Lightcarbon LCR72 "aero racing gravel"

[rekj16]

What are peoples' thoughts on the geo? Seems a bit short/non-aggressive for such an aero looking gravel frame?

[ChocoLateBN]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to build up the new LightCarbon LCG072-D aero gravel and I'd love some advice before I commit. I want a great value-for-money, do-it-all build: gravel races, bikepacking trips, and winter riding so I can spare my race bike. So it needs to be fast-ish but above all versatile and reliable, not a weight-weenie special. I'll probably run SRAM 1×12 or 1×13 (XPLR AXS or a mullet setup — still deciding), so I'd need an XDR freehub.

1) Size: S or M? (my main question)
I'm 170 cm, ~70 kg, right on the S/M border. My fit numbers from a pro bike fit (currently on a Tarmac SL7 size 52, reach 374 / stack 524):

Saddle height 711 mm (BB → saddle), 165 mm cranks
Effective seat angle 74°, saddle setback ~78 mm
Bar position to replicate: BB → bar 473 mm reach / 594 mm stack (110 mm stem + 35 mm spacers, 400 mm bar)
LCG072-D geo: M = reach 377 / stack 565 (HTA 71.5°); S = reach 368 / stack 547 (HTA 70.5°), both 74° seat angle.

M: reach 377 ≈ my Tarmac 374 → keep ~110 stem, few spacers.
S: needs ~120 stem + ~25–30 mm spacers, but more exposed seatpost (which I like) and more standover — shorter front-center though (toe overlap with wide tires?).
What would you pick at 170 cm for a do-it-all bike that'll also carry bikepacking loads?

2) Availability
LightCarbon (Jim) told me size M can be booked now (~1–2 months), but I'm unsure about S — worried it might be M-only for a while. Anyone ordered an S, or knows the real lead time for the smaller sizes?

3) Budget wheels (XDR, ~50C max frame, winter + bikepacking proof)
Looking for good-value gravel wheels that are durable and easy to service (winter grime + loaded trips), not the lightest. Got a quote from Zen for a 45mm-deep, 32 mm internal superlight set. My frame maxes at 50C and I'll run 40–45C, so I worry 32 mm internal is too wide (better for 60c frames?).

Would 25–28 mm internal be the smarter pick for my tire range?
For winter/bikepacking I'm leaning to 24/24 Sapim CX-Ray over carbon spokes — agree?
Recommendations among value brands (Zen / Winspace / Yoeleo / Farsports / Elitewheels), XDR, ~1300–1400 g, bombproof?
4) Cockpit / handlebar problem
The dedicated integrated gravel bar for this frame (HBR18) is currently only available in 40 cm (other widths = much longer wait), but I'd probably want a 38 cm (my road grip width is fairly narrow). So I'm considering alternatives: another LightCarbon integrated bar (the HBR08 gravel comes in 38/40/42), or a separate stem + flared gravel bar from another brand for more fit flexibility.

With this frame's full-internal routing, can you actually run a standard stem + bar (does the headset/top-cap allow external-to-internal cable entry), or are you locked into LightCarbon's integrated cockpit?
Anyone running an alternative cockpit on an LCR/LCG LightCarbon frame? Recommended 38 cm flared gravel bars?
5) Anything I'm missing?
Open to any advice — the proprietary seatpost, tire choice, bikepacking mounts, or general build tips for best bang-for-buck on a do-it-all rig.

Thanks a lot in advance! 🙏

Sorry couldn't answer most of your questions but I did inquire about the S sizes a few nights ago - I'm about the same height as you though I'm much heavier at 100kg. Got a response from Jim that they'll be done end of September along with the rest of the molds/sizes. Unsure if this means that actual bikes will be available/sent off or if final production will set off in Sept. I also did inquire about an XS size because my inseam is about 27.5-28inches/~700mm+ as I felt the S might still be a bit big but there is currently no plan for it.

I am looking at getting this bike myself and looking in a S. Currently have a 2012 CAAD10 in 52cm (had been sitting for a while until wife picked up cycling) and it's quite close in size to the LCG-072 via BikeInsights.com but higher stack and a bit shorter reach. The CAAD10 is a little big for me so I swapped my stem for a 20mm shorter one last month. It's helped my reach issues but I feel this geometry will help with getting less pressure off my hands. I'm going to get a bike fitting at the end of October so will know more but definitely looking forward to what others have to say once they get their frames.

[Konajra]

End of september is the date the molds for most other sizes than M are ready to be used in production. Meaning it will take some time after that before the first frames form those molds are leaving the factory. Especially if they first make test frames from those molds. I'm told the first frames size L will be end of october if you're lucky. Mine needs to be painted so will likely end up at my door around Christmas. Around the same time I receieved the LCR18-D in 2025.

[DrRoB]

Does anyone happen to know if the additional $300 is also charged on the LCR72? 

[Konajra]

Aditional $300 for what? 

[kbernstein]

custom painting. its definitely a company wide decision. i understand they have a good reputation and can afford a price hike, but the lcr72 was already pretty expensive compared to their other frames. i paid 1100€ for it and already had doubts, but for close to 1400 i would not even have considered it

[Konajra]

Have it painted here in the Netherlands, and you would pay at least triple the amount. So this frame, even with a custom paint job it is still a bargain, I think. My total was also just above 1100 dollar including DPD (tax included) shipping and custom paint.

Wendy told me that all frames would get a $250-300 upcharge for anything other than matte black. So, even if you only want a set of decals on the matte black frame, you are charged the 250-300 dollar.

[redpx]

I ordered mine yesterday with Custom Paint and for now they don’t charge 300$ more. I paid 1100$.

[Konajra]

You were also charged 250-300 for custom paint. The frame is 719 matte black no decals. Paint 250, shipping 130-140, makes a total of around 1100

[Gbodorr]

I just asked for an update. They updated the chainstay, so it will take another month.
They say my size M with raw finish will be ready at the end of September for the custom paint.

It is what it is. I don’t mind as long as the final result is worth it and the frame is done properly
I have already all the other parts for nearly a month

[Samuel BMR]

Photo of the HBR20

Don’t like the look from above…

+$70 if you choose THIS one.

The quote I got was indeed $719 (with the gravel handlebars) UD RAW + $153 shipping to Europe.
Carol didn’t say anything about a surcharge for UD RAW GLOSSY finish instead of matte

[voidptr]

I haven't seen a raw frame yet, and no one in this thread has answered my question about whether the frame is a one-piece mould.
However, if it isn't, a raw UD finish might not look that great at the intersections.

[Personal]

This.  Also not a 1 piece mould, still looks tidy though.

[RiP]

This.  Also not a 1 piece mould, still looks tidy though.

Where did you get that picture from? That's an LCR018 allroad frame, exactly like mine (size and finish), it's not this new LCG072 aero gravel frame!

[Grailstore]

Photo of the HBR20

Don’t like the look from above…

+$70 if you choose THIS one.

The quote I got was indeed $719 (with the gravel handlebars) UD RAW + $153 shipping to Europe.
Carol didn’t say anything about a surcharge for UD RAW GLOSSY finish instead of matte

I’ve also seen this riser handlebar in a few YouTube videos, and I actually prefer the way it looks. Does anyone know what model it is?