Chinese carbon frames
#2
Any particular ones or are we just talking about all of the frames made there?
__________________
I may be fat but I'm slow enough to make up for it.
#9
I've been using one as my rain/backup bike for 5 years. It rides fine, my only complaint is the tight tire clearance around the BB that requires me to unscrew the QR nut to get the wheel on without forcing it. It sees about 3000 miles a year and I've done a few races on it. It hasn't failed yet. The Cervelo R3 I got at the same time did fail a couple years ago, but was replaced under warranty. Admittedly the R3 saw more like 5000 miles a year.
#10
ka maté ka maté ka ora
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,423
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From: wessex
Bikes: breezer venturi - red novo bosberg - red, pedal force cg1 - red, neuvation f-100 - da, devinci phantom - xt, miele piste - miche/campy, bianchi reparto corse sbx, concorde squadra tsx - da, miele team issue sl - ultegra
cervelos are built in china
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,012
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From: Orlando, FL
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix SL3, Lynskey Cooper CX
#14
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Elk Grove, CA
Bikes: Gt id5, KHS XC204, Zion 29er
Not a troll. I just bought one and I would like opinions from users, and people who have done their homework. Lazy... a little. Troll, no. I just got my first road bike a few weeks ago. I have been a mountain biker for over 10, so please, stfu.
Last edited by unterhausen; 01-27-12 at 11:33 PM.
#15
^^^Nice.
I'm sure people will be very willing to share their experiences with you.
I'm sure people will be very willing to share their experiences with you.
#18
This really isn't the best forum to get objective input. Try roadbikereview.com.
That said, I've ordered 3 frames from China:
The P1 from https://www.cyclingyong.com
The FM-015 from https://www.hongfu-bikes.com
The RFM101 from https://www.greatkeenbike.com
All 3 setups were about $600 delivered (unpainted, including headset, full carbon fork, and seatpost)
They are some of the best frames I've ever ridden. I thought my Madone 4.7 was nice, but I sold it this year. The FM015 rides nicer, climbs better, and has just been a b*tchin bike overall. Super stiff through the BB area and the carbon steerer really helps smooth out the ride.
There are some shady places out there for sure, but if you deal with a reputable place, you'll get a quality product with a 2 year warranty.
Some things to be aware of:
1) Quoted lead times can slip -- if you are turned off by this, these frames aren't for you. I was quoted 30 days on the P1 and took more like 45.
2) Communication can be a bit of a barrier -- the people at Hong Fu seem to be the most fluent and best at returning emails
3) You need to be a somewhat capable bike mechanic to put these together. DO NOT SAND THE STEERER ON THE FORK TO GET THE CROWN RACE TO FIT. Seen someone do that and the fork broke the first time he rode it (duh). I had to some minor clean up to 2 of the frames (ran an M5 x 0.8 tap through all of the water bottle bosses and barrel adjuster threads and had to use a dental pick to clean out some resin in the BB of one of the frames).
Overall, I had the best experience with Hong Fu and give them the highest marks. Communication was the hardest with Great Keen. Hong Fu seems to be the most expensive (by maybe 5-10%), but they seem to have the biggest selection (ie, I wanted a UD gloss finish on one frame and the others couldn't do it).
Bob
That said, I've ordered 3 frames from China:
The P1 from https://www.cyclingyong.com
The FM-015 from https://www.hongfu-bikes.com
The RFM101 from https://www.greatkeenbike.com
All 3 setups were about $600 delivered (unpainted, including headset, full carbon fork, and seatpost)
They are some of the best frames I've ever ridden. I thought my Madone 4.7 was nice, but I sold it this year. The FM015 rides nicer, climbs better, and has just been a b*tchin bike overall. Super stiff through the BB area and the carbon steerer really helps smooth out the ride.
There are some shady places out there for sure, but if you deal with a reputable place, you'll get a quality product with a 2 year warranty.
Some things to be aware of:
1) Quoted lead times can slip -- if you are turned off by this, these frames aren't for you. I was quoted 30 days on the P1 and took more like 45.
2) Communication can be a bit of a barrier -- the people at Hong Fu seem to be the most fluent and best at returning emails
3) You need to be a somewhat capable bike mechanic to put these together. DO NOT SAND THE STEERER ON THE FORK TO GET THE CROWN RACE TO FIT. Seen someone do that and the fork broke the first time he rode it (duh). I had to some minor clean up to 2 of the frames (ran an M5 x 0.8 tap through all of the water bottle bosses and barrel adjuster threads and had to use a dental pick to clean out some resin in the BB of one of the frames).
Overall, I had the best experience with Hong Fu and give them the highest marks. Communication was the hardest with Great Keen. Hong Fu seems to be the most expensive (by maybe 5-10%), but they seem to have the biggest selection (ie, I wanted a UD gloss finish on one frame and the others couldn't do it).
Bob
Last edited by bobonker; 01-27-12 at 10:39 PM.
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 681
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, AZ
Bikes: Felt F1C
Here's a recent, huge thread on what people think about one particular Chinese carbon frame. Very divided... CHINARELLO
Last edited by unterhausen; 01-27-12 at 11:33 PM.
#20
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Elk Grove, CA
Bikes: Gt id5, KHS XC204, Zion 29er
Thanks for the detailed post Bob. I should have asked first. I just figured if the frame broke, I could use the back up bike, or just build the old one back up.
#21
Banned
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,804
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From: Northern California
Bikes: Raleigh Grand Prix, Giant Innova, Nishiki Sebring, Trek 7.5FX
Yeah, Cervelos and just about every other manufacturer you could name!
Come to think of it, what's not made in China?
That's where the entire world gets over half of everything, ceramic, aluminum, electrical, technological, medical, etc..
These guys need to wake up and smell the friggin' coffee!...Perhaps even coffee from thecoffeedean.com, eh!
Come to think of it, what's not made in China?
That's where the entire world gets over half of everything, ceramic, aluminum, electrical, technological, medical, etc..
These guys need to wake up and smell the friggin' coffee!...Perhaps even coffee from thecoffeedean.com, eh!
Last edited by SlimRider; 01-28-12 at 01:06 AM.
#22
This really isn't the best forum to get objective input. Try roadbikereview.com.
That said, I've ordered 3 frames from China:
The P1 from https://www.cyclingyong.com
That said, I've ordered 3 frames from China:
The P1 from https://www.cyclingyong.com
#23
I'm doing it wrong.

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,875
Likes: 2,814
Bikes: Rivendell Appaloosa, Rivendell Frank Jones Sr., Trek Fuel EX9, Kona Jake the Snake CR, Niner Sir9
I have a problem buying stuff from China, so I try not to. If I was in the market for a Carbon bike I would be searching out one that was either still made in the USA, Italy, or someplace other than China.
#24
Ha ha ha ha ha
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,555
Likes: 19
From: Gold Coast; Australia
Bikes: 2004 ORBEA Mitis2 Plus Carbon, 2007 Cannondale Bad Boy Si Disc, 2012 Trek Gary Fisher Collection Marlin WSD 29er Aldi Big Box (Polygon) 650b
I just checked that site and am confused. They claim the market price for this saddle is $747.50 USD. Ehhhhhh????!!!
https://www.cyclingyong.com/goods-474...45g+Black.html
https://www.cyclingyong.com/goods-474...45g+Black.html
#25
I don't have a Chinese carbon bike, but I am curious to ride one of the open mold bikes. Some of the designs look very nice. If I had $500 to burn on a frameset, I'd rather buy a CAAD off ebay though. That's just me.







