Author Topic: BXT SL-115  (Read 925 times)

Stubbie Blue

BXT SL-115
« on: February 03, 2025, 05:15:30 PM »
Got it from AliExpress, BXT Official Store. Chameleon paint so it's brown in direct sunlight, green when the sun hits it at an angle, and pretty much black in low light. I requested a smaller BXT logo on the top tube instead of the down tube, and no headset label and they complied. It took 18 days from order to delivery by FedEx, which they asked me to pay $40 extra for.

The 52 cm frame weighed 962 g with no bottom bracket, headset or axles, but with the front and rear derailleur hangers. The fork weighed 408 g after I cut it. Final build weight 9.1 kg/20 lb. It's really just a spare parts bin bike so I didn't put any effort into reducing weight.

The groupset is Tiagra 2x10 speed with hydraulic disc brakes, but with a 105 FD-R7100 front derailleur because the frame only has a large hole for a front derailleur cable with outer housing. Oh and you only get a grommet for the rear brake hose. No grommets for the rear or front derailleurs or front brake. The integrated handlebars were a real pain to do with 4 hoses, but I think it was worth it for the clean look. The gloss black handlebars show scratches easily, but I was able to polish them out by hand.

The top headset bearing didn't quite sit flat. It rocks a bit forwards and backwards. But I got it to stop rocking by tightening it while pulling the frame back against the front brakes. Also the included T47 68 mm bottom bracket was very tight for my Tiagra crankset. I actually knocked the non-drive side bearing out while attempting to tap the crankset in with a mallet. I got the bearing back in but I'll probably just order a new bottom bracket.

Overall I'm very happy with this bike.
« Last Edit: February 18, 2025, 07:03:40 AM by Stubbie Blue »



neobiker

Re: BXT SL-115
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2025, 12:27:54 AM »
Did you install the 12 speed 105 front derailleur (r7100) or the 11 speed (r7000)?

Dan S.

Re: BXT SL-115
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2025, 06:14:49 AM »
Did you install the 12 speed 105 front derailleur (r7100) or the 11 speed (r7000)?

not sure what OP did, but I installed an 11 speed FD on my older Tiagra bike. It had the same pull ratio as the Tiagra one.

Stubbie Blue

Re: BXT SL-115
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2025, 06:55:53 AM »
Did you install the 12 speed 105 front derailleur (r7100) or the 11 speed (r7000)?
Yep it's the FD-R7100 for 12 speed. Works fine.

neobiker

Re: BXT SL-115
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2025, 07:20:48 AM »
not sure what OP did, but I installed an 11 speed FD on my older Tiagra bike. It had the same pull ratio as the Tiagra one.

Yep, I did it also multiple time, I was just surprised it would also work with the new 12s derailleur.

vdubnut

Re: BXT SL-115
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2025, 04:48:46 PM »
bike looks great, been looking at the same frame...can see you have a 52 how tall are you?

Stubbie Blue

Re: BXT SL-115
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2025, 07:01:22 PM »
bike looks great, been looking at the same frame...can see you have a 52 how tall are you?
I'm 5'7" or 170 cm with a 78-79 cm in-seam (barefoot, floor to crotch). You can compare fitment to a Tarmac SL7 of course, but you may see some discrepancies depending on if they measure the stack and reach of just the frame (BXT) or with the mandatory transition spacer (the Tarmac lists this separately as Stack and Reach to Stem). Also, I did have to cut the seat post because you must not let it go down to the part of the seat tube that has the indent for the rear wheel.

Stubbie Blue

Re: BXT SL-115
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2025, 07:04:40 PM »
Oh and just a couple more photos for good measure, and because this might be my last build due to the uncertainty over tariffs.