THE ULTIMATE CHINESE GRAVEL FRAMESET CARBONDA 696?

In this video I take an initial look at the well reviewed Carbonda 696 Gravel Bike Frameset. Don't spend extra money on re-branded 696s.
www.carbonda.com/road/gravel/8...
Builds
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www.ridinggravel.com/forum/?p...

[@tiago2994me]

Thanks for sharing once again more about a new carbon frame and more, going further and expose something many of us didn't know about like the origin of those unbranded carbon frames (pragma etc...). Hope for the best

[@WeRideSouth]

No problem! Thanks for watching

[@BiniRandy]

Finished my 696 build two months ago and I'm still very happy with it 😍 I also went for some carbonda carbon wheels, can highly recommend those 😉

[@WeRideSouth]

awesome! Any pics? What are the wheel specs?

[@Tethysmeer]

The frame is superb. I just finished my build and everything fitted perfect.

[@WeRideSouth]

I am glad to hear it!

[@chiimaero]

Nice video. I bought mine from Durianrider back in march 2020 for 699USD, shipping included, spare derailleur hanger and all. Mine is the grey frame/matte black fork one you can see in the video. He upped the price later on, and stopped selling it not long ago, but I guess we can say it was not too bad of an offer from him. About the frame... Not the lightest for sure, but super sturdy and super comfortable. A joy to ride (especially true now that I switched over to carbon wheels)... if you're in the market for a DIY gravel bike, this frame is a no brainer.

[@PatriciaArana]

After watching this video I need a carbonda for sure haha thanks man!

[@kimkrimson]

Thanks for the cool content. I almost bought this bike but got put off by the long wheel base and 435mm chainstays. I was able to squeeze some information out from Adam from Carbonda. They are working on a frame to replace the 505 and he told me it is going to come out in December

[@WeRideSouth]

the CFR707! there is a thread on ridinggravel.com about it. Have you seen it?

[@kawabus]

what timing I just ordered the 696 yesterday. Can't wait for the build video. Great content

[@WeRideSouth]

Thanks! Are you planning on sharing your build?

[@kawabus]

@@WeRideSouth Ya I'll post it in the thread on ridinggravel. GRX 600 with Hunt Wheels 700c. Thinking about a 650B wheelset as well.

[@onemetre]

Thesis is selling a frame / component group for $1499. Not so pricey but also not the cut rate price you can get buying direct. There's also a guy in Atlanta (DIYcarbon.com) selling the open mold Niner RLT frameset.

[@thepdails]

exact thing happened to me. No mention that the frame was very much not in stock. Paid..."Oh by the way it won't be ready to ship for 4+ weeks"

[@smharley]

Which seatpost clamp do you recommend? Excited to see the build!

[@WeRideSouth]

I bought this a J&L Alum/Titanium bolt from ebay (10.5g), but I can't really recommend it yet as I haven't tested it. The bike does come with a seat post that is slightly heavier, so I would just go with that one if you aren't doing a weight weenie build. Here is the J&L link: www.ebay.com/itm/J-L-Titanium-bolt-Seatpost-clamp-Collar-31-8mm-34-9mm-10g-Ti-Ultra-light/201967799116

[@marcross2503]

Hey man awesome video, were you just emailing info@ ? Like many others it’s proving tricky to get a reply! Keep up the great vids can’t wait to see the build 👌🏽

[@WeRideSouth]

Marc, I initially submitted an inquiry via their website and then Wing emailed me back from [e-mail] thanks for watching, build is coming soon!

[@KingofStreet3]

Time for me to save up and start a build sheet

[@Happybiker1980]

I thought the Pragma Mawson was from Light Carbon like his road bike, interesting that Durianrider is using this for his gravel bike.

[@WeRideSouth]

I believe his road bike is an R01 from Dengfu and his aero is an R06 from Dengfu as well.

[@MikeRegrexion]

Waiting my CFR 1056, hoping everything is well done and aligned.

[@WeRideSouth]

let me know how it turns out!

[@MikeRegrexion]

@@WeRideSouth It arrived yesterday. The frame is pretty neat but I noticed some imperfections in the bottom bracket area internally: it seams solid but there are like a carbon layer residues all around in proximity of the 2 holes. Everything's fine in yours?

[@WeRideSouth]

@@MikeRegrexion mine has the imperfections around the mount holes. It almost looks like chipping paint but I didnt think they painted them. My bottom bracket appears to be in good condition. I'll check again after I force the Hambini BB into it. Mine is very solid as well. I was actually more impressed with the finish on the Carbonda than the Light Carbon.

[@MikeRegrexion]

@@WeRideSouth mine looks pretty solid and neat under those carbon filaments ...it's like a carbon excess detached from the bb holes moulding process. I think I will do an epoxy treatment just to fix the carbon filaments.

[@WakizashiSabre]

Damn, Adam Sandler making bike videos? Nice overview. How is it after two years? If I switch to carbon, i will surely order this one. Wondering also about their CFR707 as it would eat my 52/36 cranks as well...

[@WeRideSouth]

After 2 years it's still rolling like a tank and is my primary bike. It handles road, gravel and single track very well. I took it to Rule of Three as well and it had no issues.

[@testalino]

It would be interesting to know how it rides with road tires (like 28 or 30) compared to a road bike. I would like to use it as a winter road bike occasionally. Some gravel bike have a weird handling on smaller tires.

[@WeRideSouth]

I will definitely find out. I am ordering a set of light weight climbing wheels which I'll keep 28s on for road/climbing from LC.

[@simeon.verdet]

@@WeRideSouth any news ?

[@WeRideSouth]

@@simeon.verdet None yet. My headset apparently got stuck in transit and the company had to send me another one. The new one is currently 5 days into it's journey from China.

[@DribbleDrive101]

Hi Andrew, between LC and Carbonda, which frame will you recommend? I'm about to buy the LC G-010-D til I saw this video. And when is the built video coming for this Carbonda 696?

[@WeRideSouth]

Right now I have no comment on the 696 as I haven't ridden it yet, but I can say that there are more reviews from others on the 696 than on the LC frame. I'd suggest checking out this thread www.ridinggravel.com/forum/?p=post%2Fchinese-carbon-gravel-build-carbonda-8254658%3Fpid%3D1312788493 if you're interested in the 696. On the LC frame, it has done great. I do not like some of the design features but it has been holding it's own. I've even taken it on multiple single track rides with no issue and will continue doing so. As far as the build goes, I want to have it built up before the end of October as we have a plan to ride Katy trail and I'd love to take the bike, but I'm also waiting on some final parts from Taiwan so it depends on that as well.

[@DribbleDrive101]

@@WeRideSouth Thank you for the feedback and input. Looking forward for this 696 build. Cheers!

[@WeRideSouth]

@@DribbleDrive101 thanks for watching! I am interested to know which one you settle on.

[@DribbleDrive101]

@@WeRideSouth I will update this thread once I decided. Reading now at the forum you shared. thanks again :)

[@DribbleDrive101]

Hows the build? I just finished building my LCG010. Looks good so far, aside on having the same issue with the bottom bracket you mentioned.

[@laxplaysu91]

I’ve been speaking with Adam who’s been very helpful. Mine won’t be here for 30 days opted for the cheaper shipping option + asked for a very specific custom paint job.

[@WeRideSouth]

How much more did the custom paint job cost if you don't mind sharing?

[@lloydusdavies]

@@WeRideSouth FYI I paid $60 ($50 for the frame and $10 for the fork) for paint from TanTan

[@laxplaysu91]

$280. A basic paint job costs $80 from them (1 color matte or gloss finish). I had a specific design in mind and they agreed to do it. Quotes I got from shops near me in the US were closer to $800-$900. I asked for a 2 color splash design and a finish similar to an s-works tarmac www.specialized.com/us/en/s-works-tarmac-sl7-frameset/p/175296?color=290843-175296&searchText=74920-0444

[@onemetre]

I was going to buy a 505 and have dealt with Adam. I ended up finding a 505 Stateside and acquired and built. Custom paint looks like a winner through Carbonda.

[@WeRideSouth]

@@onemetre I've only seen a few on the Riding Gravel forums. They look very good online.

[@jla9128]

Insane frame! Where can I find it from Spain and how much? Thanks

[@WeRideSouth]

I believe Carbonda will mail directly to Spain. They are in China. The frame cost about ~480 USD.

[@yedukrishna6603]

What's the shipping charge?

[@vas_chu]

when talking about a derailleur hanger at 11:34, what special treatment you talk about? thanks

[@WeRideSouth]

LightCarbon original charged me for a two piece derailleur hanger which wasn't the best. Only after emailing John back and forth before did he allow me to purchase a one piece hanger which I had to pay for as well (I'm not complaining, just trying to inform everyone to ask for the one piece when ordering so they don't deal with the same issues I did). The two piece only becomes an issue if you remove your wheel often. Anyway, I'm writing up a document about it on my webpage that should be out later today going into detail about it, but here's an image. www.andrewgrabbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ftrd_ligthtcarbon_derailleur_hanger.png

[@vas_chu]

@@WeRideSouth I do get the difference between two hangers. It's a bit confusing who you had to negotiate the hanger preferences with. Did you ask Wing to supply 1-piece hanger, axles in your email correspondence? Or a third party (john from lightcarbon had to be involved)?

[@WeRideSouth]

@@vas_chu sorry, the Carbonda DOES come with the one piece hanger. The LightCarbon frame did not come with a one piece when I ordered it. If you order a Carbonda frame you don't need to negotiate. If you order a LightCarbon frame make sure you ask for the one piece if you would rather have it. Sorry about the confusion.

[@bernd7540]

Is the ican X-gravel a rebranded Carbonda Frame?

[@WeRideSouth]

I have a sneaking suspicion they are all rebranded Flybikes.

[@PabloAhumadaGonzalez]

How can I buy that frameset? In the webpage thru the contact form? thanks?

[@WeRideSouth]

Reach out to [e-mail]

[@onemetre]

Would highly recommend a 25mm internal width rim for more comfort and better tire fit. Light Bicycle makes some great options. I feel like I made a mistake not going with wider rims. www.lightbicycle.com/700C-tubeless-ready-bicycle-wheels-32mm-wide-45mm-deep-clincher-for-cyclocross-road-and-gravel-bikes.html

[@mattiascollin4618]

Yo man! How is the quality due to carbon and carbon. If you check out GCN visit to look fabric where they compare carbon and carbon, you see that the carbon quality is same. BUT! It depends on how Stiff you can get it by putting the layers of carbon diffrently. Please go look st that video and you understand. Btw, how is the quality on this one? Kind regards, mattias

[@WeRideSouth]

If you're asking about their layup process I have absolutely no idea :-). I haven't seen any GCN tours to Carbonda's factory.

[@mattiascollin4618]

@@WeRideSouth okej i understand. Are you still satisfied with the frame set? And i would like to see a new video where you put it all together and weight it in complete with all gears. / mattias

[@WeRideSouth]

@@mattiascollin4618 I am working on this as I type. I am currently waiting on the headset and plan to have a full video of everything including weights that go on the bike.

[@WeRideSouth]

Also, I reached out to Wing at Carbonda and Raoul at Luescher Teknik a bout the exposed material on the fork. Wing said this was absolutely normal and should be no concern. Raoul said it looked like exposed kevlar and when in doubt, don't ride it. I am going to see if a race will press on and give it a shot. Let me know if yall know any better.

[@cyclecyclecycle]

I’ll have to check mine and will let you know..just as another data point..

[@daviddang82]

Do youthink i would still be able to buy the 505 from carbonda directly? Sucks that thesis licensed the 505.

[@WeRideSouth]

If you ride a size 60 you can.

[@daviddang82]

@@WeRideSouth that's a bummer i don't. Can't they just make me one on the low?

[@WeRideSouth]

@@daviddang82 lol you can reach out and try. Hit up Wing at Carbonda. They are making another frame named 707 that is supposed to replace the 505. You can check it out on the ridingravel.com forum.

[@daviddang82]

@@WeRideSouth yeah i briefly saw that about the 707. I ride the size 48 505 which was perfext for me. The 696 and i believe the 707 the geometry is a bit big in their smallest size. Thats why i like the 505.

[@WeRideSouth]

@@daviddang82 I went a size smaller on my 696 than I normally would go. My LC is a 58 the 696 is a 56, the only real difference is the stack on the 696 is about ~10mm shorter.

[@front_man001]

Soooo, is the headset coming from Mars? We need to see this bike built already

[@WeRideSouth]

pretty much. I don't think it's left China yet.

[@qpwdfgh4939]

Looking for an entry level gravel bike that is under $1500. Is this recommendable? Cuz I kinda have a mistrust about chinese products...

[@WeRideSouth]

You can pick up something like a Specialized Diverge for around 1100-1200 USD. I had one for quite some time without issue.

[@qpwdfgh4939]

@@WeRideSouth Man huge thanks for the recommendation. Out country isn't that familiar to gravel bikes yet so I've been having a hard time. Got urself a sub👊

[@qpwdfgh4939]

@@WeRideSouth Ah unfortunately the new models available seem to be atleast $2000. I was first considering an Canyon Grail 6 AF(cheapest model) or a Giant Revolt 2. Any experience with these??

[@WeRideSouth]

@@qpwdfgh4939 I don't have any experience with those models. But this is the one I was referring to: www.specialized.com/us/en/diverge-base-e5/p/199684?color=320080-199684&searchText=96220-7244

[@qpwdfgh4939]

@@WeRideSouth Thanks again man🙇‍♂️

[@indraperviy6524]

56 size for what heigh and inseam?

[@WeRideSouth]

I'm 6'1" with a 33 inseam. But my decision on this isn't based on those. It's based on my riding style, flexibility and bike fit.

[@unrider]

Hi may you can do an update?

[@WeRideSouth]

It's still in the box at this time; however, I do plan to record the build and I will do an update. Thanks for watching!

[@unrider]

@@WeRideSouth thanks mate!

[@unrider]

@@WeRideSouth I will go for the cfr1056

[@lloydusdavies]

You gotta measure that bottom bracket and purchase a hambini BB now!

[@WeRideSouth]

I'm removing the BB from my LC frame and it's going in this one :-) The LC is getting a cheap BB.

[@lloydusdavies]

@@WeRideSouth what bb do you have in the LC frame currently?

[@WeRideSouth]

@@lloydusdavies the classic Hambini BB86 to Shimano

[@lloydusdavies]

@@WeRideSouth do you know how much that bb weighs including bearings?

[@WeRideSouth]

@@lloydusdavies I'm not sure I measured it before I put it in, but I'll definitely measure it when I transfer to the Carbonda.

[@cyclecyclecycle]

Hi Andrew, assuming your frame is UD Carbon +clear coat as well, how does the finish compare with mine? I am not super excited about it, see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKbCimCbrK2Aqqc

[@WeRideSouth]

This is something I've wondered about. Do they paint it? I thought UD was unpainted, but there is clearly chipping paint on the alum studs for the mounts. If so, the base layer is not great, all of the aluminum areas are chipping fresh out of the box. I don't care too much about this because I'm partial weight weenie, so less is more and I would settle for raw carbon, but I can see how this would disturb someone who expected more.

[@cyclecyclecycle]

@@WeRideSouth The frame is available in Carbon without any paint whatsoever or only with a layer of clear coat (they also do custom painting). Your’s looks like it has a clear coat only as well, just like mine. Take it outside and you may see the uneven finish I am referring to. I am not too happy about it as other manufacturers manage to product a way better quality finish. I don’t think this i compromising strength though...

[@mikespringer7894]

Bro STOP!! Every time I see new goods i get itchy ,now i want to build ... I got the routes getter built!!

[@WeRideSouth]

Lol hopefully this is the last one I need to buy. Still riding on my LightCarbon while I assemble all of the part so I'm still down to ride. Most of the stuff is coming off the LightCarbon and going on this thing.