Chinese Carbon Gravel Build - Carbonda

6,034 replies · 278,675 views

wrecks
12 posts
#1Sep 25, 2016, 5:37 PM▲ Top
I've been commuting and mountain biking on a Surly Troll and it's a fun all purpose bike, but I've been wanting something with a little more speed to ride around the San Francisco area. I wanted a carbon frame with provisions for thru axles and 40c tires, but I didn't see anything I really liked until I stumbled across the new Carbonda gravel frame - http://www.carbonda.com/road/gravel/. I liked the looks of the frame, so I took a risk, the price was certainly right (less than half what a new Warbird frame costs). Based on initial impressions, I'm happy I took the risk. The frame was custom painted Celeste blue and looks amazing. The weight for the bare frame is 2lbs 10oz (about 1190 grams). Here's the build I am planning:

-Carbon 38mm Ebay Clincher Rims (flyxii)
-BHS Hubs (12x100 thru front, 12x142 thru rear)
-SRAM PG1175 10-42t Cassette
-Shimano Ultegra RS685 Shifters w/ flat mount calipers
-Shimano M8000 Rear derailleur with tanpan
-SRAM S900 BB30 Crankset with Quarq (using a ceramic 4130 BB for BB86 frame)
-Garbaruk 38t NW Front Ring
-Clement MSO 700x40C tires
-Other odds and ends

I have most of the parts and I'm planning to build this week assuming everything arrives in time. I'll post some updates as I go.
13
GuzziBen
3 posts
#2Sep 26, 2016, 10:31 AM
Looks like you're going to have fun!
I used a Ican wide CX frameset, the Nano 40c tire needs to be deflated to clear the BB.
I ordered BSA for the BB because I like the security of the threaded fit, used a J&L ceramic BB, FSA Gossamer compact crank.
I built my own wheels, had them on a 29er for a bit. They're WTB LaserDisc 21 on Fastace hubs in QR, but then I decided I needed a Lauf TR29 fork (Smoking deal on Ebay) and needed to build another wheel with a 15 thru hub. And a 180 rotor. Went with Sora shifters, Sora front and XTR rear derailleurs- because I'm using a XT 9-sp cassette 11-34.
The whole rig weighs 23 lbs, one extra for the Lauf. It's a hoot.
0
benmills
31 posts
#3Sep 29, 2016, 10:17 AM
wrecks wrote:I've been commuting and mountain biking on a Surly Troll and it's a fun all purpose bike, but I've been wanting something with a little more speed to ride around the San Francisco area. I wanted a carbon frame with provisions for thru axles and 40c tires, but I didn't see anything I really liked until I stumbled across the new Carbonda gravel frame - http://www.carbonda.com/road/gravel/. I liked the looks of the frame, so I took a risk, the price was certainly right (less than half what a new Warbird frame costs). Based on initial impressions, I'm happy I took the risk. The frame was custom painted Celeste blue and looks amazing. The weight for the bare frame is 2lbs 10oz (about 1190 grams). Here's the build I am planning:

-Carbon 38mm Ebay Clincher Rims (flyxii)
-BHS Hubs (12x100 thru front, 12x142 thru rear)
-SRAM PG1175 10-42t Cassette
-Shimano Ultegra RS685 Shifters w/ flat mount calipers
-Shimano M8000 Rear derailleur with tanpan
-SRAM S900 BB30 Crankset with Quarq (using a ceramic 4130 BB for BB86 frame)
-Garbaruk 38t NW Front Ring
-Clement MSO 700x40C tires
-Other odds and ends

I have most of the parts and I'm planning to build this week assuming everything arrives in time. I'll post some updates as I go.

Love the color. Did they paint it for you or did you get a 3rd party to paint it?

Interested to hear how the build turns out. Looks like a great option.
0
wrecks
12 posts
#4Oct 2, 2016, 4:32 PM
Carbonda painted the frame and fork. I requested Celeste blue and I'm really digging the color, too. I'm working on finishing my brake lines (I hate the little shimano barbs, they are so tough to get in the hose) and then I should be done.
1
benmills
31 posts
#5Oct 2, 2016, 9:10 PM
So the custom painted frame/fork was less than $1000?

If you end up liking the frame, then that's a sweet deal. I love the thru axles, internal routing, flat mount brakes, tire clearance, skinny seat stays and beefy chain stays. That's a seriously modern frame spec.

I guess I'd prefer to see a threaded bottom bracket, but there are some nice BB86 options.
0
wrecks
12 posts
#6Oct 2, 2016, 10:19 PM
The painted frame and fork, seatpost, handlebars, thru axles, and two extra derailleur hangers were about $750 shipped. I just finished the build, so I'll snap some pictures in the morning. I'm super happy with how it turned out - hopefully the ride and handling are as good as it looks.

The BB86 is actually a versatile BB. I used a PF4130 BB from rotor with some SRAM BB30 cranks. You can also use a GXP or similar 24mm spindle crankset.

Pics and hopefully a ride will be happening tomorrow!
0
francescdellardecans
1 posts
#7Oct 6, 2016, 3:40 AMedited
Can't wait for the complete bike photos and the ride experiences!
0
wrecks
12 posts
#8Oct 6, 2016, 9:21 AM
It's complete! I'm really happy with how it turned out. I had a chance to go for a ride yesterday, too, and I'm digging the light weight and it's super stiff and responsive.

I think I'm probably going to change the bars to a cowbell 2 or something similar. I also need to adjust the reach on the brakes and replace the saddle, but otherwise it's awesome.

There's plenty of room for wide tires - I have Clement MSO 40mm tires on now and there's a few mm on either side.

I'll let everyone know what the further riding impressions are.

2
rocthrower
59 posts
#9Oct 7, 2016, 8:57 AM
Congrats on that beautiful build! That color looks great! I'm glad you are enjoying the ride so far as well.

I have a few questions, if you don't mind.
So does that bike uses 12mm thru-axles on the front? Did you have to request the fender mounts and is that a rack stay mount I see on the chainstays?
0
wrecks
12 posts
#10Oct 7, 2016, 9:57 AM
Thanks for the compliments. The axles are 12x100 on the front and 12x142 on the back. I did not request the fender mounts and yes there are rack mounts. I highly doubt I would ever use a rack, but I could if I needed to, I suppose.
0
GSPChilliwack
91 posts
#11Oct 8, 2016, 8:55 PM
Any difficulties with the build? Everything fit OK and was aligned correctly when assembled? Looks good!
0
illskittlz
23 posts
#12Dec 1, 2016, 12:23 PM
wrecks wrote:Thanks for the compliments. The axles are 12x100 on the front and 12x142 on the back. I did not request the fender mounts and yes there are rack mounts. I highly doubt I would ever use a rack, but I could if I needed to, I suppose.

Whats the total weight of this bike? I just ordered this frame myself. I am also wondering if anything larger than a 47mm 650b would fit this.
0
Barrettscv
88 posts
#13Dec 1, 2016, 12:41 PM
I sent an email concerning price and delivery, but never got a reply. How did you all make arrangements?
0
illskittlz
23 posts
#14Dec 1, 2016, 12:55 PM
Barrettscv wrote:I sent an email concerning price and delivery, but never got a reply. How did you all make arrangements?

Contact Adam at adam@carbonda.com

He's been pretty responsive to me. The price I got for this frame is $647 shipped.
0
HandsomeCyclist
3 posts
#15Dec 1, 2016, 2:14 PM
Tip of the cap to you Sir on the color choice. Dynamite.
0
jessen
14 posts
#16Dec 11, 2016, 4:54 PM
Great looking bike. Can you show some more close up photos of the clearance at the seatstays?

0
platypus
13 posts
#17Feb 12, 2017, 12:19 PM
Hello there. So now that a couple of months have passed, how is the mid-term riding experience?
1
GHC
169 posts
#18Feb 13, 2017, 10:34 AMedited
to the OP Wrecks or illskit or anybody else on the Carbona gravel frame.

Would love to know the weight of your completed bikes and size.

Says 2lb 10 oz for frame...but doesn't say if that includes form and stem or what size

Thanks
0
illskittlz
23 posts
#19Feb 13, 2017, 11:18 AM
Hey guys. I got my frame a while back and am getting everything together before I drop it off at the bike shop to get it built up. I was going to wait until it was complete before I posted about it but since some of you asked. I got mine painted gloss white to differentiate from my other black bikes. The finish looks great. The frame itself including seatpost clamp and other hardware was in the 11XX gram range. I'll weigh it again and the fork tonight and post the actual weights.

Overall the frame looks great and I am looking forward to getting it built up. I'll post a follow up later.
0
platypus
13 posts
#20Feb 14, 2017, 12:37 AM
Hi guys. I am interested in buying that frame. So what was the riding experience, now after two month for the one in Celeste? (I have posted the question below but allow myself to repeat it). In addition, what do the more knowledgeable among us think of the seatstays?

I have noted that the bridge is an add-on particularly if you want to mount fenders. So how stable are they being slender constructions and with the low entry point. Does anyone think that could cause an issue?

I look forward to hearing the actual weight of each part, frame and fork.
0

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