Thinking of Buying or Building a “Cheap Chinese Carbon” Bike ?
Want to know if there is any point ?
Confused about the different frames out there?
Well I am someone who has owned 3 different ones due to the ASTRONOMICAL cost of bikes here in the UK .
Here is my take.
FM028:
I made a mistake here because I didn’t really understand bikes at the time, how to look after them, what the Geo’s meant etc my mistake was selling it, I used this as a daily commuter, the higher head tube making it perfect for the job, the carbon took away the road buz and it looked STUNNING, the reality is I would have kept it and used it for charity rides etc
Verdict: 8/10 it does everything you want and comfortably , speed, climbing, stiffness and mine had the looks, I would build another again without question, if I had the money.
FM015:
Short lived, a pure race machine, not really for the commute with the lower head tube, would be great for anyone racing, I’d give it 6/10 unless you ONLY want it for performance then I’d go 8/10, WOULDN’T build again as I am not racing.
Fake Pina
Pina Hiding
Didn’t knowingly buy this as a fake , got burnt , BUT was a SUPERB ride, read some dodgy things about them on the interweb, sounds like the issues were fixed or not true, set some of my best times on this bike, comfy, fast, smooth, sexy 9/10 would have another.
I have to say that vs my Trek Madone (NOT FAKE) the ride of all 3 is at least as good, so if you are thinking about it, chose the frame with Geo right for you and the use it will get and then go for it.
Interesting to see the comparisons. I’ve seen your chinese imports before separately and they look good but together, its interesting to see the differences.
A couple of follow up questions.
- Do you have a link to the site you ordered them from?
- How did you work out what your geo’s were?
- Have you imported group sets from China/Hong Kong as well? If so, what have your experiences of that been like!
BTW I also agree with you last blog about Lance!
I got it from Deng Fu
I guessed LOL but they all have Geo Charts now
I did, I got a Ultegra Groupo , worked out about 30% cheaper, totally Genuine and no tax, win win win
I built a “cheap Chinese frame” too, the FM028, it was totally fine, quality I thought was excellent. http://massivemtber.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/img_2049.jpg I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. Link here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3k-Full-Carbon-Racing-Road-Bike-Frame-Front-Fork-58cm-/350529121813?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item519d29ee15
Hope that’s a help Gareth.
Good point, though that link doesn’t seem cheap, I’m being sexualised by the FM098 right now :0)
Cheers for the pointers gents.
I’m currently building a MTB (I know, me – a confirmed roadie!) from an 8 year old Trek Fuel 90 Frame I got off eBay cheap, so can’t afford to do more than one.
But I reckon the next project could very well be a Chinese import…..
So how did you figure out it was a fake?
Round seat tube
Where did you get the decals for the FM028 and FM015??
http://designstickers.blogspot.com.br/search/label/Livestrong
Do I get commission for the free advert?
Hi,
Great review; thanks! I want to build a bike on achinese frame base. If you had to choose one out of the three – which one?
Really does depend on what you will use it for tbh
I am taking part in alpine sportives and I am planing to take part in RATA (Race across the alps – 530 km and about 13000 m in about 25 hours) – I need it for “climbing” mostly…
Then personally I’d go with the fm098, veng like.
Thanks! Did you ride the fm098 by yourself?
A friend of mine has one.