DougRNS

elaborate

DougRNS

I wouldn't pay $1.21 to watch it.

genejockey 

I was watching a couple videos recently on cheap carbon frames from China. I have to say I'm surprised how many people out there think, "Hmmm. Bike frame made by unknown company for $300, which I'll then trust my body, potentially even my life to? Sign me up!" Maybe it's just that I'm older now, but that seems like tempting fate.

Mojo31

I don't know that it's that big of a worry. Carbon fiber, like steel and aluminum, doesn't just catastrophically assplode for no reason. Most failures are due to stress or impact to the side walls of the carbon tube. All carbon fiber is susceptible to side wall impact damage. Stress fractures will show up in the laminate over time.

To me, it's just like anything else - know your equipment and keep an eye on it. Even though I ride both Trek and Specialized carbon bikes, I give each a close inspection at least monthly when riding them. I especially pay attention to joints and flex points.

bampilot06

I think I am too materialistic (I know, shocking) to have a cheap carbon frame. Especially the ones that have their name planted on the side like trek.


If I was given a china frame I would build it, but I wouldn’t buy one.


Wheels are different. Like was talking with Lester, I just don’t think I would see any significant improvement over a 2,000 dollar carbon wheelset over my superteams.

genejockey 

To me it boils down to the old "Strong. Light. Cheap. Choose any two" line from Bontrager. The way I see it, steel and aluminum bikes are made from tubestock with defined, reliable wall thickness, whereas the wall thickness of a carbon frame is determined at the time the frame is in the mold. Cam Nicholls has done a couple videos on Chinese carbon frames, and there's quite a range of quality from "Yeah, this is good!" to uneven wall thickness, voids, etc. It would concern me less if I weren't >200 lbs, of course.

Which reminds me of one of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies -

"I'd worry a lot less if I thought you were worrying enough."

bampilot06

Miracle on 34th street?

phrantic09

Amtrak would have been cheaper no? That’s how I always travel down.

genejockey 

Also, I would be leery of a $300 Chinese carbon frame, but not of a $1000 Chinese carbon frame - especially if I'd seen good reviews from people with a good reputation. I actually flirted with the idea, but then I realized if I did get one, unless I wanted to spend 2x the price of the frame kitting it out, it would just be ANOTHER CF bike with mechanical 105, and I already have one of those. I think this is why I stopped at the Litespeed - I couldn't think of another kind of bike that I both wanted, and could afford.

genejockey 

Miller's Crossing.

rjones28 

A little cheaper than an airplane. Still significantly more expensive than a car. Up to two hours longer, depending on departure time. That assumes no delays; that's a big assumption IME.

bampilot06

Never heard of it.

phrantic09

Yah- on time seems unattainable these days.

it’s only like 2.5 for us, which is about the same as driving

bampilot06

Flew up to New York today at 5 am for a 45 minute meeting. Now trying to fly home on delta. Not sure if you have been in Terminal 4 at JFK, but they really need to offer electric scooters. It’s a walk.

rjones28 

I'm sure, if I lived in Eastern NY, taking the train into the city would be more practical.

bampilot06

60 percent of the time I am on time every time.









Actually only seemed to be delayed when I am trying to get home.

rjones28 

I have a local friend that always takes the train from here to NYC. But, he likes being able to do non-driving tasks on the way.

rjones28 

You're young and fit.

bampilot06

I don’t feel young or fit when I am in uniform. Feel sorry for whoever gets to sit next to me.

sweaty.

bampilot06

I think my new headset top spacer thing comes in today. Should be able to drop the stem another 5 mm.

So the other day I was going down the incline plane in my neighborhood, I hit about 32 mph. I’m not sure what the sphinx position is, I imagine I looked like a fat cat trying to tuck.

Anyways, I went to brake, and noticed in the drops the front brake requires way too much pull for the brakes to engage. I mean the lever was practically touching the drop. Need to get that adjusted.

Mojo31

I relate. I am a name brand type of buy. Similarly shocking, I know.

As for wheels, take off the decals/stickerz and nobody knows the difference in the rim. I'm not a fan of the stickerz on wheels unless they are black on black. All the white stickerz on wheels is just too busy for me. I do like how Enve does the stickerz on the Enve 45 and 65.

LesterOfPuppets

If the hubs don't say this on them, the wheels are just gonna be meh

Bah Humbug

Turned on the car to get to pilates and the CEL was on, as was "TRAC OFF" on the MFD. Could be a sensor, or a lunched transmission. To the dealer first thing in the morning. Of course, was supposed to start driving to Boulder on Friday afternoon. May now need to fly on Saturday. Shoot me now. At least there are lots of directs.

phrantic09

My Reserve wheels are like that. Just a little sticker at the valve stem

Mojo31

I know this kind of look was big a while back, but I just couldn't ride this. Too much going on.