The VeloBuild R-177 is a lightweight, stiff, and affordable carbon frameset offering good value, but it has common quality control issues like headset play, seatpost slipping, tight tire clearance, and occasional water ingress.
Pros
- Lightweight frame (sub-1000g painted)
- Good value for the price (~$500 frameset)
- Stiff and responsive ride quality
- Comfortable and compliant over rough roads
Cons
- Headset play issues with separate stem/bar combo (design flaw in top cap/C-clip)
- Seatpost slipping despite tightening and carbon paste
- Tire clearance is tight; 32mm tires may rub, especially on fork
- Fork brake caliper mount misalignment causing brake rub
Key Facts
- Frame weight: ~915g claimed, actual ~1039g (size M painted with hardware)
- Fork weight: ~375g uncut
- Seatpost weight: ~125g claimed, actual ~211g with fittings
Reviews & Ratings
The reviewer, Patrick, provides a detailed review of the VeloBuild R-177 frameset. He praises its lightweight construction, affordable price, and overall quality, noting that it offers good value for budget-conscious cyclists. He mentions minor issues with the included wheels (heavy) and headset play, but overall recommends the frameset as a great option for training or endurance riding.
AI Summary
Pros
- Super lightweight frame (under 1000g for size 54)
- Affordable price: frameset around $500, complete with wheels and handlebars under $1000
- Good customer service and support from VeloBuild
- Custom paint color option available
- Frame feels solid with no flex during riding (tested up to 1100W sprints)
- Comfortable ride quality, not too stiff or mushy
- Accommodates tires up to 32mm for light gravel use
Cons
- Included wheels are heavy (about 1800g for the pair), which may hinder performance
- Headset play issue: required extra spacer and longer compression plug to fix
- Standard compression plug provided is not long enough
Key Points
- Frame weight: just under 1000g (size 54, before paint and hardware)
- Wheels: 38mm depth carbon, tubeless compatible, $350 USD, ~1800g
- Frame price: about $500 before shipping and PayPal fees
- Handlebar options: integrated one-piece or separate bar/stem combo
- Frame can accommodate tires up to 32mm
- Recommended for endurance riding, training, or as a budget all-around bike
The reviewer discusses the VeloBuild R-177 frame set, highlighting its lightweight construction, custom paint, and value for money. He praises the company's transparency, including providing EPS latex molding samples and a cut-up frame to demonstrate internal smoothness. The frame is intended for a dual-purpose lightweight travel and cyclocross bike.
AI Summary
Pros
- Lightweight: frame 1044g, fork 363g, handlebars 248g, stem 179g, seatpost 206g
- Custom paint available for $70 USD
- Frame uses Toray T-1000 carbon fiber
- Smooth internal finish due to EPS latex molding process
- Company transparent about production, includes molding sample and cut frame
- Good customer service, responds within 24 hours
- Shipping to Chicago took about two weeks
- Careful packaging despite damaged shipping box
Cons
- Potential for paint chips based on forum reports
- Shipping box arrived destroyed
Key Points
- Frame set costs $499 USD before shipping
- Includes carbon seatpost, headset bearings, hardware, and choice of integrated handlebars or separate stem/handlebar combo
- Frame uses Toray T-1000 carbon fiber
- Frame weight: 1044g with paint, hangers, grommets, and seatpost clamp
- Fork weight: 363g (uncut)
- Handlebars weight: 248g
- Stem weight: 179g (120mm)
- Seatpost weight: 206g
- Tire clearance up to 32mm
- Reviewer is 6 feet tall, ordered size medium with 120mm stem and 40mm handlebar width
The reviewer discusses the VeloBuild R-177 frameset, noting it is a lightweight climbing frame (around 1000g) priced at $500-600. He praises its stiffness, agility, and responsiveness compared to the VeloBuild 168. The frame is size 54 but fits like a 56. The bike is built with Shimano 105 Di2 12-speed groupset, Winspace Hyper wheels (65mm depth), and other components. The reviewer concludes that the R-177 is the best road frameset VeloBuild offers and provides great value.
AI Summary
Pros
- Lightweight frame at about 1000g
- Affordable price point of $500-600
- Stiffer, more agile, and more responsive than the 168 frameset
- Good value for performance
- Aesthetically pleasing with a chameleon bluish-purple paint job
- Compatible with internal cable routing via FSA headset system
Key Points
- Frame weight: approximately 1000g
- Price: $500-600
- Size 54 with geometry closer to size 56
- Built with Shimano 105 Di2 12-speed groupset (52/36 chainrings, 11-34 cassette, 172.5mm crank arms)
- Wheels: Winspace Hyper first generation, 65mm depth, 19mm internal width, 21mm external width, ceramic bearings, carbon spokes
- Tires: 25c Continental GP5000
- Bars: Carbon fiber aero bars, 40cm width
- Stem: 105mm, -7 degree, with FSA internal routing system
- Saddle: Prologo Monro Elite, 138mm width
The VeloBuild VB-R-177 is a lightweight carbon fiber road frame with disc brakes and internal cable routing. It weighs around 915g for the frame, 375g for the fork, and 125g for the seatpost. The frame uses T1000 carbon and EPS molding. It has a geometry similar to the Scott Addict and fits up to 28mm tires (32mm possible but tight). Price is around $500 for the frameset. Common issues include headset play (especially with separate stem/bar combo), seatpost slipping, and tight tire clearance. Overall, it offers good value for a lightweight, stiff ride.
AI Summary
Pros
- Lightweight frame (sub-1000g painted)
- Good value for the price (~$500 frameset)
- Stiff and responsive ride quality
- Comfortable and compliant over rough roads
- Standard 27.2mm round seatpost allows easy replacement
Cons
- Headset play issues with separate stem/bar combo (design flaw in top cap/C-clip)
- Seatpost slipping despite tightening and carbon paste
- Tire clearance is tight; 32mm tires may rub, especially on fork
- Fork brake caliper mount misalignment causing brake rub
- Shipping delays and inconsistent communication from VeloBuild
Key Points
- Frame weight: ~915g (claimed), actual ~1039g (size M painted with hardware)
- Fork weight: ~375g uncut
- Seatpost weight: ~125g (claimed), actual ~211g with fittings
- Material: T1000 carbon fiber
- Molding: EPS latex molding
- Bottom bracket standard: BB86
- Seatpost diameter: 27.2mm
- Maximum tire clearance: 32mm (actual fit varies, 28mm recommended)
- Price: ~$500 for frameset
The VeloBuild R-177 is a budget-friendly frameset praised for its looks, stiffness, and aggressive geometry, but suffers from quality control issues such as poor press-fit tolerances, bottom bracket creaking, water ingress, and seatpost delamination. Headset problems have been reported but may be mitigated by newer C-ring designs. Tire clearance is limited to 30mm. Long-term durability is mixed; some users report no major issues, while others note structural concerns like cracked forks. Overall, it offers good value for the price but is not recommended for those seeking high-quality finishing.
AI Summary
Pros
- Great looks and aggressive geometry
- Stiff and fast ride
- Excellent value for the price
Cons
- Poor press-fit tolerance causing bottom bracket creaking
- Medium to low overall quality and finishing
- Max tire clearance of 30mm
- Water ingress and no drain hole in bottom bracket
- Seatpost delamination and quality issues
- Headset issues (compression ring/C-clip) not fully resolved
- Front derailleur hanger placement requires bottle cage spacers
Key Points
- Price: budget-friendly frame
- Weight: not specified in posts
- Material: carbon fiber
- Standards: press-fit bottom bracket, integrated headset
- Max tire clearance: 30mm
- Geometry: aggressive
Where to Buy
Velobuild 2023 VB-R-177 Super Light Carbon Fiber Road Frame Disc Version Hidden Cables
Specifications
Attributes
Included Components
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