Chinese Carbon Frames… What No One Is Telling You!
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- čas přidán 5. 11. 2022
- How good are Chinese carbon frames and is it worth buying one? Are they good quality? Are they safe?
With the frames being around 1/rd of the cost of Western frames, there must be something wrong with them, right? Maybe!
Anyway, here is my take on Chinese carbon frames and if they are worth purchasing.
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I have an Elves Avari and it's really comfortable to ride and feels premium compared to expensive brands almost twice its price. I also think they named it Elves as a counterpart to the Giant brand 🤣
Aren't just about ALL Bike frame built in China or Taiwan?
True that!
And china and taiwan are just a stones throw away. I couldnt imagine there would be a difference in engineering between the two countries
@@escamunicha4276 To be honest, in terms of bike frame engineering, taiwan did it way long before china. There's was even times when "Taiwanese frames" is so highly regarded. And by the way, Giant is originally a taiwan brand. So yeah, i gues its self explanatory 😄
@@pepessz32 yeah but taiwan and china used to be one country (even now if you ask mainlanders)
99.9% of such frames are physically made in mainland China then sent through Taiwan for 'finishing' which is enough to earn the more favorable 'Made in Taiwan' badge - bit of a smoke and mirrors thing going on.
Thank you Jourdain for another very informative video, and it was nice to meet Gordon. Can’t wait for the bike build video.
You and me both! It should hopefully be in a few weeks 👍🏽 Gordon is all good 😂
I hope you are keeping well, friend!
My frame is from ICAN (A10, this frame is an aero rim brake frame). I am very happy with it after thousands of miles. Hambini has done a video on their frames and was very effusive in his praise of their build quality and attention to little details. The LBS who helped me buld it up was also impressed with it. It is not as cool looking as Elves or Winspace. Mine was built with Ultegra Di2. ICAN makes excellent wheels too.
only $ 630.00 USD as well. That's a great deal!
OMG that’s the same frame I have! It was the only frame that would fit my short reach - the only western brand that makes 355mm reach is Pinarello (£6k+, and out of stock). Got the A10 rim custom painted - IT’S AMAZING! I’m so, so happy with it
@@JourdainColeman Plus about $200 for shipping from China. I should mention something else. My other bike is a Specialized Tarmac, from 2018, built with their Factor 10 carbon. Both bikes have ICAN Aero wheels, Ultegra Di2, the Tarmac is a disk brake bike. I actually think looking closely that the ICAN has a slightly higher build quality which you can see when you look at the dropouts, where the deraillieur hanger fits, around the bottom bracket area, and looking down into where the seat post goes just to look at the quality of the carbon layout. The ICAN is a bit more aerodynamic, definitely lighter, and over a period of 2 or 3 years I have convinced myself I'm at least a little bit faster on it. I like both bikes equally but per $ the ICAN is way better.
@@soff5964Your height ?
I rode and raced on Chinese Carbon frames and wheels for years without any issues. Even got me into the National TT champs.
Amazing! 👍🏽
Great advice, love the comedy touches and look forward to seeing "Gordon's" compete bike, price and your honest review
Glad you enjoyed it, Scott! Hopefully the build video should be in a few weeks form now I'm just waiting for a few more parts (and some time to record)
Elves is a reputable brand here in Southeast Asia, especially Philippines even pros use elves frame and orome wheelset of elves. Pros use it in their trainings and races as far as I know I haven't heard anything yet break their frames. Aside from elves, winspace is also a popular Chinese brand frame here in Philippines I've also seen pros use it. Personally, I'm also interested in buying elves vanyar in the future.
Very good frame. The Vanyar has a small head tube
@@arnaudseynaeve9266 yup i prefer vanyar since I prefer climbs than flats
@@johnroyldbanez2231 I ride in hilly areas and the Vanyar is perfect
What you can say about XDS brand ?
I have an Elves Falath rim brake option it has been extensively tested by various carbon specialists and been found to be of the highest qualitypound for pound with my sram-e tap winspace 65mm hypers and 38mm bontrager shallow drop handlebars i would put it up against ANY big brand frame.....The whole bike owes me approx £3.5k so i am well pleased!
Good to hear! 👌🏼
Thanks for the advice
Great vid👍🏼😊
How about doing a similar one on Chinese carbon wheels??
Great suggestion! I'm trying to get my hands on some as we speak so hopefully in the near future.
First time watching your videos and you got a new sub. Seen similar content but you did this very well and better than many other similar videos
I appreciate that! Thanks for commenting 😁 - I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
I built my first Chinese carbon bike back in 2013 (road bike), second build in 2015 (XC MTB race bike), and 2019 (single speed for city riding). There were no big name Chinese brands advertising on their frames/parts on my first two builds. To date, I've only broken a seat post. It's great that Chinese brands are stepping up into the big brand/support league. I like to buy local but bike parts are priced out of this universe. Hopefully these Chinese brands will eventually force big name brands to bring their pricing somewhat down to realistic price levels. Thanks to channels like this one, this process is being greatly accelerated.
Thought I was watching the hot crazy matrix for a minute😄 great video 👍
😂 😂 😂
👍 Subbed you for your real authentic style videos, but I must admit this is great too 😀👍 It must be more work though. I am new to all this road bike stuff, I don't think I'll be getting into carbon the first couple of years though, but you'll never know.... wonder if I could just replace the frame on that old defy 4... 🤔🤔🤔 LOL 🤣 🤣
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I thought I'd mix in some banter and keep the videos light hearted. That way we can have a laugh as well as learn! w 👍🏽
I could certainly replace the Giant frame... I've become quite attached to it hough 😂 - Maybe in the future.
I’m going to land on either an Elves or Windspace, thinking of a Lightbicycle wheelset. One thing that’s keeping me from pulling the trigger though is that I’d rather have a threaded rather than a press-fit BB, seems like all the frames I want are press fit. I understand why regarding performance engineering, but for me threaded is just so much easier to service in my garage.
I know what you mean about the bottom brackets. I like threaded as well but like you said not many of the frames come with threaded. I've not ad an issue with press fit this far though so I can't complain.
Get a Trifox X16, threaded BSA, mine is solid after 4000km
elves vanyar 700 gram frame
Get a Winspace. This is (very genuinely) the best bike available to purchase today.
I totally agree with you on not wanting press fit, BUT a few months ago I purchased a Wheels Manufacturing bottom bracket, the kind that screws together in the middle, and I absolutely love it. I am no longer scared to get a PF frame!!!!
One thing I considered when buying a carbon frame, is how easy is it for the builder to lay up the carbon in the mold. The easier it is, the better chance the frame will be very good. I would not consider Pinarello copy. It looks like it would be a challenge to get it right.
I bought a XC full suspension Chinese carbon mtb frame from Ican about 6yrs ago & I road the piss out of it & I still have it. I don't ride it anymore because I moved on but I still have it👍🏿
Just out of interest, are the graphics on yours clear coated over or just stuck on like mine?
All of those have anemic-looking head tubes which is why I imported a Ciöcc Blade whose head tube is as wide looking from the side as a Trek as a reference.
Spot on video Jourdain.
Cheers
i put together a full sus MTB using a chinese carbon frame from lightcarbon during the pandemic simply because of non availability of name brand bikes. i also equipped it with their carbon wheels (with dt swiss hubs). i have since beat the tar out of that bike in the north georgia and western north carolina mountains and it has performed wonderfully. my road bike is a trek madone SLR so definitely at opposite ends of the spectrum. as Jourdain said, do your homework, be patient because the shipping is not fast, buy extra derailleur hangers!!!!
Good tip to buy extra derailleur hangers! 👍🏽 - Good to hear you bike is holding up well
Is bike build full video out yet mate ? Stunning colour 🔥🔥
The full build video should be out next weekend! Tomorrow's video is the full parts rundown and cost 👍🏽
Glad you like the colour... it really does pop!
I've just built an Ican A9 TriAero Frame...(a Chinese brand shipped from Hong Kong over to Ireland) built on a Dura Ace platform hydraulic Brakes/Mechanical shifters... FarSporrs Feder Series Wheels. 45mm depth which is also a chinese brand... Weighs in at 6.9 kgs including bottle cages;. Pedals;. Computer mounts... 49 cm frames... Very nice looking bike... Yet still have to have a long time review on it as it was just built up...
It's looks good on the website... and good value as well considering the components. I've never thought about buying a complete bike direct from China. hopefully it all works out well for you
Winspace is still the best company around and thats after testing almost all the big brands ,and before buying I was very doubtful.
I now have 2 Winspace frames and 2 sets of carbon hyper wheels,and Ive put both through hell and back riding 50 to 60 ks a day,mainly climbing...and im blown away at the weight (6.9 to 7.2 kgs) and the ride quality. They are good.👏👍🙏
I have 3 Yoeleo frames (Aero, climber, and gravel) and all great build quality and fantastic handling bikes. It's true, do your research and it will pay off. Yoeleo was also around 5 yrs before 2011 as purely an OEM manufacturer before going solely under the Yoeleo name. Like I said research the brands that interest you.
You can never have enough bikes! And good to hear that all the Yoeleo frames you you purchased are going strong!
Great video !
Glad you enjoyed it
I think the biggest issue and the one nobody has really tested, to be fair do to the cost to do so is QC and consistency, you would need to buy many of the same frame to test the consistency of the build. Also, good luck having any recourse should you be injured due to a QC failure.
Agreed! I'd love to buy 10 of these frames, have them all inspected professionally, and then see the outcome. It's even harder to do with big-name brands because they are 3x the cost and people are more fearful of the repercussions.
I own a Chinese carbon 88 wheels. Yes they used to be really bad a years ago but they are well built. I used them year round, it had surface scratches, no cracks but I did fell hard and the rim hit the floor at an angle and a rock was there cracked it but overall very strong. I even taken it on potholes And jumped curve sides. The problem Chinese carbon used to have was they would use cheap epoxy or the formula wasn’t well portioned.
Glad the wheels are working well for you! 👍🏽
I'd buy a Chinese made frame. My Scott Foil was made in Taiwan 12 years ago, no flaws so far. It rolls @17.25 pounds. China has been manufacturing bicycles for almost 100 years. What we are seeing is higher quality products made in China and Taiwan. I was in a Specialized shop last week and for $15,500 you could own an S-Works, and Trek ProjectOne Speed Concept SLR 9 @$15000. Good to see prices coming down at last. I would be curious to see some drag coefficients on these frames.
All very good points!!! Crazy that the bikes are $15,500. There is something special about owning a bike for 12 years , it sounds like you have had some good use out of it as well. (I've had my giant deft for 4 years and I'm attached). I hope you are all good!!
@@JourdainColeman The Scott was bought used in August 2021 after smashing into a car destroying my Trek 2300 I bought in 1989. My 70th trip around the sun will be here sooner than I'd like. Almost certain the Scott will be the last bike I own as long as I can ride. If I'm paying $15k it better have a motor!
Proud elves user here and were a racing team using elves frame here in doha qatar. Aside from being affordable this brand are really competitive.frames are light and stiff.
I'm glad the bike is working well for you! 😁
@Jourdain Coleman, did you ever heard a brand Yoeleo for Carbon bike? How do you like it
I have heard of them and many people in the comments have also said they are good. You can only give it a try and see how it goes 👍🏽 - Maybe I'll get my hands on one in the future and do another build!
Im just waiting for my elves eglath pro disc frame cause here where i live my friends like to alternate our route with flats and climbs
The new Elves Falath and new WinSpace are the TOP 2 frames in quality.
I have a JAVA VESUVIO Disc Carbon T700 frame made in china and it performs really well, just need to upgrade brakes. 8.5/10 bike
I have a elves nandor frame on my mountain bike and it's perfectly fine.
I have the same IKEA shelf unit in the cellar with bike components and products on it.
Good choice 👌🏼
Hi there. Question. What's your height and what size frame you ordered? Cuz I think these frame sizes are different comparing with other brands.
Hey! I'm just over 5ft 9 inches (176cm) and the frame is a size large (52). The frames from Asia are smaller compared to western brands.
@@JourdainColeman Thanks for replying. So I'm 173cm, that means I need a 49?
🤔
I bought an un-branded frame from Tantan cycling. I've put 1000s of kilometres on it; I ride it almost all year round in Denmark. I really can't say anything negative; I got my dream bike for a third of the price I would've payed for it here in Denmark.
I've not heard of that brand before. I'll check them out. Great to hear that bike has worked well for you 👌🏼
Got their Seraph TT-X34 for $1800 USD....Shimano R8000 Groupset, not a bad build fora a 60CM bike
How can I tell if the company is reputable, since I don't really know people who deal with these companies, and whenever I google for carbon frame I get tonnes of options.
I use a Chinese frame for $ 450. Mileage is about 27000 km..there are some minor complaints about the painting eliminated a small backlash in the fit of the steering bearings .I also use an integrated steering wheel + stem for $ 50 - 40,000 + km nothing has broken.temperature + 40-35. reagents on the road
That's a lot of miles! Good going 👌🏼
Which bike frame is the lightest though?
Main drawback of Elves is that that their size 58/59 is really at best a 55/56. They don't really do anything for even moderately large riders, let alone big bois.
Does anyone know what the real tire clearance is on the Falath Pro Disc? Most of the Chinese brands say 28, but in some cases that means 34 and in others 27 ...
I'm not 100% sure on the tyre clearance. I'll have to have a look at some point I've got 25 m tyres for this build because they fit the wheels but I'm hoping to get a wider carbon set and use 28mm. I see what you mean about sizing, hopefully that changes in the future as the western world keeps purchasing the bikes.
Check my full frame review next - czcams.com/video/DfJD7wKGwEQ/video.html
Yes but is the frame straight and ture when put together with the wheels on ?
it seems good from the initial inspection. Once it's all built I'll do a ride / review video
Really good video! I bought a T1000 (model JH33) carbon frame from TFSA unpainted (raw carbon from the mould). Few brands offers raw carbon but they did! I paid like 600 pounds or so, then spent another 500 pounds on a carbon workshop to cover up the mechanical wire holes and such and then another 150 pounds to have a custom designed and made headset. Because the headset for these frames are the worst piece of shit ever... The tolerances are through the roof! But a custom made one is like 5 times lighter and way more safe. Then spending another 400-500 pounds on custom painting (one painter wanted 800 pounds and that felt a bit steep). So all in all, I spent 1700-1800 pounds on a chinese frame alone BUT! This model that I bought is a geometry copy of the Tarmac SL7. My frame after all the carbon work and without hardware 833 grams. Which I feel is amazing! Because most chinese frames are much heavier than the top tier frames. A normal Tarmac SL7 Fact 10r carbon is about the same weight as mine or a few grams heavier. And the S-works SL7 raw is like low low 700 grams. But then, the S-works cost 5000 pounds and my custom painted one is around 1700-1800 pounds and slightly heavier. Even the normal Fact 10R SL7 costs like 3500 pounds, twice the price!
I bought a Lightcarbon gravel frame and it's holding up well. I'm about 220lbs and I've had no issues with anything cracking or creaking. Frame cost was in the $600 range and it came with a two-year warranty. I'm also using their seatpost, wheels, and integrated stem/handlebar. No issues and great pre-sales support.
Good to hear it's worked out well for you! A few people have mentioned light carbon in the comments 👍🏽
I had my java vesuvio for 18 months now, one hell of a frame, 4k miles and counting ...
Did you buy directly from Elves website?
I’ve had contact with customer service and they note that the price is all-in (Incl. VAT, Duties and delivery) but I highly doubt that?
Or anyone else with experience buying from them?
Price to usa with handlebar was $1100 and I didn’t pay anything else for elves Falath frame set.
Same experience as Kyle. I'm from Germany. Price was all-in (Incl. VAT, Duties and delivery)
Yeah the price was all in! Nothing extra to pay after the frame purchase
I've got the Elves vanya which I'm really happy about and I think I really want to get the falath. But I heard they were working on a UCI certified version of that bike yet to be released.
I should wait for that one
I believe that they have new frames coming for 2023! Hopefully I can get my hands on one as well!
@@JourdainColeman Rim brake forever!
Motobecane Le Champion CF…..can’t go wrong with this frame set. Good foundation to build a quality road bike with
I just had a Google! Lovely looking bike 👌🏼
Elves frames are good Its popular here in the Philippines its also quite durable
Hi how much is the Vanyar rim frame in the Philippines 🇵🇭
Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it
I haven't had any issues with my 2 Chinese carbon frames, and just brought a 3rd to build up.
Good to hear! What is the 3rd frame that you have bought?
@@JourdainColeman It’s a BXT carbon frame, it’s the gravel version. I do have a BXT aero frame which isn’t too bad. At some point I’m hoping to get an elves aero disc frame
Brilliant video
Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed 👌🏼
Specialized = Merida = Carbon Frames in China
Anyone that tells me that a carbon fiber bike is more aero than the 1" tubes on my steel bike with deep carbon wheels better have wind tunnel data to back it up.
Been doing this with 90's steel then Aluminium frames, a classic race bike with modern campy groupsets and mavic wheels for years. I only buy a few things new. The rest second hand.
I've bought loads of things second hand over the years. Including my main bike (Giant defy). So many good bikes/components out there with plenty of life left in them
Do you know the max tire size for the Falath?
Yes, it can take a 38mm tire 👍🏽 ( I asked them before I bought the frame)
My EC90 carbon areo bar just snap into two from light hit
For me i am gonna get a SEKA RDC "relaxed aero" frame. The low stack height doesnt suit me from the other brands.
That's €2k
If you're in china you can basically buy these frames at half the price you saw online, for example the 1000-pound winspace frame can only costs a little over 2000 CNY
That's interesting...if only that was the same for the UK. To be honest the shipping is normally free and the custom paint so I understand where some of the extra costs comes from. I guess people are happy to pay a 3rd of the price of mainstream frames so don't think it should be even cheaper.
Somewhere between bargain basement and top quality is best value……But even a T700 carbon fiber frame is a big leap ahead of most aluminum frame bicycles IMHO if it is built correctly. TANTAN cycles mass produces T700 through to T1000 CF frames for many bike frame sellers within China.
But also a smaller frame, e.g., 52cm gravel bike frame does not get twisted under stress relative to the larger frame sizes. I built my wife’s 52cm gravel bike using TanTan’s Seraph T700 bike frame and it is an excellent “Fit-for-Purpose” bike from our perspective.
I have a twitter r10 frame made in china. So far it has been excellent and no issues.
I've not seen them before. I'll have a look. How much did you pay for it?
@@JourdainColeman bought it as built bike with 105 r700 gs but for the frame itself I usually see it being sold around $150-$250 usd.
Same for me. I chose Winspace T1500 aero frame, Ultegra Di2 12v groupset and Novatec 50 mm carbon wheels. Assembled by me. Cost : 4500 euro. Bike: Perfect.
Awesome build! Glad you are enjoying your bike 👌🏼
@Giuseppe De Paola what size and weight?
@@beatapindel3955 size M (top tube 530, seat tube 470, stack 517, reach 382, chainstay 403, wheelbase 974) - weight without pedals 7.60 kg
It's an open-mould frame. A generic frame used by multiple brands with different brandings.
Hello
Any news on the gravel frame from this company?
I can ask and see for you 👍🏽
@@JourdainColeman cool and thanks , I have been looking for elves again after I saw your video
Java is another Chinese bike that you can rely on. They offer full carbon bikes, but I got one with an alloy frame and carbon fork (cause that all I can afford)
So far, it's really strong and durable. I've crashed on it last year and it's still doing good now
Thanks for the comment. I'll check them out 👍🏽
is that java siluro or java vesuvio
@@prinzessinderverurteilung6755 mine is a Siluro. Alloy frame and a carbon fork
how about c++😂
@@GuoC-ze1hu Hahahahahahah.
Other trusted inexpensive brand such as
1. Pardus.
2. Winspace.
3. Polygon.
4. Elves.
The price equivalent or little expensive than Elves but still got cheap entry level bike with UCI.
Top brand's price should be around above brand's price.
Agreed! 👍🏽
If you are not professional cyclist I don't see the reason wasting over $10k for a bike.
Unfortunately, they don't make a size for me. The biggest they make is basically one size too small. 😞
yeah, that is a downside. What size are you normally?
I enjoyed this video. I'm more in the friction shifting, vintage suntour, steel, autistic mindset. So I consider most of this video irrational madness. But I still enjoy watching videos from the other side of reality.
At first I didn't trust China Carbon Frames from Aliexpress but I was riding my Cervélo Caledonia 5 one day and got overtaken by one of these Elves bikes.
They're insanely light and aero.
don't forget to add import tax; VAT and delivery to the cost of those frames. Its something I'll consider once I get bored of my Alu ribble frame.
Mine was £500 from China and it's a solid as a rock. How much does it cost for a Western brand to make a frame in the far East? They'll never tell you but there's a reason they don't make them in the UK.
Specialized is made in Xiamen China and not Taiwan, 300m from Winspace. Elves is made in Shenzen on the border of Hong Kong. It’s owned by Taiwanese people and sent to Taiwan for painting.
p.s I bought the sabe frame with the bars for 4500 Yuan /495 Pounds. I live in China and know the factory manager.
The best cadre aluminium lights or titanium carbone no for amateur biker bro
what many youtubers dont tell, they get the frame for free, to give a review, when you try order from factory on website, it dosnt work or they have very very limited frames, sizes and colors, so I very well understand why people avoid those companies
I ordered an Elves Falath about a month ago. Just got it in last week. Beautiful frame. Bike shop gave it compliments. They had every size you could want and any stock color as well as custom colors like his that you can request for an extra cost. These elves frames are usually build to order and take about 3 weeks to ship. I received mine from china in about 3 days to Georgia (USA) very fast shipping once shipped. I have a video short on my channel just going over some basic areas of it. Will be doing a full review of it once I put some miles on it
@@kylejette3751 Yoeleo and Elves seems better thanTrifox ( here I cant order ) and Ican, which have very limited choices , so I still think thats why many still buy elsewhere, my current bike is from Planet X and frame was 599 british pound, and its a great bike, so Im not affraid but cheap, but when a company dont answer and site is difficult to order, people goes elsewhere
when are you going to build the bike?
Hopefully this weekend! I've been saving to buy parts and now waiting for them this weekend 👍🏽
cost x quality is never linear tho.. But like the vid, although quite obvious statement
Try Pedal Force I built a bike from one of their frames and it was cool. But when I bought my Trek Domanme 6.9 Disc I felt the difference. Pedal Force is great, just stay away from bike demos...LOL!
Velobuild is also an option for direct to consumer
I'll check them out!
If I were to (not that I would because I already have a Tarmac) I'd get a Seka frameset.
I did see these but I've not heard too much! I'll do some more research 👍🏽
@@JourdainColeman Seka are apparently the OEM of the Factor Ostro. They look pretty much identical down to the typography of the decals.
Tbh, I think if I was in a market for a road bike, I'd definitely consider these bike frames from China/Taiwan, but... I'm more into mountain biking, and those frames take considerably more abuse, so I'd be much more doubtful about their strength. I've heard lots of horror stories when someone was flying downhill and the seat stay snapped after a drop
It would be interesting to see how a cheap mtb frame held up. I can imagine people would be skeptical of carbon in general doing backflips of a cliff!!
@@JourdainColeman There is a guy who did a video on youtube. Destroyed his leg on less than a two foot drop going downhill. "don’t buy China mtb frame" Put that into youtube and you will find it. Taiwan is the only bike frame I'll buy from the east and it has to be from a good company like Giant or Trek. I would never buy China when my health is on the line.
Im baffled how people want to buy these gravel bikes and put road tires on them and call them road bikes hehe. They ride like crapola compared to PROPER road bikes with rim brakes and less spokes.
I get offered free wheels and frames every 2 weeks on average but knock them back because they want to give me disc and I dont want to push junk on my audience when there is a better performance option ie rim for road.
But 4 years ago I bought a carbon pro frame and forks for 250pounds from Planet X. It was brilliant.
That's super cheap!!
@@JourdainColeman, Planet X are still very cheap, but during restrictions, stocks dropped and prices increased. However, still relatively good price and great quality. Just today, offering a full carbon bike for £999.99p. Obviously their frames are Chinese built, but the one I had (had to sell on, long story) was as good, or certainly rode like it, as my full carbon Cannondale synapse. The normal price of their frames was from 300 up to 600 before you know what, mine was on special, so got it for 250. Happy days.
It seems to me that a lot of assumptions are made on the, frankly unquestioned, belief that a name brand frame...almost certainly made in the same factories...is automatically more durable or of higher build quality and spec than the "unknown" brands.
Majority of bike frames are made in China, often painted in Taiwan, so brand can slap 'made in Taiwan' label. Let's be honest if you spending £200 on a frame posted to western country, don't expect miracles. If you spend circa 1k you are getting decent quality frameset. Warranty, well Specialized, Trek, etc had issues with bikes £10k bikes, it took them a while to recall or rectify bikes. I have number of bikes some mainstream, some "Designed in the UK" LOL :-) and last one was bought directly from China. The last one is the best.
All Chinese frames are of open mold designs even your frame is .The brand is just responsible for finish and warranty's. You can purchase frames of good equal qyalit direct from Deng fu or hong fu who have been making frames for over 10 years or buy direct sample from alibaba as Ali express is a 3rd party seller and save money
Yep got a Seraph TT-X34 for $1800USD
Fantastic video……….
Thank you! Cheers!
I'm chinese, I can tell you why is Chinese' carbon so cheap, because it's almost without technology, to ensure its strength, they use more carbon on it, it cause the weight of carbon exceeds that of aluminum alloy, so it's better to buy an aluminum alloy frame instead.
My rider weight is about 220 lbs and unfortunately most of these frames list that as their max limit. Otherwise I'd by Elves based on everything I know.
Im 228 and im riding the same elves, paired with sensah empire pro(11 speed works great) and honestly its been great very fast bike and come out to about 8kilos.
I own an Ibis Mojo Carbon fibre mtb which I bought in 2007 and it is still strong today.
I built the bike up and it cost me 3k then.
I researched the brand and the product I was going to invest in.
China is shrouded in mystery to certain degree and has a negative cloud hanging over it as there are plenty of conmen to there.
Not to say that it is not the same in Europe but branding counts for everything when it comes to bikes amongst other high end products.
Can we say there is one high end product which has a reputation of being up there with the main ones..?
I would like to say yes.
But I have not seen one yet Giant is one of the biggest bike brands in manufacturing yet they do not focus on making carbon fibre frames or bikes yet they are a reputable brand other areas.
That's a lot of use!! Glad it's still going strong
@@JourdainColeman I believe if the product is worthy of the price (!) from a reputable dealer, it should last a long time.
I enjoyed your video, that is why I took the time to share my thoughts and experience.
I ride as fast on my Double Happiness ultra Carbon V2 as a Colnago C68
seen you make 50 video son this frame and aint seen you ride it yet.
5:52 im sorry to say that the type of fibre used has absolutely no meaning. You did say that youre not an expert though.
So the conclusion is - more expensive should be better - thank you very much.
A problem with all this also is the quality isn’t always repeatable or consistent. Just because you had one or two or five stories of good frames isn’t a guarantee the very next one will be the same. China is known for building good when they’re being watched but when the boss or the QC guy isn’t there, every thing goes to crap, or then even build it shittier on purpose.
Did you notice that there are expensive frames with poor quality in the "high chance of success section"? But maybe you are lucky and get a high quality frame at the cost of zero which is also in the same section. 🙂
Yes, I think it's a balance and also luck comes into it as well. Hopefully in the future people can get guaranteed good quality for a good price.
The big brands are all made in china (except for a couple Italian brands), but 'assemble and painted' in Taiwan or other parts of the world. This way the brands can use this loop hole to avoid putting on their label the made in china which is frown upon in the Western world.
Can’t put a price a long hospital stay!
Give me warrantied frame with decent R&D and verification checks.
Try review java brand, java bike
I don't get concept of reputable company... Those companies sell 100s of frames, it's not even possible to gather any statistics.
i totally agree! 👍🏽