chinese carbon bike build 2022

2022.

I was coming from a 2009 Giant Iguana 26er with an upgraded Deore Crankset, SLX brakes, ZTR + Hope Pro 2 wheelset. It served me well in the past 13 years and never gave me too much trouble. However while the trails have evolved, my bike has remained the same. Erosion along T15, and a revamp of the Bukit Timah Trail in 2015 meant that my bike was outdated. The flowy trails of the past are now eroded rocky, more technical sections. Annoyingly it feels like the trailbuilders are adding just rocks and switchbacks everywhere.. 

I’ve often heard CB talking about “modern geometry” but never gave it much thought. It felt like a sin not to take advantage of the trails in my backyard. 

While using my 26er, I see all the new brands of bikes. The modern geometry does not immediately run apparent with my untrained eyes. What I saw was my aging bike with it’s worn Maxxis Crossmark rear tyres that barely provided any traction going uphill. Deciding it was time for an upgrade, I hit the trusty Chain Reaction Cycles (CRC) for some new 26er tyres. I was immediately drawn to the Panaracer Fire XC Pro. It was the same set of tyres I had been looking at a decade ago, with the red sidewalls to match my Giant Iguana’s white-red color combination.

Attempting to place it on was a big issue. I’ve replaced tyres several times before, albeit 10 years ago, but this felt way more difficult. Even CB was unable to do so, and broke a tyre lever in the process. We brought it to the Bangkit Bike Shop. They too were unable to place it on. Next up, Bike Technics. The first mechanic at Bike Technics was unable to place the tyre on, but their boss Lorenzo soon managed to fix it up. Unknown to us, the front tyre was placed in the opposite direction, and the bead was not able to seat properly. It soon flatted and I was fairly broken. 

My itch to cycle was not being fulfilled. I wanted a bike that I can reliably cycle on, or perhaps even a 2nd bike to use in case 1 failed. Perhaps this was time to get a new bike. 

27.5er vs 29er? Hardtail vs full sus? I decided on a 29er hardtail since I’ve always envisioned myself to be a cross country type of cyclist, and not the enduro styled freerider. Anyway CB has his 27.5er Polygon Siskiu D6 if I wanted a full sus ride. 

Spent countless hours over 1-2 weeks pouring over resources (Chinertown forums, youtube, reviews on Aliexpress etc). This was all just for part selection.

The learning curve was steep. I needed to know what components were needed and if they could fit. This was for everything including small bike parts and tools like cable foam damping, shifter cable ferrules, internal cable routing tool, etc. 

For the frame, we initially wanted to get a Titus Fireline Ti frame. This was an impressive 300 GBP titanium frame from PlanetX on sale. A steal for titanium. Unfortunately despite placing an order, we were returned with a reply from PlanetX saying it was out of stock. China carbon it is. I decided on the BXT MTB-046 for it’s BSA BB, affordable price (~385 SGD) and modern geometry. There are some competing brands with similarly priced and specced frames, but I’ve seen the brand BXT around the forums and decided to just roll with it (CB uses a BXT handlebar and his friend Frank uses a BXT frame). 

Finally bit the bullet and made a mass purchase on 18th July 2022. This was for almost all the parts together on the same night.

The build

The parts mostly came early August, before my flight to Bali. Shipping from China to Singapore is relatively quick even for the inexpensive delivery methods used. I attempted a cheeky routing of the rear brake hose through the frame before my trip, and quickly realised that this was not going to be easy. 

What seemed like a simple connecting of brakes, was actually;

• Cutting the pre-set brake hose

• Routing it through the frame

• Replacing the BH59 olive and barb

• Mounting the caliper 

• Attaching the brake hose to the caliper

Amongst those steps, I had to ensure that the brake hose cover, frame mount for the hose etc were all placed in the correct order. I had to repeat this entire process as this was overlooked. 

After almost nearly being late for my flight in the bid to rush my bike, I decided to take things slow. I ordered more spare components during my trip. Post trip, I was out with covid for a week, then working the week after with no days off. Only at the end of the 3rd week post trip, did I have Friday off. 

Between 2nd - 3rd September 2022, over approximately 12 hours, the bike was assembled with the help of CB. 

From 4pm - 11pm on 2nd Sept;

• Fixed the wheels, cassette, rotors

• Routed the shifter cables and brake hose

• Cut and installed the fork

• Installed the headset

• Installed the crank

• Failed at an attempt to bleed the rear brake hose (did not screw the bolt on tight enough)

From 8am - 1pm on 3rd Sept;

• Cut to length and installed the shifter cable

• Tuned the rear D (B and limiter screws)

• Replaced the headset 

• Cut to length the rear brake hose

• Bled the rear brake hose

• Removed the fork decals, placed the chainstay protector

4th Sept

• Decreased air pressure / increased sag of fork (previous setting 85-90 PSI > to 65-70 PSI now)

• Replaced the rear brake calipers (Previous one contaminated by spilled mineral oil from my failed bleed attempt)

• Fine tuned the rear derailleur 

• Placed the bottle cage, mudguard, bike computer, frame bag

• Used cloth tape to protect against frame rub

End product

• Total price ~1.7k SGD

• Build weight ~11.1kg (without frame bag, bottle cage, computer, mudguard)

• Satisfaction 10/10