VeloBuild VB-R-268 frame

[Benbenben]

Update on my slipping plug. I cleaned everything with alcohol and torqued it to 10nm. It's not slipping anymore. Well in place

However, I am getting a clunking noise from the hamdlebar from when I ride. It clunks when I go over bumps or when I sprint and rock the bar a bit more. I have disassembled everything many times, torqued the top bolt many times and also torqued the stem bolts to recommended 5NM.

When I rétorque everything, the sound goes away but quickly comes back, like if something loosens up, but there is no play that I can feel in the headset.

I am running out of ideas of what can cause the clunking noise. Any idea is more than welcome. I am getting crazy with that sound when riding.

[mux]

My 5 cents: careful with colours. You can get super durable decals cut for cheap locally, and you can change your mind every week. You can't change your mind with a colour. A colour also directly affect resale value. I chatted with a guy on Insta with a 168, white, who said his only regret was getting the frame painted white.
I got mine in glass black and am trolling Factor with Tractor decals. If i grow up one morning, i can remove them, it's fully reversible. My previous bike i painted orange because i loved the Giant propel from 2000 something in matte orange. Let's say my paint job didn't come out neaaaaarly as nice... I wish i had kept it black.

decals? Aren't decals simply stickers that typically have a logo on them? How would they change the complete bike color?

[rasch]

decals? Aren't decals simply stickers that typically have a logo on them? How would they change the complete bike color?

There are very nice ones. Especially with patterns to avoid a simple colour and which are more than just stickers. They are decals where only letters or design sticks to the frame. I'm looking for places to get them but couldn't find anything with geometric layout or artistic without being too colourful. But was able to find some with flowers ahaha

[Serge_K]

Some love a black bike, some don't, Adding a single logo to a black bike can change its appearance dramatically.
Beyond that, a bike scheme like the attached can be done with decals, for eg.
I used inkscape to make my decals, and found a guy locally to cut the vinyl. Skills are freedom.

[mux]

I completely agree that some decals can completely change the look of a plain black frame. A plain frame in a single color looks unfinished or lacking, similar to a car without a badge. Therefore, I appreciate some design.

Regarding the image you linked, it seems like the white and blue stripes in the back of the frame are painted? I'm not entirely sure, but could you stretch the vinyl around such curves?

[rasch]

If anyone has a good source for these type of decals please share. I searched etsy but the ones which look cooler are not decals but frame protectors, and I'd rather have proper cut decals than a 'big partially transparent sticker'

[SillyMochi]

decals? Aren't decals simply stickers that typically have a logo on them? How would they change the complete bike color?

"Decals" is a bit of an ambiguous term. They can mean "just" stickers that you actually just stick on your frame (and can remove them without much hassle/anybody noticing). They could also be stenciled decals that you apply on the frame during painting process and be removed at the end to have the name/logo/symbol painted on the frame. Like you would have with the names of all major manufacturers.

I eventually went down the lane of a full custom painting with decals and all. Was good fun messing around with colors and styles. Attached is a mockup I built myself to present my idea to velobuild. I also included the font and the logo as PNG for them to print. Let's see if the final result will look anything like I imagined it

[Serge_K]

If anyone has a good source for these type of decals please share. I searched etsy but the ones which look cooler are not decals but frame protectors, and I'd rather have proper cut decals than a 'big partially transparent sticker'

Check on your eBay or Craigslist equivalent for a shop that does vinyl cutting for car nerds. The vinyl on my frame is made for cars, resists UV, washing and stuff. Any car nerd will know exactly the type, I forgot the name.
If you want a design you like you'll probably have to either design it yourself, or pay someone to design exactly what you want if you're allergic to graphic design.
The decals for the whole bike cost me ten euro. If I had to pay someone to design it though...

[pavlo.k]

Did anyone build the bike with 2by mechanical shifting? I'm struggling with routing the cables through the headset. The problem is that the exit port for front brake is on the right side of the steering tube for some reason so I end up with 3 cables on one side and 1 cable on the other side of the steering tube wich results in steering pulling to the right when assembled.

[Ar26]

Did anyone build the bike with 2by mechanical shifting? I'm struggling with routing the cables through the headset. The problem is that the exit port for front brake is on the right side of the steering tube for some reason so I end up with 3 cables on one side and 1 cable on the other side of the steering tube wich results in steering pulling to the right when assembled.

Some hold the cable with adhesive tape on the fork (at mid-height) to keep it on the right side. Also make sure that your cable has not passed behind the fork to come back in front

[pavlo.k]

Some hold the cable with adhesive tape on the fork (at mid-height) to keep it on the right side. Also make sure that your cable has not passed behind the fork to come back in front

Do you mean pass front brake hose to the left in front of the steering tube and hold it there with a tape?

[Ar26]

Do you mean pass front brake hose to the left in front of the steering tube and hold it there with a tape?

With this technique, your pipe will be on the right side

[RasmusWH]

First of two 268 builds now complete.
This one is a chameleon silver in size 54 for a friend.

Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 R7150, 11-34, 50/34, 172,5 cm with 160 cm rotors.
Saddle: Ryet Carbon 3D-printed mesh-saddle
Wheels: Elite Edge Gravel 45 mm (internal 24 mm, external 31 mm)
Tyres: Continental GP 5000 in 28 mm (meassures 29,5 on the rims)
Tubes: RideNow TPU (36g each)

Complete build 7,75 kg w/o pedals.

[Cnasta]

First of two 268 builds now complete.
This one is a chameleon silver in size 54 for a friend.

Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 R7150, 11-34, 50/34, 172,5 cm with 160 cm rotors.
Saddle: Ryet Carbon 3D-printed mesh-saddle
Wheels: Elite Edge Gravel 45 mm (internal 24 mm, external 31 mm)
Tyres: Continental GP 5000 in 28 mm (meassures 29,5 on the rims)
Tubes: RideNow TPU (36g each)

Complete build 7,75 kg w/o pedals.

Thanks for the post. Looks great! Even considering this color now over pearl white (with black custom decals). I think I need a 54 frame as well. Could you let me know how tall your friend is (i know, not the only relevant metric).

Also got a few questions:
What is de weight of those wheels? I think I'll get wheels less wide (lighter?).
How hard was the build?
Is this the standard handlebar from Velobuild?

Kind regards!

[RasmusWH]

Thanks for the post. Looks great! Even considering this color now over pearl white (with black custom decals). I think I need a 54 frame as well. Could you let me know how tall your friend is (i know, not the only relevant metric).

Also got a few questions:
What is de weight of those wheels? I think I'll get wheels less wide (lighter?).
How hard was the build?
Is this the standard handlebar from Velobuild?

Kind regards!

Thanks for your comment. The chameleon pops quite a bit in the sun, just so you are aware. The other one in blue chameleon does as well, probably a bit more disco vibe than expected, but you only live once

My friend is 180 cm, long torso. Stack of the frame is pretty aggressive as you can see by the number of spacers he needed to get a comfortable position. I have bought af 56 cm for myself (187 cm).
The wheel set weighs 1420g without rim tape, tolerances seems very nice, end caps are a really good snug fit. The standard ones are fairly wide compared to others, 21 internal and 28 internal, so would not be a bad choice as well, and you can get them a bit deeper than the 45 mm's also. The build proces was not that hard, but probably way worse if you are to route mechanical gear. Cut the steerer 6 mm below the stem. Did all wiring without a routing tool and didn't really need it. The handlebar is the standard one, yes. 400/100 mm, but the reach seems a bit longer as the hood-position extends a bit further from where the stem "ends".

cheers