Velobuild VB-R-168 Frame

[MDZPNMD]

Yea, sort of. It's the Cube hanger. There are 2 ways to do it. The first link has 2 different hangers and you could use either with some mods. The 906 inner piece fits the frame, but the hole is too small. The 784 outer piece is the correct piece you need, and the hole is the right size, but the "neck?" is too wide and doesn't fit. So I actually bought both and modded them. So you either drill the hole slightly bigger on the 906 to fit the outer piece. Or you can trim the 784 a bit to get it to fit. I did both but ended up sticking with the 906.

The 2nd link is for a different outer piece with a 1.5 thread pitch to match the stock thru axle. So if I did it again, I'd buy the 906 from the first link and the outer piece from the 2nd link, then drill out the 906. It's a very small amount and took like 2 minutes.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802098295629.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000060.3.5fe172b1PHWtWm&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.291025.0&scm_id=1007.13339.291025.0&scm-url=1007.13339.291025.0&pvid=47710f94-708c-4dab-9512-c81083bd549b&_t=gps-id%3ApcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller%2Cscm-url%3A1007.13339.291025.0%2Cpvid%3A47710f94-708c-4dab-9512-c81083bd549b%2Ctpp_buckets%3A668%232846%238109%231935&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21USD%2114.61%217.3%21%21%21%21%21%402103251316846751104572746e8fd2%2112000019912693538%21rec%21US%211815174450&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801555028997.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.33.3d7018025WYVvj&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

I'm about to order the parts as you describe, by inner piece you mean the hanger right and by outer piece you mean the nut?

So inner piece or hanger from the first link and the complete set including the nut from the second link with the 1.5 threading, is that correct?

[Eddy_Twerckx]

I'm about to order the parts as you describe, by inner piece you mean the hanger right and by outer piece you mean the nut?

So inner piece or hanger from the first link and the complete set including the nut from the second link with the 1.5 threading, is that correct?

The hanger is two pieces, which I describe as inner and outer. The inner piece is always the actual “hanger” piece that connects to the derailleur. The inner and outer pieces sandwich the frame if that makes sense. The stock derailleur hanger set has the threads on the inner piece with the actual hanger part. The stock outer piece is just a piece of metal that is secured to the frame with a tiny bolt. I didn’t like that because if that tiny little bolt fails (and I’ve had it happen) then the outer piece falls off, which means the frame dropout isn’t secure. The thru axle will keep the wheel in place secured to the hanger, the frame won’t have any attachment points. So the frame is really only secured with the tiny bolt.

With the Cube hanger set, the threads are moved to the outer piece. So now you get the inner piece with the hanger, then the frame, then the outer piece with the threads. So now the thru axle connects to the outer piece and secures everything. Much more secure.

So what I bought is the inner piece (hanger with no threads) and a separate outer piece (with threads) and combined them to get the set.

Hope that makes sense.

[MDZPNMD]

The hanger is two pieces, which I describe as inner and outer. The inner piece is always the actual “hanger” piece that connects to the derailleur. The inner and outer pieces sandwich the frame if that makes sense. The stock derailleur hanger set has the threads on the inner piece with the actual hanger part. The stock outer piece is just a piece of metal that is secured to the frame with a tiny bolt. I didn’t like that because if that tiny little bolt fails (and I’ve had it happen) then the outer piece falls off, which means the frame dropout isn’t secure. The thru axle will keep the wheel in place secured to the hanger, the frame won’t have any attachment points. So the frame is really only secured with the tiny bolt.

With the Cube hanger set, the threads are moved to the outer piece. So now you get the inner piece with the hanger, then the frame, then the outer piece with the threads. So now the thru axle connects to the outer piece and secures everything. Much more secure.

So what I bought is the inner piece (hanger with no threads) and a separate outer piece (with threads) and combined them to get the set.

Hope that makes sense.

Thanks eddy that helps.
To sum up you picked the following:

Color: YA00082P1 from this link:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005002284610381.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000060.3.5fe172b1PHWtWm&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.291025.0&scm_id=1007.13339.291025.0&scm-url=1007.13339.291025.0&pvid=47710f94-708c-4dab-9512-c81083bd549b&_t=gps-id%3ApcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller%2Cscm-url%3A1007.13339.291025.0%2Cpvid%3A47710f94-708c-4dab-9512-c81083bd549b%2Ctpp_buckets%3A668%232846%238109%231935&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21USD%2114.61%217.3%21%21%21%21%21%402103251316846751104572746e8fd2%2112000019912693538%21rec%21US%211815174450&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

and Color: Large Nut-1.5pitch from this link:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005001741343749.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.33.3d7018025WYVvj&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

and then you made the hole wider on the innerpiece/actual hanger/Color: YA00082P1 , correct?

[Eddy_Twerckx]

Thanks eddy that helps.
To sum up you picked the following:

Color: YA00082P1 from this link:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005002284610381.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000060.3.5fe172b1PHWtWm&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.291025.0&scm_id=1007.13339.291025.0&scm-url=1007.13339.291025.0&pvid=47710f94-708c-4dab-9512-c81083bd549b&_t=gps-id%3ApcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller%2Cscm-url%3A1007.13339.291025.0%2Cpvid%3A47710f94-708c-4dab-9512-c81083bd549b%2Ctpp_buckets%3A668%232846%238109%231935&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21USD%2114.61%217.3%21%21%21%21%21%402103251316846751104572746e8fd2%2112000019912693538%21rec%21US%211815174450&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

and Color: Large Nut-1.5pitch from this link:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005001741343749.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.33.3d7018025WYVvj&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

and then you made the hole wider on the innerpiece/actual hanger/Color: YA00082P1 , correct?

Looks right to me. Just bear in mind you’ll have to drill out the inner piece slightly to enlarge the hole. I used a Dremel and it took about 5-10 minutes

[MDZPNMD]

Thanks for your help

On another note, my Frame arrived today.

What's your opinion on this steerer tube?

It looks like there is a part chuipped or is missing under where the bearing is seated, is it a reason for concern for you guys or do you think it is fine? (see picture)


In my case BB and brake mounts are not faced correctly and the workshop of my choice has no tools for it.

Would you simply install the BB and hope for the best or attempt a DIY solution like using wetstones or sandpaper on a piece of glass to face them?

In general it seems quite good besides the non perfect inside of the BB, the non faced bb, the non faced brake mounts and also my endoscope showed that they forgot to remove the innter tube correctly from the top tube and some piece of the tube is left in it, gonna have to rip it out and save 2 grams.

Frame comes in at around 1045g in size 54 including thru axle and front derailleur mount

[Berzerko]

Just gave me VB 168 a good cleaning and inspection
Have about 1200 miles on it, with a lot of talk about split bearing cap and steerer I pulled apart and had a look, I see a broken steerer as a catastrophic failure !!

Besides having issues with getting proper compression on bearings and plug slipping up when trying to preload the bearings

When I took it apart the outside of the tube looked good, no cuts or grooves, the inside on the other hand had a lot of delaminating carbon

Should I be concerned ?

[curvenut]

Just gave me VB 168 a good cleaning and inspection
Have about 1200 miles on it, with a lot of talk about split bearing cap and steerer I pulled apart and had a look, I see a broken steerer as a catastrophic failure !!

Besides having issues with getting proper compression on bearings and plug slipping up when trying to preload the bearings

When I took it apart the outside of the tube looked good, no cuts or grooves, the inside on the other hand had a lot of delaminating carbon

Should I be concerned ?

 {ersonnally,  with that delamination, I would be concerned.
 I am not a carbon frame expert, ..

[Greenred]

How do you mount the Di2 battery in the seat post?

After about a year with the Sensah Empire Pro 12s and an 11/34 cassette I’m just done with the subpar shifting and splurged 

[hazzer19]

How do you mount the Di2 battery in the seat post?

After about a year with the Sensah Empire Pro 12s and an 11/34 cassette I’m just done with the subpar shifting and splurged 

I didn't use a mount and just inserted the battery with some foam packaging and it was all snug.

[Serge_K]

Just gave me VB 168 a good cleaning and inspection
Have about 1200 miles on it, with a lot of talk about split bearing cap and steerer I pulled apart and had a look, I see a broken steerer as a catastrophic failure !!

Besides having issues with getting proper compression on bearings and plug slipping up when trying to preload the bearings

When I took it apart the outside of the tube looked good, no cuts or grooves, the inside on the other hand had a lot of delaminating carbon

Should I be concerned ?

A broken steerer does lead to catastrophic failure, it's not in your mind
I'm no expert, and maybe it's the flash that makes it look dramatic, but it does look like pretty material delamination. I didn't take pictures of the cut steerers that I installed, but goes without saying that they never looked like that. With all the YT content I watch on these topics, i would have noticed.
I'd contact Chris, you're probably under warranty still?
Do you use a torque wrench? Any chance you'd have crushed the steerer with the stem?
Also, I have no idea how much delamination you need before it's dangerous / unsafe to ride.

[a2lacrosse]

Recently purchased a VB168.

Opted not have any any VB stem/bars as I wanted to use a standard combo. Purchased a FSA69 SRS headset.

I’ve noticed that the frame/fork foul on one another with the FSA bearing/crown race on the lower (top is fine) but that there is no issues running the stock headset lower.

Have others experienced this?

[Eddy_Twerckx]

New groupset (Ultegra 11sp Di2). Went back to the LightBicycle AR45s with Challenge Criterium RS tires. Still need to bleed the brakes and weight it. 7.82kg as shown.

[carloow]

Crashed my bike at a crit a few weeks ago and decided to go for a new budget build with this frame (size 56, black). I live in the Netherlands and received the frame within 2 weeks. Can't wait to build the bike, but need to wait for a new group and wheels. Frame looks very nice and even a seatpost cover is included!

[joegal]

New groupset (Ultegra 11sp Di2). Went back to the LightBicycle AR45s with Challenge Criterium RS tires. Still need to bleed the brakes and weight it.

Looks good! Really interested in your torough opinion on how the VB fares against your SL7. I am a bit hestinant as i want to build up a budget bike with a new 12spd Di2, but i sometimes hear that the 168 feels "sluggish"(?) conpared to an genuine Specialized.
You think it would be wasting to slap a new Ultegra Di2 onto such a "cheap" frame?

[Sebastian]

New groupset (Ultegra 11sp Di2). Went back to the LightBicycle AR45s with Challenge Criterium RS tires. Still need to bleed the brakes and weight it.

Which cockpit/handlebar is that? The stem seems longer than 120mm? I'm interested because options like these are rare.