Now some pics of the bike in it's current state

Sorry everyone i totally forgot to update this thread... Better later than never i guess 

The bad :

• The RIRO carbon crankset failed after 4 month of use... the metal part that interface with the axle debonded from the right crank.
• I was using a 3d printed saddle from ZTTO that have titanium rails and the rail snapped (i don't have any pic of that tho) after 2 month of use but in this case, i think i was just too heavy for this saddle.
• I broke the lockring of the cassette last year trying to remove it for cleaning... It was actually my fault because i didn't inserted the cassette tool properly . I was still able to use it for a while but it started to make creaking noise under load so i had to cut it with a grinder.

The upgrages (not in order) :

• 2022 FOX 34 Performance Spep-Cast fork
• Sram X01 AXS derailleur (bought used)
• Heppe quick release thru axle for the fork and frame
• Clone of the Kogel Kolossos oversized derailleur cage installed this week
• PASS QUEST 38T 3mm offset chainring
• Evosid crank (the 5Dev crank clone) but it's temporary, i'm saving for a X01 165mm crank
• ZTTO SLR3 12s cassette
• Elitaone Master Series carbon seatpost
• RYET 3D printed saddle with a carbon base and rails
• Koozer PD50 pedals
• Schwalbe Rick XC 2.25" tires
• Sram HS2 160mm rotors
• KMC X12 Waxed Blacktech chain
• DT Swiss L2 remote lockout lever

All that but still don't have a scale to weight that bike 🤡...

QuoteHello buddy,

Still Happy with your Elves?

Oh yeah . My only regret about the frame is that i should have waited for the UDH version...

Quote1231g is the weight nude without any métal part?

The derailleur hanger and the chain guide were both the frame when i weighed it i think.


 

Quote from: Kommandant33 on November 08, 2024, 05:38:35 PMWould I build another Chinese carbon bike? It depends. The bike market has come back down to earth now post COVID, and the value of building your own bike vs buying a commercially available bike with full manufacturer warranty is negligible.

I don't think i'll ever got a bike from a name brand again... Maybe a frameset but not a full bike .

Quote from: nicklej on October 25, 2024, 03:12:19 AM
I never got the Lewis Brakes. I did try the IIIPRO versions of these and they were a big disappointment from the feel to the amount of braking force. Bled them a few times but passed them on for free in the end. I used them on a weight weenie build and they looked sexy, too.

I still have the ZRace version of the 4 pistons calipers paired with Deore XT levers. It's more powerful than the 2 pistons XT that i was using before, but the metal is pretty soft in my opinion...
I could feel the calipers expanding in my hands when pressing the levers. Some people noticed this on the MTBR forum as well and apparently it's worse on the 2 piston model.

Quote from: nicklej on October 25, 2024, 03:12:19 AMAre those prices you quoted per brake of for each set? F+R?

Paid that for a pair of LV4 (so front + rear) but i got them on Taobao with an agent (so probably no warranty for me). You can also get them on their official website but they're more expensive there (at least $339)...

QuoteThats a pretty nice build though. Any idea yet what the final weight will be?

Around 9kg with the rigid fork and under 10kg with a suspension fork i believe, but i'll get a scale to check the exact weight .

 it start looking like a bike, I should get the remaining parts end of July, can't wait .

Got the wheelset last week but, the tires, sealant, rim tape and valves today.

The derailleur, shifter, grips and brakes are here and installed. It was a bit tricky to route the hoses through the frame and handlebar, but I really love the result .

Today i got the crankset, the chainring and the bottom bracket .

QuoteNice - I hadn't seen those braided cables before!

Those are the same braided hose Hope and Trickstuff use for their brakes .

QuoteHow are the Lewis LV4? I was looking at getting them, but they were just a bit too pricey for something that doesn't have a strong warranty here in Australia.

They are pretty amazing for the price. There is plenty of power and the build quality is top notch, nicest brake I ever used.
I got mine on Lewis's official shop on Taobao using an intermediary service called Superbuy and I spent like $270 in total with shipping but if I have an issue with them, I'm pretty much on my own though.
My bike was stolen in January and i ordered a set again but for the new bike i'm currently building.
Lewis also sell a cheaper versions of vertical brakes called CL2V (2 pistons) and CL4V (for pistons) but only in China as far as i know. Those are actual copies of the Piccola with the alu levers and prices are $164 for the CL2V and $192 for the CL4V on Taobao .

QuoteIn other news - the brakes arrived today! Packaging was OK, the brakes themselves look fine.

I was using those brakes before swapping them with the Lewis LV4. Pretty good brakes but I think they work better with 2.3mm thick rotors . I paired mine with Godridge braided hoses just for looks back then .

So I got the integrated handlebar today . The packaging was very great and the handlebar even has a bag for some reason. I believe the headset that came with it is pretty much useless for this frame because there is a big gap between the frame and the headset cover. Only Lexon's frames are compatible but I can still use the handlebar with the other headset.

QuoteAny ideas why this outdated standard chinese frame is 850usd? The color schemes are interesting, but what else?

Outdated standard because of the lack of UDH? Yeah, I do agree with that... I think the price is because Elves is a "big" brand in Asia and the fact that they do mainly road frames. Also, maybe the fact that it's their own design might explain the price.

The frame was shipped with a carbon seatpost from Elves, a PF30 24mm bottom bracket with ceramic bearings, headset, a starnut with a cap, a thru axle, 2 derrailleur hangers, a chainstay protector, a DI2 battery holder and 4 integrated stem spacers. The packaging is very good and the frame was well protected.