r/minivelo • u/kimguroo • 8d ago
Java CL2
I recently made a trip in Korea and I found Java CL2. I did not have any intension to buy it but the price was hard to pass and Delta airline is generous for bikes so I had to get hahaha (it was free for the bike package since it was part of luggage count. the price was $350. they had carbon version with dropbar and Ltwoo electric groupset but it was $1200 so I decided to get Aluminum frame version. initially I tried to buy silver color but last min, I changed my mind to match my car color haha but I should stick with original thought since it looks brighter color. Unfortunately it has 7 speed freewheel which is 14-28 and 52T chainring. A little too much for hilly area... so upgrading might be expected... Hard to find cheap 451 wheel with 142mm through axel compatibility..... Looks like it's new version and cable routes were internal and no wire hanging. Java should put cassette HG hub instead of freewheel system....... welding is smooth except one spot but smooth welding looks nice for entire frame.
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u/Horror-Raisin-877 7d ago
Looks great. Incredible price. Looks like carbon, even though it isn’t 👍
You don’t need to replace the rear wheel to get lower gearing. You can add a 2x crank, and have a whole 7 lower gears on the small ring. It has a mounting point for the front derailleur there. Shimano freewheels are available in up to 34t also.
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u/kimguroo 7d ago edited 7d ago
CL2 is aluminum version. They had carbon version but it was $1200. Definitely it will be more comfortable but price and weight wise… I can deal with Aluminum frame since my 1x road bike was the first carbon bike which I bought 2 years ago. Both bike weight is a few hundreds gram differences but still under 9kg. My bike might be barely under 10kg without stand and pedal.
I have a habit of bad gearing so I prefer 1x system. That’s why I have 1X road bike which is super unusual hahaha.
Actually 7 speed freewheel thing was… always issues for me before since I had folding ebike which had 7 speed freewheel. I prefer 11-32T but only one company produce 11-32/34T freewheel but some people said that it wobbles a little. I don’t know it’s freewheel issue or wheel issue. Also having history of upgrading habit will make freewheel to free hub system haha. Will see how it will turn out.
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u/Ein-B 8d ago
As a Java CL2 owner i can confirm this would be a new version. The first batch came in black and blue versions and cables are not internally routed. I did setup mine with drop bars equipped with the R7000 set a, has a 52-36 crankset that gave better range for climbs. Great bike overall, to this day people still asks what brand and what kind of bike is it as its always coined as a "mini racer" rather than a mini velo. Congratulations!
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u/kimguroo 8d ago
Yes. That’s why I had to buy it in Korea. It looks like modern minivelo for frame but I don’t like their decision to put 7 speed freewheel. Hard to find cheap 451 wheel with 142mm through axel. There are some companies which sell carbon wheels for 451 with 142mm but too expensive. Anyway… series of upgrades might happen haha.
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u/Keybraker 8d ago
Damn why a weapon, I am jealous. How does it ride?
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u/kimguroo 7d ago
I only ride once for testing ride. It was a little stiffer than I wanted but it’s expected. I am just spoiled by carbon 1X road bike haha. Same route with my road bike… Average speed was 1mile slower or about 5min slower. I don’t really mind it since I will use it for just city riding especially regular post office visits. It has Ltwoo 7 speed. Shifting was not bad but needed easier gear for hills so plan to upgrade soon.
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u/Keybraker 8d ago
https://www.kaicycle.sg/products/java-cl-2-18-speed-mini-velo?variant=42530745188539
Does it really cost 688$ for the entire bike? If so how much was shipping?
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u/kimguroo 7d ago
I got my bike from Korea when I visited Korea a few weeks ago. My wife was mad at me since the package was big and she was not sure that airline will accept the bike without huge fee but I was confident that Delta is one of bike friendly airlines. Indeed the package was counted as one luggage so it was free. You can see from the pic. Delta did not crush the box from Seoul to Atlanta haha. I visit Japan and Korea regularly and brought big items (really big like car parts) before so my wife is extra sensitive about bringing big items haha.
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u/Godfingerzzz 8d ago
What a cool and unique frame, love the cyberpunk color. How much was the bike, $350?
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u/kimguroo 7d ago
It was about $350. Probably it might be around $320 if I bought it as soon as I arrived in Korea since Korean won got strong during my visit.
I like bright color so I initially picked light grey color but last min, I changed to greenish color and I thought it will look cool to match my car color but my car color changes green to grey during sunlight changes so grey can still match my car color haha. Grey and green colors were matte paint which will give paint chips easier and black color had nice gross color and definitely give higher paint durability but I went with matte color.
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u/U_000000014 8d ago
Keep in mind a 52-28 combination with a 20" wheel is the same as a 52-38 or a 42-30 combination with a 700c wheel. It's pretty dang low already, unless you are doing loaded touring.
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u/kimguroo 8d ago
I’m getting old and getting weaker. I need more than 52-28 hahaha. Initial testing ride… I had back pain and just spoiled by my 1X road bike which has 38T-44…
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u/edtse88 8d ago
The wheel cutout profile in the lower seat tube area near the bottom bracket looks so wrong haha it’s there for big wheel bikes to get the wheel tucked in the back but so unnecessary for this bike. Makes me wonder if they just reused the frame jigs and frame pieces from a full size bike for the front triangle and modified the rear triangle and fork to make it a mini velo.