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Messages - p4R4d0x

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Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: BXT Gravel 135 - exposed headset bearing?
« on: May 08, 2024, 09:42:34 PM »
Quote from: jonathanf2 on May 05, 2024, 11:06:12 AM
You could use the SPCycle top headset cover that uses 4 individual holes:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804522894698.html

You could also try putting some sort of rubber covering to prevent moisture exposure. Either that or swap to a fully internal bar setup.

Ah, cheers, I appreciate the SPCycle option - I was looking around for other options and hadn’t come across that one. I wish I didn’t already run cables and hoses though.

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Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / BXT Gravel 135 - exposed headset bearing?
« on: May 05, 2024, 07:58:03 AM »
I just purchased a BXT Gravel 135 frame, to build up as a winter frame to save my primary bike from the salt, or to put on the trainer in the summer, or let my wife ride, etc. It will be my first bare frame build.

I’m doing a bit of a mock assembly now to make sure I have all the parts and whatnot and with the headset is an integrated headset with some internal routing that allows you to use a normal stem. But unless I’m missing something, the spot where the cables route into the headset is basically just an open hole, you can directly see the top bearing.  :o Is this right? Seems like a terrible design. Especially since replacing that bearing involves cutting and re-running brake hoses through the frame. Is there a better option for this style of headset, that isn’t really expensive? Or am I just assembling wrong?

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Cyclocross Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: BXT Gravel 135 Sizing Question and versus Velobuild GF-002?
« on: January 22, 2024, 10:34:00 AM »
Quote from: jonathanf2 on January 19, 2024, 03:14:52 PM
There are some build videos on Youtube with the BXT 135. There doesn't seem to be any issues other than possible water leak through the top headset cabling (unless you opt for a fully integrated cockpit). Personally I'd go with 49cm. You can offset twitchiness with a longer stem and you can minimize toe overlap with slightly shorter crank arms (165mm). Plus the smaller frame should weigh slightly less and be a bit more stiffer if you care for that stuff.

All makes sense - except this will be getting the take-off parts from my other bike, so 170mm cranks. And the front center on the 49 is already smaller than on that bike, which still gets toe overlap on the 165s anyway.

Now I just have to wait for the price to drop back down, it looks the BXTs were on some sale when I first found them, and are over $100 more now. Oops.

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Cyclocross Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: BXT Gravel 135 Sizing Question and versus Velobuild GF-002?
« on: January 19, 2024, 12:13:42 PM »
Quote from: Sakizashi on January 19, 2024, 11:00:19 AM
The only thing with the 52 is you may struggle with standover with 700c wheels and larger tires. Also may struggle even more if you use a top tube bag.

Otherwise, I would get the 52 for the longer front center unless you really need the lower stack of the 49. I am a couple of CM taller (169cm) and run a 685mm saddle height (just measured straight from the BB, not an X, Y measurement) and I would get the 52 for myself as I care more about on the bike handling and can get on and off without stand over being an issue.

Thanks, Sakizashi!

Yeah, it looks like the 52 might be just a bit taller standover-wise than my Seigla, which with my top tube bag is just touching, and I do have to tilt the bike slightly to get over it without contorting..

https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=65274e2449251b001f81c1e4,634540af519a28001cd467c9,

BikeInsights doesn't list standover, and Geometry Geeks doesn't have it calculated/listed for the BXT frame for some reason, so I'm not sure how to tell real-world how different they are, though. My saddle height (if I'm measuring correctly) straight-shot from center of BB to the top/center of the saddle looks like ~700mm, on my Seigla with 165mm cranks and Fizik shoes. So that points to the 52 being a better fit, I think? Not having toe overlap would be nice. :) But not needing a ladder to hop on would also be nice.

Any thoughts on the BXT overall? It sounds like the Velobuild and the Airwolf YFR0068 I was also looking at both have pretty frequent headset issues?

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Cyclocross Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: BXT Gravel 135 Sizing Question and versus Velobuild GF-002?
« on: January 19, 2024, 12:06:17 PM »
Quote from: JimLee on January 19, 2024, 12:45:39 AM
sze 49cm is better with 700C wheel
---------
Jim Lee-Lightcarbon

Better in what way? Better (fit?) than 52cm? Or just better than 49cm with 650b wheels?

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Cyclocross Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Airwolf YFR068 - 2023 Gravel Frame
« on: January 17, 2024, 08:47:37 PM »
Quote from: jonathanf2 on January 17, 2024, 07:46:13 PM
Could it be one of those situations where one seller sources frames from multiple factories such as Elves?


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Cyclocross Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Airwolf YFR068 - 2023 Gravel Frame
« on: January 17, 2024, 01:08:57 PM »
Quote from: jonathanf2 on January 17, 2024, 11:24:12 AM
I don't get why people keep buying Velobuild frames? It seems like they have constant headset issues being reported on here. I've bought two frames from AliExpress (SPcycle and TFSA) and both have been solid. There are a lot more options out there that seem to get over looked due to people easily getting influenced to buy from the same vendors.

This might be a bit of a contradiction - Isn't SP Cycle making the Velobuild frames?

https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,3937.msg40840.html#msg40840

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Cyclocross Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Airwolf YFR068 - 2023 Gravel Frame
« on: January 17, 2024, 01:02:45 PM »
Quote from: bichler.bua on January 17, 2024, 10:20:31 AM
Well, Velobuild is not famous for their headset, either - lots of issues in this forum reported.
I believe not matter if Airwolf or Velobuild: be prepared to sort it out yourself...

Oh, yeah, I didn't word this super clearly but I was including all of the frames I mentioned in my "there seem to be so many headset issues" - I feel like every time I find a frame that looks promising, digging into it just reveals a "you might get a frame that looks super cool and kinda works, or you might get a frame that looks super cool and is a gigantic headache that you'll never get to ride." Other than buying a "name brand" or spending more than I'd like to for just building a "bonus bike" to use up some spare parts, I'm having a hard time figuring out which frames are worth looking at.

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Cyclocross Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Airwolf YFR068 - 2023 Gravel Frame
« on: January 17, 2024, 09:27:26 AM »
I'm really interested in building up one of these YFR068s (also looking at the GF-002/YFR045 or BXT Gravel 135), but from reading these threads, it sounds like there are so many issues, especially centered around the headset area. I'm wondering if I should be looking at something else instead (it would be my first full-bike build), or if most of these are sorted and it's a really small chance I'l run into the issue, or if the problems have since been solved?

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29er / Re: Carbonda fm936 Thoughts
« on: January 14, 2024, 08:10:21 AM »
I just picked up a Vitus Rapide FS, that I understand uses this frame (at least it sounded like it did according to the research I did before buying). I was very surprised/pleased that it showed up with a UDH, though! I wonder if Vitus had a mid model rear triangle refresh or something? Everything I found before purchasing pointed to being stuck with no UDH and I was concerned about sourcing replacements in the future due to CRC/Wiggle stopping shipments to the US. Anyone know anything?

Unfortunately I might have gotten too much bike for me, though. I’m 5’ 6” and 30.5” inseam without shoes. This puts my height at the top of Small, bottom of Medium, inseam out of Small and into Medium. There were no Smalls in stock so I grabbed a medium thinking I’d be fine (especially once shoes were added). I got the bike yesterday though and it seems large! It comes with a huge seat post that feels too tall even lowered all the way (dropper already on the way, so maybe a non issue) but the front end feels really long. I’m hoping it’s just due to the (unnecessarily?) long stem and narrow bars, but curious what others think about sizing. Would a stem and bars wake this up, or am I overbiked? I can’t really ride it for several months anyway (slushy nasty winter here) so can’t really figure this out on my own til far past the return window.

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Cyclocross Frames, Wheels & Components / BXT Gravel 135 Sizing Question and versus Velobuild GF-002?
« on: January 12, 2024, 08:55:04 PM »
Between BXT and Velobuild, is one generally considered higher quality or safer than the other?

I’m looking to built up a frame as a winter gravel/road bike to save my main bike from salty conditions and to have a spare for my wife to try out gravel if she wants. I have most components already for a build, as take-offs from upgrading the other bike; just missing frame/fork, stem and bars. Both of these frame sets seem to be available for roughly the same price right now (BXT on Ali Express, Velobuild on their site or SP Cycle, though Velobuild has shipping charges). My research has led to these two options as nice looking, well priced, and reasonable geometry frames, but is there another option or any other gotchas with these two? Leaning towards the BXT because of the threaded BB and potential protection from PayPal if something goes wrong?

Also wondering about the sizing. BXT recommends the 49cm frame for my height (167cm). My main bike is bigger than this and seems to fit well (Small Lauf Seigla - 52cm?). The geo of my bike looks closer to the 52cm BXT other than the BXT having more stack and slightly less chance of toe overlap (which I do have on the Lauf). I’m thinking of going against the recommendations and getting the 52cm - any reasons I shouldn’t?


Geo comparisons:
https://geometrygeeks.bike/compare/bxt-gravel-135-2022-52,bxt-gravel-135-2022-49,velobuild-gf-002-2021-s,lauf-seigla-2022-small/

It seems the Velobuild would be the most upright? I like how the Lauf rides, but maybe having something more relaxed would be good for winter?


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