Nearly half price carbon wheels from carbonzone.

[okgo]

Yeh, that is the beauty of the wheel builders here, they will be using the same product (as I'm sure gigantex rims are NOT built in the UK) but because it comes from a UK source people are seemingly happy to pay double for it - that's fine, many brands trade off their English credentials even though the product is the same as can be had elsewhere for a fraction of the cost, but to rubbish the same product because its straight from the source isn't right.

After pinch flatting in a race yesterday I am seriously considering some tubs, and I may well get a set of these to see what they're like, if I don't like them then the sets I've seen go up for sale on Bikeradar have gone pretty quickly, after-all, as has been said, for £200-300 can you really go that wrong?

[fromage]

You also get nice e-mails like this ordering direct from China:

Hi James,

Good morning,have a coffee? I hope you have a nice weekend with your family.

The package have been shipped out yesterday.
Track Number-------EE728087712CN
Tracking Web------- www.ems.com.cn

It takes about 5-7days to your home. Please don't worry.
You can learn the status on the web during any where and time.

Thanks&Best Regards,

Smart

[AyBee]

fromage said:

You also get nice e-mails like this ordering direct from China:

Hi James,

Good morning,have a coffee? I hope you have a nice weekend with your family.

The package have been shipped out yesterday.
Track Number-------EE728087712CN
Tracking Web------- www.ems.com.cn

It takes about 5-7days to your home. Please don't worry.
You can learn the status on the web during any where and time.

Thanks&Best Regards,

Smart

Old email or have you pulled the trigger?

[fromage]

Old e-mail although I'm so impressed I'm ordering a set of 50mm Tubs from them next month.

[TKF]

fromage said:

Old e-mail although I'm so impressed I'm ordering a set of 50mm Tubs from them next month.

Are you insane? With that grammar?

[numtumfutunch]

Any ideas who their courier is when they arrive in the UK?

[Rolls]

There are some HUGE treads about these on bike radar...
My take on them overal was -
For the money they're good
Be sure to get novatec hubs rather than anything lower (bearings will be easier to replace when / if they go)
If you're a slightly larger fellow, they may flex a little (but again, gfor the money, you probably can't go wrong!)
Budget for getting them re-tensioned after a short while just to ensure all is well...

Again - just my interpretation on what was written over there...
I was going to go for a set, but being slightly larger (about 84kg or so) and already having a set of ksyrium SL's for the Alps, I'm going to save up and get something branded for my alps trip in 2 months.. I think...

Or I may change my mind altogether, and go for a set, and see what they're like on the first couple of days out there, and go back to the ksyriums if i'm not happy!

[Andy OH]

I must admit people replying to a thread with absolutey no experience of the product should really crawl back under their stones, sorry but please do not comment on something you have no knowledge of.

I've ordered a set of 50mm carbon tubs from China for my son's racing. I did consider buying from a wheel builder and also from Planet X ( I believe Planet X carbon wheels are from China anyway but re-branded by them), but after considering all points made by the wheel builder I contacted (cost was £800), people on forums and an ex pro rider I bought the wheels from China. The spec of the wheels from China are identical to that of the wheel builder here in the UK.

I admit the wheels haven't arrived yet as they are with customs in the UK, but they should be with me shortly, they were sent from China last Wednesday, so not a bad service really and the seller's communications were excellent. For £300 if they last a season or two they were worth the punt.

At Elveden Races on Saturday there were plenty of unbranded deep section carbon wheels in all the races, so I wonder where they came from

I'll let you know how they are once we get them and he's raced on them.

[IroningMan]

Andy OH said:

I must admit people replying to a thread with absolutey no experience of the product should really crawl back under their stones, sorry but please do not comment on something you have no knowledge of.

I've ordered a set of 50mm carbon tubs from China for my son's racing. I did consider buying from a wheel builder and also from Planet X ( I believe Planet X carbon wheels are from China anyway but re-branded by them), but after considering all points made by the wheel builder I contacted (cost was £800), people on forums and an ex pro rider I bought the wheels from China. The spec of the wheels from China are identical to that of the wheel builder here in the UK.

I admit the wheels haven't arrived yet as they are with customs in the UK, but they should be with me shortly, they were sent from China last Wednesday, so not a bad service really and the seller's communications were excellent. For £300 if they last a season or two they were worth the punt.

At Elveden Races on Saturday there were plenty of unbranded deep section carbon wheels in all the races, so I wonder where they came from

I'll let you know how they are once we get them and he's raced on them.

I ride on Planet-X all-carbon tubulars. Notwithstanding that I don't have a great deal of time for E-Bay, I'd sooner rely on the expertise of a reseller who has a great deal of brand equity to protect than on my own.

[Andy OH]

IroningMan said:

Andy OH said:

I must admit people replying to a thread with absolutey no experience of the product should really crawl back under their stones, sorry but please do not comment on something you have no knowledge of.

I've ordered a set of 50mm carbon tubs from China for my son's racing. I did consider buying from a wheel builder and also from Planet X ( I believe Planet X carbon wheels are from China anyway but re-branded by them), but after considering all points made by the wheel builder I contacted (cost was £800), people on forums and an ex pro rider I bought the wheels from China. The spec of the wheels from China are identical to that of the wheel builder here in the UK.

I admit the wheels haven't arrived yet as they are with customs in the UK, but they should be with me shortly, they were sent from China last Wednesday, so not a bad service really and the seller's communications were excellent. For £300 if they last a season or two they were worth the punt.

At Elveden Races on Saturday there were plenty of unbranded deep section carbon wheels in all the races, so I wonder where they came from

I'll let you know how they are once we get them and he's raced on them.

I ride on Planet-X all-carbon tubulars. Notwithstanding that I don't have a great deal of time for E-Bay, I'd sooner rely on the expertise of a reseller who has a great deal of brand equity to protect than on my own.

I agree entirely and I appreciate the Planet X product is very good and yes it's easier to deal with them should one have a problem rather than someone in cyberspace on the other side of the world, but when you have just forked out £3,500 in a couple of months on a bike, Mavic Ksyrium SL's and various other kit for a 15 year old, you have to start saving somewhere. I've taken the gamble, it may work it may not.

[russy01]

Andy OH said:

IroningMan said:

Andy OH said:

I must admit people replying to a thread with absolutey no experience of the product should really crawl back under their stones, sorry but please do not comment on something you have no knowledge of.

I've ordered a set of 50mm carbon tubs from China for my son's racing. I did consider buying from a wheel builder and also from Planet X ( I believe Planet X carbon wheels are from China anyway but re-branded by them), but after considering all points made by the wheel builder I contacted (cost was £800), people on forums and an ex pro rider I bought the wheels from China. The spec of the wheels from China are identical to that of the wheel builder here in the UK.

I admit the wheels haven't arrived yet as they are with customs in the UK, but they should be with me shortly, they were sent from China last Wednesday, so not a bad service really and the seller's communications were excellent. For £300 if they last a season or two they were worth the punt.

At Elveden Races on Saturday there were plenty of unbranded deep section carbon wheels in all the races, so I wonder where they came from

I'll let you know how they are once we get them and he's raced on them.

I ride on Planet-X all-carbon tubulars. Notwithstanding that I don't have a great deal of time for E-Bay, I'd sooner rely on the expertise of a reseller who has a great deal of brand equity to protect than on my own.

I agree entirely and I appreciate the Planet X product is very good and yes it's easier to deal with them should one have a problem rather than someone in cyberspace on the other side of the world, but when you have just forked out £3,500 in a couple of months on a bike, Mavic Ksyrium SL's and various other kit for a 15 year old, you have to start saving somewhere. I've taken the gamble, it may work it may not.

£3.5k, good effort. Hows he doing? Let us know about the wheels.

[Gargamel]

TKF said:

fromage said:

Old e-mail although I'm so impressed I'm ordering a set of 50mm Tubs from them next month.

Are you insane? With that grammar?

Awesome - post of the thread.


Just to echo some earlier comments - at one fifth of the price of some UK built wheels, if they only last a year you can still buy another FOUR sets for the same money !

[bakerstreet]

Dizeee said:

Quote - "Look forward to coorperating with you"



Avoid, avoid, avoid.

Have you ever ridden a bike with them fitted?

[duff]

As far as trust goes, Carbonzone are fine - I sent them about £700 directly (not through eBay) for a set of wheels and a frame, both arrived as described and reasonably quickly. I had an issue with the frame in that there was excess material in the hole on the fork for the front brake meaning the nut would not reach the caliper bolt. I didn't fancy taking a drill to it so I contacted them and they said if I returned it they would inspect and replace it, however with the cost of sending it back and the time delay, I ended up buying another fork at a reduced rate which was OK. Not the ideal solution and perhaps I was unlucky but it's worth bearing in mind if there is a problem there's really nothing you can do about it (or it's going to be a major pita to sort out)

I would be put off buying a car from someone with a badly worded ad, I just find it irritating, however you're buying something direct from another country so can't expect perfect English!

You need to be realistic about what you want - the aero benefits are lost on a 6'4, 96kg rider like myself - I got them because they looked cool, no other reason. They're not an all-round wheel, I wouldn't use them for long alpine descents unless you're going to take it easy due to heat build up and the risk of de-lamination or a tyre popping (maybe less so with tubs). I rode them in Majorca and the squeal and burning smell did not inspire confidence! I ended up buying a set of Fulcrum Racing 3 for £310 and I'm very happy with them.

Oh and if you do get a set, don't put Bora or Cosmic stickers on them

[russy01]

duff said:

As far as trust goes, Carbonzone are fine - I sent them about £700 directly (not through eBay) for a set of wheels and a frame, both arrived as described and reasonably quickly. I had an issue with the frame in that there was excess material in the hole on the fork for the front brake meaning the nut would not reach the caliper bolt. I didn't fancy taking a drill to it so I contacted them and they said if I returned it they would inspect and replace it, however with the cost of sending it back and the time delay, I ended up buying another fork at a reduced rate which was OK. Not the ideal solution and perhaps I was unlucky but it's worth bearing in mind if there is a problem there's really nothing you can do about it (or it's going to be a major pita to sort out)

I would be put off buying a car from someone with a badly worded ad, I just find it irritating, however you're buying something direct from another country so can't expect perfect English!

You need to be realistic about what you want - the aero benefits are lost on a 6'4, 96kg rider like myself - I got them because they looked cool, no other reason. They're not an all-round wheel, I wouldn't use them for long alpine descents unless you're going to take it easy due to heat build up and the risk of de-lamination or a tyre popping (maybe less so with tubs). I rode them in Majorca and the squeal and burning smell did not inspire confidence! I ended up buying a set of Fulcrum Racing 3 for £310 and I'm very happy with them.

Oh and if you do get a set, don't put Bora or Cosmic stickers on them

I hate to abuse such systems but if you purchased via ebay you would have had something to lean back on with your issues. Whilst I understand you were trying to be reasonable by buying the new fork, really you've been screwed over - return postage for a faulty product is their responsibility. But these are the sorts of risks you have to accept when buying in such a way.

But if anybody is holding back buying as they feel the product won't arrive then fear not. Buy through ebay and pay via paypal - they'll cover your ass if anything goes wrong. The seller will know exactly how it works so will do everything they can to make sure it gets to you.

Back to the wheels, thanks for the feedback. Whilst they look and sound good value for money I still think I'd be better off getting a decent set of Alu wheels like the fulcrums you mention.

Cheers.

[duff]

russy01 said:

I hate to abuse such systems but if you purchased via ebay you would have had something to lean back on with your issues. Whilst I understand you were trying to be reasonable by buying the new fork, really you've been screwed over - return postage for a faulty product is their responsibility. But these are the sorts of risks you have to accept when buying in such a way.

I'm not sure I'd have had much more in the way of protection using eBay, perhaps I could have pushed to get them to arrange collection. It was as more of a time/hassle issue for me, with customs delays each end I'd probably have had to wait a month or so for a new fork and I figured for the sake of £50 or so this really wasn't worth the hassle. As you say it's a risk you take buying from the other side of the world, I knew there was an element of risk on my part. I wouldn't think there's an issue with a wheel that couldn't be sorted out locally.

[BMWBen]

okgo said:

Dizeee said:

You attitude and tone is a disgrace to the hobby, you represent exactly what so many dislike about cyclists, arrogance, rudeness, flippancy and an unwillingness to accept people for what they are.

Edited by Dizeee on Monday 13th May 04:28

I've accepted you for what you are, a total moron, but I just don't want to see other people take your advice on here.

Come on, tell us what you really think of him!

[russy01]

duff said:

russy01 said:

I hate to abuse such systems but if you purchased via ebay you would have had something to lean back on with your issues. Whilst I understand you were trying to be reasonable by buying the new fork, really you've been screwed over - return postage for a faulty product is their responsibility. But these are the sorts of risks you have to accept when buying in such a way.

I'm not sure I'd have had much more in the way of protection using eBay, perhaps I could have pushed to get them to arrange collection. It was as more of a time/hassle issue for me, with customs delays each end I'd probably have had to wait a month or so for a new fork and I figured for the sake of £50 or so this really wasn't worth the hassle. As you say it's a risk you take buying from the other side of the world, I knew there was an element of risk on my part. I wouldn't think there's an issue with a wheel that couldn't be sorted out locally.

Yea like we agree it comes with the territory.

But back to eBay they'd be banged to rights if you opened a case saying the product was faulty or not as described. Unless the seller sorts it out and you are satisfied you merely have to report the case to ebay customer support and you'll end up with a refund. eBay will do anything to keep a buyer happy and they know the sellers cant do without them so its tough for them. (I work for/run a couple big ebay shops and have experienced exactly this from the bad end too many times.)

[Andy OH]

okgo said:

Yeh, that is the beauty of the wheel builders here, they will be using the same product (as I'm sure gigantex rims are NOT built in the UK) but because it comes from a UK source people are seemingly happy to pay double for it - that's fine, many brands trade off their English credentials even though the product is the same as can be had elsewhere for a fraction of the cost, but to rubbish the same product because its straight from the source isn't right.

After pinch flatting in a race yesterday I am seriously considering some tubs, and I may well get a set of these to see what they're like, if I don't like them then the sets I've seen go up for sale on Bikeradar have gone pretty quickly, after-all, as has been said, for £200-300 can you really go that wrong?

The carbon tubular wheels I ordered via eBay from China arrived yeasterday after being held up in customs for two weeks. I had to pay an additional charge of £26 for them after customs and Parcelforce ahd added there charges, £13 each.

Anyway to the wheels. They are incredible value for money and they weighed 40 grams less each wheel, that's 1380 grams for both wheels when they were advertised at 1460 grams. The build quality is excellent, the Novatec hubs are: front A291SB-SL and the rear F482SB-SL, these are the lighter weight hubs. I have showed them to a few colleagues and people who race and they have asked for the sellers deatils so they can order a set. They roll very well and for the money are excellent, I really cannot fault them. They cost me £326 including the customs/Parcelforce charge.

[Gizmoish]

Andy OH said:

Anyway to the wheels. They are incredible value for money and they weighed 40 grams less each wheel, that's 1380 grams for both wheels when they were advertised at 1460 grams.

Holy cock.

My front wheel alone weighs 1.2kgs.