Any experiences with Poison Bikes' touring frames?
 

I'm in the process of buying a new frame for a touring bike. I've been looking the usual suspects, and almost decided on Surly LHT, even though I've never even bought a whole bike worth that much (poor poor pitiful me). Then I saw Bob Jackson World Tour would cost pretty much the same.

Somehow, however, I ended up on Poison Bikes' website http://www.poison-bikes.de/, and saw their frames.

Especially the Chinin (http://www.poisonbike.de/shopart/10250-55-1-1.htm and Chinin Light (http://www.poisonbike.de/shopart/10260-65-1.htm) intrigue me. Both come with a fork (rigid, even though the Light's picture suggests otherwise).

When I tried to do some research on the brand on models, I didn't find much. Apparently Poison Bikes just put their logos on these frames, and they come from the same place (somebody said Astro, dunno, never heard of it) as Azonic, KHS and some others I haven't heard much about. But apparently the materials used are provided by Specialized.

Does anybody here have any experience with this brand, other brands that might come from the same source, or the online shop? Or should I just stick with the safe options.

At the moment I tour with a old hybrid hiten frame which is too small, so anything is an upgrade.

Thanks

I have no idea, not even heard of them. But most frames do seem to be manufactured in either Taiwan or China. Just in case you haven't, here are some other possibilities for you:

Thorn
Van Nicholas
Mercia
Paul Hewitt
Roberts
Dawes

And have you crossed off the Dawes Galaxy? That would be pretty good value I'd think.....

Hi,

Be advised that the LHT complete is about the same cost as a Bob Jackson frame and fork only. If you're shopping, you might find this thread more helpful if you provide: intended use(s), your budget, your location, your experience.

I'm currently waiting on a Mercian, and I was comfortable ordering it even though I'm not in the UK because I knew exactly what I wanted -- frame angles, lugs, tubing, etc. For a new rider, specifying the arcania of a fully bespoke frame might be overwhelming. Took about 30 years of serious riding to come to all the right conclusions.

There are lots of great off the rack frames and bikes out there. Unless you're very, very into getting exactly what you want, you'll spend far less on a built up bike like the LHT complete than one in which you spec all the bits. That said, I'm just about done specing all the bits on my latest.

Do what makes you happy, and if you can, ride before you buy. There used to be an expression in Italy, that the right bike "disappears" beneath you. That's the feeling to search for. When it's right, you'll feel just like you're flying. Buy that bike.

You might want to check out the touring bikes from Bruce Gordon Cycles - I have a new lower priced model being made in Taiwan that is much more affordable.
Regards,
Bruce Gordon
www.bgcycles.com

Bob Jackson: $620 shipped from England. LHT frame: $400. LHT complete: $1000-$1100. Not "about the same".

About $950 for the frame but expensive racks are included.

Thanks for all the replies.

I've already ruled out Thorn (I prefer 700c wheels), Van Nicholas , Mercian and Roberts. I couldn't find anyplace selling just a Dawes galaxy frame, so although interesting, it's not really what I'm looking for.

The Hewitt Cheviot looks interesting, gotta look into that more.


I found Bob Jackson World Tour frame for £389.99 (+plus shipping to Finland £75) which is something like 500€. But I also realized that it only takes 32 wide tyre, which is smaller than I (6'6'', 240 lbs) prefer

Use is going to be loaded, self supported touring from few days to months.

My budget is under 500€, and less is better.

I'm located in Finland.

I've done many few day tours, a couple few week tours and been assembling and repairing bikes for years.


I only need a frame (and probably a fork). Everything else I can get from my previous bike, which I also build up from a frame.

Beautiful frame, the BLT is, but not really viable in my income bracket at $1400 for the frame.

The delivery rates are different to Finland. Not to mention the ever changing currency rates.