![]() Mei, however, assures us that his frames - made from high-tensile Toray 700 and aerospace grade 8 carbon-fibre - meet the relevant EN European standards for sales in the UK. One UK bike importer we spoke to, who wished to remain nameless, raised serious concerns about the number of frame failures they had witnessed in Chinese carbon products. While you’re unlikely to find such assurances from an eBay seller, Mei is quick to point out that his company does guarantee the quality of its frames: “Our carbon frames have a two-year warranty which covers everything except ‘human destruction’.” One of the primary concerns among UK cyclists when considering buying a frame online from China is the lack of warranty offered. They can pay for the mould cost and so their retail prices are higher.” "Bigger brands usually have their own mould and tool, so their frame is special and only for them. Added some short length cable housings to the accessible hatch location below the bottom bracket, as I felt that the current carbon slots were adding unnecessary friction to the shifter cables.Online bike business VeloBuild offers carbon frames for sale online from as little as $339 (£226).Ĭhris Mei, director of VeloBuild’s office in Shenzhen, China, explains how these low prices are achieved: “The frames we sell are what we call ‘open common tool’, so the price is much cheaper. Perhaps after adjusting the handlebar shifters, I may go integral. Carbon handlebar, integral to the stem, appears to be well made, integral ports exist for the brakes or shifter cables, I originally tried them however, opted to go external as the strain to the cables seemed excessive. Carbon seat is very light, will have to try it to fully evaluate the item. The plastic frame inserts for the cable entry/exit ports, were easy to remove and install. The cable plastic guides were incorrectly installed for the R and L shifter cables, easy enough to switch around. Headset was clean, and fit very well, no issues experienced. Front fork has a cable support for the disc brake hydraulic line, an addition since Hambini’s review, still not integral though. I did notify TRIFOX regarding the missing wheelset, and patiently await their response….Īs for the bike, threaded bottom bracket is very impressive, alignment is spot on. Considering the price paid, and the condition of the components, I’m ok with the packaging method that TRIFOX used, as I’ve paid for a bike and not necessarily the printed marketing on the exterior of the box, or the professional packaging methods typically incorporated at the customers expense. ![]() All components were wrapped thoroughly in a plastic foam roll, and protected the parts within very well, no apparent damage found. ![]() The order arrived in a single box, and like every other video out there, the carboard box looked inconspicuous and crushed beyond the normal profile of a box, I was definitely concerned about the integrity of the components within. Order placed April 2, received the bike and some other components May 14. A word of caution, customer service is extremely disappointing, long delays in product shipping and arriving, and thus far, missing some key components – ie wheelset. I completed a quick risk assessment and elected to order the X10 in medium Red/Carbon, despite the risks associated without physically inspecting and dealing with a local bike shop. But the question I keep having needs an aerodynamics expert – for the average rider does aero design add anything at all with these lower power outputs? I have now reverted to round tube titanium bikes with which I can build a bike around 17 lbs. Since the normal rider seldom exceeds 250 watts top output, does aero design actually make any significant gain over the older steel tube bikes with a tube diameter so much smaller? I had a serious concussion about 14 years ago which destroyed a good deal of my memory so I had to start from scratch again learning about bikes again and went through everything from my old Basso Loto to Trek top of the line bikes with those crappy BB90’s. So here is something that the Great Hambini should address. But I am passed often enough by younger riders that think that they gain an advantage by aero designs. I have discovered that I cannot tell the difference in climbing between a 20 lb bike and a 16 lb bike.
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