Chinese Carbon Frames
Discussion
Anyone had any experience with Chinese carbon frames ? bearing in mind most products are made in China anyway.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FULL-CARBON-ROAD-BIKE-/2...
I like the spec of this bike but could i have problems with the frame ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FULL-CARBON-ROAD-BIKE-/2...
I like the spec of this bike but could i have problems with the frame ?
Played golf with a guy once in Malaysia, he had a lovely set of Gallaway cabron golf clubs which he had picked up in China the week before for $150 for the full set. The Drivers head flew off on the 3rd tee. Not sure I would entrust my life on a steep descent on a knock off frame/wheels etc.
Depends who makes them. Some are quite reputable, such as Hong Fu bikes. Best to do a search on the road bike forums, plenty of info on there and whether you are happy riding a 'Chinarello' rather than a blank one . Doesn't bother me, but its a bit like going to an AC Cobra meet in a Dax, I guess.
Lots of information at http://www.velobuild.com/
I looked into doing something similar. I nearly bought one but chickened out at the last minute and went with On One / Planet X for not much more. Having a UK based company to deal with if there were any problems is worth paying a little more for in my opinion.
I looked into doing something similar. I nearly bought one but chickened out at the last minute and went with On One / Planet X for not much more. Having a UK based company to deal with if there were any problems is worth paying a little more for in my opinion.
Loads of threads on bike radar from people who have bought deng fu frames and built them up. They are well orthodox a look, I'd trust an owners opinion.
I'd like one of the carbon 29er hard tail frames if I had the cash. Early frames had quality issues but they have got better as orders from the west increased.
I'd like one of the carbon 29er hard tail frames if I had the cash. Early frames had quality issues but they have got better as orders from the west increased.
I recently acquired a Flyxii mtb frame and it's such a sweet ride. Superb fit and finish. Gave it a thrashing at the weekend and it's such a responsive fluid feeling chassis it almost feels like a steel frame.
I bet most of the haters haven't even ridden one or are trying to justify their own purchase of a frame identical but with OEM graphics.
I bet most of the haters haven't even ridden one or are trying to justify their own purchase of a frame identical but with OEM graphics.
I have a Carbonzone FM015. I've commuted on it, I've raced it and I've battered it over the cobbles of Roubaix.
It handled the abuse well (wish I could say the same about my Fulcrum Racing 1 rear hub which was a Roubaix casualty).
Maybe I got a 'good' one, but I've been really happy with it, and would buy a Chinese frame again in the future.
The way I saw it, if it was crap or cracked etc.. then it was cheap enough not to be too much of a worry.
It handled the abuse well (wish I could say the same about my Fulcrum Racing 1 rear hub which was a Roubaix casualty).
Maybe I got a 'good' one, but I've been really happy with it, and would buy a Chinese frame again in the future.
The way I saw it, if it was crap or cracked etc.. then it was cheap enough not to be too much of a worry.
Edited by option click on Friday 12th July 11:39
Pretty sure the frame on my Trek 3.1 is made in China, my MacBook Pro is mostly made in China, 3 weeks ago I was in China on a 200mph+ train that felt more stable than anything I've experienced in the UK (Eurostar included).
Thinking about it in-fact I think I'll struggle to find anything I own that doesn't have a component that was made in China.
Thinking about it in-fact I think I'll struggle to find anything I own that doesn't have a component that was made in China.
Surly the argument should not be about the country of origin, but the quality management standards that the item is governed by?
If I were buying a set of brake pads for my car I would not look for the country of origin, more that they meet the standards required for them to be safe?
I don't get the hang-up with buying a frame that has been made in the Far East, most of the Italian badged bikes are knocked together by GIANT! The M10 is the front triangle used by countless other brands and is manufactured by GIANT in the Far East, yet is considered a bit of a benchmark!
What would concern me is buying a bike with seemingly no comeback or evidence of meeting safety and quality standards. There is no secret that the bike manufacturers make a HUGE profit on carbon, but I would have thought (possibly naively), that a smaller operation will be cutting corners to save money and keep their costs down and profits up. Or would be producing a boutique range that were more expensive (or as expensive) than the bigger brands. Cheaper materials, cheaper labor, less stringent quality testing etc, I would assume the outcome would be a cheaper bike!!
I am sure the majority of of non-branded Far Eastern bikes are fine, however I have seen first hand a cracked bottom bracket shell packed out with newspaper with squiggly writing on it, and a very dry inner carbon weave.
You pays your money to takes your choice.....!
If I were buying a set of brake pads for my car I would not look for the country of origin, more that they meet the standards required for them to be safe?
I don't get the hang-up with buying a frame that has been made in the Far East, most of the Italian badged bikes are knocked together by GIANT! The M10 is the front triangle used by countless other brands and is manufactured by GIANT in the Far East, yet is considered a bit of a benchmark!
What would concern me is buying a bike with seemingly no comeback or evidence of meeting safety and quality standards. There is no secret that the bike manufacturers make a HUGE profit on carbon, but I would have thought (possibly naively), that a smaller operation will be cutting corners to save money and keep their costs down and profits up. Or would be producing a boutique range that were more expensive (or as expensive) than the bigger brands. Cheaper materials, cheaper labor, less stringent quality testing etc, I would assume the outcome would be a cheaper bike!!
I am sure the majority of of non-branded Far Eastern bikes are fine, however I have seen first hand a cracked bottom bracket shell packed out with newspaper with squiggly writing on it, and a very dry inner carbon weave.
You pays your money to takes your choice.....!
S10GTA said:
Bloke who runs the local bike repair service was chatting with me about them the other day, he rode one and says you can tell they are a poor man's substitute. There really is no comparison to a known brand
He would say that. I've ridden one and thought it was fine, in comparison.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff