u/elrui

Hi All!

I have finally settled on wanting to use 1x13 Rival AXS for my new gravel build, but I am struggling to find the best retailer to actually buy the groupset at. Does anyone have a recommendation for a reputable online retailer?

edit: I should have put this in my original message. I LOVE MY LBS and I use them a lot! I am attempting to project build a bike for myself and I am sure I will end up there eventually when I fail. Thank you all for the feedback!!!! I will chat with them and see if they can help me source the parts. I felt like a dick asking them to just help me buy parts so I could try and put it together myself.

Hi All,

I have tried googling and searching exact answers to my questions below so I hope I am not re-asking something that has been answered 1,000 times.

I am looking at building a custom gravel bike using LightCarbon LCG071-Pro as the frame. It is a very solid deal at $575 for just the matte black frame + additional for paint of your choice. That part is hard enough to figure out but I am really struggling on the rest of my component choices.

Firstly, the wheels. I am considering buying wheels from LightCarbon as well but they offer a LOT of options. I am currently looking at their LCG26 in a 40mm depth. This has 25 internal 31 external. I plan on running 45mm tires. The paralysis comes down to Spoke/Hub choice. Everything I have read says that Pillar 1423 are perfectly serviceable spokes, but they also offer Sapim CX-Ray's at $70 more per wheel. I am a heavier rider so those extra grams aren't that much to me, but maybe it is worth it? For HUB they offer DT240, DT350, Their oem ceramic bearing hub and their oem Steel bearing hub. The first 3 are all ratchet and the last is Pawl.

Does anyone have experience with this wheelset and the hubs involved? The price ranges from $779 (DT240 with the fancy spokes) down to $339 (Steel Bearing and non fancy spokes). Ceramic is $489 and DT350 is $599.

Secondly on Drive train. I want a 1x12 or 1x13. My current road bike is DI2 so I am spoiled by wireless shifting and want to continue being wireless. Thinking about trying out the GeX from Wheeltop. The problem for this is the cassette. Is ZTTO reputable? Is 42 chain ring and 11-46t cassette insane? Any other brands I am missing in my drive train part search? Wolf Tooth apparently makes pretty solid chain rings for 1x system and they are 110 so they will work the the Magene p515 I am planning to use on cranks.

For handlebars what are some nice ones that don't break the bank? I don't need crazy Aero ones, I don't go fast enough to get any tangible benefit from that.

I apologize for the wall of text, but hoping some of you folks can help me rationalize some of this.