[BUILD] CEF50 Custom (former budget) Build

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un..inc

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Hi there...
As I'm getting older and have less time for mountain biking due to family, voluntary work and my job, some time ago I felt the need for electric assistance so that I wouldn't be knocked out three days later after an afternoon on the bike with my mates...
However, I don't want to roll through the forest on a 26-kilo armoured bike, I want to do something for the descents.
So it should be a light eBike.
When I started looking into the subject just under a year ago, light eBikes with attractive specs were still in price ranges that seemed absolutely out of the question for me personally.
After importing and building a Carbonda frame directly from China for my better one a few years ago, it was obvious to look over the big wall.
I then came across the CEF50 frame via this forum, which ultimately won the race against the Lightcarbon LCE930.

To cut a long story short: the customised frame will be shipped this week and 95% of the components are already in my basement.
I would like to document the assembly process here over the coming weeks and share it with you.
Photos of the components will be added bit by bit. 😁
 
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un..inc said:
Hi there...
As I'm getting older and have less time for mountain biking due to family, voluntary work and my job, some time ago I felt the need for electric assistance so that I wouldn't be knocked out three days later after an afternoon on the bike with my mates...
However, I don't want to roll through the forest on a 26-kilo armoured bike, I want to do something for the descents.
So it should be a light eBike.
When I started looking into the subject just under a year ago, light eBikes with attractive specs were still in price ranges that seemed absolutely out of the question for me personally.
After importing and building a Carbonda frame directly from China for my better one a few years ago, it was obvious to look over the big wall.
I then came across the CEF50 frame via this forum, which ultimately won the race against the Lightcarbon LCE930.

To cut a long story short: the customised frame will be shipped this week and 95% of the components are already in my basement.
I would like to document the assembly process here over the coming weeks and share it with you.
Photos of the components will be added bit by bit. 😁
Click to expand...
This is incredibly cool! I wish you the best of luck with your build and am eager to follow your progress. As a newcomer dipping my toes into bike building, I’m starting with a heavier build myself, which I’m also documenting.

For my next project, I’m considering a lightweight model too. Your journey is truly fascinating!
 
1000074226.jpg

Starting with propably the last nukeproof pedals I'll ever own...
 
Freda said:
Good luck with your build! One tip with those pedals, put some locktite and thighten the pins. I lost two pins when I didn't. Otherwise fantastic pedals.
Click to expand...
thanks for the tip, i will check EVERY screw connection on ALL components anyway and treat them with LocTite.


spokemon said:
Congrats. enjoy your build.
Just wondering. What made you choose CEF50 over LCE930?
Click to expand...

I had already written a post on this some time ago... I'll just quote myself here ;)

I was faced with the same decision and am about to order a CEF50.
The following factors convinced me:

Price (also price of the paintwork)
Weight
Magnet position
Complete package (frame, motor, battery)
contact
"Standard" cable routing possible on request

Yes, the LCE930 looks better, but the overall package makes me lean towards the CEF50.
All the components are already at home, only the frame, motor and battery are still missing ;)
Click to expand...
 
1000074222.jpg

Next up:
Canyon G5 Carbon Handlebar...
Got this for very cheap one or two years ago...
 
un..inc said:
Hi there...
As I'm getting older and have less time for mountain biking due to family, voluntary work and my job, some time ago I felt the need for electric assistance so that I wouldn't be knocked out three days later after an afternoon on the bike with my mates...
However, I don't want to roll through the forest on a 26-kilo armoured bike, I want to do something for the descents.
So it should be a light eBike.
When I started looking into the subject just under a year ago, light eBikes with attractive specs were still in price ranges that seemed absolutely out of the question for me personally.
After importing and building a Carbonda frame directly from China for my better one a few years ago, it was obvious to look over the big wall.
I then came across the CEF50 frame via this forum, which ultimately won the race against the Lightcarbon LCE930.

To cut a long story short: the customised frame will be shipped this week and 95% of the components are already in my basement.
I would like to document the assembly process here over the coming weeks and share it with you.
Photos of the components will be added bit by bit. 😁
Click to expand...
My Levo was the first off the peg bike i had bought for many years. Four bikes before that were all frame only then custom built with good spec . I had a pal a dealer so I got some good deals and he knew all the good stuff.
 
Although I'm actually an ERGON guy, I opted for DMR Deathgrip grips for this setup. Again, the price was very good, so the decision was easy.
1000074224.jpg
 
69tr6r said:
How long from when you placed the order did the frame ship?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately it was Chinese New Year between the order and shipping, so that's probably not a benchmark.

Now it is on the ship, which is NOT going through the red sea due to the Yemen conflict, so it will take even longer... :(
 
oh man, my frame still hasn't arrived yet.
I was so frustrated that I neglected this thread. sorry.
I really hope that the frame will arrive in the course of a week, after it has travelled from Shenzen once around Africa to Greece. It's been there for a week now and I'm waiting for it to set off for Germany.
In the meantime, there are still a few components.
The AXS drivetrain is paired with an AXS dropper. Although this was a relatively good offer, it does push the price up considerably.
But one less cable that has to be fed through the headset.
_DSC2532.JPG
 
un..inc said:
oh man, my frame still hasn't arrived yet.
I was so frustrated that I neglected this thread. sorry.
I really hope that the frame will arrive in the course of a week, after it has travelled from Shenzen once around Africa to Greece. It's been there for a week now and I'm waiting for it to set off for Germany.
In the meantime, there are still a few components.
The AXS drivetrain is paired with an AXS dropper. Although this was a relatively good offer, it does push the price up considerably.
But one less cable that has to be fed through the headset.
View attachment 139835
Click to expand...
If you had the name of the ship 🚢 you could follow its progress . You just put ships name in on Google and Marine Traffic site comes up.
 
Binhill1 said:
If you had the name of the ship 🚢 you could follow its progress . You just put ships name in on Google and Marine Traffic site comes up.
Click to expand...
Yes, I know. That's why i know that the frame has landed in Greece.
The ship has landed there a week ago. I don't know how long it takes to clear the load of the ship and to go through customs.
In addition I also don't know how long it takes by truck / car from Greece to Germany...
 
un..inc said:
Yes, I know. That's why i know that the frame has landed in Greece.
The ship has landed there a week ago. I don't know how long it takes to clear the load of the ship and to go through customs.
In addition I also don't know how long it takes by truck / car from Greece to Germany...
Click to expand...
Yes hard to tell with customs its routine stuff though so should run smooth you would think. I just got a gravel bike it was a month late arriving got it last week . Ten miles and it's not working properly and charger not working at all. Waiting for update but May holiday weekend so who knows. Good luck anyway.
 
_DSC2549.JPG

The shock is going to be a Super Deluxe ultimate...
Subject to change, I do have something else in my pocket...
 
Sayonara said:
Nice. I'm thinking of getting the same shock and lyrik 150mm charger 3 but sadly no luck finding them used. As a new fork is 800€+ and shock 500€.. :/
Click to expand...
if you have enough time and are willing to suffer, apply for the newsletter from rcz bike shop. they are based in luxembourg and have cheeky cheap prices. however, the shop is ugly and it can take 2-3-4 months until you receive the goods. they are always first class, though. i have bought many of my components there --> forks, brakes, wheelset, gears etc.
But as I said - the process is unusual and you shouldn't need things straight away...
 
un..inc said:
if you have enough time and are willing to suffer, apply for the newsletter from rcz bike shop. they are based in luxembourg and have cheeky cheap prices. however, the shop is ugly and it can take 2-3-4 months until you receive the goods. they are always first class, though. i have bought many of my components there --> forks, brakes, wheelset, gears etc.
But as I said - the process is unusual and you shouldn't need things straight away...
Click to expand...

I don't think I will risk my money with them. There are so many bad stories everywhere about that place. Yes you might get your parts but seems like that alot of the time that does not happen. People get sent used parts or different items than they ordered and getting refund is hazardous at best.

Even the people that has had a good experience with them seem to have few bad ones as well or know someone who got f'd over.
 
Sayonara said:
I don't think I will risk my money with them. There are so many bad stories everywhere about that place. Yes you might get your parts but seems like that alot of the time that does not happen. People get sent used parts or different items than they ordered and getting refund is hazardous at best.

Even the people that has had a good experience with them seem to have few bad ones as well or know someone who got f'd over.
Click to expand...
I can totally understand you there.
Nevertheless, I haven't lost a cent with them yet. Sure, I've already received a cancellation after two months and then had to wait another two months for a refund. I've also waited 4 months for a delivery. However, in the end everything went well and I never had any used goods. Everything was perfect.
You shouldn't order anything you absolutely need. It's possible that it will be cancelled after a long time ;)
And ONLY if you can live with that should you order there.
There's a thread at www.mtb-news.de that's thousands of pages long, where it's always clear: everyone gets their goods or their money back. How long that takes is another question ;)
 
un..inc said:
I can totally understand you there.
Nevertheless, I haven't lost a cent with them yet. Sure, I've already received a cancellation after two months and then had to wait another two months for a refund. I've also waited 4 months for a delivery. However, in the end everything went well and I never had any used goods. Everything was perfect.
You shouldn't order anything you absolutely need. It's possible that it will be cancelled after a long time ;)
And ONLY if you can live with that should you order there.
There's a thread at www.mtb-news.de that's thousands of pages long, where it's always clear: everyone gets their goods or their money back. How long that takes is another question ;)
Click to expand...

Well said. It just doesn't make sense to me that everything would work well for me when so many people are complaining and warning against it. If it would work I think the site would be the holy grail for all people who ride bikes and everyone would be extremely happy with them. Even if they had to wait longer time.

That being said.. I wish I had quarantee of everything going well then I would instantly order fork and shock from them. 😁

Excited to hear your experience with Formula! I've been thinking of maybe getting Dvo suspension but something always pulls me back to Rockshox.
 
un..inc said:
I can totally understand you there.
Nevertheless, I haven't lost a cent with them yet. Sure, I've already received a cancellation after two months and then had to wait another two months for a refund. I've also waited 4 months for a delivery. However, in the end everything went well and I never had any used goods. Everything was perfect.
You shouldn't order anything you absolutely need. It's possible that it will be cancelled after a long time ;)
And ONLY if you can live with that should you order there.
There's a thread at www.mtb-news.de that's thousands of pages long, where it's always clear: everyone gets their goods or their money back. How long that takes is another question ;)
Click to expand...
I bought a lot of stuff for my bike and my wife's bike on rcp, it takes a long time, for sure, but you can also have good surprises ! My zeb ultimate arrived after only 3 weeks
 
brbr said:
I bought a lot of stuff for my bike and my wife's bike on rcp, it takes a long time, for sure, but you can also have good surprises ! My zeb ultimate arrived after only 3 weeks
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm on the edge if I want to try it or not.. my first option is to find good used parts or really good deal but we will see. Been hunting for parts for a while and no luck yet..
 
Sayonara said:
Yeah, I'm on the edge if I want to try it or not.. my first option is to find good used parts or really good deal but we will see. Been hunting for parts for a while and no luck yet..
Click to expand...
I see used parts more expensive than RCZ :) and I also see some RCZ resell on second hand websites, at higher prices...
 
brbr said:
I see used parts more expensive than RCZ :) and I also see some RCZ resell on second hand websites, at higher prices...
Click to expand...
Yeah they are usually with higher price but you can get receipts and go get them in person and not risk getting your money scammed or waiting months for nothing
 
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