Which Elves frameset? Falath aero, Vanyar climbing or Mori AeroX gravel, and a 6–10 week wait

Three frames, three jobs

Elves quotes frame weights unpainted and without metal parts; paint comes on top, as explained below.

• Falath EVO: aero road. Toray T800 and T1000 carbon, threaded T47 bottom bracket, 32 mm tires, seven sizes from 46 to 61. Frame 1,050 g in size 46, fork 415 g, seatpost 250 g. US$1,100; Elves' Taobao brand store listed it at ¥6,998 with shipping on 24 October 2026.
• Vanyar Pro Disc: climbing. The lightest frame in the range at 870 g ± 30 g in size 47, rising to 1,050 g in size 62, with room for 30 mm tires. US$1,100.
• Mori AeroX: gravel. T47, UDH, 45 mm tires on 700C wheels or 50 mm on 650B. Frame 960 g in size 46 to 1,080 g in size 56, fork 428 g. US$998 on sale against a regular US$1,100 on 23 September 2026.

Paint costs weeks and grams

Elves builds many frames to order. Its terms give an ordinary estimate of six to ten weeks for manufacturing and delivery, and say quieter times of the year can significantly reduce that estimate. On 24 October 2026 the Taobao brand store promised dispatch 15 days after a pre-order; the South African dealer's 8–12 weeks covers a complete bike.

Paint also has a weight. Elves says paint adds 80–180 g to a Mori AeroX frame, depending on the complexity of the finish, and that an all-black Falath Pro can weigh about 110 g less than another colourway. On the Mori AeroX, where neighbouring sizes differ by 30 g, the finish can matter more than the size.

Tire room and size narrow the choice

Only the Mori AeroX takes tires wider than 32 mm. It also stops at size 56, with 564 mm of stack and 403 mm of reach; riders who need a larger frame are left with the road models, which go up to 61 and 62. An owner who rode a Mori AeroX about 18,000 km in a year, including loaded ultra-distance rides, found it comfortable, with some flex and less sharp acceleration than a stiff race frame; a Bicycling South Africa long-term test called it responsive under load. All three are framesets: the frameset cost guide prices the rest of the build.

A Falath quote may be the older frame

The complete Shimano 105 Di2 bikes that Elves' South African and Australian dealers sell are built on the older Falath Pro Disc: a BB86 press-fit shell instead of threaded T47, and 28 mm tires instead of 32 mm. On 24 September 2026 the South African shop listed that bike at R99,000 plus R500 delivery with an 8–12 week lead time; the next day the Australian dealer's 105 Di2 package was AUD 6,490. If you want the threaded shell and the wider tires, the quote must say Falath EVO.

Price the cockpit and bottom bracket with the frame

Elves prices parts of the build separately: the Mori AeroX's T47 bottom bracket is chosen separately and its integrated handlebar costs extra, and the Falath EVO options on the Taobao store did not state the package contents on 24 October 2026. Get the full parts list, cockpit sizes included, with the frame price; the build below shows one customer's choices.

The same thread contains very different waits

In the Falath Evo thread, a 2025 buyer reported after about ten weeks that the seller said the frame was underway, with tracking expected in one or two days. Carrier handover or actual dispatch was not independently confirmed. A different 2026 buyer reported a little over a month. For a custom frame, ask which milestone the seller means by “ready.” These are separate owner reports, not a current brand average.

Five years on the frame, and a short damage window

Elves' warranty, checked on 23 September 2026, covers frame manufacturing and material defects for five years and parts for one year. It applies to the original owner only, needs proof of purchase and excludes misuse, impact and improper assembly.

For transport or paint damage, the published terms use both a three-working-day claim deadline and seven-day wording, so report damage within three working days and keep the packaging. Do not assume a custom finish can be returned. Elves lists its global store and regional shops in its distributor directory; on 24 September 2026 it showed no mainland China shop, although Elves runs the Taobao brand store.