Chinese Titanium Frameset, anyone?
#76
blah blah blah
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
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.
#77
Senior Member
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
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.
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.
#78
Senior Member
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
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.
#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
I think it's your continued boardline racist and offensive comments that are causing people to think you are not a cool dude
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.
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.
#80
serious cyclist
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
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.
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.
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.
#81
Senior Member
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.
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.
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.
#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
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
#83
Senior Member
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
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
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
#84
Senior Member
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 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.
#85
Senior Member
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.
#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
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
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
#88
Senior Member
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
#89
Senior Member
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.
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.
#90
Senior Member
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
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.
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.
#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
#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
#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.
#95
Senior Member
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.
Save Up to 60% Off Road Titanium framesets - Motobecane Le Champion Team Ti
#97
Senior Member
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
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....
#98
Senior Member
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 .....
#99
Senior Member
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
The ti frame I bought last year from an American retailer was designed and built in America. I feel great.