I ordered a VB-R-168 frame back in May, apparently it has been painted and they're just waiting for the bar (integrated 420/100) but should be ready to ship next week. I got a message about shipping suggesting to use XBD-DPD as EMS is not working at the moment, and also cost an extra 60 USD. Has anyone else received something similar? What's the difference between the two methods? This is shipping to the UK.
Thanks

Quote from: kjfekfrekgnr on June 02, 2021, 09:02:53 AM
I ordered a VB-R-168 frame back in May, apparently it has been painted and they're just waiting for the bar (integrated 420/100) but should be ready to ship next week. I got a message about shipping suggesting to use XBD-DPD as EMS is not working at the moment, and also cost an extra 60 USD. Has anyone else received something similar? What's the difference between the two methods? This is shipping to the UK.
Thanks

That is a little strange, I ordered mine on April 17th and mine is apparently still being painted according to Chris...

I chose to use XDB shipping anyhow as this guarantees I won't need to pay additional customs fees. I used the same for my wheels and these took two weeks to arrive once they were shipped. I am not sure if the customs part applies to UK since Brexit, I live in The Netherlands and there it worked out just fine.

i had the same inquiry from chris,
i suggested only to pay half of the additional cost, chris accepted
faster delivery no additional cost for custom

Regarding the handlebar please be aware that it is curved,
depends how sensitive you are to this, i calculated a 440/120 which fits perfect next to the stem,
but if i grab it next to the breaks its 2-3 cm to long due to the curve
you can see it on the picture i added

Quote from: Zoc on June 02, 2021, 09:24:19 AM
Regarding the handlebar please be aware that it is curved,
depends how sensitive you are to this, i calculated a 440/120 which fits perfect next to the stem,
but if i grab it next to the breaks its 2-3 cm to long due to the curve
you can see it on the picture i added

I'm 170cm and am looking at the 52cm frame which seems to most closely match my current frame in terms of reach, seat tube length etc., would you recommend sizing down a frame to account for the additional bar reach?

My current set-up also runs an 80mm stem which I find comfortable and the 168's smallest size bar comes in at 400mm/90mm so I'd already be gaining 10mm before the curve of the bar is taken in to consideration.

depends on inseam arm length preferred position
but if you like your old bike, it will be to long

sizing down the frame, also reduce the stack which i personaly don't like at all,
if you are fine with the stack, i would accept the handlebar or switch to a straight one

Quote from: wijmaar on June 02, 2021, 09:15:29 AM
That is a little strange, I ordered mine on April 17th and mine is apparently still being painted according to Chris...

I chose to use XDB shipping anyhow as this guarantees I won't need to pay additional customs fees. I used the same for my wheels and these took two weeks to arrive once they were shipped. I am not sure if the customs part applies to UK since Brexit, I live in The Netherlands and there it worked out just fine.

There was a labour day holiday in early May in China so a few things maybe be delayed? My order was actually 30th April. Good to know about the shipping. I've been lucky in the past, I've ordered groupset and wheels from Aliexpress and I've not had to pay any customs duties so far.

Quote from: Zoc on June 02, 2021, 09:24:19 AM
Regarding the handlebar please be aware that it is curved,
depends how sensitive you are to this, i calculated a 440/120 which fits perfect next to the stem,
but if i grab it next to the breaks its 2-3 cm to long due to the curve
you can see it on the picture i added

I didn't realise that, it's good to know. I guess if you look closely at the pictures there is a slight curve but it's not obvious. I used the specialised bike sizing as the frame is very similar to the SL7 tarmac. I'm in between the 54/56cm so the extra reach shouldn't be too much of an issue.

I love the look of it but i hate how its heavier than the sl7.if you could even add 50-100g compared to the sl7 id be all over it, but no, its up there with your standard frame

Quote from: wijmaar on June 02, 2021, 09:15:29 AM
That is a little strange, I ordered mine on April 17th and mine is apparently still being painted according to Chris...

I chose to use XDB shipping anyhow as this guarantees I won't need to pay additional customs fees. I used the same for my wheels and these took two weeks to arrive once they were shipped. I am not sure if the customs part applies to UK since Brexit, I live in The Netherlands and there it worked out just fine.

Lately they are all over the place with deadlines and deliveries mistakes (from other forums' users).

I returned a vbr099 back in February, been waiting for a 168 since then, which clearly is not a great customer service. If I'm lucky, I'll receive it by the end of the month, and that'll make it a 4.5 months wait. I understand there were some handlebars shortages which Chris let me know of, but still, my 56cm vbr168 frame 'has been' in the painting shop for 4-5 weeks now  oh well

PS: when I previously ordered my vbr099 I also used XDB to get it to the UK, for the pre-paid import duties included in the cost. Hope that still applies now after brexit

Quote from: fcs01 on June 03, 2021, 08:16:05 AM
Lately they are all over the place with deadlines and deliveries mistakes (from other forums' users).

I returned a vbr099 back in February, been waiting for a 168 since then, which clearly is not a great customer service. If I'm lucky, I'll receive it by the end of the month, and that'll make it a 4.5 months wait. I understand there were some handlebars shortages which Chris let me know of, but still, my 56cm vbr168 frame 'has been' in the painting shop for 4-5 weeks now  oh well

PS: when I previously ordered my vbr099 I also used XDB to get it to the UK, for the pre-paid import duties included in the cost. Hope that still applies now after brexit

Why did you return the VBR099? I just got informed by Chris that mine is painted as well, and that he is indeed waiting for the handlebars.

Quote from: wijmaar on June 03, 2021, 08:48:58 AM
Why did you return the VBR099? I just got informed by Chris that mine is painted as well, and that he is indeed waiting for the handlebars.

It had a a play in headset which I couldn't seem to be able to remove, so after a while I disassembled the bike, packed it and sent it back for a replacement. Loads of hours and some cash wasted in parts and return shipping, but I hope the vbr168 will be worth it 

I suppose we are both waiting for the handlebars, even though to me he said that my frame is being painted (since the second week of may ) and should be ready by next week (same as your handlebar). Really hope there won't be any more delays

From the ones already built and tried, any more feedbacks and pics??

Quote from: fcs01 on June 04, 2021, 05:12:35 AM
It had a a play in headset which I couldn't seem to be able to remove, so after a while I disassembled the bike, packed it and sent it back for a replacement. Loads of hours and some cash wasted in parts and return shipping, but I hope the vbr168 will be worth it 

I suppose we are both waiting for the handlebars, even though to me he said that my frame is being painted (since the second week of may ) and should be ready by next week (same as your handlebar). Really hope there won't be any more delays

From the ones already built and tried, any more feedbacks and pics??

Yup, think so too . I knew this was probably going to happen when ordering directly from China, so Ill have to live with it. The rest of the build is all here, so really anxiously waiting for the frame! I asked Chris if it's possible for him to share some pictures of the painted frame, we'll see.

Just to add information on how my delivery is going for people to compare.

Ordered a size 58 painted on May 17th.
According to Chris:
Frame is painted, but there is a delay on the handlebar 420/110. He expects to have the handlebar in 10 days and then ship the package soon thereafter.

Quote from: fcs01 on June 04, 2021, 05:12:35 AM
It had a a play in headset which I couldn't seem to be able to remove, so after a while I disassembled the bike, packed it and sent it back for a replacement. Loads of hours and some cash wasted in parts and return shipping, but I hope the vbr168 will be worth it 

I suppose we are both waiting for the handlebars, even though to me he said that my frame is being painted (since the second week of may ) and should be ready by next week (same as your handlebar). Really hope there won't be any more delays

From the ones already built and tried, any more feedbacks and pics??

Is this issue unheard of? Hows the quality of these frames, have a lot of people had to return it? Im always weary of frames that have to be sent back. Whst part of the headset had play?

Quote from: Zdrenka89 on June 06, 2021, 09:23:51 AM
Just to add information on how my delivery is going for people to compare.

Ordered a size 58 painted on May 17th.
According to Chris:
Frame is painted, but there is a delay on the handlebar 420/110. He expects to have the handlebar in 10 days and then ship the package soon thereafter.

Very similar to mine! Ordered a size 56 with 420/100 and custom paint on 17-04. Last update from Chris is that painting is ready and he expects to ship the frame within two weeks. So a little more patience is required