RobbieTunes

Yep, crankset/BB could be a Truvative, SRAM, FSA, Bontrager of the GXP era, and likely save some weight. Good lookin' bike.

I like all the "weave" pattern that shows. If I come across a weave patterned seat post, I'll let you know.

I agree on the Deda wrap. I used it on a touring bike, but it's not exactly a streamlined look.
Depending on what padding level you want, there are carbon-look wraps available that may look pretty good.
Performance has a wrap very similar to LizardSkins, for a lot less. That may look great, as well.

jbchybridrider 

I like your bike but concerned about the top tube holes. Sure it's been ok so far but time is what takes it's toll.
I would like to see some internal cable braze on's similar to these https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261217089...84.m1423.l2649 but not pressed out of sheet. Get solid forged one's with fuller contact area on the base around the hole and epoxy glued around the holes. Rough sand around the holes for extra adhesion and extra strong glue should reenforce those holes.
Hopefully some frame builder will chime in on where to buy solid one's.

QuangVuong

More carbon has found its way onto the bike. And now I'm slowly losing the older 105 parts. Found these on eBay, but dunno what brand they are. However, they are very similar to Shimano ones.



And now its got 10 speed 105.






And more gold chain goodness! The KMC x10SL has a nicer shade of gold compared to the previous 9s chain on it.

iamthebou

Hey Mr QuangVuong !

I've been reading this post about your redesigned Giant Cadex 980 C, and I love the way you customized it ! I Just bought the same bike from a french classified website (I'm in Paris) for a fistfull of euros, and I'd like to ask you a few questions as to how you did some stuff 'cause I'm quite a noob

First of all, I'd like to paint the frame. How did you do that ? It seems like the red stickers are seamlessly blended into the paint job, and I have no clue how to remove them. After reading some forums here and there, seems like the best option would be to sand down progressively the frame with higher grains, and then paint it over. But according to the pictures, it looks like you just removed the stickers and gave the original paint a makeover/refreshment... Or you used the same 3D looking paint from the original manufacturer and put it over ??? I've got no idea ! Could you give some advice (technique / products used) ?

Mostly that's where I'm headed. I've just ordered new seatpost, tires, bottle holder, pedals..., but I'm stuck on the paintjob as of now;

Hope to hear from you

Ben

QuangVuong

Welcome to the forum!

first of all, thanks a lot. The Cadex words and all are decals which were applied and then A clear coat was applied to the top. That's why you cannot peel them off. What I did was scrape away the paint. You can read through my other thread all about it. It's just a Razor blade that I scraped away at the clear coat until I hit the carbon. You can go through with sanding too. Dont worry too much about damaging the carbon as that is unlikely to happen. The sandpaper will wear away before damaging the carbon. Just make sure you use a higher grit paper as you are close to the carbon(maybe go 100, then 400 as you near the carbon. I gave my frame a sand with 600 when most of the clear coat was gone).
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ld!?highlight=

im sure I mentioned that I used clear polyurethane for the paint, maybe in my other thread linked above. I used an airbrush to spray it out. You could use a clear coat from an automotive paint store. Just ask for 2 pack clear in a can. A 300g can should be enough.

And I expect a thread from you too

chewa2021

How did you get hold of cf parts at such low prices, eg the seat post and the drop bar for 20$ each?? I looked it up and the prices for these parts brand new are so high

rhenning

I believe you will see he mentions buying on E-Bay a lot. I know he said that about the black brakes he just put on. Roger

QuangVuong

Used/clearance items. Keep an eye out and they pop up.

chewa2021

What I mean is, that I was surprised that they're so cheap in used condition

cs1

It looked nice when you got it, but even better after you cleaned it up.

texaspandj

@QuangVuong since this thread was brought back to life.
Are you still in school?
How did the frame hold up after all the custom drilling?
Would you do things differently now?
You are absolutely one of the best builders here, as judged by your finished projects.
Finally,when ever you do anything new or different you'll find 50 percent for and 50 percent against you. Such is life.

QuangVuong

I've finished high school back in 2013. And just finished the second year of mechanical engineering at uni.

The frame is fine after a few thousand kilometres, and there's nothing wanting to break. Almost 3 years on, I doubt I would do much different. I built another Cadex up earlier in the year which had a broken cable guide, and I still drilled through it. I still drill when I need to, but I would only do it on frames that aren't rare, etc.

ive built many bikes since this Cadex, but I don't post too often on BF unless it is an American frame where there'll be more info available here, rather than on the local Australian forum. I will post one build here shortly though. It was an Aussie built frame, which was marketed to overseas customers, and I wonder how many did reach America.

chewa2021

So whats the name of the Aussie bike forum?

Where do you study?
I studied Newcastel NSW in 2009/2010!