Airwolf YFR068 - 2023 Gravel Frame

[timjen]

So finally I bought a pink one... All my other bikes are black, so I wanted to try something new. I am very excited about it and will post some pictures when it's over here.

[l45er]

I have now received my wheels.

2023 Ryet Gravel Carbon Wheelset with 36t rachet style hub. They weigh in at 1490g which is approx. 60g heavier than the quoted 1430+/-30g.
30mm wide hookless rim and 38mm deep.
They were well packaged and seem well finished. Came with tape installed and 2 spare spokes and 2 spare nipples.

Now just waiting on final parts to arrive so I can commence my build. Should have everything within the next 1-2 weeks.

Will be built with a mix of Shimano 12 speed Di2:
- Ultegra levers, brakes, 50/34 compact crankset
- 105 front and rear derailleurs

Already have 11-30t and 11-34t Ultegra cassettes which I'll use initially and grab a 105 11-36t when they are available.

Tyres wise I ended up purchasing Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H in 35mm width. I was a bit concerned about clearance and the potential for front derailleur to further decrease clearance. When these turn up I will mount to wheels and measure clearance.

[l45er]

Tyre clearance measurements.

Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H 35mm mounted to 30mm wide (24mm internal) rims = measured width 36mm
Driveside clearance = ~12mm
Non-driveside clearance = ~10mm

So say roughly 20mm additional width available - 4mm minimum clearance each side (8mm total) = additional 12mm available
36mm + 12mm = approx. maximum 48mm clearance or conservatively 45mm.

This doesn’t account for any reduced clearance due to front derailleur. I haven’t mounted it yet but 105 di2 front derailleur doesn’t look like it will be a problem.

I will upload some photos when I have a chance.

Looks like my earlier tape measurements were taken too close to the seat tube and I should have bought larger tyres!

[l45er]

Photos of tyre clearance with 35mm Pirelli Cinturato Hard

[wolffcon]

Thanks for posting all the updates! This was exactly what I was looking for. Going to put in an order asap. How long did it take to get to your door from ordering?

[l45er]

Approx. 5 weeks from order.

Took around 2.5 weeks until colour dialogue started (and prompt agreement was reached) and then around 2.5 weeks postage from China to Australia.

I’m planning to build the bike up this weekend so will post some photos and any issues I come across.

[l45er]

So I started the build over the weekend. Comments and issues as follows.

If running internal di2 cables, recommend an internal cable routing kit. I have ZTTO version from Aliexpress.
Disc brake cables were able to be routed without internal cable routing kit so if using wireless SRAM should be OK without internal routing kit.

I had to drill out aluminium cable boss for front derailleur (IMG_7361,7363,7365). As mentioned previously, it was set up for a traditional cable with internal cable housing. I'm running di2 so needed a larger diameter hole. I used a 5mm metal drill bit and hole will be plugged with di2 grommet. Then I found out the front di2 cable I ordered is too short so need to order another to fit front derailluer 

When mounting the rear disc brake, the bolt holes were not entirely neat (slightly oval shaped) so had to use a 5mm wood drill bit to gently clear out a bit of carbon to get caliper bolt through the frame. (IMG_7366)

Biggest issue so far was the supplied d-shaped compression plug. The supplied plug does not have a threaded insert to accept a bolt to screw the stem top cap down. There was also no screw for the top cap supplied. I have contacted Airwolf and they have said there is a problem and will send me a new one. (IMG_7367,7368) Not an issue, see post below.

So my build is part completed pending a new compression plug from Airwolf and a longer front di2 cable.

[l45er]

Biggest issue so far was the supplied d-shaped compression plug. The supplied plug does not have a threaded insert to accept a bolt to screw the stem top cap down. There was also no screw for the top cap supplied. I have contacted Airwolf and they have said there is a problem and will send me a new one. (IMG_7367,7368)

So I managed to resolve this today! Turns out the top cap screw was very tightly screwed into the compression nut and it looked like they were one piece. I mounted the larger screw into a bench vice and with a bit of effort unscrewed the smaller top cap screw.

[tanksofnew]

Tyre clearance measurements.

Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H 35mm mounted to 30mm wide (24mm internal) rims = measured width 36mm
Driveside clearance = ~12mm
Non-driveside clearance = ~10mm

So say roughly 20mm additional width available - 4mm minimum clearance each side (8mm total) = additional 12mm available
36mm + 12mm = approx. maximum 48mm clearance or conservatively 45mm.

This doesn’t account for any reduced clearance due to front derailleur. I haven’t mounted it yet but 105 di2 front derailleur doesn’t look like it will be a problem.

I will upload some photos when I have a chance.

Looks like my earlier tape measurements were taken too close to the seat tube and I should have bought larger tyres!

Looking to buy one of these frames and use 40mm tires with a di2 setup like yours, what is the tire clearance like with an di2 front mech? Is it limited at all by the front mech? Thanks in advance

[l45er]

Looking to buy one of these frames and use 40mm tires with a di2 setup like yours, what is the tire clearance like with an di2 front mech? Is it limited at all by the front mech? Thanks in advance

Sorry for the delay in responding. I've been waiting for the longer di2 cable to turn up, which finally arrived today.

Clearance with a 105 FD-R7150 di2 front derailleur is still around 9-10mm between 35mm tyre and derailleur body. I tried measuring with calipers but doesn't really work. See photos attached.
Worth mentioning the 105 R7150 FD is different to the 12 speed Ultegra R8150 and Dura Ace R9250 FDs so if using them the clearance might be different. The R7150 FD is very similar to the older Ultegra R8050 di2 11 speed FD.

As an aside, if anyone else does a 12 speed di2 build, 1200mm for rear derailleur and 700mm for front derailleur work for a 54cm frame.

[Serge_K]

Hard to tell apart from the VB GF002. I've built and ridden 2 of these, flawless.
Happy riding

[l45er]

Very close to complete now

Weighs in at 7.79kg without chain, pedals and bottle cages so will be in low-mid 8kg range with these.

No issues to report other than what I have already posted.

50/34 crankset fits and would be the maximum size based on clearances.

A couple of build tips
- remember to use foam brake cable housing so brake lines don't make noise in the frame
- use carbon assembly paste as seatpost will likely slip otherwise
- torque wrench essential
- download the Aspero 5 assembly manual and follow torque amounts and details in there 
- Out front garmin mount - Style 1 > https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002820591761.html

If anyone has any questions, happy to answer them.

[Cnasta]

Very close to complete now

Weighs in at 7.79kg without chain, pedals and bottle cages so will be in low-mid 8kg range with these.

No issues to report other than what I have already posted.

50/34 crankset fits and would be the maximum size based on clearances.

A couple of build tips
- remember to use foam brake cable housing so brake lines don't make noise in the frame
- use carbon assembly paste as seatpost will likely slip otherwise
- torque wrench essential
- download the Aspero 5 assembly manual and follow torque amounts and details in there 
- Out front garmin mount - Style 1 > https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002820591761.html

If anyone has any questions, happy to answer them.

Really good looking (apart form the sadle, but thats personal I guess) If fork would have mounting option, it looks perfect!

[l45er]

Build complete! 8.59kg as pictured.

In regards to saddle, a SMP Dynamic was the only spare saddle I have at the moment and I have the carbon railed version on another bike. Angle looks a bit off in photos so need to adjust it, but they work well for me.

Changes still to be made
- PD-M520 SPD pedals (currently have PD-EH500 installed)
- 11-36t 12 speed rear cassette (currently have 11-30t installed)

[wandulus]

Really nice looking bike (besides the saddle, but that's 100% personal).
Thinking of this frame or a VB CX-002 for double duty as CX/Gravel bike.