Carbon-fiber Road Bike question

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glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
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Sounds like most carbon-fiber road bikes are made in just a couple of Chinese factories.
It seems as if technology changes more by year than by brand.
It also seems like these factories offer "private label" frames, where someone can start a bike company by buying an unpainted frame and painting it with their own logo.
Couldn’t I save a LOT of money by buying the generic unpainted frame directly from China?
Am I thinking about this correctly? Has anyone else gone this route?
 

Blieb

Diamond Member
Apr 17, 2000
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Most of what you said is true ...

But how do you know you are getting the primo carbon and not some real crap?

That's what holds me back ...
 

Koing

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator<br> Health and F
Oct 11, 2000
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I did some research in to this and A LOT OF PEOPLE have had only good things to say about Chinese carbon fibre bikes.

Koing
 

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
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Ooooh, interesting thread...and thanks GasX for that link, I'm going to spend the next week sorting through it all. :p
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
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because most are made at Chinese Factories doesn't mean that they all come out the same.

GasX is right. Research whatever bike you want to buy.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
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A friend of mine bought a Chinese "carbon" bike off eBay. Granted it was only $1200 or so but its heavier than my aluminum Cannondale. I assume they come in different grades but if the price seems too good to be true there's got to be a catch.
 

Koing

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator<br> Health and F
Oct 11, 2000
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A friend of mine bought a Chinese "carbon" bike off eBay. Granted it was only $1200 or so but its heavier than my aluminum Cannondale. I assume they come in different grades but if the price seems too good to be true there's got to be a catch.

Saying that A LOT of people have liked them and have had only good things to say. A few others have had QA issues and sometimes they have been sorted out and others it's not ended up so right, or more hassle.

Let us know how you get on. I've been intrigued but I don't really ride a bike anymore but it's been an idea to have a carbon fibre bike :p

Koing
 

_Rick_

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2012
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Better to get a high-end aluminum frame, than a low end carbon frame.
The alu is probably going to be cheaper (so you can save weight on wheels, which are usually heavier than the frame), stiffer, more durable. And it's not going to be much heavier.

My 2000 dollar alu bike weighs in at 7.25 kilos. It makes no sense to go carbon below that kind of money.

For that money you can even get a Di2 on your alu bike. Carbon is somewhat overrated, unless you really ride competitively, or frequently do massive climbs. Paying less than 3k for it, is probably going to give you either a "cheap" frame, or an unbalanced bike with bad components and a decent frame.
Of course, Canyon claims to make their bikes in Germany, but who knows where the frames are moulded/woven/baked...
 

GasX

Lifer
Feb 8, 2001
29,033
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A friend of mine bought a Chinese "carbon" bike off eBay. Granted it was only $1200 or so but its heavier than my aluminum Cannondale. I assume they come in different grades but if the price seems too good to be true there's got to be a catch.
Probably the wheels on your bike vs his.

Right now competitivecycling.com has a Wiliers road bike on sale for $1999 that is a very good deal on a nice light beautiful bike.

People put too much emphasis on frame weight imho. Good strong light wheels make WAY more difference in real world speed.
 

MiniDoom

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2004
5,305
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yes, bought a cross frame from one china seller and love it. one set of carbon tubulars for cross which are good. two sets of carbon clinchers from two different sellers. one was fine the other was crap. one carbon seat that cracked.
the point is buy at your own risk. support can suck and shipping stuff back to china for repair/replacement can be a pain.
 
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