Quote from: PowerWadln87 on May 13, 2026, 12:49:46 AM
Hi everyone, I'm planning to build up a new bike that I want to bring in under the 7kg mark (including bottle cages and pedals). I'm very interested in the Evolve Cima, but the price is still a bit of a deterrent for me. Are there any frames in the €1,000–€1,500 range that offer comparable build quality, feature a UDH, are similarly lightweight (in the 700g range for an unpainted size M frame), and offer custom paint options—as well as the possibility of omitting the original branding? My primary focus is on mountains and hilly terrain. Thanks Guys!

I think the Speeder 55d fits your requirements quite well and is just under your budget. My full build is 6.85kg with assiomas and Zen Carbon 50/55 wheels.

I made a video with the full build, but I don't know about the self promotion policy around here, so if you'd like to see it message me and I'll send it over.

I have about the same wheels as you although mine are 50/55mm. 3.1 carbon spokes, 20/20.

I am about 78kg.

I just tried the deflection test and can't get it anywhere near the stay. Maybe 2mm of movement, max.

My wheels are quite stiff in a sprint. My sprint power is just shy of 1400 watts and I don't feel anything I would describe as flex in the rear.

My frame is a Speeder 55d size 510, or Medium.

Quote from: NB87 on May 04, 2026, 09:54:29 AM
I wanted to share my experience with a set of ZEN 60/55 lightweight rims and hopefully get some input from riders with similar specs.

First off, credit where it's due: ZEN has handled everything so far in a very professional and supportive way. Every time an issue came up, they responded accordingly and covered the costs to resolve it. That level of service deserves recognition.

Background / setup:
- ZEN 60/55 lightweight rims
- 24mm internal width
- SR270 hub
- 20x 3.1mm (2.1gr) carbon spokes (front & rear)
- System weight limit: 135kg
- Rider: 85kg, FTP ~340W, sprint ~1300W
- Tires: 30mm road + occasionally 38mm gravel (on a frame rated max 38mm)

Initial issue:
After the first rides, I noticed the rear drive-side spokes rotating (bladed spokes losing alignment). ZEN offered to cover a local rebuild/straightening -> great service. Unfortunately, the issue came back twice.

At that point, I suspected the spoke–hub interface might be the root cause (spokes rotating under load). ZEN agreed and sent a new hub + T-head spokes to eliminate that variable. Again, fully covered.

Current situation:
With the new setup, the spoke rotation issue seems resolved. However, under high load (especially sprinting), I'm now noticing:

- Audible movement/"working" from the rear wheel
- Tire rubbing the chainstay (this was already the case with the original spokes)
- Overall feeling of flex under power (this was already the case with the original spokes)

Given my weight and power numbers, I'm starting to question whether this wheel configuration is simply too light / not stiff enough for more aggressive riding.

What I'm trying to figure out:

- Are other riders (~80–90kg, similar power) experiencing comparable flex with lightweight carbon-spoke setups?
- Is this a known limitation of this kind of build (low spoke count + carbon spokes)?
- Or does this still point to something being off in my specific rear wheel?

To be clear: this is not a complaint about ZEN's service, they've been excellent throughout. I'm mainly trying to understand whether I'm running into a design limitation versus a product-specific issue.

If others with similar rider profiles have experience with this type of wheel (especially carbon spokes / low spoke count), I'd really appreciate your input.

Another vote for DA chain and Silca hot wax. I've got an 11sp DA chain on one of my bikes with over 30k Km on it. Chain check shows almost no wear. I am pretty diligent about waxing though. It's honestly shocking how long they last when they're waxed!

I never win anything, but I'd like to win this!

What's the rise on the bars? It looks like the schematic says -10 deg? Is that right? I'm trying to find a bar with more than the usual 7 or 8 degree negative rise without reverting to a non integrated option.

I'm curious about the decals (specifically the fact carbon sticker) Did you specify that you wanted that or did they default to it?

Quote from: johnnydamage on August 10, 2023, 06:26:20 PM
Frame finally showed up. Looks good to me!

Curious where you got all the decals? Were those purchased from awst or from elsewhere?

Quote from: Kactusdog on September 02, 2023, 01:21:20 PM

A visit to a local bike shop and a buck later, I got exact what I needed, thanks! I was worried I need a more proprietary headset.

The build is finally complete   This was my worst performance when it came to barb and olive installation, I screwed up 2 times, equaling about 15mm of lost hose length on an already short hose. but the ICR plastic insert puts enough pressure to allow me to cinch some shift cable into the frame for an equal length to the hose... this is the crap I obsess over.

The final ride fits me great. Size L for a 183cm, 170 lbs man. 50mm oneup stem.

I used a 150mm OneUp dropper with an OG Wolftooth lever.
SLX 7100 brakes modded for bite point adjust
XX1 shift set
SROAD rainbow 10-50 cassette
YBN waxed 12spd chain
Generic Eagle crankset
XT 8100 pedals
780 OneUp bars with Ergon GA3 grips
Fox float DPS 45mm rear shock
SID Select+ 120 fork
Fake Roval Traverse SL wheelset (LB rims on the new 350s)
Aliexpress rainbow centerline rotors
SRAM housing for the dropper and shifter.

I think that's it... for any future builders of this frame, feel free to hit me up with any questions, I can answer pretty much anything about this AWST frame.

Has anyone built one of these up recently? I'm curious about your experience and where you ordered from.

Also, I'm 178cm tall with an 82.5cm inseam. Is large or medium the way to go?

Thanks!

Quote from: JoshCB on June 26, 2024, 02:47:31 AM
I'm looking forward to it as well  . I wake up every day hoping to have an email waiting for me, and wondering if I should chase or just leave them to it.

Any update on your build?

Quote from: JoshCB on June 24, 2024, 07:49:23 AM
Hi all,

New member here. I ordered a 918 in early April, so hopefully I should have it in my hands soon, and really excited.

I only have a few concerns, but I have a technical brain so I should be able to work them out.

1) I run a 40t chainring. On my current Bianchi I have to run spacers to make it work, so it's just a case of how many on the 918.
2) I've also bought a set of the XC14 bars. The concern with these is that I run 720mm bars for XC, so it's a case of whether that will work for the internal routing (I'm guessing not).

The big challenge I've got is getting it under 10kg, but where there's money there's a way.

I'll be sure to post pictures when it arrives.

Did you order the new model with the trunion mount shock? How much was the total? What's the build plan to get it under 10kg?

It looks like the new model uses a trunion mount shock with a longer size. Anyone order one of these yet?

Quote from: this is dog on May 06, 2024, 07:41:20 AM
Last Saturday I put the bike to test during one of Europe's biggest gravel events, The Traka in Girona, Spain. First time for me and joined the 200km route with 2500m elevation. Bike got some serious beating and did not let me down, it's still in one piece! 

https://www.thetraka.com/

What size tires are you running?

Do you know if that works for the top and the bottom?

Quote from: mikelmtb on April 08, 2024, 02:43:46 AM
After a lot of adjustments with the headset (couldn´t get the point on which the headset had no play but worked smoothly), top bearing on my bike was broken during a ride. Maybe due to a shim that I installed, wich applied too much load on bearing.
I replaced the headset bearings with the reference for Specialized Tarmac SL7 & SL8, 49.5x40.5x6.5. Now headset is working finally smooth and without any play.

Adding on to my questions:

Does anyone know if the trail mixer brake adapter is required to run the front fork in the forward position as it is on the Aspero?

Are the logos just vinyl decals? Did you buy them or make them?

Quote from: this is dog on February 09, 2024, 01:28:26 PM
My build is pretty much finished, still waiting for some small parts to arrive and need to dial in the rear mech. Overall quite satisfied with how it came together, especially for what I spend on it. Total costs: € 2650,- incl. handbuilt wheels with DT-Swiss 350 hubs and Sapim CX spokes.

Assembling went pretty much flawless, except for the expander plug as mentioned in one of my previous posts. The frame does have one noticable flaw which are the holes for the bottle cages are not aligned properly. The bottle cage mounted on the seat tube is pointing somewhat outwards towards the non-drive-side. No way you can fix that when mounting plastic or carbon cages. I wonder if other frame owners have this same issue.