Spcycel G068 Aero Carbon Gravel Frame
FrameThe Spcycle G068 is a carbon gravel frameset that closely copies the Canyon Grail geometry. It features a T47 threaded bottom bracket (86.5mm shell width), SRAM UDH rear derailleur hanger, 27.2mm seatpost, and a maximum tire clearance of 700x47C (with 50mm possible in dry conditions). The frame is available in sizes XS to XL, with a weight of ~1120g (frame) and ~470g (fork) for size M. It offers two fork options: a flip-chip version with adjustable offset (50/55mm) and a clean version without bolt holes. The frame uses EPS molding and T1000 carbon in some areas. Pricing is higher than other Spcycle gravel frames due to the larger front triangle and use of T1000 carbon. Build quality is generally good, but some users report paint imperfections and the need to face brake mounts. The frame is praised for its stiffness, ride quality, and versatility, but criticized for lack of downtube storage, heavy weight, and fork flip-chip issues on early models.
AI Summary
Pros
- Stiff and responsive frame with excellent power transfer, comparable to high-end gravel bikes.
- Generous tire clearance: fits 700x47C or 650bx54mm (measured) with room for 50mm in some conditions.
- UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) compatibility, allowing use of SRAM Transmission derailleurs.
more pros in the review
Cons
- No downtube storage, which is a common feature on modern gravel frames.
- Relatively heavy frame and fork (frame ~1120g, fork ~470g+), especially compared to high-end carbon frames.
- Flip-chip on early fork models is poorly retained on the non-driveside, causing clicking noises over time.
more cons in the review
Key Points
- Frame weight: ~1120g (size M, without hardware); fork: ~470g
- T47 threaded bottom bracket, shell width 86.5mm
- SRAM UDH rear derailleur hanger
more key points in the review
Spcycle G058 Endurance
FrameThe Spcycle G058 carbon gravel frame has been used for a year with a Wheeltop GEX groupset and Elite carbon wheels. The user is 186cm and rides a large size. The frame is praised for its deep purple metallic paint, endurance geometry, and bikepacking compatibility. Assembly was manageable, though routing hydraulic brakes with integrated handlebars was tricky. The saddle clamp allows tilting. The Wheeltop GEX performed well, but shifting with a ZTTO cassette is not as crisp as Shimano. Overall, the user is satisfied and would choose Chinese carbon again, but notes it requires DIY skills.
AI Summary
Pros
- Beautiful deep purple metallic paint, gets compliments
- Lightweight frame
- Endurance-oriented, upright, comfortable geometry
more pros in the review
Cons
- Saddle tilts despite tightening (saddle clamp design issue)
- Routing hydraulic brake cables with integrated handlebars is tricky
- ZTTO cassette doesn't shift as well as Shimano
more cons in the review
Key Points
- Frame model: Spcycle G058
- Groupset: Wheeltop GEX
- Wheels: Elite carbon wheelset
more key points in the review
Spcycle G058 Endurance
FrameThe Spcycle G058 Carbon Gravel Bike Frame is a popular Chinese carbon frameset known for its comfortable, relaxed geometry, high stack, and short reach. It features T800/T1000 carbon, 700x50c tire clearance, flat mount disc brakes, and options for T47 or BB386 bottom bracket. Users appreciate the build quality, paint options, and tire clearance, but note the relatively heavy weight (1200g frame) and geometry quirks like short reach and potential toe overlap. The frame is available from Spcycle, Tantan, and Seraph, often with custom paint. Price around $575 USD for frameset.
AI Summary
Pros
- High tire clearance (700x50c) and good for mudguards
- Comfortable, relaxed geometry with high stack suitable for long legs/short torso or flexibility issues
- Good value for money, especially with custom paint options
more pros in the review
Cons
- Relatively heavy frame (1200g) compared to some other carbon frames
- Short reach and high stack geometry may not suit all riders; potential toe overlap
- Geometry table errors (seat tube angle inconsistency) reported
more cons in the review
Key Points
- Material: T800 and T1000 Carbon Fiber
- Frame weight: 1200g ±60g, Fork: 450g ±15g, Seatpost: 205g ±10g
- Tire clearance: 700x50c
more key points in the review
Lightcarbon LCR018-D
Frame
The reviewer praises the Lightcarbon LCR018-D frame for its stunning custom chameleon paint job, which a professional painter estimated to be worth €1000, and notes that it was highly rated by Hambini. The frame cost $649 plus $160 delivery and $140 for the custom paint, fitting within a €3000 budget. The reviewer found the frame to be of excellent quality and even considered ordering one for himself.
AI Summary
Pros
- Stunning custom chameleon paint job, estimated to be a €1000 paint job by a professional painter
- Highly rated by Hambini
- Affordable price: $649 plus $160 delivery and $140 for custom paint
more pros in the video
Key Points
- Frame model: Lightcarbon LCR018-D
- Price: $649 frame + $160 delivery + $140 custom paint
- Custom paint is a chameleon finish that appears green, purple, or blue depending on light
more key points in the video
TanTan TT-X68
Frame
The reviewer discusses the TanTan TT-X68 frame, a clone of the Specialized Tarmac SL8, which he purchased for crit racing. He notes the frame is lightweight, rides well, and has good geometry, but criticizes the brand for counterfeit practices, including a seat clamp with Tarmac branding. He does not recommend the frame due to ethical concerns.
AI Summary
Pros
- Lightweight frame (bare frame 8.6 kg for 58 cm)
- Good ride quality and race geometry
- Threaded BSA bottom bracket
more pros in the video
Cons
- Counterfeit branding on seat clamp (Tarmac logo)
- Rough finish and scabby edges on dropouts and other areas
- Headset cover fitment is poor
more cons in the video
Key Points
- Frame is a clone of Specialized Tarmac SL8
- Price around £700-800 shipped to UK
- Bare frame weight: 8.6 kg for 58 cm
more key points in the video
ZTTO SLR Gen3 12s Road Bike Cassette Super Light Weight 116g 11-28T 11-30 11-32 11-34 11-36 146g K7 12s Spokets HGR universal
CassetteI have both in black, ZTTO (11-32, new Gen3) and Goldix (11-34) for 12sp. Functionaly - shifting on 1x - they are both great. However on ZTTO I have noticed slight discoloring on teeths after like 300kms, really small thing. Goldix is little heavier (246 vs 139), but after 565kms looks still like a new.
Elitewheels Drive II
Wheels
The reviewer tested Elitewheels Drive II carbon wheels over nearly 1,000 km and found them to be a strong performer in their price bracket, praising their stiffness-to-comfort balance, aesthetics, and overall package, while noting minor drawbacks in weight and internal carbon finish.
AI Summary
Pros
- Excellent stiffness-to-comfort balance; stiff for power transfer yet comfortable due to lower spoke tension
- Beautiful aesthetics, especially the reflective rainbow decals, which look much better in person
- Wider rim dimensions (23 mm internal, 31 mm external) optimized for modern 28-30 mm tires
more pros in the video
Cons
- Weight (1,479 g for 65 mm depth without tape/valves) is light but not ultra-light; could be 20-40 g lighter
- Internal carbon finish shows resin pooling around nipple beds; not class-leading (scored 3/5 for carbon quality)
- Crosswind handling typical for 65 mm depth; may not suit gusty conditions
more cons in the video
Key Points
- Price: $1,299 (with 15% discount code brings to ~$1,100)
- Weight: 1,479 g (65 mm depth, without rim tape and valves)
- Rim dimensions: 23 mm internal width, 31 mm external width
more key points in the video
MovingSports Aim One SL1200
Wheels
The reviewer tested the MOVING AIM ONE SL1200 Ultralight wheelset on their TCR bike for over 1000 km and highly recommends it, praising its build quality, performance, and value for money.
AI Summary
Pros
- Perfect build quality and finish
- Excellent rolling smoothness and stiffness
- Good aerodynamics and lightweight
more pros in the video
Cons
- Requires tires 32mm or wider for optimal use (though compatible with 25-38mm)
- Weight saving with carbon spokes is minimal (15-20g)
Key Points
- UCI approved, max rider weight 120 kg
- Carbon fiber T800 and T1000
- 24 spokes front and rear (steel), 20 spokes for carbon spoke version
more key points in the video
GOLDIX Compatible 11-12 Speed Cassette, All-Steel Ultra Lightweight Bicycle Flywheel for Shimano Road Bike / Gravel Bike
CassetteI have 4,500km on my Goldix 12 speed 11-34 and it is faultless so far.
Gaciron XIAOMAN-1000
Lights
The reviewer provides a detailed setup and review of the Gaciron XIAOMAN-1000, a versatile five-in-one bike light that also functions as a flashlight, camping light, desk lamp, and battery bank. They highlight its unique design, multiple modes, and impressive brightness, and they demonstrate its mounting on a bike and its performance in dark conditions.
AI Summary
Pros
- Versatile five-in-one design (bike light, flashlight, camping light, desk lamp, battery bank).
- Built-in USB-C cable for charging and power bank functionality.
- Multiple brightness modes including a 1000 lumen high setting.
more pros in the video
Cons
- Warns that it gets hot during use.
- The handlebar clamp may not fit narrow handlebars without additional padding.
Key Points
- The light has a 1000 lumen maximum brightness with a 2-hour runtime on that setting.
- It has a daytime flash mode of 300 lumens that can last 35 hours.
- It features a USB-C charging port and a built-in USB-C cable for charging other devices.
more key points in the video
RISK Bicycle Bike Seat Cushion Height Measuring Tool Fitting Measurement Gauge Saddle Tool
ToolsI first level the bike by putting it on the turbo and using a level across both axles. I then set a laser level up, ensuring it's square to the bike by making sure bb centre and pedal centres top and bottom all line up. Then use a cheap Ali express seat height measuring tool to measure from that to a consistent reference point. I've found this to be infinitely more repeatable than using a plumb line, which could be poor technique but none of my bikes have a clean line down from any part of the saddle past the bb, then you have variation of picking centre point etc.
L-TWOO GRT 1x12s Aluminium Gravel Hydraulic Disc Brake Groupset
Groupset
The reviewer tests the LTWOO GRT Disc 1x12s gravel hydraulic shifter with ZRACE XG flat mount brake caliper. He notes the shifter design is heavily inspired by Shimano, with the brake lever used for downshifting and a small paddle behind it for upshifting. The shifting performance is praised as very close to Shimano quality, smooth and predictable. However, the braking has excessive lever travel even after re-bleeding, which the reviewer suspects may be due to mismatched calipers (ZRACE XG) not being the intended L2 calipers. The build quality is good, and the price is around £229 on AliExpress, but the reviewer notes that Shimano GRX 1x12 is only slightly more expensive, making the value proposition less clear.
AI Summary
Pros
- Shifting is phenomenal, smooth, light, and predictable, very close to Shimano quality.
- Build quality is nice, especially the rubber on the hoods.
- Installation is straightforward with good access to bolts and bleed ports.
more pros in the video
Cons
- Brake lever travel is excessive even after re-bleeding, lacking free stroke adjustment.
- Brake calipers (ZRACE XG) may not be the intended L2 calipers, possibly causing the lever travel issue.
- Replacing shift cable may be difficult due to cable entry port location under the rubber hood.
more cons in the video
Key Points
- Shifter uses brake lever to downshift and a small paddle behind it to upshift (Shimano-style).
- Compatible with 12-speed, maximum cassette size 11-50T.
- Uses BH59 standard hoses and fittings.
more key points in the video
GOLDIX Compatible 11-12 Speed Cassette, All-Steel Ultra Lightweight Bicycle Flywheel for Shimano Road Bike / Gravel Bike
CassetteI bought this steel cassette 2x11 from AliExpress and it lasted around 1500 km before it started skipping on the third cog. I took very good care of it and cleaned it almost after every long training ride. To be fair, I had no issues with shifting performance at all, and personally the slightly louder noise compared to Shimano didn't bother me. But honestly, I wouldn't recommend wasting your money on it. And this is coming from a rider averaging around 190W during training rides, so I can only imagine how long it would last for stronger riders putting down bigger power.
Avenger SL Shuttle
Frame
The reviewer presents the Avenger Shuttle SL as a superlight all-round carbon frame from Avenger Bike, a Chinese company founded in 2010. He highlights its ability to easily build under 7 kg, its competitive price, and its high-quality construction. He details the frame's features, weight, and included components, and expresses enthusiasm for building it with an Ultegra groupset.
AI Summary
Pros
- Very low weight: frame claimed at 750g (size M), fork at 380g
- Can easily achieve builds under 7 kg, even with mid-range components
- Competitive price: $1799 (around €1500) for frame kit with integrated handlebar
more pros in the video
Cons
- Handlebar weight is 365g, not super light for its type
- Maximum tire clearance stated as 32mm, reviewer thinks 35mm might be possible but not confirmed
Key Points
- Model: Avenger Shuttle SL
- Company: Avenger Bike, founded 2010, Chinese brand expanding to Western markets
- Frame weight: 750g (size M), fork: 380g (actual measured 365g)
more key points in the video
ELITEWHEELS AERO+ GRAVEL
WheelsI have elite gravel aero+ wheels with 32 internal and 40 external. Around 3k km put into them already, so far, flawless. I ride everything from road to mtb single tracks, survived even Santa Val stage one, sadly seatpost broke on stage 2 lol. After all these kilometers they are still straight as new. 50mm schwalbe g one rx pro tyres blow up to 53mm on them, so be careful if you're riding on clearance limits of your frame. Can't really comment on any downsides as I didn't find them yet, they are light and stiff.