The Velobuild VB-R-368 (AeroTrace) is a direct-to-consumer aero road frame praised for its aggressive geometry, stiff ride, and value, but criticized for significant weight discrepancies, seatpost slipping, and build quality issues. It offers a unique, fast-looking design with good vibration damping, yet requires patience with proprietary components and potential delivery delays.
Pros
- Aggressive, forward-leaning geometry with steep seat tube angle and long reach enables an aero position.1
- Frame is stiff and rigid, providing good power transfer and stable high-speed handling.21
- Surprisingly comfortable ride; deep carbon tubes dampen micro-vibrations.21
- Unique, bold aero design that is visually impressive and 'fast-looking'.21
- Good value for money compared to Western aero frames with similar aggressive geometry.1
- VeloBuild provides good customer support, offering custom 3D-printed headset covers and addressing issues.1
- Bearings were tight with no loose headset play.2
- No issues threading cables through the bottom bracket.2
- Pro version addresses common issues (seatpost wedge, weight) showing responsiveness to feedback.1
Cons
- Frame weight is significantly higher than quoted; often 1300-1500g+, making it heavy for an aero frame.1
- Seatpost slipping is a widespread issue, even at high torque, requiring fixes like grip tape, epoxy, or shims.21
- Poorly faced disc brake caliper mounts lead to disc rub; requires washers or facing.2
- Early production frames had a design flaw where SRAM rear derailleur cage hits the chainstay, requiring B-screw adjustment.21
- Proprietary headset and spacer system is awkward, limits cockpit options, and is criticized as ugly or poorly designed.1
- Variable build quality: paint overspray on critical surfaces, rough threads, poor facing, loose tolerances.1
- Long and uncertain delivery times with frequent delays and lack of communication.1
- Shorter effective top tube than expected, requiring saddle pushed all the way back.2
- Not ideal for climbers or very light riders; can feel sketchy in crosswinds.2
Key Facts
- Quoted frame weight ~1100g (M), but actual weights often 1300-1500g+ depending on size and finish.1
- Material: T800 carbon fiber; Pro version uses T1000 and is 150g lighter.1
- Bottom bracket: T47; derailleur hanger: UDH.1
- Tire clearance: up to 32c (fits ~35mm measured).1
- Seatpost torque spec: 5.2-5.6 Nm, but reviewer needed 8-10 Nm to prevent slippage.2
- Effective top tube is about 12mm shorter than a Scott Foil RC Pro.2
- Proprietary headset system requiring specific spacers or 3D-printed adapters for most cockpits.1
- Chainstay design revised to fix SRAM derailleur clearance issue.1
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 2026 VB-R-368 AeroTrace Frame is a Chinese direct-to-consumer aero road bike frame characterized by its deep, chunky tube profiles, aggressive geometry, and TT-like aesthetic. It uses T800 carbon fiber, with a quoted frame weight of around 1100g for a medium size, though actual user reports show weights significantly higher, often 1300-1500g depending on size and finish. It features a T47 bottom bracket, UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) standard, and clearance for up to 32c tires. The geometry is described as progressive, with a steep seat tube angle and long reach in larger sizes, aiming for a forward, aero riding position. The frame includes a proprietary headset system that requires specific spacers or 3D-printed adapters for most cockpits, and it comes with a thick, TT-style seatpost with an adjustable fore/aft clamp. Recent posts indicate that the chainstay design has been revised to resolve rear derailleur clearance issues, and a new lighter layup (200g savings) is expected soon. A Pro version has been launched with Toray T1000 carbon fiber (150g lighter), a deeper fork, and an improved seatpost wedge to prevent slipping. Users report good vibration damping, stable high-speed handling, and excellent value for money, though some note challenges with Di2 battery mounting, cockpit adjustments, and occasional bottom bracket alignment issues.
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.
more cons in the review
Key Points
- Material: T800 Carbon Fiber (T1000 mix planned for future)
- Quoted Frame Weight: ~1100g (M) - Actual often 1300-1500g+
- Bottom Bracket: T47
more key points in the review
Where to Buy
Velobuild 2026 VB-R-368 AeroTrace Carbon Fiber Aero Road Bike Frame Disc Brake
Specifications
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