TanTan x38 Review - Aero Isn't Everything

Summary

In this video, the reviewer shares their experience with the Tantan X38 Aero frame set, discussing its components, weight, and performance after four to five weeks of use. They highlight the frame's aerodynamics, lightness, and value for money at $700, while addressing minor drawbacks like the need for paint to prevent headset rattling. The reviewer compares its ride feel to higher-priced bikes, noting it's not as refined but suitable for fast rides and sprints, with a comfortable seat post that surprises by absorbing road bumps.

Takeaways

• 🚴 The video introduces a new Tantan X38 Aero frame set, which the reviewer purchased personally for $700 USD.
• 🎨 The frame set is raw carbon without paint, which saves some weight but can cause rattling in the headset bearings.
• 🔢 The bike's total weight is approximately 7.3 kilograms, which is considered light for an aero frame.
• ⚙️ The bike features an integrated cockpit, a 120mm stem, and SRAM eTap AXS Force groupset.
• 💺 A full-on carbon S-Works power saddle with 143mm width and 7x9 carbon rails is used, contributing to the bike's light weight.
• 🚴‍♂️ The reviewer's first experience with a 1x setup, using a 52-tooth chainring and 10-30 cassette for drivetrain efficiency.
• 🔩 The bike uses a ceramic T47 bottom bracket from Panda Podium, which offers smooth performance at a reasonable price.
• 🛠️ The wheels are Machine DB508 XR Ultra, with 50mm front and 58mm rear depth, carbon spokes, and ceramic bearings, weighing around 1380 grams.
• 🌟 The bike's performance is not as refined as higher-priced bikes, especially on rough pavement, but it holds speed well and is suitable for fast group rides.
• 💰 For $600, the Tantan X38 frame set offers good value with its aero profile, comfort, and speed capabilities, though it lacks the refinement of more expensive bikes.

Q & A

What is the main feature of the Tantan X38 frame set discussed in the video?

The main feature of the Tantan X38 frame set is its super aero design, which is unapologetically aero and stands out compared to many other bikes on the market.

How much does the Tantan X38 frame set cost and how long does it take to ship?

The Tantan X38 frame set costs about 700 USD and it takes about three to four weeks to ship due to it coming from China.

What is unique about the paint job on the Tantan X38 frame set?

The Tantan X38 frame set is unique in that it has no paint; it's completely raw carbon unfinished. The rider has added gold decals to enhance its appearance.

What is the weight of the Tantan X38 bike without additional components?

The Tantan X38 bike weighs approximately 7.3 kilograms without a power meter, pedals, or a computer mount.

What components were used to achieve the light weight of the Tantan X38 bike?

The light weight of the Tantan X38 bike is achieved through the use of an integrated cockpit, a full-on carbon saddle, a 1x setup, ceramic T47 bottom bracket, and lightweight wheels.

Why did the reviewer choose to use a 1x setup on the Tantan X38 bike?

The reviewer chose a 1x setup because they are in a flat area where they never use the small ring on their other road bikes, and they wanted to experiment with this setup on an affordable bike.

What is the gear ratio equivalent to the 52 tooth chainring and 10-30 cassette setup on the Tantan X38 bike?

The gear ratio equivalent to the 52 tooth chainring and 10-30 cassette setup is like a 57 by 11 in a Shimano drivetrain setup.

What are the specifications of the Machine DB508 XR Ultra Wheels used on the Tantan X38 bike?

The Machine DB508 XR Ultra Wheels have 50mm depth in the front and 58mm in the rear, carbon spokes, ceramic bearings, an external width of 30mm, and an internal width of 23mm.

What are some of the dislikes the reviewer has about the Tantan X38 frame set?

The reviewer dislikes the rattling noise from the headset bearings due to the unpainted frame, limited saddle adjustment range, and the difficulty in aligning the caliper to the rotor because of the frame's quality.

How does the Tantan X38 frame set perform on the road, especially at higher speeds?

The Tantan X38 frame set performs well on the road, especially when the pace gets fast. It's not the most refined ride but offers a sense of speed and is suitable for fast group rides and sprinting.

What are the reviewer's final thoughts on the Tantan X38 frame set considering its price point?

The reviewer can recommend the Tantan X38 frame set for its aero profile, comfort, and speed capabilities at the price point of 600 USD, but notes it lacks refinement and road composure compared to higher-priced frames.

Outlines

00:00

🚴‍♂️ Introduction to the Tantan X38 Aero Frame Set

The video introduces the Tantan X38 Aero frame set, which the presenter purchased with their own money due to its distinctively aerodynamic design. The presenter discusses their decision to leave the frame unpainted, saving some weight, and the addition of gold decals to match the rims. The frame's integrated cockpit, SRAM eTap components, and S-Works power saddle are highlighted, along with the decision to use a 1x setup for efficiency, despite the presenter's strength as a rider. The video promises a road test and personal thoughts after four to five weeks of riding the bike.

05:01

🔍 Detailed Breakdown of the Bike's Components

The presenter provides a detailed examination of the bike's components, including the use of a 120mm stem, SRAM eTap components, and a S-Works power saddle. The decision to use a 1x setup with a 52-tooth chainring and a 10-30 cassette is explained for drivetrain efficiency. The presenter also discusses the use of a ceramic T47 bottom bracket from Panda Podium, which offers smooth performance at a reasonable price. The Machine DB508 XR Ultra Wheels are praised for their light weight, aerodynamics, and the comfort they provide due to their internal width, which complements wider tires.

10:03

🔨 Assembly and Weight Reduction Strategies

The presenter outlines the steps taken to assemble the bike and reduce its weight. This includes the use of a carbon cockpit, a lightweight carbon saddle, and ultra-light wheels. The removal of the front derailleur and battery from the SRAM eTap setup saves additional weight. The use of TPU inner tubes instead of latex is mentioned as a way to save around 100 grams. The presenter also notes the bike's overall weight of approximately 7.3 kilograms, emphasizing the effectiveness of the weight reduction strategies employed.

15:06

🤔 Dislikes and Assembly Challenges

The presenter discusses the dislikes and challenges faced during the assembly of the bike. These include the rattling of the headset bearings due to the unpainted frame, which could be resolved with paint or additional tape. The limited saddle adjustment range and the difficulty in aligning the caliper to the rotor are also mentioned. The presenter suggests that these issues are expected with a budget frame and that patience is required to achieve a proper setup.

20:08

🛣️ On-Road Impressions and Final Thoughts

The presenter shares on-road impressions of the Tantan X38, noting that while it is not as refined as higher-priced bikes, it performs well for its price point. The bike is praised for its aerodynamic profile, comfortable seat post, and sense of speed. However, it is criticized for its lack of refinement over rough pavement and its geometry, which does not suit the presenter's riding style. The video concludes with a recommendation of the frame set for those seeking an affordable, aerodynamic option, but with the caveat that it may not match the performance of more expensive frames.

Keywords

💡Tantan X38

The 'Tantan X38' refers to a specific model of bicycle frame set discussed in the video. It is characterized as having an aerodynamic frame set, which is a central theme of the video as the reviewer purchased it for its distinctive look and performance. The reviewer mentions that the frame is 'unapologetically aero,' highlighting its design for speed and reduced air resistance, which is a key feature for cyclists seeking high performance in their bikes.

💡Aero frame set

An 'aero frame set' is a type of bicycle frame designed to minimize air resistance, thereby improving speed and performance. In the context of the video, the reviewer chose the Tantan X38 for its aerodynamic design, which is evident from phrases like 'super duper Aero frame set.' Aero frames are typically favored by cyclists who participate in road races or time trials where speed is of the essence.

💡Raw carbon

The term 'raw carbon' is used to describe the unfinished, unpainted state of the Tantan X38 frame. The reviewer mentions that the frame is 'completely raw carbon unfinished,' which not only saves weight but also gives it a distinctive appearance. Raw carbon is often appreciated for its aesthetic appeal and the authenticity it offers to cyclists who prefer a minimalist and performance-oriented look.

💡Weight

In the context of the video, 'weight' is a critical factor in bicycle performance, with lighter bikes generally being faster and easier to maneuver. The reviewer discusses the weight of the Tantan X38 frame set and the assembled bike, noting that the frame itself is light at '7.3 kilograms.' This emphasis on weight reflects the importance of bike weight in cycling, especially for those interested in racing or performance riding.

💡Integrated cockpit

An 'integrated cockpit' refers to a setup where the stem and handlebars are combined into a single unit, often for better aerodynamics and weight savings. The reviewer mentions an integrated cockpit with a '120 stem' and 'super cast bar tape,' indicating a focus on both performance and comfort. This setup is typical in aero bikes where every component is optimized for speed.

💡One by setup

A 'one by setup' refers to a bicycle drivetrain configuration that uses a single chainring at the front and a cassette at the rear, eliminating the need for a front derailleur. The reviewer experimented with a 'one by setup' on the Tantan X38, using a '52 tooth chain ring' and a '10 to 30' cassette. This setup is often chosen for its simplicity and reduced weight, as well as for the rider's preference based on terrain, as mentioned in the context of Chicago being flat.

💡Ceramic bearings

Ceramic bearings are a type of bearing material known for their low friction and long lifespan. The reviewer discusses using a 'ceramic t47 bottom bracket' from Panda Podium, highlighting its smoothness and value for money. Ceramic bearings are a desirable upgrade in cycling components, offering a performance advantage by reducing rolling resistance and requiring less maintenance.

💡TPU inner tubes

TPU inner tubes, or Thermoplastic Polyurethane inner tubes, are a modern alternative to traditional latex inner tubes. The reviewer mentions using TPU inner tubes, which save 'about 45 to 50 grams per tire' compared to latex. This choice reflects a trend in cycling towards lightweight components that can offer performance gains, even in small details like inner tubes.

💡Ride feel

The 'ride feel' of a bicycle refers to the sensations and feedback a rider experiences while cycling, which can include comfort, stability, and responsiveness. The reviewer describes the Tantan X38's ride feel as 'not super duper refined' but suitable for its price point. This term is crucial for understanding how the bike performs in real-world conditions, especially on rough pavement, and how it compares to more expensive bikes.

💡Geometry

Bicycle 'geometry' refers to the angles and measurements that determine how a bike handles and fits the rider. The reviewer discusses the geometry of the Tantan X38, noting that it may not suit his personal fit due to a 'long and low reach.' Geometry is a critical aspect of bike selection, as it affects the rider's comfort and the bike's performance characteristics, such as stability and agility.

Highlights

Introduction of the Tantan X38 Aero frame set and its unique aero design.

The frame set was personally purchased, not a review item, showing the reviewer's genuine interest.

Price point of the frame set is approximately 700 USD, offering value for money.

The frame is raw carbon, unfinished, which saves weight but may cause rattling issues.

Custom decals were added for aesthetic appeal, despite the frame being unpainted.

The bike's total weight is approximately 7.3 kilograms, which is light for an aero frame.

Integrated cockpit with a 120 stem and super cast bar tape enhances the bike's aerodynamics.

Use of a full-on carbon saddle with gold accents matches the rims and adds to the bike's aesthetic.

First-time setup with a 1x system, opting for a 52-tooth chainring for drivetrain efficiency.

The 10-30 cassette provides a wide gear range, suitable for the reviewer's riding conditions.

Ceramic T47 bottom bracket from Panda Podium offers smooth performance at an affordable price.

Machine's DB508 XR Ultra Wheels are praised for their light weight and performance.

The bike's ride feel is not as refined as higher-priced bikes, but suitable for the price point.

The frame's geometry and design make it suitable for fast group rides and sprinting.

Despite the frame's aero profile, it does not climb as well as other bikes in the reviewer's collection.

The reviewer's personal preference leans towards stiffer rides offered by other frames in a similar price range.

Final thoughts include the frame's suitability for those seeking an aero look at an affordable price.

Transcripts

welcome back to the channel boys and

girls in today's video we are finally

taking a look at my brand new tantan x38

super duper Aero frame set so in this

video guys we're going to be going over

all the different components that I put

on this Frame because it is pretty

interesting I've done a few things that

are a little bit different than what

I've done in some of my previous builds

of course I'm going to talk about the

things I dislike about this bike going

to talk about of course the things that

I like about this bike and then we're

going to take it out on the road and I'm

going to give you my thoughts on this

build because now I've been able to ride

this bike for about four to five weeks

or so so without further Ado let's begin

alright guys so as I mentioned in the

introduction to this video this is my

latest tantan x38 frame set as you guys

can see it is quite an aero frame set

and this is really the main reason why I

chose to buy this frame with my own

money I didn't have it sent out to me uh

for review or anything like that I paid

with my own money and the reason why I

selected this frame is because this is

as you guys can see it is

unapologetically uh arrow and a lot of

bikes we're seeing today are sort of the

room one bike to rule them all of course

with the brand new specialized sl8 a lot

of frames now just don't look as Arrow

as this bike does here so when I saw it

on tantan's website I was like yo let me

go ahead and buy this so first I'm going

to start with the price of just the

frame set itself so the frame with

shipping is going to run you about 700

USD expect it to arrive in about uh

three to four weeks because it's coming

all the way from China our next up let's

talk about the paint job because there

is no paint um this is completely raw

carbon unfinished it's not painted I

haven't even put any sort of glossy or

matte clear coat on it which you

shouldn't do because it's probably not

good for the frame but I mean it's a 600

frame so I don't really care too much

um and being that it's unpainted that

does save a little bit of weight maybe

100 to 200 grams what I did do is I did

put these uh kind of ghetto janky decals

on here I probably went a little bit OD

with the decals but they just kind of

make it pop because the decals are gold

and of course it matches the gold

accents on uh the rims so uh before I go

into more of the details let's also talk

about the weight of this bike because

this bike is actually pretty light for

what it is so without a power meter

without pedals without a computer Mount

all that stuff just a stock bike that

you would expect to buy in a store this

bike actually weighs only about

7.3 kilograms uh for the frame that's

right 7.3 kilograms for a cheap all-out

Arrow frame so now let's talk about how

that is possible so first up we have the

integrated cockpit this is a 120 stem

and the width on these is like I think

it's 40 centimeters super cast bar tape

we have SRAM axis

etap Force I've been running that my

specialized La Sprint and I like it a

lot a lot next up let's move on to the

uh saddle now this is a full-on carbon

saddle this is a s-works power saddle

and a 143 millimeters with a 7x9 carbon

rails I like this saddle a lot I also

run this on my specialized La Sprint I

like it a lot next up let's talk about

the one by setup so this is my very

first time running one by not just on a

rose header but actually on all my bikes

all together now you're probably

wondering why am I running a one by well

as I've said plenty of times on this

channel now for like basically the last

three years uh Chicago is very very flat

and I never ever ever use the small ring

on any of my other road bikes so I

figured it would be appropriate to

experiment it on such a cheap affordable

bike so the chainring you see here is uh

it's by pass quest uh you can purchase

this chain ring from AliExpress to run

you about

I don't know maybe like 40 50 it's gonna

take about four weeks to ship but this

is a 52 tooth chain ring now you're

probably saying that's not that large

for an arrow uh chain ring right for one

buy but keep in mind that this is a um

SRAM uh etap axis setup so we have our

back for the cassette we have uh a uh 10

to 30. so at the largest Cog or the the

biggest uh setup I would have which

would be the uh 52 by 10. that's

basically like the equivalent to like a

57 by 11 in a Shimano drivetrain setup

now I'm I like to say I'm pretty strong

as a rider I am by no means anywhere

near that strong to be ever to be able

to crank out the equivalent of a 5211

I'm sorry 57 to 11 or 5210 uh gear

there's no way the reason why I did this

setup is simply for drivetrain

efficiency because when I'm cruising

along especially doing some of the fast

group rides here in Chicago I want to

make sure that my chain is more or less

within the middle cogs of the cassette

and by running this 52 tooth Arrow chain

ring I'll have all the gears I want and

I'll have this sort of drivetrain

efficiency because it seems like that's

one of the things that people have been

talking about about basically making

sure your drivetrain is efficient

um so that's the whole setup here of

course I have my cork uh Spider based

power meter I have these look carbon

ceramic pedals I've been using these for

like the last three years I really

really like the setup on them super

reliable and everything just spins well

alrighty now the next thing I want to

talk about which you can see is I am

running a ceramic t47 bottom bracket

courtesy of Joe at pandaponium

um he did not send this out to me for

free I did pay for it with my own money

although he did offer just a tiny

discount

um now obviously you guys know that I

have a great relationship with Joe I

really love what he's doing with this

brand new website uh Panda Podium he's

got some great stuff on his on his

website I do definitely want to check

out some of his latest Wheel sets that

he's been offering that I hear are

supposed to be a game changer

um so if you haven't already please make

sure to visit Joe's website pantopodium

I'll be sure to link uh his website down

below yeah so the uh

bottom bracket is ceramic bearings

hybrid Ceramics I don't really know but

super duper smooth super buttery um the

retail on the ceramic bottom bracket

from pandaponium is like a hundred

dollars USD and so far as I've been

running it it's been really really good

it's as good as the sort of uh ceramic

bearings version of sram's own in-house

uh bottom bracket and it's also just as

good as cocoa bearings um that's also a

brand of ceramic bearings that I've been

using in the past and this one has been

just as good as those and it's half the

price so for a hundred dollars for

ceramic bottom bracket especially from a

brand that I like that offers good

customer service it's a no-brainer next

up let's talk about the wheels all right

guys so next up are these wheels now

these wheels have truly been special now

I've been running these wheels back and

forth on uh this Frame the x38 tan tan

as well as my specialized La Sprint and

no lie these are some of the best wheels

that I've ever used

um so let me give you some of the specs

on these so these are um from machine I

am going to do a separate video on these

wheels but this is a machine's latest

set of wheels this is their uh

db508 XR Ultra Wheels but basically what

you need to know is you have 50

millimeters in the front 58 in the rear

uh we have carbon spokes uh ceramic

bearings we have a uh external width of

30 millimeters and an internal width of

23.

um and then the way for these these are

like I want to say these are the second

lightest set of wheels that I've ever

tested on this channel I want to say

these come in just at like three or

1380 grams something crazy like that so

basically

um you know some of the lightest wheels

that you can buy on the market retail on

these I believe they are 1 200 USD but

these wheels man guys I'm not kidding

you like I've said this before and I've

said maybe a lot of sort of

exaggerations or hyperboles but for sure

these are some of the best best wheels

I've tested no question I would put them

slightly above the elite Drive uh set of

wheels

um just a hair below the wind space

hyper the d67 only difference is because

these are not that deep of wheels so

it's hard to do a true apples to Apple

comparison on say like the elite Drive

uh 65s or the d67 wind space hypers but

if you're looking for a wheel set in

that 50 to 60 millimeter depth range

these are the ones I would pick no

questions asked and because they offer

up a uh 23 millimeter internal that

basically plumps up uh my set of

Continental gp5000 28 wheels so

basically almost like 29 or 30

millimeter width uh because of just how

wide the internal whip is on these

wheels So that obviously offers up a

very very comfortable ride for my weight

um I'm pumping these up at about 74

kilograms and even that might still be a

little bit too high but it definitely

does take out some of the harshness on

this bike so let's continue alrighty so

as I mentioned guys this bike weighs

about 7.3 kilograms which is a pretty

good weight considering this is an

all-out aero bike it's not intended to

be a climber or one bike to rule them

all sort of frame this is obviously a

narrow bike and it does of course

resemble the Scott foil RC Pro whatever

it's called

um so now you're wondering how did I

make this bike so light so let's first

start with some of the obvious things so

the first thing is this saddle this

saddle comes in less than 200 grams

um it comes in I don't know I think it's

like 160 or something like that so that

obviously helps we have the carbon

cockpit so that of course makes the um

the uh wait a little bit less too like I

said these wheels because they're only

like

1390 grams obviously that makes it very

very light and even just by going one by

by removing the front derailleur and the

battery that also removes was like 200

grams another thing too is instead of

using latex inner tubes I decided to

test out the TPU inner tubes they are a

little bit more pricey than the um

actually no that's not true actually

nowadays you can get

um tpus for about the same price as

latex tubes the difference being is that

if you go with TPU inner tubes you're

going to save a total of about 45 to 50

grams per tire so now we're talking

about a hundred grams total just by

switching uh from latex inner tubes to

TPU so you figure you're saving 100

grams from the inner tubes you're saving

like 200 grams because these wheels are

super duper light you're saving another

200 grams by ditching the front

derailleur and the heavy battery from

SRAM you also are using a carbon saddle

and then of course you have the carbon

cockpit so all those things collectively

this bike can easily be closer to say

7.9 kilograms or 8 kilograms total but

by removing all that stuff all the

things I don't really need especially

for the the type of roads that I ride

here in Chicago that's what brings this

bike down to about 7.3 kilograms and

it's so interesting because when I pick

up this bike versus my wind space and of

course my specialized La Sprint you can

definitely feel when you pick it up I'm

not talking about Road feel or anything

like that but you can definitely tell

that this bike is significantly lighter

than those bikes so anyway guys let's go

ahead and talk about the things that I

dislike about this bike oh yeah I forgot

to mention of the size on this Frame so

this Frame set is a uh 56 uh size on the

frame my saddle height is about

77.8

77.7 centimeters from the center of the

bottom bracket up to the center point on

the top of the saddle so anyway let's

talk about the things I dislike about

this bike okay so the first thing I

dislike about this frame is because I

opted to not paint the frame which you

should paint your frame you should at

least do

um a layer of uh clear coal protection

is because the bike is unpainted it

unfortunately makes uh the headset

bearings it makes them rattle not

necessarily physically you can't feel it

out on the ride or if you were to hold

the the front brake you can't feel it so

it's definitely secure in place but it

does make a rattling noise when you go

over bumps and I think the only reason

why it's doing that is because you know

they the tolerances on the uh the the

headset cup obviously is intended to be

painted to make those bearings be a

little bit tighter and have them seat

just a little bit more tighter inside of

the cup so that's I suppose not really a

negative

um you know because if you paint your

frame this problem should be gone but if

you choose to not paint your frame like

myself or if you choose to use a very

thin layer of paint you'll probably need

to add some sort of helicopter tape

something like that just to just to make

the bearing sit a little bit tighter uh

inside of the headset the second dislike

that I have for this bike is as you can

see this is running the um the style of

um this saddle clamp that you can

basically move the saddle for and aft

without having to actually loosen and

adjust the saddle itself now some people

like this style others don't I don't

mind it uh yolio they're notorious for

using this style so I've gotten used to

it however the problem for some reason

on this particular frame set is when I

loosen up these two bolts inside to be

able to move the saddle for an aft it

doesn't give me all of the range

um within the track so on here I should

have maybe I don't know maybe two

centimeters front and back to be able to

adjust the saddle but for some reason

it's it's stuck and I don't know why

it's not like completely stuck but

instead of giving me that two

centimeters of four and a half I'm only

getting like maybe one centimeter of

movement so that means that if I need to

make any super extreme adjustments to

the saddle for an aft I can't use that

while keeping my saddle um where it's at

as far as position goes I have to

basically loosen the whole entire saddle

and move it back so I'm sure maybe if I

were to use some a little bit of extra

Force I could probably fix that but just

keep that in mind and maybe this is just

because my frame is unpainted I don't

really know but yeah for some reason I'm

only getting about one centimeters of

four and a half allowance versus the

standard maybe two centimeters all right

and the third thing I dislike about uh

this Frame um and this uh dust just

comes with the territory when you buy a

cheap Chinese frame is um it took quite

a while to align the uh caliper to the

rotor uh because even though there was

some effort to face the caliper mounts

albeit you know the frame is unpainted

um tantan did not do a great job uh so

the front caliper was okay but for some

reason the rear caliper it took it took

a while it took a while to finally get

it dialed there but now I've got it

everything lined perfectly to the point

where I can take the rim on and off I

can remove the rotor on and off put

everything back on and everything will

still be perfectly in mind so just keep

that in mind that it's going to take

some patience to get everything aligned

because that is what you're paying for

or I should say not paying for when you

are dealing with these sort of

do-it-yourself uh you know cheap bike

frames from China next up let's talk

about some of the things that I like

about this Frame before we get on to

sort of The on-road Impressions on this

Frame so number one I do like the weight

of the frame it's only about 1100 grams

which isn't bad again if you add paint

it's probably like maybe 1200 grams but

that's not bad considering you know this

is an aero frame so I like the weight of

this Frame um so kudos to tantam for

that

um I really like this uh this the seat

post um now you would think that having

a seat post like this that it would just

basically offer all this harsh feedback

from the road but I've actually found it

to be the opposite in fact this chunky

seat post it actually soaks up a lot of

the bumps and I can confirm this because

when cam Nichols reviewed his um his

elves uh fall off Pro or whatever the

arrow frame he had he said the same

exact thing he said that the chunky seat

pulse on the elves frame he thought it

would be super duper harsh as far as

Road field goals but it ended up being

uh quite comfortable and I can also

confirm with Cam Nichols is that this

style of seatpost which is going back to

the negatives really quickly is um all

of your rear light mounts um because

this is a very chunky boy um you have to

be mindful that probably your mounts are

not going to fit so just uh you're gonna

have to figure out what you're gonna do

to mount this uh this light this Bond

trigger works okay but it's basically at

the limit as far as stretching out the

rubber to the absolute limit

um I just I like the overall look of

this Frame like I said in the

introduction guys

um you know there aren't really too many

uh frames cheap frames on the market

that are really offering up the sort of

super out um super Arrow looking profile

and I think that tantan did a great job

with this Frame set so yeah

um those are the dislikes I mentioned

the likes so now let's take this all

right you guys want to see my face right

so let's take this out on the road and

I'm gonna let you know how this bike

feels um so let's continue alrighty so

we are out taking the tan tan x38 8 for

a spin like I said guys I've been riding

this bike for about four to five weeks

now and I've put it through all my usual

Paces so of course sprinting taking it

out for some sort of you know spirited

efforts and um yeah I want to share some

of my thoughts on this so ah I don't

want to get hit alrighty so how does

this bike feel out on the road

um it feels okay

um it's not a super racy as I expected

it to be to be honest with you but it

definitely is a suitable ride in feeling

for six hundred dollar frame

um I know you guys want me to compare

this to a wind space or a specialized La

Sprint and obviously it is unfair to

compare this to that because those bikes

are like three times the the price

um one of the things with this Frame is

it's not super duper harsh or anything

like that

um it's just not a very refined ride

um could you do some fast group rides

with this of course you could that's not

going to be an issue or anything like

that but it's not going to be the most

refined ride you've ever had in your

life I don't know if that's just because

of the geometry it could be just of my

my position on this Frame

um like I said it it's not sloppy or

messy it's just not gonna be super

composed and that becomes apparent

quickly when you are out on rough roads

now with that being said despite the

lack of refinement this frame has over

rough pavement and I know it's the frame

and it's not the bike as a whole because

I've been using these wheels with my

specialized La Sprint is that despite

the despite the lack of refinement on

this Frame uh where the speed really

kicks in is when you start getting above

22 to 23 miles an hour that's where this

bike really really shines

um I don't want to use the term that it

holds the speed really well because I

don't have any scientific way to measure

that but once the pace gets going and

once you get up to speed

um you can tell that this is where this

bike likes to live

um it's not going to be the best climber

but when it comes to sprinting and when

this pace gets really really spicy you

can tangibly feel that yo this is

definitely not a climbing bike this is a

bike that's made for speed and for 600 I

mean it's gonna be really hard to

complain because it's an aero bike

um it's comfortable in this saddle

believe it or not it's just you know not

super duper refined over rough pavement

which Chicago has a lot of uh bad

pavement so like

you know I'm running 28

I see tires on these wheels I would

highly suggest to not use 25c because

the ride's not going to be punishing but

I think it's just going to exacerbate

the sort of sloppiness that this frame

has when you're going over rough

pavement now going back to the sort of

ride filling on the road as far as uh

the lack of refinement

um this unfortunately has been one of my

main gripes when it comes to dealing

with these cheap bikes now obviously for

six hundred dollars you can't expect

anything mind-blowing and like I said

these are all sort of marginal uh

nitpicks that I have with this bike I'm

not saying this this Frame is crap it

absolutely is not I think for 600 I can

recommend this Frame to you guys based

on the amount of writing and testing

I've done with this bike but I just do

want to set the expectations that you

know a bike like this is not going to

compete with anything significantly

higher in price than what this bike is

at the end of the day you know it's an

open mold frame

um it's a Chinese bike

customer service is pretty good you know

the bike came in like three weeks or so

I know I sound kind of monotone but part

of the reason why I'm sort of monotone

is because to be honest with you guys

reviewing all these cheap frames it's

begotten it's gotten kind of monotonous

and after a while you realize that a lot

of these Chinese bikes if I'm being

honest a lot of them are the same final

thoughts on the tantan x38 frame set

when I was building this up I was really

excited because I thought maybe this

Frame set could replace my specialized

La Sprint and I think that was my first

mistake expecting a 600 frame to replace

such an amazing bike in my opinion as a

specialized La spread for this Frame it

does have a lot of things going for it I

really like the Aero profile I like the

chunky but comfortable seat posts I

really like the sense of speed you get

when the pace gets fast and just the

Unique Look of this Frame set especially

in the world of so7 and so8 clones this

is something that's difficult to find in

general and it's especially difficult to

find around 600 USD for my bike fit

having such a long and low reach I

really couldn't get the bike fit so set

up for my style of riding because the

geometry just doesn't suit me that well

both the stack and the head tube are

pretty tall which makes setting up the

saddle and handlebars for me pretty

difficult again this is just a rider

issue not necessarily a problem with the

frame for such an arrow looking frame it

really isn't as stiff as my dangfu R12

although that frame is out of production

or The Velo build 177 despite all three

frames basically being around the same

weights my guess is it seems like 1010

is probably using the same typical

volume of carbon overall for this Frame

and the price point as both the dangfu

and The Velo build however the carbon

thickness or the carbon walls are less

in order to accommodate having more of

an arrow tubing profile now when the

speeds get fast this Frame is going to

put a smile on your face trust me

however you will be constantly reminded

that you're riding on bad roads and you

also will be reminded that you are just

riding a 600 frame versus writing a

fifteen hundred dollar frame now for six

hundred dollars overall I can recommend

this Frame set simply for the sake of it

looks super Aero it has a frame geometry

to accommodate most people it likes to

go fast and it does offer up a decently

comfortable ride now if you want a cheap

super Aero looking frame this is

basically your only option for six

hundred dollars however for my money

personally I would rather take the

dangfu R12 or the available 177 because

both of those frames will offer up a

stiffer ride and they do offer up a

little bit better Road composure they

just won't look as Aero that's going to

do it for today's video guys thank you

for sticking with me all the way to the

end of course if you have any questions

comments or concerns please feel free to

leave them down below and I will check

you on the next one and also to a big

thank you uh to Joe at Panda Podium for

helping me uh get my hands on their uh

ceramic bearings t47 bottom bracket

anyway guys I will talk to you on the

next one peace