All Reviews

The Carbonda CFR-696 is a carbon fiber gravel bike frame sold by Carbonda and also rebranded by various companies like Obed, Bombtrack, Ridley, and others. Users report it's available directly from Carbonda for around $891 with custom paint, while branded versions cost significantly more (e.g., $1949 from Obed). The frame is noted for its low stack height, which some find aggressive, and a BB drop of 67mm that some criticize as too road-like for gravel. Builds can achieve weights around 8.4kg. Key concerns include significant toe overlap issues in certain sizes and a front derailleur mount that requires a sticky plate, which is tricky to set up. Despite these, users praise Carbonda's customer service, paint quality, and overall frame quality.

The Carbonda CFR-696 is a versatile carbon fiber gravel/cyclocross frameset praised for its lightweight construction, excellent tire clearance, and compatibility with various components. Users highlight its ability to serve as a multi-purpose bike for commuting, gravel riding, and even light MTB racing. It supports disc brakes, full fender mounts, and custom paint options, with builds ranging from 7.68kg to 9.5kg depending on size and components. The frame is noted for its durability and performance in technical conditions, though some minor issues like seatpost clamp failures are mentioned.

The Carbonda CFR-696 is a carbon fiber road bike frame designed for training and road use, with UHD construction. It supports tire widths up to 30mm and is compatible with 1x drivetrain setups, accommodating chainrings up to 46 teeth. The frame features a chainstay length of 43.5cm, which users note provides clearance for larger chainrings and tires. It is commonly built with SRAM Force XPLR groupsets and standard road cranksets, with discussions focusing on drivetrain compatibility.

The Tideace XC832 is a 32-inch carbon hardtail MTB frame designed for XC/downcountry riding, priced at $499 (frame only) with an optional $199 fork. It features a 66° head tube angle, T47 BB, Super Boost 157×12mm rear axle, UDH hanger, integrated downtorage, and compatibility with 100mm travel forks (15×110mm front hub). The frame uses carbon material, supports 32×2.4" tires, and has internal cable routing through the headset (with optional cable ports). Key concerns include limited hub/spoke availability for 32" wheels, few tire options, and the niche Super Boost standard increasing build complexity and cost.

The TanTan/Tideace/LongTeng GR201 (also called GV201 or Noah) is an open-mold carbon gravel frameset popular for its aggressive race geometry, high tire clearance (officially 50mm, fits 2.1" Thunder Burts tightly), and integrated storage compartment. It features a T47 bottom bracket, flat-mount disc brakes, and numerous mounting points for bikepacking. The frame is relatively affordable, with prices around $730-$740 for a frameset (frame, fork, headset, axles). Typical frame weights are reported around 1270-1350g for a size 54. The geometry is long and low, with a short headtube, making it suitable for riders seeking an aggressive, road-like position on gravel. Builds often achieve weights under 9kg. The frame is also praised for its lively feel on road tires, though it may not handle as well in fast group rides. It is compatible with Tailfin bags and available in raw carbon finishes. Some users report issues with the downtube storage cover rattling and front brake alignment difficulties.

The TAVELO GROW is a gravel bike frameset discussed by forum users, with key attributes including tire clearance of 55mm front and 50mm rear (potentially up to 60mm for beach racing tires), a racy design, and comparisons to the Cannondale SuperX. Users note it's part of a trend of wider-clearance frames from China, with a minimalist profile that may be aerodynamic. The frame is expected to launch soon, with teasers on social media, but specific details on price, weight, material, and standards remain unclear from the posts.

The Magene C706 is a smart GPS bike computer that launched globally after being available in China. It features Dual Band GPS for excellent positioning accuracy even in challenging environments like dense forests, electronic bell functionality, and advanced climb pro features including freeride climbpro. Users praise its value for money, calling it a 'budget king' compared to Garmin and Wahoo. However, the device has several notable drawbacks: the screen is prone to glare and has a polarization issue making it unreadable with polarized sunglasses; navigation lacks street names in turn-by-turn directions; ClimbPro is often inaccurate; longer power/HR averages are missing; DI2 hood buttons are incompatible; and no firmware updates have been released since launch, leaving software issues unresolved. Battery life tends towards the lower end of the advertised 17-25 hours. Regional differences persist between Chinese and global versions regarding map compatibility and accessory support.

The LightCarbon LCR017-D is a super-light carbon road disc brake frameset with an integrated handlebar (HBR13), T47 bottom bracket, and claimed UCI certification. It is marketed as an all-rounder with geometry inspired by the Cannondale SuperSix EVO but features a distinctive square/boxy downtube. Prices range from $560-$895 shipped, with weights around 7.3-8.3 kg for complete builds. The frame uses Toray 700/800 carbon (Grade A super light version) and is produced to a Z3 quality standard, though QC issues like voids and cracks have been reported. It supports mechanical and electronic groupsets, has internal cable routing, and tire clearance up to 35mm measured. Customer service experiences vary, with some reporting excellent support and others facing delays or defects. Recent updates include an improved rear derailleur hanger for easier wheel installation and sharper shifting. Frame stiffness is reported to be adequate for sprinters up to 1300W at 85kg. Sizing recommendations for riders around 170-173 cm suggest size 49 or 52 depending on proportions; a bike fit is advised before ordering. The frame uses a 7x7 saddle clamp; compatibility with aftermarket 3D carbon saddles should be verified.