Carbonda CFR 696 49cm Carbon Gravel Bike & Carbon Gravel 650b Wheelset

Here’s a breakdown of my Carbonda CFR696 Gravel bike with their 650b Carbon wheelset

[@Tethysmeer]

Long term Feedback: 696 since 2.5 years heavy graveling, still perfect. It is a great frame.

[@corvus400]

Thank you for the review! You build a very light and good bicycle! I'm also in process of ordering a carbonda frame and think I go with their wheels 700C and bars :)

[@nimbuscycles2354]

Congratulations, I’m sure you will love the bike. Please consider sharing your thoughts and experience once you get it!

[@robbiwright3517]

Great review thank you , helps with research on these frames and wheels!

[@nimbuscycles2354]

Thank you very much for the feedback! Glad it was helpful 🍻

[@karlbe8414]

I have a 56cm CFR696, with Hunt carbon wheels, GRX group, 48/31 paired with 11-32 rear. Smooth and stable. I am 6'0" and use a 110mm stem. Am about to install their carbon bars as well, not flared. Have ridden >3k gravel/road combo. Me, no crashes and no commuting, have other bikes for that. Adam did me right! Thanks. I built one up for girlfriend and she loves it with Hunt 650 wheels and Di2.

[@nimbuscycles2354]

You're testing out their Carbon Handlebar? When you have a chance could you share with us your opinion and review for the product?

[@karlbe8414]

@@nimbuscycles2354 will do, should have installed that by now!

[@vongdong10]

@@karlbe8414 update? I'm looking at getting their carbon bar too

[@karlbe8414]

@@vongdong10 well, I still have not installed my non flared bar. But my neighbor cracked his flair model in short order with no trauma. It has a hole in the center rear for cable routing and this is definitely a weak point. I need to check his stem width at the clam area. My non flared version does not have said rear center hole. That being said, he liked the feel and bends for the month that he rode it...

[@vongdong10]

@@karlbe8414 oh that's a shame. Guess I'll stick with an aluminium bar then. It would be scary to have a bar break during a hard ride.

[@andorgroundful]

Dear Nimbus. Can you help me about the rear derailleur hanger type for this CFR696 frame? What is the exact type of this part? I’d like to buy one for backup. Thanks, Andor

[@Gehtdichnixanoder]

Great review! Thanks!. Could you double-check the weight please? Cuz' 17.5 lbs would be ultralight. Usually, you have to spend way more than 5000$ to get such a weight and afaik, the Carbonda frame isn't that lightweight. Thank you and many greetings from Germany :)

[@nimbuscycles2354]

Hi Fabian, I just weighed myself using my home scale and then stepping on the scale with my bike. the difference came out to 18.5lbs; however this is including bottle cages, out front mount, saddle cage bracket, and pedals, so it might be closer to 17.6lbs but the bike is very dirty at the moment so i'm pretty sure if I clean it i'll end up with the same results again at 17.5lbs. I hope that clears up any potential confusion. The frame is extremely light, the frame with the rear axle installed came in at 1251g for me. The fork without the axle installed came in at 468g, seat post 167g. Wheelset is also only 1350g (minus tires, tape, valves). So it is a pretty amazing value for what they're giving you. I'm not sure if they have changed anything since I got my frame so hopefully the weights are still similar. Oh and please note, I have the 49cm frameset.

[@Gehtdichnixanoder]

@@nimbuscycles2354 wow, that is super lightweight! Thanks for checking!

[@weilliam]

Thanks for the video. We need more Carbonda reviews! When did you buy yours? I think they're all BSA threaded now and not pressfit.

[@nimbuscycles2354]

I've had the frame since April 2019, you're right about BSA. They seemed to stop producing the BSA frames shortly after I received mine. What do you have?

[@weilliam]

@@nimbuscycles2354 I just got mine this past August. Came as threaded BSA68 and I'm still in the process of building so haven't ridden it yet. Are you registered in ridinggravel.com? Has a great carbonda thread I recently found.

[@nimbuscycles2354]

@@weilliam Yes, ridinggravel is the reason I took the gamble after having read so many good things about Carbonda. Glad you were able to get the BSA BB, seems the discontinuing rumor isn't necessarily true then. I heard about it a little while back too. They've got some pretty awesome builds on ridinggravel...

[@laxplaysu91]

Nice review! Mines being built today so I pretty damn pumped to get riding.

[@nimbuscycles2354]

That’s awesome, if you can please share with us about it! Would love to see some pics.

[@moshet842]

My Carbonda 696 from less than a month ago also came with BSA bottom bracket. I don't believe they do press fit anymore. I actually prefer BSA.

[@nimbuscycles2354]

Same, BSA is definitely simpler esp since you don’t need to press anything in :)

[@KingofStreet3]

So how much is the frame?

[@nimbuscycles2354]

Expect to spend no less than $750 for the frame alone + shipping. The more custom work you want done to it the more it will add up.

[@nimbuscycles2354]

Just realized I replied regarding the wrong frame, I believe it’s around 5-600 before shipping

[@robjavier7957]

Hey dude! Planning to buy the carbonda carbon gravel wheelset. How are yours holding up now? Haven't seen any reviews on them at all. Thanks

[@nimbuscycles2354]

My initial impression of the wheels weren’t good. They weren’t built up properly. It was uneven so when you try to true it it would never be perfectly flat all around. However for what I paid i wouldn’t call it entirely unreasonable. Asymmetrical rim with light spikes & hubs.. pretty good for the price range. I rebuilt them and had them professionally trued before using them. Over 4k miles of mostly road and some gravel , they have held up well. I’d also do some shopping with other brands too.

[@moshet842]

The sliding problem is your tires. Those gravekings are notorious for lacking grip.

[@nimbuscycles2354]

Lol living on the edge 😂 had a pair of reneherse knobby tires and those were amazing. You can smell how sticky the tires were.. but of course at the sacrifice of weight 😬

[@rixmahogany2276]

Thanks a lot for the video, it's really helpful ! May I Know the price of the wheels ? Also, I've noticed that there are screws and holes in the fork usually, did you ask for one without it ? Thanks for your help !

[@nimbuscycles2354]

I don’t remember what I paid for the wheels but I do believe it was under $800 shipped to my door. As for the fork I didn’t specifically request it without the mounts, but you could probably as them if you prefer it without the mounts.

[@keatonluis9053]

i guess it's kinda off topic but do anybody know a good site to watch new movies online ?

[@ahmirseth9361]

@Keaton Luis I use flixzone. Just google for it :)

[@finncallan1087]

@Ahmir Seth definitely, I've been using Flixzone for since march myself =)

[@keatonluis9053]

@Ahmir Seth thanks, I signed up and it seems to work :) Appreciate it!!

[@jonathanmeier4657]

Have you tried mounting a rear rack? Does the bike come with front-rack mount points?

[@nimbuscycles2354]

Yes, I’ve mounted a rear rack, it worked just fine with the 4 mounting points along the seat stay. Front only has the mounting points by the axle and one on the back side of the crown. I believe their updated form likely has mounting points along the side of the fork though. You will want to check with Carbonda to be sure.

[@eyeheartcycling]

I just got into the rabbit hole that is Chinese Carbon (and Titanium) gravel frames, and I stumbled upon your video first after searching Carbonda gravel framesets. A question for you, sir: what tires are you running, are the rims tubeless ready, and what clearances are we looking at for 650b. Really appreciate your time, cheers!

[@nimbuscycles2354]

Hi Jo, the picture for the video, I'm running WTB Byway 47 size tires. In the video it has GravelKing TLC slicks in a 42 size. Tires are setup tubeless. With the 42's there is about 8-9mm on clearance in the front, rear chainstays have about 8mm. Seatstay has probably 10mm. Wheels are indeed 650b.

[@eyeheartcycling]

@@nimbuscycles2354 I have Byways, nice rolling tires on my hybrid but I’m curious what its like on a drop bar road plus. Still hesitant on the “monstercross” scene because I am still a noob so 650b 47 is just right.

[@nimbuscycles2354]

@@eyeheartcycling They were great when I had them mounted, but I used the bike for a lot of commuting so I decided to go w/ a lighter set of tires. Sounds like I have a lot of catching up to do with monstercross.

[@eyeheartcycling]

@@nimbuscycles2354 I’ll consider the GKs for commuting, I find that 650b 47 is the sweet spot for an all-rounder bike. But the reason I was looking into monster gravel setups is the ability to mount and ride on 650b 2.1+” studded winter tires (I have a Nokian 650b at 2.05” and Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro at 2.25”) with drop bars. So with something like this, definitely good for road plus tires and knobbier ones too, but not any more thicker than 47.

[@samt.1369]

Hey! Nice review! Which frame size should I get if I'm 1'70''? Size 52?

[@nimbuscycles2354]

Sorry I don’t quite get 1’70”.. if you meant 170cm that puts you at about 5’7”. I tend to size on the smaller side since you can always get a longer stem and an offer seatpost . I’m 5’6” and the 49cm model with a 520mm toptube was still slightly too long for me. It really depends on your preferences.

[@samt.1369]

@@nimbuscycles2354 Yes, sorry I meant 170cm...Based on the geometry specs, 52 is definitely not the right size. I currently have an old specialized hybrid bike but can't find the size sticker anywhere...Thanks!

[@lichang4110]

How much was the weight of your size 49 frame? and fork weight? Thanks.

[@nimbuscycles2354]

Frame is about 1220g and fork is 470g

[@vongdong10]

How are you finding the size 49? I am roughly the same height and same inseam. Current ride a Specialized roubaix size 52. Didn't get professionally fitted but I find it comfortable. Asked people what size cfr696 I should get and many are saying size 54 because it's about the same geometry as the roubaix.

[@nimbuscycles2354]

The 49 for me still felt slightly stretched out, but I’m not sure how the geo compares to a roubaix. You also may have a shorter torso with longer arms as well which could make the 52cm more comfortable. It may also differ based on flexibility as well, as I’m in my mid 30’s and have never been all that flexible. It depends on what you’re expecting out of the bike, I tend to go smaller since you can always get a longer stem. Do you normally go for long rides on the Roubaix?

[@vongdong10]

@@nimbuscycles2354 longest I ride on the roubaix is about 35km which takes me about 1hr 15mins. People are saying the geometry of the carbonda is short and low even at 54 it's a bit smaller than the roubaix. Some have suggested I get a shorter stem and use a few more spacers to bring it up along with a raised handlebar

[@nimbuscycles2354]

@@vongdong10 How are you feeling towards the end of the ride? Not sure what year your 52cm roubaix is but i compared the 2020 model vs the 52cm 696.. you'll be stretching it out another 7mm and slightly more with the 54cm 696. I personally don't like the feel of having a short stem as it makes the steering more twitchy for me, longer stem feels a bit more stable but in the end it does come down to preference. I do agree with the front end being low though, i ended up stacking a decent amount of spacers on top.

[@vongdong10]

@@nimbuscycles2354 I used to get nerve pain in my back but my chiro fixed that up. I ride the 2021 model, still the same frame. The thing about the reach of the 49, 52 and 54 is that it's not a huge difference. The stack however is significant. The roubaix has a 90mm stem so only going 80mm on a 54 frame to get about the same reach doesn't seem like a big loss.

[@maxc3621]

Thanks for the video. I'm interested in buying a CFR696 frame but until now I didn't get any answer from Carbonda, What is the email adress you used ?

[@nimbuscycles2354]

I believe they're on vacation at the moment, China has some sort of national holiday that goes on for approximately 8 days or so? The contact I went through was [e-mail]. Not sure if it's multiple people using the same account but overall I usually get a response within 1-2 days. Looks like they have a skype account as well "carbonda-adam". I've used skype to chat with other companies and have had pretty good luck there as well.

[@weilliam]

[e-mail] is what I used. They might be on mid Autumn festival holiday.

[@MishaSlipich]

Hello. Im sorry for question but how height of you? Im looking for 49 size of frame to

[@nimbuscycles2354]

I’m 5’6 (167cm), inseam is about 31.5” (80cm).

[@Saitama-nu6jf]

How's the toe overlap?

[@nimbuscycles2354]

No issues for me with the 650b wheels, mind you I’m 5’6 and wear a size 8 shoe.

[@nimbuscycles2354]

Not quite sure how big your feet are considering you can destroy everything with one punch.