The Velobuild VB-R-368 AeroTrace is a direct-sale aero road frame with deep tube profiles and aggressive geometry that owners and reviewers find visually striking, stiff, surprisingly comfortable and fast for the money. However, both voices report recurring quality-control and design issues: real frame weights of 1300-1500g against a quoted 1100g, persistent seatpost slipping, brake mounts needing facing, an early chainstay that interfered with SRAM derailleurs, and variable delivery times. The newer Pro version addresses some of these with T1000 carbon, a deeper fork and an improved seatpost wedge.
Pros
- Visually striking, bold aero design with deep tube sections that many users find fast-looking and impressive.12
- Surprisingly comfortable ride quality: the stiff frame soaks up micro-vibrations and the deep carbon tubes provide good vibration damping.12
- Stable and planted high-speed handling; holds speed well and feels predictable through corners, including with deep wheels (e.g. 65/60mm).2
- Aggressive, forward-leaning geometry with steep seat tube angle and long reach (especially in larger sizes) enables a good aero position.2
- Good value for money compared to Western aero frames with similar aggressive geometry.2
- Bearings were tight with no loose headset play, and cable threading through the bottom bracket was trouble-free.1
- VeloBuild customer service is helpful, providing replacement frames for defective units and sending missing parts promptly.2
- The Pro version shows responsiveness to feedback with significant weight savings (150g) and an improved seatpost wedge to prevent slipping.2
Cons
- Seatpost slipping is widespread, even at higher-than-specified torque (8-10 Nm vs 5.2-5.6 Nm), requiring fixes like grip tape, epoxy or shims; some users also report creaking.12
- Frame weight is significantly higher than quoted: real-world weights are often 1300-1500g+, making it heavy for an aero frame.2
- Early production frames had a design flaw where the SRAM rear derailleur cage would hit the chainstay, requiring B-screw adjustment and affecting shifting; some users of the new Pro frame still report this issue.12
- Variable finish quality: overspray on brake mounts and BB, rough threads, brake mounts that need facing, and occasional BB seating problems; one reviewer needed washers to mitigate disc rub.12
- Proprietary headset and spacer system is awkward, limits cockpit options, and the implementation (especially early spacers) is criticized as ugly or poorly designed.2
- Long and uncertain delivery times, with frequent delays and lack of communication during the waiting period.2
- Fork expander plug may slip even at high torque; some users replace it with a different one.2
- Can feel sketchy in sudden gusts of crosswinds and is not ideal for climbers or super light riders.1
Key Facts
- Quoted frame weight about 1100g (size M), but real-world weights are typically 1300-1500g+ depending on size and paint; complete builds come in around 8.5kg.21
- Material: T800 carbon on the standard frame; the Pro version uses T1000 carbon, is about 150g lighter, has a deeper fork and an improved seatpost wedge.2
- T47 bottom bracket (SRAM 85.5mm T47 BB fits, sleeve slightly shorter) and UDH hanger.2
- Seatpost torque spec is 5.2-5.6 Nm, but reviewers needed 8-10 Nm to prevent slippage; the internal wedge is a common source of slipping and creaking.12
- Effective top tube is about 12mm shorter than a Scott Foil RC Pro in the same size, requiring the saddle to be pushed far back.1
- Tyre clearance: 30-32mm comfortable, about 35mm measured maximum.2
- The proprietary headset and spacer system limits cockpit options; standard stems such as an SL7 or a Velobike long stem fit with the right cover, and the supplied black crown race is not needed.2
- Shipping takes about 11-17 days after dispatch, though total delivery times are variable and often delayed by production and ISO testing.2
Reviews & Ratings
15:31The reviewer builds and tests the Velobuild Aerotrace 368 frame in a size medium. They are impressed with the visual appearance and overall stiffness of the frame, noting it soaks up micro-vibrations well. However, they report several issues: significant seat post slippage requiring higher-than-specified torque, poorly faced disc brake caliper mounts leading to disc rub that required creative fixes with washers, a design flaw where the rear derailleur hits the chainstay in the smallest cog, and a shorter-than-expected effective top tube length which required significant saddle adjustment. The frame is described as intended for fast, flat races and solo efforts, but not ideal for climbers or lighter riders.
The Velobuild VB-R-368 AeroTrace is a direct-sale aero road frame with deep tube profiles, a TT-style seatpost and aggressive, progressive geometry (steep seat tube, long reach in large sizes). It uses T800 carbon (the newer Pro version T1000, about 150 g lighter with a deeper fork and an improved seatpost wedge), T47 and UDH. Real frames weigh 1300-1500 g against a quoted 1100 g, and complete builds about 8.5 kg. Owners call it surprisingly comfortable, stable and fast, and say it holds its own against much pricier aero bikes; one rode side by side with a Canyon Aeroad at similar power. The proprietary headset and spacer system limits cockpit choice, though standard stems fit with Velobuild's covers, and the supplied crown race is not needed. Recurring issues: seatpost slipping, an early chainstay that hit SRAM derailleurs (revised), overspray and brake mounts that need facing, occasional BB seating problems, fiddly rear brake routing and missing small parts. Shipping takes about 11-17 days after dispatch, and Velobuild has replaced defective frames. Creaks reported from the BB area are often the thru-axles.
AI Summary
Pros
- Aggressive, forward-leaning geometry with steep seat tube angle and long reach (especially in larger sizes) is praised for enabling an aero position.
- Unique, bold aero design with deep tube sections that many users find visually appealing and 'fast-looking'.
- Surprisingly comfortable ride quality, with the deep carbon tubes providing good vibration damping.
more pros in the review
Cons
- Frame weight is significantly higher than quoted; real-world weights are often 1300-1500g+, making it heavy for an aero frame.
- Proprietary headset and spacer system is awkward, limits cockpit options, and the implementation (especially early spacers) is criticized as ugly or poorly designed.
- Widespread issue with seatpost slipping, even at high torque, requiring fixes like grip tape, epoxy, or shims. Some users also report seatpost creaking.
more cons in the review
Key Points
- Material: T800 (standard) or T1000 (Pro, about 150 g lighter, deeper fork, improved seatpost wedge)
- Quoted frame weight about 1100 g (M); real frames often 1300-1500 g; complete builds about 8.5 kg
- T47 BB (85.5 mm SRAM BBs used fine); UDH hanger
more key points in the review
Where to Buy
Velobuild 2026 VB-R-368 AeroTrace Carbon Fiber Aero Road Bike Frame Disc Brake
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