The geo seems to fit and need something inexpensive. It seems very close to some of the Scattante (Performance Bikes) frames. I've also looked at Pedal Force and Motobecane Immortal frames and seems that their wholesale price is comparable to what this manufacturer is selling for. In terms of performance, is there really that much difference (for the "enthusiastic" rider) between a brand name and a generic? All I know is this same factory makes frames for "other brand names" and my guess is thses are last year's "left overs"
Warranty, and the ability to make reasonable assumptions about the build quality, are the major difference between named brands and generic frames. The first reason is not relevant to an ebay purchase in most cases.
Doesn't that add to the frame strength and reduce weight? 😄
Now, seriously. I'm curious to know. The more research I do, the more confident I get about the quality of those frames but..... You never know. I thought it would be great to get a nice 1200 gram frame for $350 bucks.
How do you know anything about the quality of build and materials used? How do you nokw these weren't rejects? What are you going to do if there is anytihng wrong?
No Brand No Reputation No History of quality No History of Performance
and quite likely
No warrently or back up.
Just because it LOOKS like something else doesn't mean it is the same. It could come from the same factory but be different layups, different processing, and different quality. It could also come from a different factory made made to look like something else. Might even have some glass fiber in it instead of the cheaper CF to same some $$$.
When it comes to buying a frame, I buy a brand name bike, from a shop. You take you life in your hands when you buy name less frames from faceless ebay sellers on the other side of the planet.
My club here in Japan are getting our own brand carbon frame made in China. I was reluctant at first about them. After 2 years now of seeing more and more club members buying them and having good results with them, I'm starting to believe they are as good as if not better than a lot of European, U,S or Taiwanese brands. I'm told the factory that makes them makes some other famous brands but not told yet what those other brands are.
Our best rider is using one and he is in the top level amateur SS class here in Japan and (He's over 40, been riding for 3 or 4 years, has lost 25kgs in weight since he started). He's been in 4 races so far this year that count towards the annual tally for the championship. He's come 3rd, 1st, 1st and crashed out in the 4th while in a 4 man break away near the finish.
I'm thinking of getting one too when my Trek5500 frame gives up.
How do you know anything about the quality of build and materials used? How do you nokw these weren't rejects? What are you going to do if there is anytihng wrong?
No Brand No Reputation No History of quality No History of Performance
and quite likely
No warrently or back up.
Just because it LOOKS like something else doesn't mean it is the same. It could come from the same factory but be different layups, different processing, and different quality. It could also come from a different factory made made to look like something else. Might even have some glass fiber in it instead of the cheaper CF to same some $$$.
When it comes to buying a frame, I buy a brand name bike, from a shop. You take you life in your hands when you buy name less frames from faceless ebay sellers on the other side of the planet.
True. But I think it's a similar situation when you buy a used frame on EBay. This frame may become my "beater" bike or just a fun project... I don't know yet. I don't race so my demands are not as exacting. Regarding warranty. most bikes around here only have a 1 year warranty unless you buy the super expensive "brands". So far the feedback I've received from buyers has been positive though.
JAPANic is not talking about a generic frame, but rather a known brand from a factory with a known track record and, presumably, someone who is locally responsible for warranty claims. Really, these frames do not differ from Trek/Giant/Colnago/ etc. Noone is arguing that the Chinese cannot make good frames, what we are talking about is a "brown paper bag" frame from ebay. It's a world of difference. In any case, I wouldn't buy any composite frame from ebay, or even second hand from anyone I didn't know. You need to know the history of these frames.
JAPANic is not talking about a generic frame, but rather a known brand from a factory with a known track record and, presumably, someone who is locally responsible for warranty claims. Really, these frames do not differ from Trek/Giant/Colnago/ etc. Noone is arguing that the Chinese cannot make good frames, what we are talking about is a "brown paper bag" frame from ebay. It's a world of difference. In any case, I wouldn't buy any composite frame from ebay, or even second hand from anyone I didn't know. You need to know the history of these frames.
I bought a pair of carbon forks off a guy in China selling carbon frames. They've been fantastic. Really light and robust. Cost about £50 all told. For 300g forks. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a frame from this guy.
Without traceability how do you know they're not factory seconds which some enterpreneur bought up & resold?
How do you know they're not the frames used to train new workers?
There's a pretty high [censored] potential here.
Agree.....plenty of opportunity for seconds and rejects to be sold out the back door of the factory for a few bucks rather than being destroyed. Could be just cosmetic defects, minor misalignments, or something serious that could bite you down the road.
When it comes to stuff like forks and frames, I just don't trust some guy (from China or anywhere else) selling "no-name" bargains on ebay. Seems to me it's worth paying extra for a brand with some assurance of quality, as well as a warranty and product liability insurance if all else fails.
Agree.....plenty of opportunity for seconds and rejects to be sold out the back door of the factory for a few bucks rather than being destroyed. Could be just cosmetic defects, minor misalignments, or something serious that could bite you down the road.
When it comes to stuff like forks and frames, I just don't trust some guy (from China or anywhere else) selling "no-name" bargains on ebay. Seems to me it's worth paying extra for a brand with some assurance of quality, as well as a warranty and product liability insurance if all else fails.
So far, I've been able to contact 27 buyers. All VERY positive. Just bought one. I'll be able to tell soon...
Sorry, but I had the impression you were buying from a third-party dealer on ebay, rather than direct from the manufacturer. After checking out the website, can see how you would be interested. Of course, pictures of test stations don't tell us anything about the strength and quality of the frame, but I suppose that's true of any big-brand website as well.
You could have found a source for good frames at a bargain price, without the major-brand markup.....who knows? The positive customer feedback has to give you confidence. Would like to hear your impressions after you get the frame...goodluck.
Doesn't that add to the frame strength and reduce weight? 😄
Now, seriously. I'm curious to know. The more research I do, the more confident I get about the quality of those frames but..... You never know. I thought it would be great to get a nice 1200 gram frame for $350 bucks.
I checked with some of the people who bought these frames in other forums and their feedback is very good. I also emailed a couple of guys who got the carbon cyclo-cross frame and two of them said that they raced the frames in Washington state and Oregon and they both were very positive about their experience. Only thing that prevented me from pulling the trigger is the fact that I am CURRENTLY unable to make a financial committment of that nature. 😕
I checked with some of the people who bought these frames in other forums and their feedback is very good. I also emailed a couple of guys who got the carbon cyclo-cross frame and two of them said that they raced the frames in Washington state and Oregon and they both were very positive about their experience. Only thing that prevented me from pulling the trigger is the fact that I am CURRENTLY unable to make a financial committment of that nature. 😕
I'll try to post when I get it. It should be here any day now. It's going to be more a "fun" project. Even though I've looked and researched a lot of frames to replace my TCR C, I don't think this project will be a "replacement bike". I've also learned that many of the brand name frames selling for a lot of money ($2,000 and up), really can cost as little as $200 bucks to manufacture. Maybe it's worth a trip to china? 😄
I'll try to post when I get it. It should be here any day now. It's going to be more a "fun" project. Even though I've looked and researched a lot of frames to replace my TCR C, I don't think this project will be a "replacement bike". I've also learned that many of the brand name frames selling for a lot of money ($2,000 and up), really can cost as little as $200 bucks to manufacture. Maybe it's worth a trip to china? 😄
One thing that can vary on unknow frames is the configuration of the geometry.It will interesting to see how that works out for you. I actually know someone who is a serious cyclist that will be going to China late spring early summer. Of course he goes every year on business.
One thing that can vary on unknow frames is the configuration of the geometry.It will interesting to see how that works out for you. I actually know someone who is a serious cyclist that will be going to China late spring early summer. Of course he goes every year on business.
Wow, got it yesterday. Very well packaged, very good looks. Took 14 days to get to Atlanta from China. Came with barrel adjusters on the down tube. weighs at 40 OZ or 1134 grams-on my postal scale (55cm frame), with bottle cage bosses and bolts, barrel adjusters, der hanger and BB cable guides; for an extra 5 bucks I got carbon bottle cages ($385 total, including shipping). I think the fit is going to perfect, based on my other two bikes. Can't wait to build it up. I'm going to order the fork in the next few days because I thought i would re-use on of the carbon forks I have, but this frame is really stunning, massive down tube, square top tube tapering to oval at the seat tube, seat stays are very "curvy" like a Pinarello, no decals, totaly nude. The fork they sell is also a curvy one, like the Pinarello. we'll see how it rides in a few weeks...
Wow, got it yesterday. Very well packaged, very good looks. Took 14 days to get to Atlanta from China. Came with barrel adjusters on the down tube. weighs at 40 OZ or 1134 grams-on my postal scale (55cm frame), with bottle cage bosses and bolts, barrel adjusters, der hanger and BB cable guides; for an extra 5 bucks I got carbon bottle cages ($385 total, including shipping). I think the fit is going to perfect, based on my other two bikes. Can't wait to build it up. I'm going to order the fork in the next few days because I thought i would re-use on of the carbon forks I have, but this frame is really stunning, massive down tube, square top tube tapering to oval at the seat tube, seat stays are very "curvy" like a Pinarello, no decals, totaly nude. The fork they sell is also a curvy one, like the Pinarello. we'll see how it rides in a few weeks...
