Thinking of another build.
01-14-16, 06:51 AM
#1
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Thinking of another build.
I just got done building a steel road bike with the Shimano 105 (5800) group. I want to build another. I did a search for Nashbar carbon frame, carbon frame, and then just carbon. For some reason it came up with nothing, even though I have seen and read the carbon frame builds.
A little background, I am 58, I ride recreational, I also weigh around 240. Is it even worth me thinking about building a carbon bike? Then my second question is about the Nashbar carbon frame. Is it a good platform to build on or is their a better platform in the same price range?
Thanks for reading and commenting in advance.
A little background, I am 58, I ride recreational, I also weigh around 240. Is it even worth me thinking about building a carbon bike? Then my second question is about the Nashbar carbon frame. Is it a good platform to build on or is their a better platform in the same price range?
Thanks for reading and commenting in advance.
01-14-16, 10:26 AM
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I am similarly sized and planning to build a carbon bike. I am shopping for frames, too ... the only thing holding me up is trying to get exactly the right size.
If you buy from Nashbar, you can send it back if you build it up and don't like it. If you buy form a Chinese supplier (I think Nashbar buys from a Taiwan builder) then your customer service issue will be magnified. I have only heard good things about Workswell or DengFu, but I have never heard that they would take a frame back if you decided it was the wrong size after you finished building it.
I have also been scanning Craigslist and EBay for ridiculous deals on slightly used carbon frames---which is risky, because "slightly used" could mean "only severely abused once." But I might find something really nice at a good price and get lucky.
As for quality, I Think (based mostly on Internet rumors) that Nashbar and all the Chinese frames are of about the same quality--about the same quality as entry-level big-name frames from a couple years back. Nothing wrong with them at all, they only cost less because they reverse-engineer the frames or buy old molds, and don't pay for the R&D and marketing that the major makers have to do.
If you have even the slightest concern about quality, I'd go with Nashbar, Ribble, Merlin, Performance Bike ... I think they all sell comparable carbon fiber frames, about 1000 grams with 390 grams forks (uncut) which could easily be built into 17-lb. bikes for about $1500-$1800 ready to ride.
A couple posters here have built similar bikes from Workswell and DengFu frames, but as I noted, those companies don't have the super-flexible return policies, even if their frames are about $100 cheaper.
Please keep us informed, and if you find something good before I do, please clue me in.
If you buy from Nashbar, you can send it back if you build it up and don't like it. If you buy form a Chinese supplier (I think Nashbar buys from a Taiwan builder) then your customer service issue will be magnified. I have only heard good things about Workswell or DengFu, but I have never heard that they would take a frame back if you decided it was the wrong size after you finished building it.
I have also been scanning Craigslist and EBay for ridiculous deals on slightly used carbon frames---which is risky, because "slightly used" could mean "only severely abused once." But I might find something really nice at a good price and get lucky.
As for quality, I Think (based mostly on Internet rumors) that Nashbar and all the Chinese frames are of about the same quality--about the same quality as entry-level big-name frames from a couple years back. Nothing wrong with them at all, they only cost less because they reverse-engineer the frames or buy old molds, and don't pay for the R&D and marketing that the major makers have to do.
If you have even the slightest concern about quality, I'd go with Nashbar, Ribble, Merlin, Performance Bike ... I think they all sell comparable carbon fiber frames, about 1000 grams with 390 grams forks (uncut) which could easily be built into 17-lb. bikes for about $1500-$1800 ready to ride.
A couple posters here have built similar bikes from Workswell and DengFu frames, but as I noted, those companies don't have the super-flexible return policies, even if their frames are about $100 cheaper.
Please keep us informed, and if you find something good before I do, please clue me in.
01-14-16, 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Maelochs
I am similarly sized and planning to build a carbon bike. I am shopping for frames, too ... the only thing holding me up is trying to get exactly the right size.
If you buy from Nashbar, you can send it back if you build it up and don't like it. If you buy form a Chinese supplier (I think Nashbar buys from a Taiwan builder) then your customer service issue will be magnified. I have only heard good things about Workswell or DengFu, but I have never heard that they would take a frame back if you decided it was the wrong size after you finished building it.
I have also been scanning Craigslist and EBay for ridiculous deals on slightly used carbon frames---which is risky, because "slightly used" could mean "only severely abused once." But I might find something really nice at a good price and get lucky.
As for quality, I Think (based mostly on Internet rumors) that Nashbar and all the Chinese frames are of about the same quality--about the same quality as entry-level big-name frames from a couple years back. Nothing wrong with them at all, they only cost less because they reverse-engineer the frames or buy old molds, and don't pay for the R&D and marketing that the major makers have to do.
If you have even the slightest concern about quality, I'd go with Nashbar, Ribble, Merlin, Performance Bike ... I think they all sell comparable carbon fiber frames, about 1000 grams with 390 grams forks (uncut) which could easily be built into 17-lb. bikes for about $1500-$1800 ready to ride.
A couple posters here have built similar bikes from Workswell and DengFu frames, but as I noted, those companies don't have the super-flexible return policies, even if their frames are about $100 cheaper.
Please keep us informed, and if you find something good before I do, please clue me in.
If you buy from Nashbar, you can send it back if you build it up and don't like it. If you buy form a Chinese supplier (I think Nashbar buys from a Taiwan builder) then your customer service issue will be magnified. I have only heard good things about Workswell or DengFu, but I have never heard that they would take a frame back if you decided it was the wrong size after you finished building it.
I have also been scanning Craigslist and EBay for ridiculous deals on slightly used carbon frames---which is risky, because "slightly used" could mean "only severely abused once." But I might find something really nice at a good price and get lucky.
As for quality, I Think (based mostly on Internet rumors) that Nashbar and all the Chinese frames are of about the same quality--about the same quality as entry-level big-name frames from a couple years back. Nothing wrong with them at all, they only cost less because they reverse-engineer the frames or buy old molds, and don't pay for the R&D and marketing that the major makers have to do.
If you have even the slightest concern about quality, I'd go with Nashbar, Ribble, Merlin, Performance Bike ... I think they all sell comparable carbon fiber frames, about 1000 grams with 390 grams forks (uncut) which could easily be built into 17-lb. bikes for about $1500-$1800 ready to ride.
A couple posters here have built similar bikes from Workswell and DengFu frames, but as I noted, those companies don't have the super-flexible return policies, even if their frames are about $100 cheaper.
Please keep us informed, and if you find something good before I do, please clue me in.
01-14-16, 10:58 AM
#4
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Originally Posted by Wildrat
After posting this morning, I received my daily email from Nashbar with a 20% off code. I bought the frame (58cm) including shipping for $415. I could not pass it up, so I will be using it as my build platform.
Well, it is okay. I still need to figure out size vs. geometry. But ... Dang. I would have bought that today.
01-14-16, 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Maelochs
I need to get on their mailing list then ... that blows away the cheapest Chinese frames. Dang.
Well, it is okay. I still need to figure out size vs. geometry. But ... Dang. I would have bought that today.
Well, it is okay. I still need to figure out size vs. geometry. But ... Dang. I would have bought that today.
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Produc...87_-1___204685
