Chinese Open Mold Gravel / CX Bikes

[peezy]

Has anyone purchased the GRA700 from DIYCarbonBikes? waiting for mine to ship, but looking forward to it!
https://www.diycarbonbikes.com/collecti ... cts/gra700

How common is it for open mold framesets to still come with 15x100 forks?

Not sure, but are you saying 15x100 is a bad thing?

[ms6073]

I would not say it is a bad thing and typically it is simply a matter of swapping end caps to make wheels fit 15x100 forks (older DT Swiss 240 hubs might be the exception), but 12x100 seems to be the preferred option.

[peezy]

I thought it was strange it was 15x100 too... didn't know if I'm just behind the technology curve!

[joejack951]

I would not say it is a bad thing and typically it is simply a matter of swapping end caps to make wheels fit 15x100 forks (older DT Swiss 240 hubs might be the exception), but 12x100 seems to be the preferred option.

The list of exceptions is growing. Shimano, Enve, Zipp, and plenty others are all now making 12mm-only front wheels. They can save weight by using smaller bearings so it is an attractive ‘upgrade’ from a hub that could fit a 15mm thru axle.

For most, it’s a total non-issue, but for those who want to share wheels between bikes, upgrade to something better, or use a specific dynamo hub, a 15x100 fork in the mix can be an annoyance.

It is a reason I got into making conversion kits for 15x100 forks, which is why I asked the question

[sunfire2k5]

Got a hold of two size 56 GR open mould frames from China.. building a monstercross bike for 2.25 650b studded tires! Pcitures and info:

GRX Di2 1x with RS785 shifters.
BSA BB
4IIII GRX powermeter
-17 stem

[kroem]

Got a hold of two size 56 GR open mould frames from China.. building a monstercross bike for 2.25 650b studded tires! Pcitures and info:

GRX Di2 1x with RS785 shifters.
BSA BB
4IIII GRX powermeter
-17 stem

Nice! What frame is that, how is the clearance with 2.25" 650B?

[tgoods]

A quick question for any GR029 users on the forum. I looking at this frame for CX and the size 54cm has just the right geometry for me, coupled with the fact it has a BSA bottom bracket which is a handy fix to replace. However am I right in thinking that this frame does not have threaded drop-outs for the thru axles and the axle supplied with the frame is a bit of a boat anchor?

Is there a WW work around this? For example would this work: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/brand-x-thru-a ... ZKEALw_wcB

Thanks for any advice.

Curious if you found a solution? Looking at Seraph's GR029 on Aliexpress it looks their 2020 and newer frames now have a threaded rear dropout (not requiring a nut), so the frame can take a lightweight rear axle from another vendor (definitely a cheap way to shed grams). For the front axle, I asked Seraph if I could buy just the front axle nut if I bought a frame from them. Also I saw individual nuts on eBay and Aliexpress that are 12MM with 1.5TP that could potentially work. However I'd really like to source the nut directly from the Seraph to make sure it fits the fork perfectly.

[sunfire2k5]

Got a hold of two size 56 GR open mould frames from China.. building a monstercross bike for 2.25 650b studded tires! Pcitures and info:

GRX Di2 1x with RS785 shifters.
BSA BB
4IIII GRX powermeter
-17 stem

[/img]

Nice! What frame is that, how is the clearance with 2.25" 650B?

Hi mate!

Clearance with 2.25 is OK - just enough for me. Picture attached!

This seems to be a FM606 frame. Wonder if its discountinued? I liked the dropped chainstays and design. I should have got a size M tho.. L56 is too big and high in the front for me. Will use it as my winterbike and maybe cross in the autumn. Even bought the GRX top levers... will mount when I get the new Zipp handlebar next week.

[kroem]

Got a hold of two size 56 GR open mould frames from China.. building a monstercross bike for 2.25 650b studded tires! Pcitures and info:

GRX Di2 1x with RS785 shifters.
BSA BB
4IIII GRX powermeter
-17 stem

[/img]

Nice! What frame is that, how is the clearance with 2.25" 650B?

Hi mate!

Clearance with 2.25 is OK - just enough for me. Picture attached!

This seems to be a FM606 frame. Wonder if its discountinued? I liked the dropped chainstays and design. I should have got a size M tho.. L56 is too big and high in the front for me. Will use it as my winterbike and maybe cross in the autumn. Even bought the GRX top levers... will mount when I get the new Zipp handlebar next week.

Nice looking frame there! Can you route cables internally all the way? (" Headset: 1-1/8" 1-1/2” 1-1/2”ACR " )

I built this for winter rides (well, I only had one, yet...)

[sunfire2k5]

Got a hold of two size 56 GR open mould frames from China.. building a monstercross bike for 2.25 650b studded tires! Pcitures and info:

GRX Di2 1x with RS785 shifters.
BSA BB
4IIII GRX powermeter
-17 stem

[/img]

Nice! What frame is that, how is the clearance with 2.25" 650B?

Hi mate!

Clearance with 2.25 is OK - just enough for me. Picture attached!

This seems to be a FM606 frame. Wonder if its discountinued? I liked the dropped chainstays and design. I should have got a size M tho.. L56 is too big and high in the front for me. Will use it as my winterbike and maybe cross in the autumn. Even bought the GRX top levers... will mount when I get the new Zipp handlebar next week.

Nice looking frame there! Can you route cables internally all the way? (" Headset: 1-1/8" 1-1/2” 1-1/2”ACR " )

I built this for winter rides (well, I only had one, yet...)

Not possible on this bike. Maybe with new headset, but you would need a new fork with internal routing.

[kroem]

Built up my GR039. Just missing bartape, brake pads and a bleed. 7245g now. I didn't calculate for the long reach of the GRX levers so I think I might have to buy a bar with shorter stem... Or just live with it

[holem]

Hi all

Does anyone know of any open mould frames that would be suitable for mostly road riding with (very) occasional gravel rides?

I'm looking for a relaxed/endurance road style geometry on a disc frame that takes up to approx 35mm tyres. It'd be a bit of a do-it-all bike so I'm not sure there is anything out there?

Thanks

[emotive]

Hi all

Does anyone know of any open mould frames that would be suitable for mostly road riding with (very) occasional gravel rides?

I'm looking for a relaxed/endurance road style geometry on a disc frame that takes up to approx 35mm tyres. It'd be a bit of a do-it-all bike so I'm not sure there is anything out there?

Thanks

I’m not aware of any Allroad open mold bikes. Most bikes with 35mm clearance are aggressive CX bikes. Most open mold bikes with endurance geometry and clearance for 35mm+ are gravel bikes.

You could get an open mold gravel bike and run it with 32mm or 35mm tyres, I have a Carbonda CFR696 and it makes a comfortable and good handling endurance bike. As long as you are ok with the aesthetics of having a lot of clearance around your 35mm tyres?

[fixxxy]

Hi guys. Please be careful with Alex from Carbona. I sent Alex an email with my order over six months ago, We are now half a year later and my order still hasn’t come through. My emails keep being ignored or Alex tells me he accidentally missed them. Please be careful about spending large amounts of money with this company. I’m pretty much done with them.

[crazy brit]

That really sucks. My experience with Carbonda (I dealt with Wing) was the complete opposite, my frameset arrived within 3 weeks of placing the order earlier this year.