€3000 Dream Build: LightCarbon LCR018-D All-Road Climber (17% Ready)

This is a sub €3000 custom all-road road bike build based around the LightCarbon LCR018-D — designed for steep climbs, cobbles, and fast everyday riding in Porto.
The goal was simple: build a high-performance endurance-style road bike on a realistic budget, using a mix of new and carefully chosen secondhand components — with gearing capable of handling gradients up to 17%.
The result is a lightweight, fast, and incredibly capable all-road setup with one key focus: usable gearing for real-world riding.
🔧 Key Features of the Build:
• LightCarbon LCR018-D frame (aero-endurance design, clearance up to 700x38c, in-frame storage, T47 BB, fully internal routing, hidden thru-axles).

Frame size 50
Handlebars 38cm with 90mm stem
Seatpost 15mm offset

• Custom chameleon paint finish
• Integrated cockpit (LightCarbon bars + seatpost)
• Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 11-speed groupset (secondhand)
• GRX crankset (165mm) with Specialites 48/31 chainrings (secondhand but immaculate)
• Ultegra GS cage rear derailleur + Wolftooth RoadLink DM
• Shimano XT 11–34 cassette (moving to SRAM 10–42)
• Zipp 303 S wheelset (secondhand)
• Continental GP5000 S TR 32mm tyres + Vittoria Air-Liner inserts
• 160mm rotors (Dura-Ace Freeza front / XT rear)
Total cost was an under budget 2770€ 😅
⚙️ Why this setup?
This build focuses on solving a real problem: how to create a fast road bike that can handle steep climbs and rough roads without sacrificing ride quality.
If you're interested in wide-range gearing on road bikes, custom builds, or getting the most performance from a limited budget, this is exactly the kind of setup worth considering.
📍 Built for riding in and around Porto — steep gradients, cobbles, and mixed terrain.