But that may also be due to the fact that I expected a bit more from a frameset that cost 3x more.

Only drawback could've been communication with Justin

Sorry if this made a wrong impression, the analysis by AI was thorough and interesting but I just wanted to point out that it missed his question.

I obviously don't have any experience with these but I am interested for a potential future buy.

Quote from: Sander2177 on May 04, 2026, 03:55:14 PM
Perfect — your hub actually explains why your wheels feel solid even on 3.1 mm spokes. You've got a much stiffer system, not just a different spoke count.

Here's your final reply with your hub comparison added properly and factually:

⸻

Yeah, I think there are a couple of things getting mixed together here: what you can do to a wheel by hand, and how it behaves under real riding load.

You can deflect pretty much any wheel far enough by hand to touch a chainstay if you try. I can do it with my own wheels too, and those ride completely fine under power. That kind of static test just isn't a reliable indicator of real-world stiffness.

When you're riding, the wheel is rotating and loads are distributed dynamically through the spokes. That's very different from applying a static sideways force with your hands. All wheels flex — that's normal. What matters is how they behave under load.

⸻

Where things become clearer is the actual build and hub configuration.

Your setup:

* 20 front / 20 rear
* 1:1 lacing (10 per side)
* 3.1 mm spokes
* fairly standard flange geometry (around 53 mm / 42 mm rear)

For example my setup on a set of wheels with R2 hub (also 3.1 mm spokes):

* 21 front / 24 rear
* 2:1 lacing
* rear: 16 spokes drive side / 8 disc side (3-cross on drive side)

And importantly, my hub geometry is very different:

* Rear drive-side flange: 74 mm (very large)
* Rear disc-side flange: 45 mm
* Asymmetric flange design
* 56 mm flange spacing

That makes a big difference.

⸻

Why this matters

1. Spoke count (rear)
Going from 20 → 24 spokes = +20% spokes

That alone improves how load is shared and increases lateral support. It's not a perfect 20% stiffness gain, but it's significant

2. Flange diameter (huge factor)
Your hub: ~53 mm drive side
My hub: 74 mm drive side

That's not a small change — that's a massive increase in bracing leverage.

A larger flange increases the bracing angle, which directly improves lateral stiffness. This is one of the biggest contributors to how "stiff" a wheel feels under load.


3. Lacing pattern

* Your wheel: 1:1, evenly split
* Mine: 2:1 with more spokes on the drive side + 3-cross

That puts more structural support where the torque actually is (cassette side), which improves resistance to flex under sprinting.


Spoke thickness trade-off

* 3.1 mm spokes ≈ 2.1 g
* 3.95 / 5.1 mm ≈ 3.5 g

Total saving: ~50–60 g

But:

* 3.1 mm ≈ 80 kgf lateral rigidity
* 3.95 / 5.1 mm ≈ 115 kgf

→ ~40% increase in stiffness capacity for basically a gel's worth of weight

Putting it all together

Your setup:

* low spoke count (20/20)
* thinner spokes (3.1 mm)
* standard flange geometry
* even spoke distribution

My setup:

* higher spoke count (24 rear)
* much larger drive-side flange (74 mm)
* asymmetric 2:1 lacing
* better bracing angles

Even though we're both using 3.1 mm spokes, the overall system stiffness is not comparable.

⸻

Bottom line

I don't think your wheel is defective.

I think you're hitting the limits of a very lightweight configuration (3.1 mm + 20/20 + standard hub geometry) at your power level (85 kg /1300 W).

• Hand-flex test not meaningful on its
  Real load behaviour that's what matters
  Your symptoms (flex, noise, rub) consistent with a stiffness limit
  

If you want to fix it, the biggest gains will come from:

* more spokes (24h rear or more)
* or thicker spokes
* or both

Were all your wheels set up like this? This seems to refer to your latest purchase.
Otherwise your AI analysis does not really cover his question wrt to your extensive wheel experience.

Useless OP

Fantastic

Quote from: ZenCarbonBike on April 11, 2026, 07:45:08 AM

Hello
You could have contacted us and asked us to explain

Two rims types

23mm inner width
120kg load limit
Depths
36/40/45/50/55 and 60mm

25mm inner width
90kg load limitation
Depths
30/35/40/45/50/55/60 and 65mm

Ultra Model
ZC235Rc Hub  235grams a set
20/20 spokes 
ceramic  bearings
36T DT Swiss style ratchet
3.1mm bladed carbon fibre spokes

Pro Models
Pro 2020
ZC270Rc  Hub  276grams a set
20/20 spokes 
Steel  bearings
36T DT Swiss style ratchet
3.1mm bladed carbon fibre spokes

Pro 2024
ZC288Rc Hub 288g a set
20/24 spokes 
Steel  bearings
36T DT Swiss style ratchet
3.1mm bladed carbon fibre spokes


Steel spoke and titanium spoke model

SL models
ZC240Rs Hub 240g
24/24 spokes 
Steel  bearings
36T DT Swiss style ratchet

S Models
ZC261Rs Hub 269g a set
24/24spokes 
Steel  bearings
36T DT Swiss style ratchet 


Alpina Hyperlight Steel Spokes
Sapim CX Ray steel spokes
Bladed Titanium Spokes

You're right. I was lazy.
Next time there's a promotion I'll contact you directly.

But just as a suggestion it could be easier if there was an up to date webshop with current listings so customers do not have to browse through instagram posts and forum pages.

Quote from: ZenCarbonBike on April 02, 2026, 05:17:12 AM
[b]GOOD DAY MEMBERS OUR EASTER PROMOTION IS NOW LIVE!  [/b]

🔥 Easter Promotion — VaporLite • AeroSix • MTB • Gravel • Trinity TT
Factory‑Direct Performance • Limited Time Only

🚴‍♂️ VaporLite Road (50mm examples — all depths 30–65mm)
🔥 VaporLite Ultra — 979g
3.1mm Carbon Spokes (20/20)
$999 → $899

🔥 VaporLite Pro 2020 — 1019g
3.1mm Carbon Spokes (20/24)
$899 → $799

🔥 VaporLite Pro 2024 — 1043g
3.1mm Carbon Spokes (20/24)
$899 → $799

🧵 VaporLite SL Steel — 1089g
Alpina HyperLite
$849 → $799

🧵 VaporLite S Steel — 1119g
Alpina HyperLite
$825 → $775

🔩 VaporLite Ti SL — 1070g
Titanium Bladed
$799 → $749

🔩 VaporLite Ti S — 1099g
Titanium Bladed
$775 → $725

🪶 VaporLite Sport SL — 1139g
Sapim CX‑Ray
$749 → $699

🪶 VaporLite Sport S — 1168g
Sapim CX‑Ray
$725 → $675

⚡ AeroSix Carbon — Easter Pricing
✅ AeroSix 50 (1540g)
$699 → $624
✅ AeroSix 40W / 40T (1700g)
$699 → $624

🚵‍♂️ VaporLite MTB — $50 OFF
22mm depth • 30mm internal
Rims: 250g / 270g / 290g
Spokes: Carbon / Ti / CX‑Ray
$699 → $649 (CX‑Ray build)
$849 → $799 (Titanium build)

🌾 VaporLite Gravel — $50 OFF
22mm depth • 30mm internal
RRP $849 depending on spec
As low as $675
Examples:
✅ CX‑Ray • SR308 • 290g rim → $675
✅ Titanium • SR330 • 250g rim → $799

🛠 Custom Builds — Extra 5% OFF
Road • Gravel • MTB
Choose your spokes, hubs, rims, load rating, finish & depth.

🕑 Trinity TT — Easter Bundles
✅ Tri‑Spoke + Tri‑Spoke → $1,199
✅ Tri‑Spoke + Rear Disc → $1,199
✅ 80/88 + Disc (CX‑Ray) → $899
✅ 80/88 + Disc (Carbon Spokes) → $999–$1,049

📩 Contact for full specs / custom builds
✅ Email: [email protected]
✅ WhatsApp (Zara): +86 151 6072 6618
✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582482801913
✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zen_carbon_bike/
✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zencarbonbike?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

I was interested but I'd suggest to provide more information next time you're running promotions. I don't understand the difference between all the vaporlite options (I.e. internal/external width)