[Closed] Would you buy a no name Chinese Frame direct?

no, but not because it's Chinese and no name,  I'd not get it because it has geometry from the 90s

Yes I would, and I have in the past, although not carbon or from that manufacturer / brand.

I currently have some ridgid carbon 27.5 bolt through forks on their way from Asia.

Geometry is rather xc racey - if that's your thing.

Yeah I would.

Not that exact model, bit racy for me, but that’s the only thing that would bother me.

Yes. I have bought Chinese carbon frame & forks and wheels in the past, from a different maker/reseller though.

As above, looks like xc geometry. Quality may or may not be up to quite the same standards as the big bike companies. If anything breaks then a warranty claim may be problematic given there's no uk/European contact for the company.

But if you're willing to roll the dice on an unbranded frame at a good price then go for it. Of all the Chinese carbon parts I've had I've only ever had one issue, that was breaking a couple of spokes on a rear wheel, due to a poor wheel build (got my LBS to rebuild at my own cost), but then I've had a friend have similar issues with his Cannondale cx bike, so take from that what you will.

I honestly don't know TBH...  But

looks identical to those sold by the big brands

Means almost nothing, it's simply aesthetics and just means the tooling is a close enough copy (might be the same tool) to fool casual inspection...

The material used to fill out the form and the process used to lay it up could be completely different...

Research the company, make contact if possible to find out what their process and QC is like and how it compares to the "big brands"...

It’d Have to be very cheap, and I’d have to be equally skint and desperate for a bike frame.

how much is it? Just seems to say $0.00?

They’re about £300..

Given that in the past 6 months I’ve picked up a Cube and a Focus carbon xc frame for me & the Mrs, both for way less than that price I’d say that I think I’d exhaust the second hand options from major brands first.

Huggis

You are throwing out confusing signals.

In your other thread you say you are after a long, low and slack frame.

Now you link to the polar opposite.

I was about to suggest you look at going to China with your own custom geometry, that would require you knowing what you want.

If after 2 bikes that are very different then I get it but if the link above is in anyway connected to the other thread you need to take a breath and make sure you know what you want.

There are a multitude of good Chinese carbon xc  frames from brands that have built a reasonable reputation, the one you link to is not one of the ones I would use.

For a more long, low and slack I'd go for a custom geo Ti from one of the better known Chinese brands...   it'll set you back around £700 which is a grand less than buying a 'branded' one from here.

First things first, be sure you know what you want.

As said above, if xc then known brands can be picked up at bargain prices second hand.

The vast majority of bike companies have no manufacturing capability and rely on Taiwanese / Chines sub-con manufacturers.  I've been buying direct from China for 12+ years for custom frames and parts and had no problems. Avoid any seller that sells fake branded product. If you search the web you'll find plenty of recommendations for direct sellers.

around 300 ? Mmhhh.

Like others said: for this money - or less - you might find a "older model" but "new" carbon XC frame from Cube or so.

Bought a couple weeks ago an aluminium Cube Stereo frame from bike-discount. At that time they had Cube carbon XC hardtail frames for less then 300 bucks. Maybe check if you like.

Had an "no brand" aluminium XC HT frame, directly imported from Asia. Dirt cheap and "o.k." quality - but not more. Details were done very, very cheap...

Bigger brands manufacture all in Asia - and in China - but they have their quality control set up. And they do testing.

Right now winter sale is still going on here and there. Above mentioned Cube Aluminium frame: excellent, excellent quality and low weight for a 150/150 full susser frame. And not much paid...

I bought a road frame from one of the bigger sellers (Hong Fu) and it was a no brainer, brilliant frame.  Just watch out for customs, IME they ship them with zero value and although some get through, mine didn't and customs will just sit on it til you pay up.  With hindsight I'd ask them to just declare the full value to save a bit of time for the sake of 50 or 60 quid.

Brant once explained the minefield of carbon frame production in China. After that I was put off.

I'd rather buy a cheap carbon frame from a budget brand in the UK that's tested and has come back and can be sued should it fail

As per the above, I'd be happy to buy from a Chinese seller that is happy to sell under their own brand, but I wouldn't buy one that is fake branded.

Had a Hongfu FM066 and that was good.  They promote a lot of stuff on the in house testing they do and quality control.  Could all be rubbish of course, but there are a lot of independent positive reviews on Hong Fu stuff as well.

The FM066 looks identical to some of the PlanetX frames, so I wouldn't be surprised if they came from the same place.

I'd happily buy from one of the reputable direct-selling factories.

Couldn't find a nice trail/xc 29er hardtail with anything like modern geometry last time I looked though.

I bought a no-name used chinese frame off ebay so, yes. It worked out great

Had a look at Hong Fu bikes.

Can't see any specs / no geo information...

I bought a 2nd hand Flyxii frame for £100 to scratch a lightweight xc itch. It's been pretty good so far, but i did my homework on  http://chinertown.com

In a word, no!

because I got a cube gtc from bike discount.

dont know if the geometry concurs with the latest trends, but it got a fantastic review in mbuk a wee while back.

bear in mind, you'll pay 20 percent vat on your Chinese carbon, and that again on the delivery costs.

Yes. I Bought a Carbonspeed fat bike frameset. Excellent quality (latest geo and stds) price and service, it arrived UK in 2 days.

But I researched the sellers and models first.

Definitely not I would wait for so.e no name upstart to get a bit of credibility with some mates at some magazine.

Then I'd buy the frame with their moniker on it because sick bro.

Looking at that frame, i'd just get a Carbon On-one Lurcher new or used.

Yes.

I've had an ICAN xc bike for the past 2 years and its been great.

Has some odd quirks but rides really well and was really light.   http://www.icanbikes.com/index.html