Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Most modern road bike frames use fully integrated cabling, but can you use a mechanical groupset, how easy is it to install, and will the shifting be impacted?
If you want to build a budget road bike, mechanical groupsets are still the only choice, but most frames nowadays, even the cheaper ones from AliExpress, offer fully integrated cabling. This usually means very tight 90 degree bends for cables and brake hoses, as they need to be routed through integrated bars, and down through the headset.
I have always assumed fully integrated frames are only really suitable for electronic groupsets, so in this episode I am putting that to the test. I have a fully integrated carbon road bike frame from OG-EVKIN (their Qonqi frame), and a cheap mechanical groupset from L-TWOO (their R9 disc). I’ll be building up the bike, showing you the process of cabling everything, and at the end I’ll do a shifting demo.
Spoiler alert, the shifting is perfect. Honestly I was incredibly surprised considering the bends that the gear housing had to navigate, and in the end, the build wasn’t that much more complicated that a regular build.
OG-EVKIN Qonqi frame - Code ‘Tracevelo’ for 10% off
ogevkinbike.com/products/qonqi-cf-025-road-carbon-fiber-frame
Timestamps:
00:00 – Integrated frames
01:26 – Frame choice
01:49 – Carbon wheelset
02:22 – Testing cable fitment
03:50 – Cabling the bike
07:09 – Cabling through the headset
10:12 – Cutting the cables/hoses
11:36 – Total build cost
11:52 – OG-EVKIN - Qonqi frame
14:08 – Bike reveal & shifting demo
16:48 – Bike weigh in
17:16 – Build overview
19:24 – 200 miles later
20:22 – Headset issue
22:18 – Bonus clip & headset fix
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
Most modern road bike frames use fully integrated cabling, but can you use a mechanical groupset, how easy is it to install, and will the shifting be impacted?
If you want to build a budget road bike, mechanical groupsets are still the only choice, but most frames nowadays, even the cheaper ones from AliExpress, offer fully integrated cabling. This usually means very tight 90 degree bends for cables and brake hoses, as they need to be routed through integrated bars, and down through the headset.
I have always assumed fully integrated frames are only really suitable for electronic groupsets, so in this episode I am putting that to the test. I have a fully integrated carbon road bike frame from OG-EVKIN (their Qonqi frame), and a cheap mechanical groupset from L-TWOO (their R9 disc). I’ll be building up the bike, showing you the process of cabling everything, and at the end I’ll do a shifting demo.
Spoiler alert, the shifting is perfect. Honestly I was incredibly surprised considering the bends that the gear housing had to navigate, and in the end, the build wasn’t that much more complicated that a regular build.
OG-EVKIN Qonqi frame - Code ‘Tracevelo’ for 10% off
ogevkinbike.com/products/qonqi-cf-025-road-carbon-fiber-frame
Timestamps:
00:00 – Integrated frames
01:26 – Frame choice
01:49 – Carbon wheelset
02:22 – Testing cable fitment
03:50 – Cabling the bike
07:09 – Cabling through the headset
10:12 – Cutting the cables/hoses
11:36 – Total build cost
11:52 – OG-EVKIN - Qonqi frame
14:08 – Bike reveal & shifting demo
16:48 – Bike weigh in
17:16 – Build overview
19:24 – 200 miles later
20:22 – Headset issue
22:18 – Bonus clip & headset fix
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
