Winspace Agile Review: The First (Super)Bike I Ever Built!

CyclistsHub is supported by its readers. We could obtain a fee in case you purchase merchandise utilizing our hyperlinks.

For those who comply with me on Instagram and Strava, I changed my YOELEO R12 with a Winspace Agile a couple of months in the past. Whereas that is solely my second carbon bike, I consider this overview supplies helpful data that can assist you determine if the Agile is value it.

NOTE: I invested about $2000 and my time into this bike construct. I acquired the body, handlebar, and wheels for this overview, however as all the time, I shall be 100% trustworthy with you and share each the great and the unhealthy. NOTE 2: I may even replace this overview after longer-term use (as soon as I experience over 10000 km).

Winspace Agile Construct Abstract

Beneath, I listing the principle specs of this construct.

Winspace Agile Execs and Cons

The Construct Course of

I’ve been engaged on a biking web site for over three years, however I solely not too long ago acquired round to constructing my first bike. At first, I used to be questioning which groupset to decide on: Shimano Ultegra Di2 or SRAM Power? In the long run, I made a decision on the Ultegra for one motive: I like its programmable hidden buttons on the highest of the shifters. I couldn’t think about using with out them.

Earlier than the body arrived, I ready and gathered the mandatory components and instruments, such because the groupset, backside bracket, handlebar tape, and so forth. I already had the Lún MEGA wheels at house from a earlier overview. Paradoxically, the largest downside was getting a instrument for the T47 BB from Praxis. All of the Praxis wrenches had been bought out, however fortunately, I used to be capable of get one from Park Device.

As soon as I had the whole lot I wanted, I began constructing Agile with the assistance of YouTube tutorials. I loved the entire course of as a result of I discovered one thing new and was creating one thing tangible. I name it a Lego for grown-ups.

All in all, the entire construct took me a few full day. I made certain to test all of the steps 3 instances so I wouldn’t mess something up. I took further care when shortening the fork and the brake cables. I additionally wrapped the Bowdens with Jagwire to keep away from cable rattling contained in the body. I can spoil it by saying that it really works nicely and nothing rattles. Nonetheless, I might lower the fork 2mm shorter to permit the tip plug to raised tighten the whole headset. I had to make use of a spacer as an alternative.

I additionally need to touch upon the underside bracket. The one I purchased has very slender flanges, so there’s a danger of harm when tightening and loosening. You’ll want to be very cautious.

By the best way, listed here are a couple of footage from contained in the Agile body. The underside bracket space was clear and easy. Every part else besides one half within the seat tube (which was fairly tough) seemed okay.

My Expertise with Winspace Agile

Let’s dive a bit extra into my background. I’ve ridden an aluminum Canyon Endurance bike for over 5 years. I liked the bike, however I knew there was a number of room for enchancment. Then, I purchased YOELEO R12 (my first carbon street bike) and rode it for nearly 20,000 km. Once I rode it for the primary time, I used to be struck by its stiffness. I additionally discovered it extra snug than the aluminum bike. However it was not with out flaws. You possibly can study extra in my overview.

I didn’t anticipate the Agile to make as a lot of a distinction as going from aluminum to carbon. I used to be proper, however the distinction was larger than I anticipated. The Agile feels extra alive and cozy than the R12 (with the identical wheels, tires, and tire stress). My Agile construct is about 300g lighter than R12.

Once I rode the Lún MEGA on the R12, I discovered them so stiff that I didn’t advocate them for endurance using. On the Agile, nonetheless, I’m capable of experience for 4-5 hours and never really feel that a lot fatigue. The experience consolation was logically even higher once I tried the Agile with softer wheels (largely steel-spoked).

Nonetheless, the power to experience longer and never be so drained additionally has to do with a barely totally different using place. The Agile is extra aggressive, nevertheless it nonetheless feels good. A aspect impact is that I interact my hamstrings higher when pedaling and don’t overload my quadriceps.

I need to warn you that the geometries between the totally different sizes look a bit inconsistent, particularly with the M measurement, which has, e.g., a decrease BB top, shorter chainstay size, and comparatively brief head tube size in comparison with the opposite sizes.

One other change I made a decision to make after watching Cam Nicholls and Neil Stanbury’s video was to swap the 175mm cranks for 165mm. And I did the proper factor. I really feel much less pressure on my knees, and my common cadence has elevated by about 5 RPM.

Stability in crosswinds appears to me to rely extra on the wheels I’m utilizing. Since I’m comparatively mild (68 kg), the wind throws me round greater than heavier riders. Nonetheless, I don’t discover a distinction between the Agile and the R12 on this regard.

The experience in descent and the power to select up velocity when crossing the horizon are glorious. The one factor that limits me right here is the gear ratios. I intentionally selected straightforward gears (11-34T, 50/34) as a result of I like using within the mountains. That’s to say, at speeds round 60 km/h, I already must spin my legs shortly (cadence over 100 RPM) to speed up. This doesn’t trouble me since I don’t want to interrupt velocity information. Then again, I can nonetheless preserve a comparatively excessive cadence on steep climbs.

Listed here are a couple of extra issues value stating:

The Ultegra R8100 doses the braking energy higher than the earlier Ultegra R8050.
The tapered by axles with sharp edges trigger jamming throughout wheel adjustments, which is irritating (see the image under).

My Verdict

After switching from an aluminum to a carbon bike two years in the past, I assumed I might by no means expertise such a leap ahead with a motorcycle once more. Though I used to be proper, I used to be shocked on the distinction I felt once I switched from the YOELEO R12 to the Winspace Agile. The bike feels extra alive, particularly when accelerating. Nonetheless, it’s extra snug than the R12.

As a result of barely totally different geometry, I additionally discover that my hamstrings interact higher when pedaling. Consequently, I can experience larger energy outputs for for much longer. I can also’t reward sufficient the choice to go from 175mm cranks to 165mm. I really feel much less pressure on my knees, and my common cadence has elevated by about 5 RPM.

To date, I can’t discover many flaws in Agile apart from the BB commonplace, which has slender flanges. Thigntening and untightening the T47 BB must be achieved fastidiously to keep away from injury. I even have a minor criticism in regards to the inexperienced colour, which doesn’t make sense to me on this colour scheme.

Sooner or later, I wish to examine Agile to Western manufacturers’ frames to see whether it is comparable or if Winspace is lagging behind them. Probably the most frequent arguments folks make is that Chinese language high-end frames are nonetheless not comparable in high quality and experience traits to Western ones. If we think about the worth of a frameset, Winspace Agile is already slowly attending to the extent of cheaper Western manufacturers. A much less knowledgeable buyer will seemingly attain for a Western model fairly than a Chinese language various. However will they get a comparable product? What do you assume? Share your ideas within the feedback.

The product for this overview was kindly supplied by the producer. This didn’t affect my general verdict or my opinion in regards to the product.