So I have been slowly updated everything on my bike and now it’s time for the frame. The current setup is an aluminium frame and I want to try a carbon one. Doing a bit of research I see two basic paths. The first is buying a second hand frame. This makes me a bit nervous as it is unlikely that I’d be able to see it before I buy, and secondly I probably wouldn’t really know what to look for.

The second option is getting one of the Chinese frame from one of the usual suspects. There’s a bit of risk here as well, but I’m not sure if it’s any riskier than the second hand option. Besides, you can buy two Chinese ones for the price of a second hand big name brand.

Me, I’m 6’1”, 220 and ride 60-100 miles a week averaging around 16 mph and I have a goal of doing my first century this year. I’m not chasing the lightest setup in the world as I think I would probably break it and I really have no idea about the advantages of different frame geometries. The budget I have in mind is sub 1k, anything over this and I’d probably just bite the bullet and get a complete bike.

So, what are people opinions / experiences with these options or is there another path that I haven’t yet found?

Probably makes more sense to buy a complete bike and demote the current one to beater/backup status.

one of my 3 roadies is a chinese frame I bought a year ago.

it seems perfectly fine to me.

pretty much the same for me. i used ebay... and it was way less than 1K for frame, fork, headset.

What is your budget? Pedal Force, Nashbar and Bikes Direct all sell carbon frames that at least come from a domestic seller. Some others out there too.

This is the sensible option.

2013 new road HF-FM066


got mine here^^^^^ride it all the time.

no issues, got here fast....about $600 delivered as I recall.

got frame, fork, headset, and a sweet carbon seat-post with clamp.


no issues. super easy to order and pay for.

My last two bikes have been previously loved Roubaix frames from ebay and it's worked out great both times. There's a lot of FUD surrounding used carbon frames, some of it justified. Obviously you lose out on any warranty coverage, so the discount from new should be significant.

Another route if you don't feel totally comfortable going the China route is to get a nashbar or pedalforce frame. $600 isn't terribly more than the direct china price and you get to deal with an actual "local" company rather than some potentially iffy chinese trading company.

I personally haven't purchased a complete bike since 1992 - I prefer to selectively upgrade stuff. I realize that isn't necessarily the most cost efficient way but it spreads it out nicely.

You can get this for $539 and $15 shipping right now

Nashbar Carbon Frame and Fork - Road Bike Frames

same here. but i paid $750

Nashbar is the way to go. Domestic retailer, iron clad warranty, decades long reputation for value, and the strength of the Performance brand behind it. Why would you do anything else?

Cheers

I hadn't thought about Nashbar, Pedalforce and Bikes Direct, I'll have to look into them.

What was the delivery time frame on the hongfu frames?

i paid sunday. i received it friday. from hongfu.