Chinese Carbon Thread

[Martin PJ]

Your point?... Take the time to read through the thread. No one here is buying a chinese frame and passing it off as a fake 'brand'. You've got the wrong thread.

 

Personally I think the picture in the article you posted is a load of k@k - if that frame had broken as pictured, that rider would NOT be standing there - he'd be on the floor in the foetal position, with lots of road rash...

 

I did not have a point, just posted the link since a lot of people where talking about it in the last couple of pages. Guys can draw their own conclusions, which you have done. I don't think I need to explain anything in the link, guys here are widely read.

[Paul Ruinaard]

very very nice post.!!!!

 

 

 

show us more of this porn you talk of

I have published it before but here it is.

 

Also tried some white tires on it but too big for the frame, but it looks the business.

 

[Paul Ruinaard]

My choice was made for me.

 

I couldn't bring myself to spend 30-40k on a bike, and then still be unhappy with the components and have to change them.

 

For those who think it's cheap carbon/resin, materials, etc, it actually comes down to the add ons.

 

Take a bike like Scott (I wanted a foil).

 

You pay for a frame, right? Since all the other components are made by someone else, and certainly sourced cheaply with bulk discounts, you're paying for:

 

Materials

Chinese/taiwanese labour

Paint

Shipping

Quality control (you hope)

Pro team bikes

Retailer signage

Importer/agent profit margin

Retailer profit margin

Cost of carrying stock

Marketing materials/people

Cost of warrantees.

 

Now, after paying for all this, sure, it's what it costs nowadays.

 

But what do you pay for in a Chinese unbranded frame?

 

Carbon and resin.

Chinese labour.

Online shop.

Shipping.

Done.

 

It's that simple for me. You, the consumer, is paying for that pro team. You, the consumer, are paying for all those pretty signs outside your lbs. And I'm sick of that. Cause I get nothing back.

 

I think we have to make the distinction between FAKE and UNBRANDED. Fakes, I do not in any way condone, or believe should be on the market. Unbranded? I believe is the perfect solution to making your dream bike a reality.

 

After building your Chinese frame with all the components you've dreamt of, it's still an expensive bike. But nowhere near the expense that a branded porno bike would have cost!

 

I love mine. I've had it for a week, and I'm completely infatuated. I will never buy anything else after this. It's just not worth it.

You and I both on the same train of thought wrt this, our posts are almost identical.

 

It would seem crazy for me to go back now that the Pandora's box of Chinese carbon is open.

[DieVlieg]

Que?

 

Sorry I looked up the frame in the original post "FM056" and since my last post also received a reply on the cost.

 

FM056 $400

FM057 $415

Shipping $85

 

With custom duties added I believe it will be close to R7500

 

Is there some sort of checklist of components with or without prices that you guys who built some of these frames can share. This will make it easier to understand the full scope and cost of such a project.

[Meezo]

 

Sorry I looked up the frame in the original post "FM056" and since my last post also received a reply on the cost.

 

FM056 $400

FM057 $415

Shipping $85

 

With custom duties added I believe it will be close to R7500

 

Is there some sort of checklist of components with or without prices that you guys who built some of these frames can share. This will make it easier to understand the full scope and cost of such a project.

 

I've got spreadsheets of the bikes built, with their specs. It's a spreadsheet I'll take images and post it soon

[rouxtjie]

Sorry I looked up the frame in the original post "FM056" and since my last post also received a reply on the cost.

 

FM056 $400

FM057 $415

Shipping $85

 

With custom duties added I believe it will be close to R7500

 

Is there some sort of checklist of components with or without prices that you guys who built some of these frames can share. This will make it easier to understand the full scope and cost of such a project.

Sounds about right....remember to order two dropouts extra....its a schlep to get hold of them again from frame manufacturers, nevermind the shipping.

 

Add wheels, group and finishing kit...of your choice. Boom you have yourself a bike

[Dubber]

I've got spreadsheets of the bikes built, with their specs. It's a spreadsheet I'll take images and post it soon

Awesome - much appreciated.

[DieVlieg]

I finally decided that this is the route I am going to take to build my next bike. Unfortunately I wont be able to do it all at once. Any order in which I can start buying components. I would like to start of by buying some of the smaller or less expensive components and then the frame. Otherwise I might just be tempted to eat the frame or slap some junk on in just to get it out the garage sooner.

[BogusOne]

I did not have a point, just posted the link since a lot of people where talking about it in the last couple of pages. Guys can draw their own conclusions, which you have done. I don't think I need to explain anything in the link, guys here are widely read. EDUCATED

 

 

Fixed

[shaper]

I finally decided that this is the route I am going to take to build my next bike. Unfortunately I wont be able to do it all at once. Any order in which I can start buying components. I would like to start of by buying some of the smaller or less expensive components and then the frame. Otherwise I might just be tempted to eat the frame or slap some junk on in just to get it out the garage sooner.

Just list all the parts you need

shifters

FD

RD

Crank & BB

brakes

handlebars

Stem

Seatpost

Saddle

Cables outer and inners

Wheels

bottle cages

 

Then just sit like a hawk and shop on the hub classified for good deals else buy new components if you prefer

 

Budget monthly and spend wisely

Edited May 20, 2014 by shaper

[rouxtjie]

I finally decided that this is the route I am going to take to build my next bike. Unfortunately I wont be able to do it all at once. Any order in which I can start buying components. I would like to start of by buying some of the smaller or less expensive components and then the frame. Otherwise I might just be tempted to eat the frame or slap some junk on in just to get it out the garage sooner.

You want to start with the frame since it will dictate seatposts...fork steerer...wheel axle standard. Also once you got the frame, there is no turning back.

[Meezo]

Like the OP's the FM056 is mine, still going strong. Done multiple events with multiple falls, same with @babse FR213.

 

I've done 3 other builds of the same frame namely the FR202. These bikes were not for so i don't have all the details of 'em.

 

But 2 of them are full XT, RS Reba Forks, Ritchey or equivalent extras, and they were built R15-18k

 

The other we did full SLX, My old Fox Fork, i upgraded , Fulcrum wheels and this was built sub R15.

 

Remember at the time the R-$ was better, and the frames landed cost about R3.5k.

 

These, were all for mates of mine, so their labour was R0. I did all the communications and dealings with the suppliers. I also had lots of spares which i use/used which was not paid for.

 

I have not yet did a breakdown for mine and @babse FM098's but they are both built with SRAM FORCE 22, mine has got zipp cockpit and fulcrum racing 5's, he's ritchey and fulcrum racing 3's. Both i think sub R25k. I'll scratch up the invoices and give you real numbers

[avatar]

You want to start with the frame since it will dictate seatposts...fork steerer...wheel axle standard. Also once you got the frame, there is no turning back.

I agree, get the frame first, but be on the lookout at all times for forks and groupset specials, in the meanwhile get the small things like seatpost clamp, skewers, stem handlebar etc

[YUMEYA]

All we need now is components comings out of china... or maybe there is a secret chinese component underworld that I do not know of. PM Me details if such a world exist.

[rouxtjie]

All we need now is components comings out of china... or maybe there is a secret chinese component underworld that I do not know of. PM Me details if such a world exist.

Read that campy story....they are wiley ol italians....old school.

[YUMEYA]

Read that campy story....they are wiley ol italians....old school.

 

Where?