First Road Bike Build

Started by ujmo_, November 03, 2023, 11:24:25 AM

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ujmo_

I'm planning to build my first road bike for the next season(starting in March/April). I've never built a bike and I only had a MTB before. I was thinking to use the 11.11 sales to buy some of the stuff from Aliexpress and I'd appreciate your help and suggestions in general.

Here's a list of what I've considered so far:

As I mentioned, this is the first time I'm building a bike so if you have any suggestions on what else I should get related to bike components or what tools are necessary to actually build it, please let me know.

eekden

I'm in the same boat as you, about to do my first road build, also looking at the eR9/eRX. One thing to consider is there are a few eR9/eRX retailers out there. "80's designer store" sells it and its cheaper than "Ltwoo official store" (which apparently isn't their official store). And I've noticed if I message stores on aliexpress, sometimes they'll offer an extra $5 off or whatever.

Link to 80's designer store: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805736144268.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.2e94JPNrJPNrKO&mp=1&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

slow_poke11

Good plan. I bought most of the stuff for my build in the Black Friday deals. 

I think you'd be taking a bit of a risk with the eR9 at this moment in time.  A few vloggers have had issues (Trace Velo, China Cycling for example) with it stopping working.  If it were me I'd wait until I could see that those issues had been ironed out.  That's just me though.

With groupset I went with Shimano.  Merlin do good deals: https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/groupsets-93716/

Also, given that this will be your first road bike, ask yourself how much of a benefit 12 speed or e-shifting is going to be for you.  This could reduce cost considerably if that's important for you.

The tools I needed depended on the parts I choose.  E.g. bottom bracket type, etc.

mirphak

I have read so many horror stories about the eR9 and eRX that I honestly stopped being interested. Also one of the drawbacks of my mechanical hydro RX is the spring, which is quite weak. I am not sure they have changed it for a stronger one (I think the one from sensah is stronger). It works, but the chain retention is not great. 

Chiyou

Here are some tools you may need:

1. Bottom bracket press - to push the bottom bracket into your frame
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256805253619890.html

Note: The page for the Yishun R1088-D frame won't load for me so I don't know what kind of bottom bracket it needs (press-fit bottom brackets will need a press while threaded bottom brackets require a different kind of tool)

2. Hydraulic hose tool(s) - to cut your brake hose to length and drive the needle into the hose - you can buy these separately but the following is a two-in-one version
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256804179664403.html

3. Bleed kit - to make sure you have enough hydraulic fluid in your brake hose and get rid of any annoying air bubbles
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256805944912699.html

4. Fork saw guide - for when it comes time to cut your fork steerer to length
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256805470482835.html

Please consider these links as reference points rather than outright recommendations; if you're hunting for bargains I'm sure you'll be able to find similar products for less money if you search long enough. Good luck with your build - ask away as there's lots to consider.

eekden

What would be helpful for waterproofing your bike for riding in light rain? Any specific greases or gaskets or something?

ujmo_

I pulled the trigger during the sales and bought:

  • Elitewheels Edge 50 with regular bearings for a total of 513$(472€)
  • LTWOO R9 carbon version for a total of 245$(225€)
  • some of the tools mentioned by @Chiyou
I'm still deciding on which Yishun frame I'll order and also which crankset, chainrings, cassette I should get.

Dark17

Quote from: ujmo_ on November 19, 2023, 10:13:23 AM
I pulled the trigger during the sales and bought:

  • Elitewheels Edge 50 with regular bearings for a total of 513$(472€)
  • LTWOO R9 carbon version for a total of 245$(225€)
  • some of the tools mentioned by @Chiyou
I'm still deciding on which Yishun frame I'll order and also which crankset, chainrings, cassette I should get.

Get the Yishun. Tho clarify the geometry if you are planning to get R086-D.

Ar26

Quote from: eekden on November 06, 2023, 06:37:07 PM
What would be helpful for waterproofing your bike for riding in light rain? Any specific greases or gaskets or something?


Any solutions with Oz cycle : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQWYPxGicjU&list=PLdgbmMgiOWBIdWpEnRa0O50BMWNz8SIcs&index=1

ujmo_

#9
Quote from: Dark17 on November 19, 2023, 11:43:16 AM
Get the Yishun. Tho clarify the geometry if you are planning to get R086-D.
I noticed few days ago that they updated the geometry on their website and asked them about it. The current geometry of R086-D is even more aggressive(I added it here - https://bikeinsights.com/bikes/650174efc82576001da3e5a6-yishunbike-r086-d?version=2023-v2) so I'll go with R1088-D. Just deciding whether I should get size 53 or 56(Yishun and ProRace both said to get 56 for my height and inseam length) and also about sizes of a handlebar.

KINGBERRY

How tall are you guys? I am 186 cm and have an inseam length of 89 cm. My arm length is 60,5 cm. Which size can you recommend for me?

slow_poke11


ujmo_

#12
I ordered Yishun R1088-D size 56 with HB088 420*100 integrated handlebar few days ago. No painting. I ordered it from China and paid 888$(817€) for everything.

  • Frame(w/ small discount of 20$) - 729$
  • Shipping to Slovakia & taxes - 127$
  • Bank fee - 32$
Interestingly, the full price would be 954€(w/o small discount) if ordered from Germany. I'm still unsure what bottom bracket(BB86), crankset, cassette, tires and compression plug I should get. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Quote from: KINGBERRY on November 20, 2023, 02:39:08 PM
How tall are you guys? I am 186 cm and have an inseam length of 89 cm. My arm length is 60,5 cm. Which size can you recommend for me?
I'm 180cm tall and have 87cm inseam.

Dark17

Keep us posted specially with the build and ride feels. It was my first option but there's no size available for me back then.

Sakizashi

Consider the Ultegra BB instead. Dura Ace uses slightly different bearings that arent sealed as well. So you get less drag, but at the cost of some durability.

The thread together BBs can be great, but you need to have a good fit and I personally think they are worth it only if the bearings  are replaceable a few times. From the reviews on this site, it looks like that can be done with the ZTTO, but also that the bearings themselves are not good. Given that, I would start with something like a wheels mfg BB that is known to be well made and uses good bearings to start if you felt like you needed a thread together.