bassplyr

I have been thinking about trying my first build. However, I am finding it confusing to try and figure out who the most reliable frame suppliers are and what type geometry their model numbers represent. I have searched but did not find enough information to sort things out. Any help including discouraging words are welcome.

Thanks,
Roger

rpenmanparker 

Hong-Fu, Deng-Fu, Yoeleo Pedal Force...

rms13

Those are all reputable sources. There is a thread 90+ pages long on another forum about open mold chinese frames. Based on research there, I just ordered a Workswell frame to build up

Frame/ Frame set-workswellbikes

There seems to be a lot of satisfied people riding them and much cheaper than the other brands mentioned.

mawashi

I applaud your wish to get something as divisive as a Chinese carbon bike although imo most bikes are made anyway so I don't get the hate.

What I would recommend is your get your bike from someone reputable. There has been many posts and articles on the subject but according to many articles, you might not save a lot.

When calculating the costs for an aero bike n wheels from velobuild n components from chainreactioncycles.com it nearly came around 3000!

For that price I would be better off getting a transonic or canyon. Eventually I settled on a Merida cos it's way cheaper where I'm at.

Before you go the Chinese route, check the prices of some other bike brands.

MagicHour

The current model Nashbar carbon road frame is pretty nice, and is also backed by reputable customer service. Geometry is endurance oriented, stack runs somewhere in between traditional road and endurance models, though. Mine built up to a little over 17lbs with ultegra 6800 parts. Pretty happy with it and is way faster than I am. Wait for a 20 or 21% code and you can Pick Frameset up for around $480 shipped.

rms13

I'm currently building up this frame:

WCB-R-066-workswellbikes

With 11 speed Ultegra, chinese carbon wheels, Ritchey WCS bars and Michelin Pro4 tires. Everything is brand new except for the saddle which I already own. Total cost minus saddle = $1690 and should be right around 15 lbs by my calculations. Would probably cost me 3x that amount to buy a pre built, name brand bike that is 15 lbs stock

JerrySTL

Rumor has it that the recent explosion in China wasn't caused by chemicals. Rather it was a warehouse of carbon bike frames asploding all at once.

China explosion leaves dozens dead at busy port - CNN.com

indyfabz

Man! You beat me to it!

halfspeed

Pedal Force doesn't fit in that group. Their frames are made in Taiwan and sold through a US based company with a US warranty.

seymour1910

Correct, if I were to go this route I would go with Pedal Force. Their QS4 frameset is nice.

Pedal Force super-light carbon bicycle

rms13

...but ...so heavy. 990g for 50cm?

halfspeed

Sub kilogram for sub kilobuck is nothing to complain about.

seymour1910

There may be lighter frames from some of the Chinese makers. Rms13, what did they have the frame you bought marked for weight? I know a guy that bought a Chinese frame off eBay and they had it marked as 750g. When he got the frameset the frame did weigh 750 by itself, not the frameset though. The fork was an additional 345g.

I just like that Pedal Force is domestic in case something happens. I wouldn't argue that they are the best deal because I dont know that.

mawashi

That's great, I miss calculated the costs in my earlier post, the velobuild complete is around $1700-$2000 however, including shipping of parts from different countries and assembly costs at my lbs, it would be closer to $2500.

If I had seen this bike earlier I might have bought it as it is around $2000+

https://www.icanbikes.com/html/Highwa..._BIKE/263.html

Regardless, I had a great deal from my lbs for a 2016 model that's around $3200, lifetime warranty, 50% refund for a bike upgrade within 2 years! Imo that can't be beat as its and aero cf bike with Ultgra Di2 and fulcrum wheels from a reputable bike manufacturer.

Please posts the pics of your bike when it's done, I'm sure it'll be awesome

rms13

they claim 780 for size 51. People that have gotten the same size I ordered (54) have weighed it at 830-840 g. Yes that is frame only not fork and without headset, seaat clamp etc. I also accept the risks buying from China but for $450 I'll take a chance since I've done my research and heard from people that have put miledge on the same frame. I also know people with other open mold frames and wheels that race them and nothing has assploded

rms13

my cost includes shipping which was free on everything I bought. Free shipping on frame and wheels from china, free shipping on groupset and tires from UK, free shipping on bars from US, I do my own build I will post pics

rpenmanparker 

The number on that frames name, the picture, and especially the BBright bottom bracket peg that bike as the same one being sold for a similar price on ebay. Who knows for sure, but that's my guess. It is nice to have a non-ebay source for it. Let us know how it comes out.

rpenmanparker 

How are you dealing with the BBright bottom bracket? Are you going to use an actual BBright crank or adapt the BBright with a spacer to accommodate a symmetrical crank? Does the 1 3/8" bottom dimension on the head tube concern you at all. Are quality headsets available for that unusual diameter? What about in the future? Thanks for whatever you want to share.

rms13

They sell it with a bb adapter and install it for you if you want. From what I heard the one they provide is about 50 g heavier than expensive ceramic ones from Wheels Mnfg or similar. I really don't think there is much difference in cheap and expensive headsets/bb/bearings other than longevity so I'll just use the provided headset and bb adapter for now. As for parts availability, the frame is based on Cervelo R3 and uses the bb and headset/steerer standard that Cervelo uses. So I hope based on popularity of the Cervelo that will insure I can get headsets/bearings for as long as I have the frame. And at $450 for a super lightweight open mold carbon frame i am also realistic that I might not get more than two good years out of it at best case scenario anyways so I'm not too worried about those standards. This is mostly a fun project because I've been intrigued by these open mold parts for a while and I'm seeing more and more of them showing up in club rides and other big group rides locally being ridden by much stronger riders then me so I figured I would take a chance at building one up. I will be sure to report back on the build when everything arrives for any of the people that are genuinely interested

I <3 Robots

I picked up a 062 frame (29er) from Workswell. Been riding it for the past three months. So far its been pretty good. There is a thread on Weight Weenies with a few builds on the 066.

rpenmanparker 

I agree with your attitude about it for sure, but the peculiarities are a little offputting to me. The BB adapter they provide is for 24 mm spindles. I didn't know if you wanted to run oversize 30 mm diameter like real BB386. You can do that by installing a standard PF30 BB and then using a spacer on the narrow side.

As for the headset, I was thinking about these same/similar frames off ebay. I don't believe the headset is provided there. Glad you got one. I am going to search for some better ones just for grins and will let you know what I find.

rpenmanparker 

Okay, this is really interesting. The reason I couldn't find any Cane Creek IS headsets for the Chinese carbon frame with the Cervelo standard 1 3/8 lower steerer tube diameter is that the fork crown race is molded into the fork. There is no separate part. Good news there is you don't need another crown race setting tool for that diameter. So all that is needed for that special lower diameter is the bearing, and Cane Creek does offer that. So if you want, you can buy a top notch 1 1/8 inch headset from Cane Creek and just substitute the larger lower bearing. There isn't much risk of the headsets not being available in future for that reason. Cute, huh?

Here is a link to an article that discusses re: Cervelo: Pro Bike: Carlos Sastre's Cervélo TestTeam Cervélo R5 | Cyclingnews.com

seymour1910

So, I notice parts are starting to arrive. Will you do a build thread? I think it would be interesting watching you get things and and build the bike. C'mon, build thread with pics.

bt

good find

rms13

Yup. Groupset and wheels both arrived today. I'm going to expect another month before the fame arrives and will be pleasantly surprised if it shows up sooner.

For the record I weighed the wheels without skewers at 1405 g for 25mm wide 38mm deep clinchers. Right in line with the claimed 1390 +/- 20 g. Showed them to my friend who has a couple of sets of Zipp and he was impressed by the quality. Obviously I won't comment on quality until I put a few hundred miles on them at least. But I will do an official build thread with pics once the frame arrives