You're welcome, and I understand your concerns. The more you read about it, the more terrifying it will look. Same as if you have pain in your arm and you Google it. You could then end up with a tennis elbow or nerve pain, and it's maybe just muscle pain from bumping it the day before.

In this forum thread there was no one yet that broken their steer tube because of the d-shape. The recall that Factor made, for that one pro cyclist bumped on the sidewalk and cracked his steering tube because the compression plug wasn't compressed correctly https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/factor-finally-sheds-light-on-that-broken-ostro-vam-steerer-tube/. Full story is on a different website, also Factor their website https://factorbikes.com/news/update-on-isn-team-ostro, this is just my summary. I would compare it to a recall of an Audi TT (old model) to add a rear spoiler, because the rear springs weren't stiff enough at 180km/h. Can you still drive the Audi without the spoiler, yes. Can you add your own aftermarket spoiler to make it better and the rear suspension stiffer, yes.

For the Ostro bike I see it like this, if you use a better quality and a bit longer compression plug 8cm instead of 5cm, and better materials, then I think it should work. That doesn't mean that the compression plug that comes with the frame doesn't work.

Anyway, I wouldn't be too afraid of it, and all the other users here either,r otherwise they didn't buy the frame. The V2 has a different steer tube, not sure if the imitation/replica has a different shape. 

Beautiful machine! I am thinking of getting this as my next build. Does anyone have the Vam 2.0 yet? It seems pretty difficult to find a reliable seller that has experience with DPD shipping to Europe. RK and FC carbon stores (someone said they are probably the same person) seem to offer the best 1.0 frame. They say the offer shipping including import fees, but I am sceptical (as he said it will be shipped via dhl; which would mean import fees I think).

I am also still in doubt between version 1.0 and version 2.0. Maybe some owners of the 1.0/2.0 can chime in?

I live in Netherlands, Europe and have the so called not so good frame according this forum, My frame is still going strong after 2500km on it, had some difficulties in the beginning but it was basically my own fault, seatpost clamp is not the best but it's okay, the handlebar is okay but I tightened it too hard (even though it was with a torq wrench). Overall, very happy with the frame. Mine is a v1 and I upgraded some parts that came with it, like the headset bearings (not necessary), compression plug, and in the end, also the handlebar.

It's just that yo uneed to pull the trigger for any frame you want, they are not all horror stories, and most of the time it will arrive, just need to find the seller with the tips and tricks that are shared here. Hope this helps. You can also DM me if you want more info

I have also just received my wheelset the DAO50 Wave. Got them quite quickly and I will use them for training and traveling.
Quite content about it and I have tested them for a short round today, all seems good so far.

I got the CN Aero416 spokes with their own brand Sram XDR hub. Weight is 1386 grams in total. Tire + inner tube + 160mm disc under 1 kg (971 gram)

#metoo

So glad I purchased during the Anniversary sale after looking again today, they are now $110 USD more than I paid.

#metoo

I also took that opportunity to buy them as training and travel wheels, I went for the DAO50 the wave ones. I am curious to report back here how they are, I paid more or less the same as RazorRamon (316 euro) For this price compared to my elite Drive wheels are they 1/3 of the price, I know it's a user object but I want to keep them nice and shiny and then I can do whatever I want with the Tagoola's. I'm afraid of the car cargo bicycle carrier, that it will scratch the wheels.

Paid 320€ total including shipping during the aliexpress sale, very happy with the price.

The crack

I have the same, but I overtorqued it. I did it with a Torq wrench as well, but I did it the wrong way around, first the 2 bolts then the compression plug (stupid I know, but first bike build, and not enough research or the lack of it). Anyway, it's a cheap handlebar. I upgraded it to a Tavelo AVRO Gen 1.

Looks really good, the white one awesome! It's a small size frame so a 6.8 kg is quite solid. I have in the end here for a 56 size frame 6,9 kg so you can definitely save something with the wheels I guess.

and the black one with blue and pink also looks great. It has the same frame size as mine, only that yours looks more neat than mine. I've now ridden outside 500 km and indoors just over 1000 km and it feels fine. Need to replace the handlebar because I probably tighten it too tight, even though it didn't exceeded the 5nm but okay, I bought in the end the Tavelo Avro gen-1 (still needs to arrive).

Also got the Lexon Cranks, if the crank is not running smoothly, try it without spacers and the lockring.

These are/were my weights for a size 56:
Frame: 1069g
Fork: 432g
Handlebar fake black inc): 331g
seatpost incl clamp: 220g

Weights (size 56):
Frame: 1154g
Fork: 471g

I've decided I'm going to weight weenie it, I want to get it under 7kg cuz why not. Currently 7.8kg with everything on it

What I'm currently thinking

Avian Canary- 240 grams. 100g savings, costs 190 and 40 for the adapter to Factor.

I'm also checking for an option to go for an Avian Canary with the outline of the imitation black Inc. handlebar. I have inquired them and they can print for the bike an adapter to accommodate the cables with the d-tube steer. I'm not getting much more info when reading on the forum and watching on YouTube. some people like them others don't, it's like 80-20 of positive versus negative. The Canary has a nice weight, 264 gram for a 400 by 110 for a reasonable price of 290 euros.


Original Black inc:


The EXS (500 euro) is for me a bit over the budget as well as the original Black Inc. (550 euro) but I was also looking at a more aerodynamic shape that doesn't weigh that much more. I've looked into Patty his post (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,5314.msg66946.html#msg66946) about the handlebars as well and consider the Tavelo Avro too.


One other that got my interest is the Rolling Stone Manta it's also around the 290 euro price point it's 80 grams heavier than the Canary with 345 grams and same weight than the one that I have now, but I looks more aerodynamic :


If I compare the 2:
- Avian Canary 265 gram, 290 euro carbon T1100 Less aero more climbing and all round. Not so good reviews
- Tavelo Avro gen-1, 340 gram, 290 euro no idea what carbon, but great reviews
- Rolling Stone 345 gram, 2290 euro Carbon T800 More aero less climbing less all round.

Anyway always nice to compare "stuff" too bad I can't find really reviews on the "unknown" Rolling-Stone handlebar.