Replica frames

[itsnotarace]

Just curious as to why replica bicycle frames are regarded so highly on this section of the forum, when threads on replica watches are frowned upon universally in the Watches section. The value of each is about the same. A nice Rolex may be 3 or 4 grand, a decent frameset will be about the same sort of price.

I appreciate there may not be many too people who frequently read both sections, but I do!

[IroningMan]

Replica frames?

[itsnotarace]

For example from the other thread

Dengfu FM098 replica of an S-Works Venge

[rhinochopig]

itsnotarace said:

For example from the other thread

Dengfu FM098 replica of an S-Works Venge

Some of them aren't reps. A LOT of companies procure their frames from China and then paint/sticker them up.

To use your watch analogy: A badge-less submariner for seiko money - hell yes!!

[Rolls]

If its not badged up as a Sworks / pinarello / etc, then surely you can liken it more to the Tao hommage wantches rather than something thats actually badged up as something its not?

[itsnotarace]

The OEMs who manufacture for the bigger companies are all listed here and none of them sell on ebay or are named Dengfu

http://cyclingiq.com/2012/02/14/shadow-optic-the-m...

[anonymous-user]

Personally I'm still not sure that the physical build process (the carbon, the weave, the lay up etc) is the same in a Chenge as it is in a Venge... yes they look the same but as far as I am concerned, Deng Fu just use an identical mould and the similarities stop there. Does any one really think they are getting a genuine debadged Venge for Chenge money?

[mudshark]

The Venge/Chenge don't look identical IMO - hump is more pronounced on the Chenge.

I'd get one of these Chinese copies happily enough - they're capable builders, struggling to justify the premiums the mainstream brands charge.

[Simond S]

mudshark said:

The Venge/Chenge don't look identical IMO - hump is more pronounced on the Chenge.

I'd get one of these Chinese copies happily enough - they're capable builders, struggling to justify the premiums the mainstream brands charge.

Seriously?

How can you be sure that the frame is structurally sound? The stress placed on a drive chain must be quite high, and any flexing will surely weaken the structure.

When you can buy a genuine Boardman 9.8 air frame for £1350 why bother with a cheap chinese frame, copy or not!

[mudshark]

Why do you assume they're poorly made? These are capable manufacturers not some dodgy guy in a shed you know?!

BTW, this is worth a flick through:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40...

Edited by mudshark on Monday 26th November 16:27

[Rolls]

Simond S said:

Seriously?

How can you be sure that the frame is structurally sound? The stress placed on a drive chain must be quite high, and any flexing will surely weaken the structure.

When you can buy a genuine Boardman 9.8 air frame for £1350 why bother with a cheap chinese frame, copy or not!

But if you're spending 1300 quid on a frame you're not comparing like with like... - these frames are circa £300-350!

Same goes for the wheels from these manufactures.. £300 for 50mm carbon clichers...

[Simond S]

I am assuming that they are not made to the same standards as the genuine article based on the fact that they have not had the product tested to the same standards as the original and when they were tested did not complete EN14781 which is the industry standard safety test for frames.

[Rolls]

Simond S said:

I am assuming that they are not made to the same standards as the genuine article based on the fact that they have not had the product tested to the same standards as the original and when they were tested did not complete EN14781 which is the industry standard safety test for frames.

You'd be wrong - links to the tests are on their website, and their frames have (apparently) passed!

[DrMekon]

I admit, I've been looking at both a Dolan Tuono and a Trek Madone, to which it seems to bear at least a passing similarity.

Not sure I'd trust factory outlet carbon frame/forks - I'd want to know that someone's reputation was at stake, and that the QA was done accordingly. I'll leave the really cheap stuff to people who are braver than me.

[Simond S]

Rolls said:

Simond S said:

I am assuming that they are not made to the same standards as the genuine article based on the fact that they have not had the product tested to the same standards as the original and when they were tested did not complete EN14781 which is the industry standard safety test for frames.

You'd be wrong - links to the tests are on their website, and their frames have (apparently) passed!

Read the very last line of the test. Under the box 4.8.5 called Remarks.

http://dengfubikes.com/index.php?option=com_conten...

They only allowed a partial test. Not a full EN test!

[Rolls]

Have to admit, that i missed...
Wonder if thats the case for all such "copy" frames with different manufacturers though....

[Rouleur]

I wouldn't buy a replica fake on the principal that it's a rip off of a genuine product, same with watches or handbags or whatever. It's immoral.

There's also this kind of thing:



See the yellow stuff coming out of the steerer tube - that's newspaper... I'm sure the most Chinarellos or whatever are fine but you really don't know what you're getting, or how long it will last. Also if something goes wrong then what comeback do you have?

[Barbarossa]

I don't know if the design or materials or quality control on the unbranded frames are as good as they are on branded frames or not. But think on this, if your bike collapses under you and you end off work for a month, or 6 months or worse, who will you chase for compensation? Probably not so much of a problem with a fake Rolex

[Dr Imran T]

Rouleur said:

I wouldn't buy a replica fake on the principal that it's a rip off of a genuine product, same with watches or handbags or whatever. It's immoral.

There's also this kind of thing:



See the yellow stuff coming out of the steerer tube - that's newspaper... I'm sure the most Chinarellos or whatever are fine but you really don't know what you're getting, or how long it will last. Also if something goes wrong then what comeback do you have?

I would like to know how often these incidents happen. It may be a one off incident that. I have heard that those frames made in china are fine.

I am sure that there are some fellow PH's that run them with no problems.

With regards to the watch analogy, I like watches and have a pretty decent one and it had to be the real deal.

That's not to say that top quality replicas are no good. Top quality replica watches can be very expensive iro £1000 or something. They are made using good quality materials etc.

I was in Istanbul and compared a genuine Rolex with a 'high end' replica and it was hard to tell the difference.

It would be interesting to compare a Chinese frame with a genuine branded one.

[roadman]

on the watch analogy, Rolex or Fake, they both do the same job and tell the time, and if there is a difference with this its probably not going to do you any harm. Rolex/Molex but with a bike, you risk strength and safety.

at the end of the day you get what you pay for.

I brought a carbon saddle from ebay , super light, super strong, a bit like this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110g-MEGA-dcs-full-carbo...

now as I said if it breaks and decides to shaft me (literally) then ill decide in the future that paying more is probably worth it, but up until then I like it and its still attached to the seatpost

good luck with the project,