Who on BR has bought a 'cheap' Chinese carbon frame?

ademort

cabbage1879 wrote:

JRooke wrote:

The Pinarello's from speedylee are terrible terrible terrible!! A friend of mine bought one and brought it round for me to build for him, it was bloody awful, from a distance looked the dogs, but once you get up close, there were lumps of carbon i had to scrape out with a stanley knife just to get the brake nuts inside the forks, which chipped the paint badly. Lumps of carbon painted over where the gears thread through, the carbon for the steerer was so so thin I chucked a few bungs down there as I was just so worried when i tightened the stem it might just split. Bought official pinarello seat pins and headset, seat tube i had to file down as was almost an inch long, which no seat clamp in the world would fit round, and the headset would only fit the awful one they provided. Also had to get the bottom bracket in had to re-thread it.

Having said all of that lol, once it was finished, and the paint sufficiently chipped away, it rode quite well and felt nice and stiff, he's pleased as punch with it, but was a bit of an epic build.


Ademort

This isn't a hate rampage against all these chinese carbon frames, think its a great idea and do love most of the pics posted in this thread, but as a warning, would avoid Speedylee.

That's good to know, as you say they look great in the photos. I'm not expecting total perfection but at the same time i don't want a piece of rubbish either, but at that price you can't really complain about a few wee issues.

I have a month or so before i order one anyway. Carbonbicycles look good, but without seeing their paint finishes i might just wait and see what ademort says about his when it turns up and take it from there.

I am very surprised to hear the reports from speedyLi as regards the Pinarello. The dutch cycling forum are very positive with not one complaint about this seller and all buyers seem very pleased with the frame. The only negative feedback on the dutch cycling forums is for the seller cyclingyoung on Alibaba. Apparently people have ordered frames and they have been delivered without forks or and heasets.One forum member has waited 6 weeks for there frame and it,s not even been posted yet. As for me, as and when my frame arrives i will give it a good looking at and any problems i will certainly inform other forum members. It could be that my frame is very poorly finished and if that,s the case then i want all other members to know that. If you still decide to buy a Chinarello then thats up to you.

Ademort

JRooke

There were no import charges at all on the one we got, arrived after about 5 weeks, managed to track it on parcelforce, never paid a penny for it to arrive.

petemadoc

OK here's a cr4p phone pic of my frame, it looks a weird shade of pink in the picture but it's actually red.



The quality really does seem very good, no issues whatsoever and the paint job is crisp as walkers.

Headset installed and steerer cut as low as I'm prepared to at the moment. I bought the wrong BB30 bearings though Will order the right ones tonight

mcrdave

Can anyone point me in the right direction of a reputable supplier of the FM r830sl. Ie. the Planet x nanolight frame. There are quite a few dodgy looking links when you google it and I can't see it on eBay. Any ideas?

thanks

petemadoc

mcrdave wrote:

Can anyone point me in the right direction of a reputable supplier of the FM r830sl. Ie. the Planet x nanolight frame. There are quite a few dodgy looking links when you google it and I can't see it on eBay. Any ideas?

thanks

I might be wrong but I'm sure I read on RBR that all the planet x frames cannot be bought direct in the UK. Something to do with exclusivity in the UK being agreed with Planet x. Carbonzone have a pretty nifty looking TT frame though

mcrdave

Ahhh thanks Pete, that might explain it.

Funny that the reason clever peeps found out the model number was that the Planet X box it came in, had it printed on the side! I'll keep looking though.

cheers

PeteMadoc wrote:

mcrdave wrote:

Can anyone point me in the right direction of a reputable supplier of the FM r830sl. Ie. the Planet x nanolight frame. There are quite a few dodgy looking links when you google it and I can't see it on eBay. Any ideas?

thanks

I might be wrong but I'm sure I read on RBR that all the planet x frames cannot be bought direct in the UK. Something to do with exclusivity in the UK being agreed with Planet x. Carbonzone have a pretty nifty looking TT frame though

mcj78

mcrdave wrote:

Ahhh thanks Pete, that might explain it.

Funny that the reason clever peeps found out the model number was that the Planet X box it came in, had it printed on the side! I'll keep looking though.

cheers

PeteMadoc wrote:

mcrdave wrote:

Can anyone point me in the right direction of a reputable supplier of the FM r830sl. Ie. the Planet x nanolight frame. There are quite a few dodgy looking links when you google it and I can't see it on eBay. Any ideas?

thanks

I might be wrong but I'm sure I read on RBR that all the planet x frames cannot be bought direct in the UK. Something to do with exclusivity in the UK being agreed with Planet x. Carbonzone have a pretty nifty looking TT frame though

Think they're made by xpace, who apparently have a very good reputation for carbon frames - not sure if they'll sell to you directly but might be worth a pop, can't recall if i've heard of anyone doing that (I toyed with the idea of building up a chinese carbon frame & read far too many threads on the subject!) http://www.xpa-cycling.com/products.php ... .php&key=1

J

petemadoc

Here she is nearly finished, but the build ground to a halt as the frame doesn't come with downtube barrel adjusters and my LBS doesn't have any spare FFS. Now awaiting an ebay order for some barrel adjusters :x

Sorry about the cr4p phone pic again


Things to note

No bottle cage bolts, no downtube barrel adjusters!

Ben6899

I love the paint scheme.

Barrel adjusters: are there stops in the frame or are you having to use like a band-on solution?

petemadoc

Ben6899 wrote:

I love the paint scheme.

Barrel adjusters: are there stops in the frame or are you having to use like a band-on solution?

Not sure of the proper names for things but there are two threaded holes for the barrel adjusters to go into just like on any normal road bike but I think when you buy a frame in the UK it comes with the barrel adjusters already provided. No big deal just a pain in the ar5e when you want to get it finished and ride the thing.

The frame is excellent quality and all the headset bearings and BB30 bearings slotted into place perfectly

petemadoc

Just realised my bars a rotated a bit funny, that comes from setting it up while attached to the turbo, DOH

gaddster

P_Tucker wrote:

To counter that, mine was pretty decent. The fork required a tiny bit of sanding, which is par for the course anyway, and the BB threads were full of crap which took the LBS 2 minutes to chase out. Otherwise, no problems.

P_Tucker

Have you used the headset they sent? I read on Speedy Li's feedback that some were having problems getting them to fit properly and finding replacements were difficult. Also how is the quality of the paintjob? I realise it won't be spot on and in your picture it looks great but how do they look closer up?

cheers

JustinLeeAtkinson

PeteMadoc wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

I love the paint scheme.

Barrel adjusters: are there stops in the frame or are you having to use like a band-on solution?

Not sure of the proper names for things but there are two threaded holes for the barrel adjusters to go into just like on any normal road bike but I think when you buy a frame in the UK it comes with the barrel adjusters already provided. No big deal just a pain in the ar5e when you want to get it finished and ride the thing.

The frame is excellent quality and all the headset bearings and BB30 bearings slotted into place perfectly

Ok, maybe this is basic, but it is my first complete bike build. I have a chinese carbon frame, which is almost complete and will post pics when it is. Question is do you have to have barrell adjusters on the down tube?

dcurzon

JustinLeeAtkinson wrote:

Ok, maybe this is basic, but it is my first complete bike build. I have a chinese carbon frame, which is almost complete and will post pics when it is. Question is do you have to have barrell adjusters on the down tube?

no. you can get 'inline' adjusters that will fit just outside your shifters.

JustinLeeAtkinson

dcurzon wrote:

JustinLeeAtkinson wrote:

Ok, maybe this is basic, but it is my first complete bike build. I have a chinese carbon frame, which is almost complete and will post pics when it is. Question is do you have to have barrell adjusters on the down tube?

no. you can get 'inline' adjusters that will fit just outside your shifters.

Thanks! Next question, do you have to have adjusters on your shifters? I.e. Presumably you can just make do with the adjuster fitted to your rear mech?

I'm intending to go for Shimano 105 6700 shifters. The cable runs under the bar tape with these, so could you fit an inline adjuster?

andi1363

Yes you can make do with just a rear mech adjuster but its nice to be able to tweak while on the move.

cabbage1879

ademort wrote:

cabbage1879 wrote:

After reading through all 44 pages, the most popular frame seems to be the FM 028 from carbonbicycles.

But what do you think of this one. I seen the Dogma frame in a various array of colours and with free posting as well!!

http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/900790

That,s where i ordered my frame from. It,s still in customs so sadly i cannot comment on the quality as yet. Pictures and a short summary of how it handles are to follow, as and when it arrives.

Ademort

Have you got you frame yet mate, busting my arse to order one but wanted to see the quality of your one first.

carbon337

I was told tonight by someone in the bike industry that some of these frames were cut open to discover a considerable amount of fibre glass....

I dont think i believe it as someone here would have discovered this by now.

ademort

cabbage1879 wrote:

ademort wrote:

cabbage1879 wrote:

After reading through all 44 pages, the most popular frame seems to be the FM 028 from carbonbicycles.

But what do you think of this one. I seen the Dogma frame in a various array of colours and with free posting as well!!

http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/900790

That,s where i ordered my frame from. It,s still in customs so sadly i cannot comment on the quality as yet. Pictures and a short summary of how it handles are to follow, as and when it arrives.

Ademort

Have you got you frame yet mate, busting my ars* to order one but wanted to see the quality of your one first.

I got my frame and the quality looks very good, i am impressed as some have said there are a few minor issues. There is paint in the bottle cage screw threads and in the down tube rear mech adjuster threads which you would not normally find but its easy to sort that out. I also had a little trouble fitting the seatpin it was a little bit tight, so i wrapped some sandpaper round an old 27.2. seatpin and just rubbed it up and down the seattube for a few minutes, again problem solved and seatpin fits as it should do. Headset fitted very easily i didnt even need any tools i just pushed it into place by hand.
Only problem i have is that my brake calipers are Planet-X superlight and even with the longest bolts (28mm) are too short so i,ve ordered some 35mm from Ribble. Hope to have the bike built up for the weekend and will def put some pictures on BR when it,s finished. The frame really looks excellent, paint job is first class IMHO. Only other thing is seat collar on these frames is 12mm and the seatclamp i have from Extreme is only 7mm which leaves a gap of 5mm to the seattube. I solved this by cutting a thin peice of electrical tape and fitting it round the seat collar and then fitting the seatclamp over it. Alternatively you could cut 5mm off the seat collar and thats also problem solved. I dont think you can buy a seat clamp thats 12mm wide.If the bike performs anything like the way it looks then i will be a very happy Man. As i,ve said when it,s finished pictures and a summary of how it performs will be put on BR.
Ademort

P_Tucker

ademort wrote:

cabbage1879 wrote:

ademort wrote:

cabbage1879 wrote:

After reading through all 44 pages, the most popular frame seems to be the FM 028 from carbonbicycles.

But what do you think of this one. I seen the Dogma frame in a various array of colours and with free posting as well!!

http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/900790

That,s where i ordered my frame from. It,s still in customs so sadly i cannot comment on the quality as yet. Pictures and a short summary of how it handles are to follow, as and when it arrives.

Ademort

Have you got you frame yet mate, busting my ars* to order one but wanted to see the quality of your one first.

I got my frame and the quality looks very good, i am impressed as some have said there are a few minor issues. There is paint in the bottle cage screw threads and in the down tube rear mech adjuster threads which you would not normally find but its easy to sort that out. I also had a little trouble fitting the seatpin it was a little bit tight, so i wrapped some sandpaper round an old 27.2. seatpin and just rubbed it up and down the seattube for a few minutes, again problem solved and seatpin fits as it should do. Headset fitted very easily i didnt even need any tools i just pushed it into place by hand.
Only problem i have is that my brake calipers are Planet-X superlight and even with the longest bolts (28mm) are too short so i,ve ordered some 35mm from Ribble. Hope to have the bike built up for the weekend and will def put some pictures on BR when it,s finished. The frame really looks excellent, paint job is first class IMHO. Only other thing is seat collar on these frames is 12mm and the seatclamp i have from Extreme is only 7mm which leaves a gap of 5mm to the seattube. I solved this by cutting a thin peice of electrical tape and fitting it round the seat collar and then fitting the seatclamp over it. Alternatively you could cut 5mm off the seat collar and thats also problem solved. I dont think you can buy a seat clamp thats 12mm wide.If the bike performs anything like the way it looks then i will be a very happy Man. As i,ve said when it,s finished pictures and a summary of how it performs will be put on BR.
Ademort

Those really are some pretty minor issues. Depends whether half an hour of your time is worth 3 grand. I've just worked it out for me based on my hourly rate, and.... no, it's not. Who knew?

stoffo

After reading many positive reviews i have taken the plunge and ordered the RB003 from carbonzone. Lets hope its as good as everyone on here seems to have experienced!

skylla

Davey C wrote:

mroli wrote:

P_Tucker wrote:

And all for less than a real Dogma frame and fork. Awesome.

Any reason you went for a Dogma copy? Just asking because I think that that bike would look pretty amazing without trying to pass itself off as something that it isn't?

ps - is the saddle a little tilted "up"?

What is equally amazing is pi55ing off a load of dentists who allowed themselves to be gangbanged by the Pinarello marketing department.

Lord Sugah is no dentist, or is he?!

skylla

vs wrote:

Just had a look at your blog, bloody brilliant, well done mate keep it up.

Me too...amazing mate, well done indeed, speechless...

+1

http://theamazing39stonecyclist.wordpress.com/


my god, you're a champ.

gb155

skylla wrote:

vs wrote:

Just had a look at your blog, bloody brilliant, well done mate keep it up.

Me too...amazing mate, well done indeed, speechless...

+1

http://theamazing39stonecyclist.wordpress.com/


my god, you're a champ.

Far too kind, Thanks

Benjamin Hall

I think perhaps a photo thread is in order.... After trawling through 45 pages you somewhat forget why you are on the thread... Lets open a thread just for photos and descriptions of chinese bikes, including seller and cost. Sound like a good idea?

cabbage1879

Having read through all the pages as well i've noticed that Carbon_Bicycles on ebay are the most popular seller, with the FM028 being the most popular frame.

I seen ademorts post where he bought from speedy li's site. That one caught my eye mainly due to the colour scheme and the price included all those extras like the decals and the like. He mentioned himself that they were slow when it came to emails and that's something i've experienced with them, though to be fair i'm not ready to buy yet anyway, well not until i see ademorts bike built up.......so no pressure there mate..

Matt the Tester

im really liking the look of these carbon ninja bikes

how much would i be looking to spend if i was to build one up?

cabbage1879

Having read back, you'd get a great bike for under a grand easy.

Matt the Tester

cheers mate, thanks for validating what i was thinking!

option_click

Hurrah, my FM015 arrived yesterday!
On first inspection it looks very well finished and the paintjob, although not complex, has been done well, and certainly a bargain at $60.

Just need to decide whether to 'brand' it or keep it clean.

Apologies for poor phone pic...