What's the deal with Chinese parts?

Baba da-boopi

Just browsing through eBay and noticed that there is a lot of things offered from China / Taiwan..

The fact it is almost 50% of the UK price, with free shipping makes me a bit suspicious :?

I know through my Taiwanese friends (who tell me too only trust their countries goods, because of tighter quality control) that China is renowned for fake tat.. Which isn't really news to me.

Also a lot of the write ups and 'stock photos' are the same for both counties :?

Anyone bought from an eBay seller in China / Taiwan?

nochekmate

Andy,

Here's a lengthy thread on carbon frames and indeed wheelsets which may give you the names of some of the Chinese dealers that people have used on eBay etc.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12751016

Baba da-boopi

Haha! Thanks for the reply Paul (I might as well address my post's to you)

That's what the 'search button' is for then? :roll:

Thanks again
Andy

unixnerd

Chinese companies can make utter tat or superb products whose standards we can't match in the West. Let's not forget they have their own space programme and I'll bet the parts for their rockets are well made! It all depends on the supplier more than what country they're in.

Baba da-boopi

unixnerd wrote:

Chinese companies can make utter tat or superb products whose standards we can't match in the West. Let's not forget they have their own space programme and I'll bet the parts for their rockets are well made! It all depends on the supplier more than what country they're in.

It was primarily the branded items I was looking at really, Like this for example

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Deda-Zero-100-Ser ... 1c1a544574

Which comes in at almost half price?

(I have just noticed that HighonBikes is selling for £49.95 now) :?

This model Service corse seems to be a bit heavier though.. Same as that of the Chinese.

Thanks for the reply, the Carbon frames seem to be a good buy by the sounds of things.

Monty Dog

I would actually avoid 'branded' products from China that look suspiciously cheap or don't appear on the makers website - they are most likely to be knock-off / forgeries. However, given the vast majority of cycling components come from China / Taiwan, then some can represent good value

unixnerd

I suppose it's also worth pointing out that where bicycles are concerned the Chinese do have a lot of history with the things :-)

Baba da-boopi

unixnerd wrote:

I suppose it's also worth pointing out that where bicycles are concerned the Chinese do have a lot of history with the things :-)

I was just talking to Katie Melua over dinner (honest) she more a less echoed your words, that's a fact..

Then I woke up

Wappygixer

A guy at work bought a Ritchey carbon seat post from China.Looked near identical to the one I bought from CRC except the writing wasn't very straight, it went round the bend a bit.