Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Chinese Titanium Frameset, anyone?

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Chinese Titanium Frameset, anyone?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-14-16, 11:26 AM
  #76  
blah blah blah
 
milkbaby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,520
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by OnyxTiger
I wrote this thread looking for people who ACTUALLY have OWNED or have RIDDEN a titanium frame from China. All else is just fluff.
It looks like only three people who own Taiwanese Ti have responded, but of course Taiwan <> China (even if the Chinese government disagrees).

You may want to Google Falco bicycles. I think the guy behind them is an enthusiast that started his own company and contracted in person with specific factories in mainland China. I think he has frame options in carbon, aluminum, and titanium. He may have some insight into Ti frame fabrication on the mainland that he'd be willing to share with you. You may even find some answers in the stuff he's already posted online about his adventures in designing and getting frames made over the years.

Personally, the extremely large price gap between a $400 titanium frame on Alibaba and any other retail option in titanium would have me very worried that I would receive anything of quality or anything at all, period. You know what they say when something sounds too good to be true... I'd rather let the risk takers be first to push the frontiers.
milkbaby is offline  
Old 02-14-16, 01:15 PM
  #77  
Senior Member
 
rpenmanparker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 28,682

Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build

Mentioned: 109 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 58 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by milkbaby
It looks like only three people who own Taiwanese Ti have responded, but of course Taiwan <> China (even if the Chinese government disagrees).

You may want to Google Falco bicycles. I think the guy behind them is an enthusiast that started his own company and contracted in person with specific factories in mainland China. I think he has frame options in carbon, aluminum, and titanium. He may have some insight into Ti frame fabrication on the mainland that he'd be willing to share with you. You may even find some answers in the stuff he's already posted online about his adventures in designing and getting frames made over the years.

Personally, the extremely large price gap between a $400 titanium frame on Alibaba and any other retail option in titanium would have me very worried that I would receive anything of quality or anything at all, period. You know what they say when something sounds too good to be true... I'd rather let the risk takers be first to push the frontiers.
It is not the price difference that is the cause of concern. That is even greater between name brand and Chinabike carbon options ($3000/$500). It is Alibaba pure and simple.
__________________
Robert

Originally Posted by LAJ
No matter where I go, here I am...
rpenmanparker is offline  
Old 02-14-16, 01:51 PM
  #78  
Senior Member
 
Maelochs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,488

Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE

Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7652 Post(s)
Liked 3,473 Times in 1,834 Posts
Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
It is Alibaba pure and simple.
Just to prove that not everybody who made a bad decision is too ashamed to share it: I have twice ordered something thankfully inexpensive (off freaking Ebay and Amazon) from a seller in China at a really low price and gotten nothing but emails about how the product was almost here. Thankfully I have a measure of protection there, but I would Never send a check to anything related to Alibaba ... which translates to "Rob the round-eye sucker," by the way.
Maelochs is offline  
Old 02-14-16, 03:34 PM
  #79  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: SoCal
Posts: 6,496
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 276 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts
I
Originally Posted by Lazyass
Evidence to me is seeing comparison tests actual pictures. Of course when I post things such as the link below then you all just cry about the source.

Not all frames are created equal. A look deep inside the carbon in counterfeit bikes - VeloNews.com!




Huh?



I'm sorry you no longer think I'm a "cool dude" because of my view on cheap ass chinese carbon frames. Got to love the internet age. A position based on facts like comparison tests and the fact that if your bike comes apart and breaks your body you'll have no one to sue and if you want a refund you're probably screwed. I know, those are "ludicrous" things to consider. No offense but your view on my position is irrelevant to me.
I think it's your continued boardline racist and offensive comments that are causing people to think you are not a cool dude
rms13 is offline  
Old 02-14-16, 03:43 PM
  #80  
serious cyclist
 
Bah Humbug's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 21,147

Bikes: S1, R2, P2

Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9334 Post(s)
Liked 3,679 Times in 2,026 Posts
Originally Posted by milkbaby
It looks like only three people who own Taiwanese Ti have responded, but of course Taiwan <> China (even if the Chinese government disagrees).

You may want to Google Falco bicycles. I think the guy behind them is an enthusiast that started his own company and contracted in person with specific factories in mainland China. I think he has frame options in carbon, aluminum, and titanium. He may have some insight into Ti frame fabrication on the mainland that he'd be willing to share with you. You may even find some answers in the stuff he's already posted online about his adventures in designing and getting frames made over the years.

Personally, the extremely large price gap between a $400 titanium frame on Alibaba and any other retail option in titanium would have me very worried that I would receive anything of quality or anything at all, period. You know what they say when something sounds too good to be true... I'd rather let the risk takers be first to push the frontiers.
The Falco story is amazing and everyone here should read it. The problem is it's in a ton of posts over in some thread on WeightWeenies somewhere.

But yes, get a Falco, or BD, or Habanero. I don't think I'd ride a bike from Alibaba. Or, in fact, with any components from Alibaba. Maybe other than bar tape. Maybe.
Bah Humbug is offline  
Old 02-17-16, 12:31 AM
  #81  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 459
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Bah Humbug
The Falco story is amazing and everyone here should read it. The problem is it's in a ton of posts over in some thread on WeightWeenies somewhere.

But yes, get a Falco, or BD, or Habanero. I don't think I'd ride a bike from Alibaba. Or, in fact, with any components from Alibaba. Maybe other than bar tape. Maybe.
is it this one?
Falco Bike Design Diary -- jersey and bibs out... - Weight Weenies
https://weightweenies.starbike.com/fo...p?f=3&t=103185

Last edited by bleui; 02-17-16 at 02:50 AM.
bleui is offline  
Old 02-17-16, 05:01 AM
  #82  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 1 Post
I read some from another forum have made custom Ti frame from China
Some reputable companies I know of are XACD and Waltly
Of course if you google it, there are some 'unperfect' frame, but hey, I once saw a Lynskey with cracked headtube..
Last time I ask, they sell $700 for frame only and about $1000 for custom geometry
As for Chinese carbon, they cant do custom geometry, and I dont know any of them offer endurance geometry
There are some rumors that Van nicholas frame was made by XACD, but I cant verify if its true

Check out spanner.org.uk

Last edited by redstarcap; 02-17-16 at 05:12 AM. Reason: add link
redstarcap is offline  
Old 02-17-16, 05:36 AM
  #83  
Senior Member
 
rpenmanparker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 28,682

Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build

Mentioned: 109 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 58 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by redstarcap
I read some from another forum have made custom Ti frame from China
Some reputable companies I know of are XACD and Waltly
Of course if you google it, there are some 'unperfect' frame, but hey, I once saw a Lynskey with cracked headtube..
Last time I ask, they sell $700 for frame only and about $1000 for custom geometry
As for Chinese carbon, they cant do custom geometry, and I dont know any of them offer endurance geometry
There are some rumors that Van nicholas frame was made by XACD, but I cant verify if its true

Check out spanner.org.uk
I recently read that one of the Chinese suppliers is bringing out endurance geometry. Dengfu or Hongfu I think.
__________________
Robert

Originally Posted by LAJ
No matter where I go, here I am...
rpenmanparker is offline  
Old 02-17-16, 07:01 AM
  #84  
Senior Member
 
Maelochs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,488

Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE

Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7652 Post(s)
Liked 3,473 Times in 1,834 Posts
Originally Posted by redstarcap
I read some from another forum have made custom Ti frame from China Some reputable companies I know of are XACD and Waltly Check out spanner.org.uk
Well, excellent. Serious information and a direction for research.

As for Chinese CF with endurance geometry ... those companies produce dozens of frames. I am sure we will see copies of bikes with "endurance" geometry soon if they are not already offered. I cannot see those companies ignoring any market segment (they already do both hardtail and F/S MTBs and fatbikes ... )

Thanks much for the Ti info.
Maelochs is offline  
Old 02-17-16, 03:27 PM
  #85  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,608

Bikes: 2022 Specialized Allez Sprint custom build, 2019 Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0, 2018 Seven Mudhoney Pro custom build, 2017 Raleigh Stuntman, various others

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 782 Post(s)
Liked 475 Times in 238 Posts
Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
I would spring for the newer model frame. Late improvements in Ti frames are significant. In the tubing details, in the welding quality and appearance, in the ride quality. Newer is much better.
The only difference between the new BD model and the old one is a tapered head tube on the new one.

I personally wouldn't consider an Alibaba frame from a unknown vendor when a proven, well featured Taiwan-made frame from a domestic seller is available for $1,000 with a fork. Again, I've owned the BD Ti frame for a couple of years and it's really a great deal. Look no further, as far as I'm concerned.
Hiro11 is offline  
Old 02-18-16, 09:12 AM
  #86  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 1 Post
There's also russian company called triton bike making some good custom Ti frame. Dunno bout the price, but they look very reputable..
redstarcap is offline  
Old 02-18-16, 09:56 AM
  #87  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: SoCal
Posts: 6,496
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 276 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by redstarcap
I read some from another forum have made custom Ti frame from China
Some reputable companies I know of are XACD and Waltly
Of course if you google it, there are some 'unperfect' frame, but hey, I once saw a Lynskey with cracked headtube..
Last time I ask, they sell $700 for frame only and about $1000 for custom geometry
As for Chinese carbon, they cant do custom geometry, and I dont know any of them offer endurance geometry
There are some rumors that Van nicholas frame was made by XACD, but I cant verify if its true

Check out spanner.org.uk
The cheapest Lynskey is $1250 for frame only and add $800 for custom geometry. Now that Nashbar sells them they have r150 for $1450 with fork and if you wait for 20% sale you can get a pretty good deal. Whenever you saw them for $700 must have been a long time ago
rms13 is offline  
Old 02-18-16, 02:39 PM
  #88  
Senior Member
 
bigdo13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Rocky Mountain West
Posts: 568

Bikes: 2013 Giant Defy, 2013 Specialized S-Works Venge, 1993 Specialized Epic, 2012 Fezzari Fore CR3, 2015 Cipollini Bond

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Dudes afraid of Chinese carbon and Ti frames....go buynfrom an American retailer to feel better, but that retailer buys their Carbon and Ti frames from (gasp) the same factories in China....lol
bigdo13 is offline  
Old 02-18-16, 03:03 PM
  #89  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 4,400

Bikes: Bianchi Infinito (Celeste, of course)

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 754 Post(s)
Liked 104 Times in 77 Posts
These vast majority of Chinese Ti frames I've seen on ebay are basically priced the same as BikesDirect or similar US distributors. When I last looked, even the Chinese Ti frames were ~$1000, at that price I'd rather go with US distributor.

A $400 Ti frame from AliBaba, seems like you're likely to wind up with a Titanium frame that either is either "Titenium" (steel), straight gauge, basic Ti, or simply out $400.
gsa103 is offline  
Old 02-18-16, 03:52 PM
  #90  
Senior Member
 
link0's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 794

Bikes: '11 Merlin Extralight, '98 Dean Castanza, '89 Schwinn Prologue

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by gsa103
These vast majority of Chinese Ti frames I've seen on ebay are basically priced the same as BikesDirect or similar US distributors. When I last looked, even the Chinese Ti frames were ~$1000, at that price I'd rather go with US distributor.

A $400 Ti frame from AliBaba, seems like you're likely to wind up with a Titanium frame that either is either "Titenium" (steel), straight gauge, basic Ti, or simply out $400.
I agree. You can get a Ti frame from Taiwan for the same price as China. Having lived in both China and Taiwan, I'd personally much rather buy something made in Taiwan. Taiwanese companies are not even remotely shady compared to Chinese ones.
link0 is offline  
Old 02-18-16, 04:10 PM
  #91  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 227

Bikes: 17 Spot Acme, 14 Lynskey Peleton

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by link0
I agree. You can get a Ti frame from Taiwan for the same price as China. Having lived in both China and Taiwan, I'd personally much rather buy something made in Taiwan. Taiwanese companies are not even remotely shady compared to Chinese ones.
That is an interesting perspective on the different cultures. I've always thought that ORA Engineering in TW had an good white label catalog. Products - ORA ENGINNERING CO,. LTD. I've been unable to find a source for the components, just built up bikes from Bikes Direct.
Phlorida is offline  
Old 02-18-16, 04:13 PM
  #92  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minas Ithil
Posts: 9,173
Mentioned: 66 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2432 Post(s)
Liked 638 Times in 395 Posts
Originally Posted by bigdo13
Dudes afraid of Chinese carbon and Ti frames....go buynfrom an American retailer to feel better, but that retailer buys their Carbon and Ti frames from (gasp) the same factories in China....lol
Post your proof.
Lazyass is offline  
Old 02-18-16, 06:10 PM
  #93  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: SoCal
Posts: 6,496
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 276 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Lazyass
Post your proof.
https://www.cervelo.com/en-us

Oh wait, they're Canadian
rms13 is offline  
Old 02-19-16, 12:34 PM
  #94  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Gypsum, CO
Posts: 289

Bikes: Litespeed Obed, Cannondale Scalpel, Spcialized AWOL, Litespeed Solano, Cannondale Synapse

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
A few months ago I bought a very nice used Litespeed frame for a reasonable price. Buying used TI frames is a viable alternative in my book. Might be worth thinking about. Sorry if this has been mentioned, I didn't make it through the entire thread.
mtn.cyclist is offline  
Old 02-19-16, 12:41 PM
  #95  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Central PA
Posts: 4,843

Bikes: 2016 Black Mountain Cycles Monster Cross v5, 2015 Ritchey Road Logic, 1998 Specialized Rockhopper, 2017 Raleigh Grand Prix

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 374 Post(s)
Liked 15 Times in 11 Posts
Originally Posted by Phlorida
That is an interesting perspective on the different cultures. I've always thought that ORA Engineering in TW had an good white label catalog. Products - ORA ENGINNERING CO,. LTD. I've been unable to find a source for the components, just built up bikes from Bikes Direct.
BD sell Ti Framesets as well:

Save Up to 60% Off Road Titanium framesets - Motobecane Le Champion Team Ti
dr_lha is offline  
Old 02-19-16, 01:39 PM
  #96  
Senior Member
 
exmechanic89's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Richmond VA area
Posts: 2,618

Bikes: '00 Koga Miyata Full Pro Oval Road bike.

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 475 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Originally Posted by bigdo13
Dudes afraid of Chinese carbon and Ti frames....go buynfrom an American retailer to feel better, but that retailer buys their Carbon and Ti frames from (gasp) the same factories in China....lol
^A very simplistic answer to a complex question..
exmechanic89 is offline  
Old 02-19-16, 02:14 PM
  #97  
Senior Member
 
bigdo13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Rocky Mountain West
Posts: 568

Bikes: 2013 Giant Defy, 2013 Specialized S-Works Venge, 1993 Specialized Epic, 2012 Fezzari Fore CR3, 2015 Cipollini Bond

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by exmechanic89
^A very simplistic answer to a complex question..

Well according to Occum, that's usually the right answer, but hey, let's all keep pretending that Chinese manufacturer's are the enemy when we're all riding and using Chinese **** every day..

It's silly, borderline xenophobic and impractical....

Also there's a fair amount of Western sneering to this whole mindset too that gets dressed up as other things when it's not....
bigdo13 is offline  
Old 02-19-16, 02:20 PM
  #98  
Senior Member
 
Maelochs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,488

Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE

Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7652 Post(s)
Liked 3,473 Times in 1,834 Posts
As I understand it, Sir William of Occam said the simplest hypothesis was most likely the correct one ... but he lived back in Newton's time. Had he ever heard of relativity .....
Maelochs is offline  
Old 02-19-16, 03:09 PM
  #99  
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,232
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18409 Post(s)
Liked 15,530 Times in 7,326 Posts
Originally Posted by bigdo13
Dudes afraid of Chinese carbon and Ti frames....go buynfrom an American retailer to feel better, but that retailer buys their Carbon and Ti frames from (gasp) the same factories in China....lol
The ti frame I bought last year from an American retailer was designed and built in America. I feel great.
indyfabz is offline  
Old 02-19-16, 03:12 PM
  #100  
Senior Member
 
bigdo13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Rocky Mountain West
Posts: 568

Bikes: 2013 Giant Defy, 2013 Specialized S-Works Venge, 1993 Specialized Epic, 2012 Fezzari Fore CR3, 2015 Cipollini Bond

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by indyfabz
The ti frame I bought last year was designed and built in America. I feel great.
Right, and that fact neither speaks to or against the argument we're having, so yay! You win the Internet!
bigdo13 is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.