Originally Posted by
genejockey
I've watched a number of videos about high-grade Chinese carbon frames on both Cam Nicholls' and Jourdain Coleman's YouTube channels, and I briefly flirted with the idea. The thing is, it's still too rich for my blood. Figure $1000 - 1500 for the frame and cockpit. Then another $1000 or so for wheels. Then another $1200-1500 for the kit, because it would have to be at least Di2 105 to make it different enough from what I've already got. Add a power meter, that's $800-1000 (dual sided). Then toss in another $300-500 for ancillaries, and you're talking $4300 - $5500 just to try out an aero bike with all the bells and whistles. And since the position would almost certainly be more aggressive than even my most aggressive current bike, would it even be comfortable? And if not, why would I spend more than any of my current bikes for a bike I wouldn't ride as far?
As someone who watched a lot of that YouTube and built a Winspace T1500 with a mix of Force and Rival I will say you are pretty spot on price wise and while $4K-$5K isn't cheap, that same bike would be $7K-$9K if it was big name brand. Simply put there really isn't a cheaper way to get an Aero bike of this quality and performance at the price you spoke of. Also looking at your range of bikes I can easily say yeah the T1500 isn't an all day in the saddle bike where I would want to do a century in but comfort wise if you take away the wider tires and flexing seat post it has been just as "comfortable" as an Canyon Endurace. I think the obvious thing is the fact that since these aren't really carried in stores as complete bikes, there is no way in testing them out and we all have to go by word of mouth.
BTW the bike as shown weighs 18lbs.
