Custom Titanium Frame from China - Waltly Factory Tour
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- čas přidán 11. 07. 2020
- If you look online for a good, cheap, custom, titanium bike frame, you'll see one name popping up again and again. Waltly Titanium. Last year CZcams legend @cyclingmaven did a video on them, so I thought I'd build one up too. Imagine my suprise when I went on their website and found out their factory was only 3km from my studio. I grabbed my camera and headed on over and they kindly invited me in. This is what I saw...
If you're interested in an inexpensive titanium frame, get in touch with Waltly. www.waltlytitanium.com/ or drop them an email at sales@waltlyti.com - tell them Joe from China Cycling sent you and they'll take good care of you. ;)
As I mentioned in the video. Mark Ferguson AKA The Cycling Mavern also did a video, check that one out here: • I Built a Custom Titan...
Sound track for this video provided by Aries Beats - check them out here: free-songs.de/Home/
Disclaimer: This is not an ad. The views expressed in this video are mine and mine alone. I did not receive money to make this video, although my frame was sponsored. As always I am free to say what I want about my frame and the experience buying it. Many CZcamsrs are less-than-transparent about this, but I respect you guys. Any questions please ask below. Thanks. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Thanks to my Patreons for supporting me financially. They got to watch this video last week, head on over to www.patreon.com/chinacycling to find out more. Thanks!
Thank you for the video. There are still so many unanswered questions:
- Do Waltly do fillet brazing or weld smoothing?
- Flat top tubes?
- Split design like 22 Bicycles'?
…and more.
I'm also curious to see the video on our new Waltly bike.
I have one of their frames and I dealt with Amy. It was a solid experience through and through, and with over 7,000km on the frame, not even the tiniest of issues. Cheers
Did you pay using PayPal? Was their PayPal email address a “@hotmail.com” address? I am about to send a deposit and want to verify that the PayPal recipient is legitamate. I have also been emailing Amy Lv, but am located in the USA. I am trying to be sure I am dealing with the correct Amy. She has been very helpful.
@@1601mat I can't remember how I paid. probably with CC through the link that was sent to me. I'm sure you can confirm with Amy the correct paypal address.
My mate has one of these and it looks MEGA. Interesting to see behind the scenes as I was sceptical
thanks joe, always look forward to your videos-hope the foot is getting back to normal! be safe-
Looking forward to this series. Been thinking a lot about a gravel bike, and these look great.
2020/21 project, really looking forward to this.
Like someone else said, perfect timing! I was looking at carbon frames for a while now but only last week started looking into titanium. Waltly was my main candidate. I might just pull the trigger after watching your series. You have a new sub 😉
waiting for this vid.. you nailed it man. tnx 👍👌
Fantastic review! I like that you made observations on employee satisfaction and equal employment. I worry about those things, so thanks for talking about them!
This video is part 1 of a 3 part series. In parts 2 and 3 I'll be showing you my frame, building it up, riding it, and reviewing it. Subscribe so you don't miss them. Thank guys!
Well then... You had me at mid life crisis. Impressed with Waltly. Thank you china cycling for covering something I had no idea existed out of China. Much respect. I have ridden all types of bikes, but never a Ti.... I know we have similar experience and would like you to draw parallel in your Ti build and ride feel... That is, compare it to your allez first, and carbon steeds. Having watched this, I am considering a Ti build and will drop China cycling name when I contact Amy for that order.
Great footage along with valuable narrative as always. Many thanks and happy pedalling 🙏
Glad you enjoyed it!
Perfect timing! Have been looking at these frames and was going to ask if you could manage a factory visit! I do wonder who they manufacture for though.
Awesome to see them smiling. That shows the friendliness just bursting to come out. Ive been in China for a few years and been experimenting with the Alibaba suppliers and 99% of them are as welcoming and as helpful as those smiles in the vid. Walty - 加油!
Yes they are! Everyone was pretty nervous whenever my camera was on them, but very friendly.
Another great and honest video!
Glad you did this video on a company I would have never heard of. It looks like a professional operation with skilled tradesmen crafting frames from quality materials. I would definitely give one of these frames a shot. I like that they have a clean facility with name brand tools and equipment
Yeah, I mean - it is a factory, so it's gonna be noisy and 'industrial' - but my general impression was it was a well-run operation. I have experience in British engineering factories, and this was not a far cry from those.
I picked up a 2013 custom Waltly frame second hand, and it has become my favorite bike. Great construction, and geometry fits perfect. If I were to get another Ti bike (I've also got a Lynskey off the rack) I certainly would consider Waltly. Crashed mine yesterday - head on with another rider - and although the carbon forks were destroyed, the frame is untouched. Impressed, but don't ask me to do that again!
Right on! Sorry about the crash though, but you taught us all something.
I believe this is the same factory my Van Nicholas Skeiron frame was built in. It's definitely a quality piece of work and I saved a bunch of money over the two gold digging brands you mentioned in this video. I built the bike up myself with Shimano Dura-Ace 9170 and fitting everything just worked. The ride is absolutely better than any bike I've ever owned which is a lot of bikes including a Merlin titanium frame I had about 15 years ago and sold because it was a POS. I'm so happy with this Van Nicholas that I will not be buying any more bikes. It's modern with internal cable routing, disk brakes, and more. Love you videos and wish you could produce them more often but I understand how busy life can be. Enjoy the ride Bro.
I'm not 100% sure, but I'm 99% sure your frame was made in another Titanium factory in Beijing. But, yeah, I think mass production labour intensive production is very suitable for China with it's labour cost to skill ratio.
nicholas frame made in beijing bro~
@@senye2903 Yes, you are correct. I did some searching and found some video on a manufacturer that clearly showed lots of Van Nicholas frames spread all over the floor and not getting any love. Good news though, I found a custom frame builder here in the US to build me a new titanium frame. I felt it was time to get one made specifically for me. I sure hope they are right about that otherwise I just spent $4500 for nothing.
@@wasupwitdat1mofiki94 i watched a moots factory tour, it is full of overpaid young hipsters with regrettable tattoos, your money well spend
@@involuntarysoul3867 Moots and all the other brands making you pay $5k+ are basically con artists playing on the "artisan" card.
My experience with Chinese Ti frames, broke two in less than 3 years second one lasted 10 months. Don't know who built them they were made for a Canadian frame shop. Never got my second one warrantied because the shop shut down. Now I own a Lynskey (3+yrs) and am very happy.
Can't go wrong with a Lynskey
Love the retro intro!
Interesting video - your editing skills are certainly getting pretty good. I think I would have liked to see an actual interview with some of the staff, so we could have seen/heard then talk, and see what they say about the whole company etc.
Its certainly got me interested enough to check their website out, even if i'm not in the marked for a new bike yet - but if I like what I see, I will certainly keep the details for the future.
Can't wait to see your build videos now, and hear your opinion on the actual ride comfort on it.
Great video. Looking forward to the rest. I personally bought a Waltly Ti frame and I could not be happier with the final results. Solid bike at a fraction of the cost compared to some other well known brands.
how much You pay?
I got a frame made by these guys in 2020, but it got stolen last year. Can definitely vouch that Amy is very friendly and patient. I spent waaaay too long deciding on geometry and features.
Plus the frame was awesome!
When I can afford it, I will definitely get them to make another one.
Looks so great. Got my first chines bike this year. Carbonda 696 love it. Next bike will be a Titan one from china.
Nice vid ! anxiously waiting for the next one !
Thanks! I'll try get it out as soon as possible, I estimate about a month with other videos coming in between then and now.
Still waiting...
Nice! I have been trying to decide between Waltly and Titan Super Bond. SO much more info out about Waltly but the 3d printed frame TSB just dropped is SOO tempting.
I visited TSB booth yesterday...made a short, will upload later today
Boom can't wait.
Great video man!
Been researching them, and with this I'm convinced to go for it! Now to figure out what kind of geometry I want in a hardtail 😅
Man, you need to upload more videos more frequent pls
Time goes too fast these days! I blink and it's been a month since my last video. I have tonnes of content lined up, just need to find the time!
China Cycling If you need help I can edit some videos for you.
China Cycling man, its a week already, still waiting your video, 😅
@@ChinaCycling lies lies all lies
China Cycling you should have more
time on your hands during covid.
Found your channel & love your
content 👍👍
Top notch video. I bought a Waltly frame and I couldn't be happier. Great craftsmanship at a steal.
Did you pay by sending money to the "waltly-titanium@hotmail.com" PayPal account? I am trying to verify this PayPal account before sending money to it because the “@hotmail.com” is unexpected. Your confirmation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
@@1601mat contact the page email on their website. Or contact Sumi, the sales rep i dealt with, to confirm emails. its Sumi @ waltly DOT com
@@1601mat I just looked it up on my paypal statement and the email is waltly-titanium@hotmail.com so it is the one you have.
@@Martin-uj6zn Thank you for taking the time to help me. Enjoy.
I'd highly recommend Waltly. After being very disappointed with some other custom builders (no names mentioned, Enigma), I've had nothing but great frames and service (thanks Amy!) from Waltly. Currently waiting for my 3rd road frame to be finished. I've had quite a few custom frames over the years and the craftsmen at Waltly are second to none IMHO. They know their material and really bring the best out of it. Just make sure you have a clear idea of what you want and Waltly will make you a great bike.
Hii.. what is usually the frame cost ?
@@nishantmh25 around 800USD plus any import tax you need to pay.
Depending on spec of course. The above gets you a regular road frame, external cables, rim brakes. Fork not included.
Did you pay by sending money to the "waltly-titanium@hotmail.com" PayPal account? I am trying to verify this PayPal account before sending money to it because the “@hotmail.com” is unexpected. Your confirmation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
@@1601mat yes, that's how I paid
I am very interested in getting a road frame from waltyl after watching your video !
Hear only good things about them 👍
Nice simple video...
Subscribed 😊
Thanks for the sub!
In 2019 I also got a custom gravel frame from Waltly. They were very helpful, and the finished product was spot on - recommended. However, you really need to be able to read drawings, to check *all* the dimensions, and to be patient; it took several iterations to get to the final drawing(!). If you're not so fussy a stock frame would be much simpler.
Sweet bike brother !
the intro for this video is absolute fire, nice one Joe.
Thanks Andrew. I do love a bit of 80s
Thanks Andrew. I do love a bit of 80s
As I have gotten older, riding steel has been more comfortable for me but the prices for a custom steel or titanium bikes are pretty steep in the USA. I just ride a Motobecane made from Reynolds 520. I found a company in China that used to make custom steel frames but it looks like they no longer do that. The company is Factory Five. Would love to see you do a video about good steel frames made in China.
I love your vids man.
That looks cool
Currently having an all-road frame made by Waltly since June. Really looking forward to build this bike. Thanks for the video!!
Did you pay by sending money to the "waltly-titanium@hotmail.com" PayPal account? I am trying to verify this PayPal account before sending money to it because the “@hotmail.com” is unexpected. Your confirmation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Mat Hayashi yes, it’s the right email, I just double checked 👍🏻
@@TheAdfk Was your down payment 50% for “frame design + production,” instead of the 30% design as stated on their website? Waltly is adamant for 50% down from me, which I am OK with if this is their standard with prior customers. I just don’t want it to be an indicator that they are searching for cashflow---to stay afloat---during these times of COVID-19. (I really do appreciate your responses. They provide invaluable information---and peace of mind for me.)
@@1601mat I had to pay 50% before they build the frame as well. If I remember correctly she told me they changed their policy. Yeah they definitely have some errors or details that don't look professional in their communication, but they make great frames. It's better this way than the other! Glad I can help!
@@TheAdfk Thank you for informing me. I am very relieved to read this has happened to others and their experience has still been successful. Enjoy.
Awesome video.
Glad you enjoyed it I love some 80s synth.
Hi there! love the video and the factory tour! Dunno if you’ll ever see this but...I’m currently in Xiamen for university and I wonder if I could just drop off to the address on their website and maybe take the order and finish the customisation in person(cuz I haven’t found any Chinese website or online store of Waltly yet... appreciate your work!
I've had one of their frames for 4 years looks great and still going strong
Nice insight in the factory where right now one of my frames is being custom made :-D .
Did you pay by sending money to the "waltly-titanium@hotmail.com" PayPal account? I am trying to verify this PayPal account before sending money to it because the “@hotmail.com” is unexpected. Your confirmation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
@@1601mat exactly. I found it a bit strange at the time as well but all went very smoothly. I also emailed them a screenshot of the transaction.
@@jelleyoni Was your down payment 50% for “frame design + production,” instead of the 30% design as stated on their website? Waltly is adamant for 50% down from me, which I am OK with if this is their standard with prior customers. I just don’t want it to be an indicator that they are searching for cashflow---to stay afloat---during these times of COVID-19. (I really do appreciate your responses. They provide invaluable information---and peace of mind for me.)
@@1601mat yeah 50% down payment as well. I saw on internet fora that percentage as well. They build quite fast as well (considering the COVID misery). Mine took like 40 calendar days before they shipped the frame. If you’re interested in a longish read of my experience with them, I documented it on jelledebock.github.io/waltly/ . Lots of pictures and notes about every part of the process etc 😉
@@jelleyoni Thank you very much for your responses and your writeup at the link. Your words are relieving. (Plus, the pricing stated in your writeup is in line with my situation.) I intend to mimic your markup process with any revisions needed with the rounds of drawings. Thank you again and enjoy.
Hi great factory tour video. I'm actually getting one made now by XACD but Waltly was a close second
Very cool! Let us know how it works out!
''I almost dropped my chopsticks'' AHAHAHAHAHAH
Great job Joe! I've been debating on one of these for awhile and this sealed the deal. Also, what camera are you using for the factory shots? It looks great.
I am getting old and I am getting fat too. Thank you sir for this enlightening video that will surely question my existence and justify my need for a titanium Waltly 🚲
wish i saw your videos before i purchased the specialized hardtail.
Your video didn't mention whether there was a stress relieving step after welding. Can you confirm whether that was done?
Loving your videos, what soundtrack do you use? I'm loving the 80s vibes
Aries beats - Link in the description! :) Loving it.
You should do some ride videos. Show the lay of the land and the cycling scene.
any updates on details on your Ti frame? Im debating on getting a frame but deciding if this process would be too difficult compared to buying a stock one from other Ti bike brands.
A custom “Tiverge” 🤔.
Brb after i email them🤘🏼
I like this BGM, reminds me of 80s
Yeaaahhhh. 80s music was great.
Thanks for more of the inside dope, Joe! You highlight the often fine quality of Chinese manufacturing. Are there any aluminium frame manufacturers who do direct sales?
Interesting question! I think most of the aluminium factories in China are doing bulk orders for lower end stuff. Then I think the higher end stuff like the Allez Sprint is made by Merida in Taiwan. The cost price for these mid-level aluminium frames is SUPER cheap. I mean... shockingly. The cost price of an aluminium frame is usually less than the carbon fork that goes with it. Shipping price would probably be higher than production cost.
@@ChinaCycling Thanks, again.
Taiwanese and Chinese manufacturing are as good as the buyer specs the product to. Spec high end you get a high end product. Spec a low end cheap product like the Walmart’s of the world do, and you’ll get a low end cheap product. China and Taiwan have invested hundreds of billions of dollars into upgrading and maintaining their factories over the past 4 decades. US has spent their $ on their military industrial complex and crony capitalism bloated contracts during that same period.
Most US factories, not all but most are aged and substantially outdated compared to the typical Taiwanese factory.
Such a great video! Would have enjoyed if you carried on with the ultrawide aspect ratio from your Winspace vid tho!
Out of interest, how much did the frame cost?
I also like ultrawide angle, etc. I'll keep experimenting.
Subscribed!
Nice information but I looking forward to visit China specifically Waltly factory to further discuss my geometry and sizing about the frame. I hope they don't have fake Ti.
carbon is really the future of the bike masses... metal work like this is an art
LOL @1:17. Grinding welds right next to an open electrical panel.
They both spark, so what's the issue ? Sarcasm !! Safety first always.
im intimidated by a complete custom frame, but i might just have to copy my favorite endurance road bike and get it in Ti but add tons of braze ons for racks and have the same bike geometry for my commute/touring bike, and my weekend bike!!!
from the 00:30, 1:39, 07:59 the color on the frame, we can see material protection needs to be better, of course, compare this price range is already qualified enough
I wonder if the planet x titanium frames come from here. They look beautiful
That was my first thought as well
Apparently there made by van Nicholas that’s what I’ve been told but can’t confirm this. I’ve got one love it the finishing and welds are very good
My Planet X Spitfire frameset came in a box with a Waltley sticker.... So it's a pretty fair assumption that all of Planet X titanium frames are manufactured be Waltely....
So, the Van Nicholas frames come from this factory to?
@@mdegeus No, Van comes from 北京航轮， hi-lightydhw.tmall.com
nice!
N plus one....
Ben benieuwd of je daar in China durft te bestellen?
Zie commentaar hieronder svp
charlescbe waarom niet? Ziet er goed uit denk ik.
Welk commentaar?
Already sorted my geo. Its pretty extreme... I've run out of space for more bikes tho!
Hong Kong apartment life. Get creative with your storage, or just keep some at a local bike shop. I'm sure your local GIANT store wouldn't mind having your internet celebrity bikes on the wall. Haha.
Titanium gravel frameset.. Planning to have one.. I'm looking at aliexpress 🤔
Are the tubes that they use double butted?
Any experience with Dengfu frames?
any opinions on the Gogoro Eeyo 1?
You know when you've been tango'd !!!
国内有好多钢架小作坊，我都挺喜欢的
Is filling the frame with Argon gas enough to prevent contamination? What about the surrounding air in the room. I don't know but this doesn't seem right. I've seen an Italian titanium frame builder (Nevi) weld their frames in an Argon filled chamber to prevent contamination.
Do they do rim brake road bike frame?
I dealt with Amy, nice to put a face to the friendly emails.
Great video! I live in China and was planning to go for a Decathlon Triban 500C with Shimano 105, it costs around 3800 yuan. But after finding your channel whilst researching for Sensah, I've been thinking about maybe building a bike. Looking forward for your next video to know more about the design process of the frame and most importantly, the price.
Cheers and thanks for the content.
Have fun! Building your own bike is a cool experience. It can be a headache, but at the end you're left with a bike that you know how everything works and that makes fixing it much easier in the future.
Hi friend. I am interested in building a frame and I do not doubt the quality of waltly but I have a question ... how am I going to mount the brakes and have them match in the exact place? I never did an assembly and I believe that the CAD drawing of the frame is provided by Waltly before its manufacture, I only think of buying wheels, hubs, brakes and passing the measurements ......
There is some "play" in the position of the brakes, so you get them in the right position before you tighten the bolts.
Hi China Cycling, how do I get a discount you mentioned. Your videos made me decide to get Waltly Ti frame. Already ordered mine with a 50% deposit. Just waiting on it. Is it possible to get a discount?
Hi, nice video and always pleasure to see the background of making bikes. I have heard that you do also recommendation s about carbon frames from China. Would you be possibly so kind and recommend some on them? Looking for both road and mountain bicycles
Thanks a lot for any help
You can go through my back catalogue of videos. I'm currently riding a Winspace T1500 and loving it. Will put up more reviews as I ride more bikes.
@@ChinaCycling I know, I have seen quite a few videos from you. But the winspace stuf is out of my budget. Still studying. So possibly some other brands with cheaper and probably bit worser products? Thanks for answer
@@Simon_is_not_sure Get a Trifox, I got a X16 Quick Release version and it's being ridden +3,000km without issues.
@@MegaXtc11 Th for the answer, gonna have a look on it
send the free frame to hambini see if its up to scratch
He is goint to pull out his electron microscope etc .
Then what will I ride? :D
Don't ride yet......
an excellent suggestion!
Iirc he rates Hongfu pretty well.
good to see.. I did contact them.. Sumi.. replied.. do you know her/him? can you tell me more about your experience and the quality of the welds? can it be fully customized to accomdate Campy EKAR// bb et drops.. nice job on the Video content.
Sumi has been working there even longer than Amy. :) I didn't talk to her much, but I'm sure she's very nice. Haha. Campy EKAR is very new, but everything should be fine.
I wanted to purchase a frameset, but i could not register in alibaba website. How to placed an order pls.?
Hello sir how much frame set titanium watching frm damam KSA always takecare god bless
hello, can you still have discounts for walty? thank you!
Big UK bike brands get their frames made in this factory, but keep it a secret. If they were using a UK factory they would be raving about it and filling their websites with photos of the builders at work. Why not celebrate the craft and skill of builders like Waltly (in the way this video does), and make their expertise a selling point?
Been trying To cet one made, but they dont répond.
Titqn did, but no répond on quote
great video. i thinking to order 1 too. i have abit concern because @mark said that the minor issue on the rear brake flat mount. let me know if they can solve it before delivery
Mine was fine. I guess you can ask them to double-check it
@@ChinaCycling what fork you are using? do they supply too?
What is the name of the song at beginning?
@ChinaCycling can you give me link buy frame?
Surprised you haven't opted for a pink version
Is there any reputed custom steel frame builder in China? Reply please.
Kudos, love how you do everything a la one man army, keep bringing good content as always, big brands are cool but as I always said, do not blame china for bad quality products cuz there is a 99% chance of what you are using to watch this video comes from china....there is bad and good products everywhere, china, america, europe...
Are there any Stainless Steel frame builders in China? Also, which Ti alloy is your frame made of? I understand the difference is how springy or rigid they are.
If its a Chinese stainless steel frameset you are looking for, then have a look at ORA Engineering LTD. They do Reynolds 953 and 931 tubesets, as well their own blend of stainless steel.... I've no idea if their frames are of good quality or not.....Would love a Reynolds 953 frameset, so am considering it seriously at the moment...
I am betting the house they make frames for Litespeed!
So where do I get the design of a best roadbike frame to send them?
Test ride as many bikes & brands as possible. Take fresh notes. Likes & dislikes. Pros & cons. Go online to
manufacturers website, there you can look up frame - bike geometry
specifications. Copy & paste & Email
to Amy @ Walty & pay 1/2 deposit.
i thought Ti has to be welded in the inert environment
how to buy the frame?
Hey joe
What's they're run of the mill bike like?
I don't think I could afford a custom build...
I think they're off the shelf designs are good... they have lots of experience working with big brands, so I'm sure they 'borrow' lots of the design elements, etc.
@@ChinaCycling cheers Joe I'll look into them.
I'd like to get electric scooter fiido q1 frame with the Ti 6Al-4V (Grade 5) titanium material being used. Thanks