Hi yall,
so I had headset play for 1 year. Tryed little 0.25 mm C-shims  as suggested here and also tryed better and longer expander plug (DEDA) without any success. I decided to buy  a different Compression C-ring  on aliexpress(see picture). Now it works perfectly. I chose the 7.3 mm but maybe the 6.3 mm could have been ok too. Just dont use the C-ring provided with the frame. Chris from Velobuild discarded the issue saying the issue with previous frame was solved few years ago despite many people on this forum with similar issue. I can confirm the new C-ring provided by velobuild with this frameset is not really better. Too stiff maybe.

Anyhow, problem solved and can finally ride the bike!

I followed your advice - I'm now two rides deep since and it works so far.

First time I've had two rides and no play afterwards.

So thank you!

I'm 200 cm tall (not long legged tough and can't remember my exact saddle height - but around 86 cm sounds familiar). I've the VeloBuild Aero Gravel in XL and it fits as it should.

The geometry is very like my Merida Reacto in XL and that was hard to find in China frames.

Any reason you're not considering that one?

Ideally, you'd get a bike fit before investing in a new bicycle; if you don't have a local fitter, possibly an online tool such as MyVeloFit is sufficient to give you at least ballpark numbers.

Lacking a fit, see what some of the major manufacturers recommend. Canyon for example suggests size XL for their Endurance CF 7 frame for someone your height (see attachment). Consulting the geometry chart, this frame (in size XL) has a 637mm stack and 405mm reach.

It's similar for other manufacturers: Specialized Roubaix size 61 - 630mm stack, 397mm reach; Giant Defy size XL - 615mm stack, 402mm reach.

To answer your first question, definitely look for a 610+mm stack frame (unless you have specific fit numbers). To partially answer your second question, the AliExpress experience is very much the opposite of what you are looking for. It offers gazillions of individual components rather than fully-assembled bicycles. It targets the meaty section of the bell curve rather than the very tall and the very short. It caters to the race/competition crowd much more so than to the endurance folks.

If you want to continue down the Chinese route, you may have more luck with a gravel bike since their geometry is generally more akin to an endurance bike. I'd take a look at TanTan/Seraph; this isn't an endorsement as such but maybe it serves as a reference point against which to compare other vendors.

Example 1,  based on TanTan GR206 frame: https://tantanbikes.com/13-Speed-Full-Bike-Disc-Gravel-Bike-GR206-Wheeltop-Gex-Groupset-Single-Speed-Di2-Complete-Bicycle-Aluminum-Wheelset-700X40C-Tire-p6885384.html
Size L - 620mm stack but also long reach (422mm - you may want to specify a shorter stem)

Example 2,  based on TanTan GR208 frame: https://tantanbikes.com/GR208-Disc-Gravel-Complete-Bike-WheelTop-EDS-113S-Groupset-p6908001.html
Size XL - 607mm stack (on the short end)

Caveat emptor: to (hopefully) find a configuration you like, you need to carefully sift through their full catalog and hunt for the groupset/wheels/color you want, or maybe talk to them directly.
https://tantanbikes.com/Full-Bike-c202763/

I'm 200 cm tall, on a bike (Merida Reacto) with a 593 stack. It fits me perfectly.

But that somehow underline one of your points, it's not just about height. It's also about proportion, flexibility etc. I've never had a bike fit, but worked my way to something that I feel great on through different bikes, stems and adjustments.

I just also want to pinpoint that a 610 stack is not always needed if you're over 190 cm.

Most people don't care about resale value because they don't sell their bikes or frames anymore; instead, they ride them until they end up cut into pieces in the trash or sit in the basement or garage for years. That said, I would never buy a frame from Winspace for the price of an SLC5. However, I would also never buy an S-Works or something similar from a Western company at those prices. And i would absolutely never buy a used frame, no matter how expensive it was once.

I would like to see your scientific research behind that statement.. 

Thanks! I am rocking DT 370 on my mountain bike with upgraded 60-tooth ratchet ring from AliX and could not be more pleased (oh, the sound!). I service my hubs regularly so I prefer the ratchet system from that perspective as well.

Leaning towards this model in 50 mm depth and wider spokes: https://serenadebikes.net/23mm-internal-high-performance-aero-bike-wheels-build-with-carbon-fiber-spokes-p6704522.html

I've that model in 60 mm. I got them for this season and have been riding them for around 2 months now.

They are massive upgrade to the Elitewheels I had before. The first things I noticed was the acceleration out of the corners etc. But just in general it feels like my bike is just faster this year. My power have not increased, but my speed have and the only thing I really have changed is the wheels (this almost makes it sound like a miracle product.. It's not - but I'm really pleased with it). 

I don't know what the forum rules are on this, so I won't just post it, but I've a 8% discount code if you need it.

EDIT: if you want to hear them:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW6bMlACLtb/?igsh=ZGZ6bHMxcnUwbHFx

It's funny, cause I just reviewed mine as less stiff than I want it to be. But I also use it mostly as a hybrid between tarmac and light gravel.

What you guys are saying makes perfectly sense. I'm just not used to riding gravel bikes, but more Aero road bikes. Compared to my Merida Reacto I really think it lacks stiffness when trying to hit peak powers.

It might be me losing touch with the original intend of the frame.

https://www.instagram.com/dadvibescycling/reel/DVywHrACH62/

The positive news is that I've just ordered some gravel wheels and wider tires to try more gravel.

I've Bucklos on both my bikes. It works perfect to a fraction of the prices of western brands.

I've tried to buy copies - they were crap..

Ah, thats where that Power meter went then, had that on my watchlist

Sick looking bike and below 1300€ is incredible. Koudos.

I have my frame ordered and some parts already lying around, will be a first time build, so fingers crossed.

I want to build it up 1x12 with the GRX 827Di2 and a 44t chainring, so I can easily swap in my road tires between the seasons.

Im more in it for the building experience than anything else.

Yeah, sorry - I could not resist the price Actually just got lucky. It looked like he was selling the crank only but when I opened the add it was with powermeter also. Don't think many noticed before me.

Thank you.

Also my first build! One of the reasons I went for a budget build was also to learn. The Di2 will help you a lot - the only real problem I had was with the cables through the handlebar. So hopefully it goes smoothly for you!