Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Despite using parts sourced from AliExpress and other direct to consumer brands, this is the most expensive carbon road bike I’ve ever built!
SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below):
srko.co/tracevelo
I tend to focus on extreme value carbon road bikes, trying to build the most bike I can, for the least amount of money. But in this build, while still using parts from AliExpress and other Chinese brands, I selected some MUCH more premium bike parts.
Loong race frame - OG-Evkin
2025 C5 wheelset - Farsports
PES P505 power meter - Magene
eRX electronic groupset - L-TWOO
Lightweight hybrid cassette - RIRO
Lightweight hollow chain - SUMC
Carbon saddle - RYET
The result is a Chinese 2x11 fully carbon race bike, with a power meter, deep section wheels, and electronic shifting, that weighs 7.2kg (7.38 with pedals and bottle cage).
However the build was not super straightforward. I had to make some adjustments to the frame, the eRX groupset had a small bug in the software, and the integrated handlebars kept slipping, along with the carbon seatpost.
So in this episode, I will go over the build process in detail, talk about all the individual parts, show the total cost, the final weight, compare the bike to other ones on the market, and discuss some of the issues I faced along the way.
Farsports C5 wheelset: (Code ‘TRACEVELO’ for $30 off):
farsports.com/products/farsports-new-c-series
Loong frame: (Code ‘Tracevelo’ for 10% off)
ogevkinbike.com/products/loong-road-frame-disc-brake
AliExpress bike parts and tools (see ‘shop’ tab):
https://linktr.ee/tracevelo
Timestamps:
00:00 – Start
00:36 – Intro
01:52 – Build overview
03:13 – Loong frame OG-EVKIN
04:25 – Setting up the wheelset
07:19 – Mounting the electronic shifters
08:34 – Siroko sponsor
09:38 – Frame headset update
11:44 – Cutting the carbon steerer tube
14:07 – Cable routing and groupset install
18:24 – Frame issue
22:37 – BB, crankset, and powermeter
27:45 – Bike weight
29:42 – Total build cost and comparison
32:43 – Shakedown ride results
40:57 – Groupset software bug
44:41 – 200 miles later…
50:21 – My one ongoing concern
53:51 – Bonus clip - New stuff
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!!!
Despite using parts sourced from AliExpress and other direct to consumer brands, this is the most expensive carbon road bike I’ve ever built!
SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below):
srko.co/tracevelo
I tend to focus on extreme value carbon road bikes, trying to build the most bike I can, for the least amount of money. But in this build, while still using parts from AliExpress and other Chinese brands, I selected some MUCH more premium bike parts.
Loong race frame - OG-Evkin
2025 C5 wheelset - Farsports
PES P505 power meter - Magene
eRX electronic groupset - L-TWOO
Lightweight hybrid cassette - RIRO
Lightweight hollow chain - SUMC
Carbon saddle - RYET
The result is a Chinese 2x11 fully carbon race bike, with a power meter, deep section wheels, and electronic shifting, that weighs 7.2kg (7.38 with pedals and bottle cage).
However the build was not super straightforward. I had to make some adjustments to the frame, the eRX groupset had a small bug in the software, and the integrated handlebars kept slipping, along with the carbon seatpost.
So in this episode, I will go over the build process in detail, talk about all the individual parts, show the total cost, the final weight, compare the bike to other ones on the market, and discuss some of the issues I faced along the way.
Farsports C5 wheelset: (Code ‘TRACEVELO’ for $30 off):
farsports.com/products/farsports-new-c-series
Loong frame: (Code ‘Tracevelo’ for 10% off)
ogevkinbike.com/products/loong-road-frame-disc-brake
AliExpress bike parts and tools (see ‘shop’ tab):
https://linktr.ee/tracevelo
Timestamps:
00:00 – Start
00:36 – Intro
01:52 – Build overview
03:13 – Loong frame OG-EVKIN
04:25 – Setting up the wheelset
07:19 – Mounting the electronic shifters
08:34 – Siroko sponsor
09:38 – Frame headset update
11:44 – Cutting the carbon steerer tube
14:07 – Cable routing and groupset install
18:24 – Frame issue
22:37 – BB, crankset, and powermeter
27:45 – Bike weight
29:42 – Total build cost and comparison
32:43 – Shakedown ride results
40:57 – Groupset software bug
44:41 – 200 miles later…
50:21 – My one ongoing concern
53:51 – Bonus clip - New stuff
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!!!
