ebay chinese carbon hardtail frames

[chillindrdude]

if you goto ebay, and search for carbon frames, a bunch of generic looking, non-decaled carbon fiber hardtail frames popup from chinese (usually HK) sellers. some of them state that they are OEM carbon frame manufacturers, and use 100% carbon fiber...blah blah blah.

i'm planning on building a cheapo xc hardtail to ride around pretty smooth/nontech offroad trails. has anyone gotten one of these? if so, how was the construction? durable?

[splat]

how much do they want for them ( I'm too lazy to go look )

[chillindrdude]

range from 300-500bucks

[oldfart]

I think it is pretty likely that some of these are identical to bigger named manufacturers. Some may be what are called catalogue bikes where small bike companies pick models and have their decal stuck on a factory catalogue bike. Sometimes I think a factory gets an order for say 2500 frames so they make 4500 and sell off the extras unbeknownst to the party that designed and had the bikes manufactured.

[jonKranked]

These are catalog frames. I doubt the quality is poor, but probably not quite on par with brand name. Also,no warranty. Pretty sure youd have to pay import taxes as well.

[jonKranked]

also, for what you're paying, i've been considering it too. i just picked up a set of carbon mtb wheels from one of these factories for what a set of azonic outlaws cost.

[moff_quigley]

There's a huge thread about these on the 29er board on eMpTyBeeR.

[jonKranked]

There's a huge thread about these on the 29er board on eMpTyBeeR.

link? what's the consensus? even if the quality isn't completely on par, you could get 4 or so of these frames for what a single brand name frame costs.

[moff_quigley]

http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/ch...er-640919.html

They seem to like them and issues have been small. Most of the discussion is about what weave and other assorted gayness.

[golgiaparatus]

True Story:

One of the local roadies here bought one of those frame/fork combos. The one that looks like a Pinarello. The steerer tube failed suddenly on a downhill section and he face planted... shattered the lower part of his face. It's been about 5-6 months and 2 surgeries. And he was just cleared to do light rides a few weeks ago. He now sports a beard to cover the scars.

It's just not worth it.

[jonKranked]

True story:

i'm not a roadie.

[jonKranked]

also, what's to say that failure wasn't one of those off-chance, one in a million incidents? which are, to be totally honest and fair, just as likely to occur with a brand name frame.

[moff_quigley]

I seriously considered getting one of those ebay roadie frames...but I was concerned about using their fork. More than likely I would have bought an EC70 to use instead (which I did end up getting for my build anyway). Crap breaks though. Could happen to my easton as well.

[Arkayne]

also, for what you're paying, i've been considering it too. i just picked up a set of carbon mtb wheels from one of these factories for what a set of azonic outlaws cost.

spill the beans? I need a funky commuter wheelset and I wouldn't mind cheapy carbons. As long as it can handle manuals, I'll get one.

[jonKranked]

spill the beans? I need a funky commuter wheelset and I wouldn't mind cheapy carbons. As long as it can handle manuals, I'll get one.

i got it as a one time deal through a friend who picked up a set directly from the vendor at interbike and decided ultralight parts were too scary for him. these are mtb wheels, ridden 3 times on the road around the neighborhood.