The CHEAPEST CARBON FRAME I could find...
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- The cheapest carbon fibre disc brake frame I could find, so how is it constructed, and it is safe?
SIROKO CLOTHING - 10% off (automatically applied via link below):
srko.co/tracevelo
After a bit of searching, I bought literally the cheapest disc brake carbon frame that I could find on AliExpress. It is an aero style open-mold frame from a seller that I have never used before and cost me £323.24 or around $373.
It's a road bike frame and looks a lot like a Cipollini NK1K, but once you get up close, you realise there are several major differences, including the way the frame is constructed. You can find very similar frames from the likes of TriFox and Costello, but this one is completely unbranded and as such much cheaper.
It’s a fully carbon fibre construction, and although it looks ok from the outside, after looking inside the frame with an endoscope there are definitely some pretty rough areas. For example, the BB86 bottom bracket seems quite hastily installed with a lot of excess resin, and part of the head tube is pretty badly wrinkled.
However, the frame looks ok overall, and I will be using it for an upcoming bike build, so time will tell if the frame holds up.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Start
00:23 - Sponsor segment
01:58 - Intro
04:30 - Detailed inspection
06:32 - How is the frame constructed?
08:49 - Looking inside the frame
11:54 - Cipollini NK1K copy?
13:48 - Is it safe, & final thoughts
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - www.go2dev.co.uk
About Trace Velo:
I love cycling, and I love getting pro cycling kit for less. If it’s cheap, from China, and made of carbon fibre, I’m interested!
Instagram: / tracevelo
Email: tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
With the exception of Siroko, other products demonstrated in this video have been purchased by me, and I have no affiliation to any of the sellers or vendors shown.
In addition, I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!! - Спорт
well, I've seen some frames that cost 10x as much that have much worse build quality.
OMG he's here guys!!! its HAMBINI ty for your powerpoint enlightenments
love the content hambini
HAMBINI, my man! Good to hear actually, but what do you think about the riv nuts @ 09:57? Looking at them again, some of them seem to be blasted through the carbon with splinters everywhere... How common is this in the frames you have seen?
Hamboni!
@@TraceVelo if the carbon has frayed like that, it suggests the resin in behind it has not spread well into the layers. I thought the video footage of the frame internals looked like quite a lot of tenting rather than excessive resin. You will probably never have a problem with that frame if you get the brake mounts machined but I've seen better low cost carbon frames from Aliexpress. The Trifox looks like an exact copy of that frame and the internals were better. ICAN also was good. I've got a review of a Winspace T1500 coming up. that is probably worth watching for a comparison.
4000 miles into my aliexpress frame, and absolutely zero problems. Kitted it out with 105 Groupset. I encountered the same interior finishing issues that you have found, but besides this have had no problems! A real pleasure to ride, and compares identically to branded models that I know you'd spend a considerable amount more on. The matt black frame with some red detailing (e.g. handlebar tape and bottle cages) makes it really pop!
Nice, good to hear Richard! Also totally agree on the matt black, I love the stealthy look!
Positive comment ..from someone who actually rides his bike...thanks
Same here. I bought chinarello f12 last year and did around 6k km without issues (disk brakes full ultegra with fulcrum racing 5 wheels). There was one issue with cracking sound but It was seatpost. After I put carbon paste, everything was fine
@@TraceVelo i really hate black bikes, really hate them.
Can you tell me which seller you got your frame from ?
I paid £433 (current price on Ebay) for a disk brake aero frame+fork set, including aero seat post, axles, BB86 bottom bracket and headset bearings. Frankly, I never installed the supplied bottom bracket and installed a Shimano one directly. But I splurged on a full hydraulic 105 R7000 groupset too, and two years later and around 11000 km ridden on it - zero issues. Like really, none.
Awesome, thanks for the comment dude, yeah £433 is a really decent price. Also i dont blame you on the bottom bracket. I have used a couple of the cheaper ones in the past, and they just never last as long.
as a fellow Chinese frame user i can say that i agree with you regarding testing the frame on your own before riding hard!! as of this time i have had an AliExpress frame for almost 2 years and i have been so happy with it that i am looking to get a gravel frame for a future build :) needless to say i started this journey after watching your first video back when you had like 30 subscribers 😂
Amazing, thanks dude, one of the OG's 😂Also I had a look at your bike on your channel, looks really nice so good to hear some more success stories!
@@TraceVelo same thing, I started my first build in 2019 using an OG-EVKIN Frame which is very similar to yours, and now I have ridden it for more than 3 years and 10000+ miles. Now I came back from the US to Beijing, still enjoying the rides. Cheers from China!
Been watching your vids for a long time. Love the content and your budget bike components and your mild dorkiness. Keep'em coming man. 🤙🇺🇲
Cheers Gator, thanks for the comment dude!!!!
@@TraceVelo 💯%! Bring your new Gravel build to the U.S. We'll go do the C&O Canal!
It’s crazy how much effort he puts in his videos fab episode mate and thank you for the advise
You have become one of my top fav youtubers and certainly top 3 bike related channels! Such an awesome bloke. Brave one too I should say!! Buying the cheapest carbon frame possible hahaha nuuts. Notifications ON! Much love from Sweden
Sebbelito, what an awesome comment, thankyou so much!!!
Luke can you start a Patreon? Your content is fantastic but I get uneasy, and im sure others do, about you putting your body on the line testing these ultra cheap and untraceable parts. Rather than changing your content, and losing your niche, if we could fund you to get each part CT or Ultrasounded before you ride it, that would be amazing. It would also add a heap of value to your analysis of the parts. Just a thought.
Yeah i've considered it several times, and maybe if i ever do youtube as a proper job in the future I'll look into setting up a patreon, but for now i'm not sure it would really work tbh. I can barely scrape enough time together to make these videos, so not sure i could promise anything exta on patreon 😂 But i totally get your point, and I'd be interested to get one of my frames scanned. Maybe at some point I'll get my first unbranded carbon frame scannned, it cost me like £300, and i must have put over 25,000 miles into it now, so it has to be fine... right. But honestly with these super cheap parts, i do take it really easy for the first few hundred miles.The trick is never assuming that they will work out of the box, so as long as you maintain this mentality, you can usually spot crap parts after a ride or two in my experience.
Just came back from a round tour encompassing Germany, Netherlands,Belgium, UK and France and I must said whilst the drivers in the UK were pretty patient, especially on small country roads the road surface/pot holes will make for an excellent stress test for this frame.
I'm really enjoying watching the development of this channel, not to mention the relevance to my 'sparsam' mentality (I'm tempted by getting a frame like this).
I'm so happy you go through all this so I don't have to :)
I'm not a road biker, I have a fat bike, but I have had a cheap Chinese carbon road bike frame in my Aliexpress shopping cart for years now, but I know nothing about road bikes. These kinds of videos help me figure out whether it's worth it or not.
Thank you for your service to the world, it's educational and entertaining.
Nice close up and review Luke. Lots of detail and info. Very helpful for anyone considering a budget build.
No problem, glad you liked it!
Thanks Luke - brilliant, and fascinating video as usual!
Sheesh finally another brandnew video from you hahaha everytime I get a notification from you man I always get excited, even though it's Already 11:48PM here in the Philippines I'm very pump up because I knew I'm gon be Watchin some Quality Content from you my Guy
Jamiel!!! Thanks so much dude, what an awesome comment, big shoutout to the Phillipines, you guys rock!
I have over 7,000 miles on the rim brake version of the frame and it has been flawless so far. Disc brakes put more stress into different areas of the frame so I would try very hard stops on each brake separately when testing that frame.
Yeah for sure, that's one of my main concerns with the fork. Same as the frame, it looks totally fine from the outside, but i cant get the endoscope down into the fork to check, so will just have to test it out on the bike
Good job posting stats for sizing.
Actually makes the sponsor section useful part of the video instead of something we just skip.
Thanks hockysa! Yeah i had a few comments about it in the last video, so ill make sure to include it from now on!
Your presentation is top notch , honest as always , your channel just gets better and better 👍
Cheers Smefley, really appreicate it. I'm always trying to improve, so glad it's coming across!
Your videos have opened up the possibility for me to have a carbon frame road bike without having to buy something that costs more than my car. Thanks for your videos. I'll be moving to Norway soon (hopefully) and completing a build once I'm there.
Amazing, gald to hear it Not-A-Raccoon! Good luck with the move to Norway. I've been there once, beautiful country, but I remember going out for a beer or two, SO expensive to drink out...
Another fab production Luke, keep up the hard work, I know its gotta be difficult juggling your reviews and working at the same time! Appreciated! As for the quality of the frame I'm sure you're no stranger to the Hairdresser shagger/ aero Engineer and some of the so called top end stuff has been absolutely diabolicaly constructed and fanciful exorbitant prices demanded for the privilege! Looking forward to next I instalment mate.
The overall quality and finish isn't great, but if the frame is strong and won't randomly snap in half then it seems like a viable option for an entry level road bike. One could put a legit Shimano Sora or Tiagra group set on this frame and build it for the same price as a $1200 - 1400 basic aluminum Cannondale or Specialized road bike. I'd imagine the CF frame would have better aero, slightly lower weight, and a smoother ride.
Yeah this is definitely an option. Even with a more budget friendly groupset it would still make a very capable bike
@@TraceVelo Hey thanks for all the videos btw! It's cool that they're both informative and funny. Your channel is easily my favorite cycling-centric channel on UA-cam
I'm sure I read on a Chinese bike site a few years ago that the open mould CF frames were typically stronger and more over-built compared to the higher end frames. Of course quality is still critical but companies like fuji-ta do open mould CF frames which importers sell all around the world and at fairly high volume and those frames don't push the envelope with regard low weight but tend to be stronger and the people that build them get more familiar with the procedure of building them. It's the lower volume more specialist light weight frames that have a higher failure rate. If you have 100s of importers all giving feedback on failures of the frames surely that leads to improvements. Basically the frame design is improved over time and the people building them get more familiar with the process of building them.
It was a few years ago now perhaps around 2015 but the factory door price of an open mould CF frame was $80 and remember at the time Planet X were doing CF frames in the UK with forks and VAT on the price for £300.
The pound buys far less nowadays and wages and costs in China have increased hugely but it would probably still be possible to sell a open mould CF frame and forks for £400-450 in the UK. A quick look on the Planet X site shows a Holdsworth frame with forks for £399 currently.
Thanks for the upload, very interesting to see inside. I got a relatively cheap frame very similar to this design 11 years ago and I have hammered it to death, so to speak. A daily ride in all weathers and many thousands of miles. Lost lacquer layers in parts and some paint, but not through to the carbon. It's got the same black spray-over where there are probably joins underneath but it looks neat. Really, this has been and still is the single longest-lived frame I have ever ridden.
Another belter of a video Luke! Looking forward to seeing the build. PS, I haven't forgotten the Surrey Hills day out 😉
Cheers Tom! Yeah I'm gonna try and get this thing built up in the next few weeks, so maybe I can bring it along for it's inaugural shakedown!!!
loving the side hustle
Looking forward to your build with this frame!
Thank you, Luke for your insights. Because of your reviews, I've purchased four alternative drivetrains. Three Sensah and one LTWOO. They have behaved well above average. I'd give them all 9/10 ratings. I've a carbon frameset in the queue as this is being written. Again, thanks
No problem, glad to help Keith!
I wish they'd just leave the rim brake holes on there. There's a lot of good mudguards that use those holes
I know right
That's what I was thinking. Can you drill it out and add the mounts yourself somehow?
Yeah I guess that would be pretty useful actually, but i suspect the actual layup before putting it into the mold differs quite a bit in those areas between rim and disc...
@@TraceVelo Possibly, and I guess by having the mounts be weak (strong enough for mudguards) they open themselves up to people putting brakes on them anyway
I think it would look better with the original threaded hole too.
Just bought some stuff from Siroko with your link. I’ve been looking to buy some new kits and you’ve stumbled upon my feed. Thanks bro!!
Amazing, thanks for the support Denny, hope you like the stuff!
Came across your channel while watching videos about replacing jockey wheels on my bike. Love the humor and the tips.
Appreciate the update on Siroko sizing 🙂👍
No problem matt!!!
Looking forward to seeing the next part.
would like to see a hambini vid on this one lmao
Your Intro's crack me up every single time I watch your videos!
Great video again Luke, thx. 👍
@ 2.28 the tiniest of Hambini influence! lolz, great vid
I bought a "Mekk Poggio" frame (Rim Brake) for less than 300usd including shipping to Colombia with Sensah empire and Shimano 105, according to Strava has 15,000km, it has been an incredible journey and worth every single penny!
I would love to see in future electric groupsets from Sensah!
Looking forward to the build
I've been slowly working my way up AliExpress cf components and finally ordered a carbon fiber frameset. I did a bit of research before my purchase and went with a seller that had good communication. My frame is currently shipping, so I'm crossing my fingers everything works out!
Fingers crossed dude, i'm sure it will all work out!
What frame did you order?
Thank you so much for your clothing size! Its help me when ordering (using your link of course)
Happy to help Fantacone! Hope you like the stuff, appreciate ya!
Send it to hambini
Would it be rude to include an advertisement in the comments section? Many people pay for no advertisements on UA-cam and yet before you get to the cheapest carbon frame…. An advertisement. Now on to the comment.
Outstanding video. This is what I discover as well poking around with this frame a friend purchased several weeks ago. Thanks.
Great video as always. You should also check the fork carefully, it's one of the most critical components in terms of riding safety
Yeah definitely. I gave the fork a good once over, but unfortunately i cant get the endoscope down into it. It looks fine from the outside, but i wont really know until I get out and ride it...
@@TraceVelo Check the fork's steer tube, especially near the crown race area. I had a Giant TCR where the steer tube nearly separated. The dealer that took care of the warranty was shocked that I didn't crash.
Seen much worse on big brands. It’s the lack of accountability that is an issue with aliexpress frames. We have seen some last years, and some break just dropping off a curb.
Great Vid!
Happy to hear your name is still Luke 🙏
Am using a Twitter T10 pro, just loving it.. thanks to you I'll upgrade to that mechanical hydraulic brake calipers for obvious better braking and maybe a lighter wheelset.. Let's see
But seriously it's the rider's first, than bike second that makes the ride pleasant!
Awesome video and average frameset,I like the footage and images of carbon frame construction and thorough frame review.Safe riding.Go well.💯✌🏻
Thanks, you too!
Great video as always. I bought a Claud Butler Radical back in January for £750 and within 100 miles i ripped the freehub out the back hub and Claud Butler wanted nothing to do with me, so it just goes to show that even real world bike manufacturers don't abide by their products. Granted i know Claud Butler isn't a superbike manufacturer or anything like that, but to the majority of people id say £750 should see you a decent bike that could at least do 1k miles without an issue. Still, my bikes littered with Aliexpress upgrades now including carbon bars, seat post, saddle etc. Bikes gone from 13.5kg to 10.1kg and its working just great and im a 6ft 6 big guy. Dont recommend their hollow tube cranks though, snapped a crank arm off after 500 miles ish.
Out of curiosity, which hollow tube cranks are you referring to?
you are a great honest reviewer of the chinese made bike components and frames. tell them to sent you a frame named ''trace velo'' as a gift . you advertise them a lot !!!!
What I've noticed there's no anti corrosion coating on the metal parts where it touches the carbon fiber. Isn't it the trusted recipe for galvanic corrosion?
Damn it! I was hoping your next frame was going to be the new ican super light. Great vid never the less.
Love the videos! Could you do one on 27.2mm carbon seat posts please??
Hey Trace Velo, kind of a random question but it's in the spirit of cool budget bicycle stuff: would you suggest buying higher-end used components over modern budget ones? I want to build a Chinese carbon bike with a 9 speed transmission and was thinking Sora, but there are tons of early 2000s Dura Ace 7700 9 speed parts available in good condition. It's all old, but the parts are beautiful and ooze quality. The price for equal components is similar, a Sora rear derailleur, for example, is about $45 shipped vs ~$40-70 for a 9 speed Dura Ace or Ultegra mech. Since stuff like derailleurs and brakes seem to last a long time, especially if it's all aluminum, is this the better buy?
Thanks for the video
I've been watching your videos for long time now, I would love to see you build a carbon fixed gear/track bike weight weenie or track setup 🙏🏻
Love that spyro is still living his best life behind you
Great vid mate... Been thinking of buying from Ali for a while now. You mention the price of the frame. Did you pay any VAT or import duty on the purchase. Cheers
jippeee another great video! would love a video where you review the aliexpress brompton clones. not your usual content but im sure i will get good views 😁
just got the Spcycle carbon frame with integrated cockpit, wasn't the cheapest on ALI for a little more than 600 Euros altogether, but boy oh boy that things is made just as well as any other canyon, specialiced, trek frame etc. top notch quality so far☺
great vid ty
At the risk of asking a personal question, how much do you weigh? I weigh north of 200 lbs and I’ve always wondered if a carbon frame would work for me or if it would just crumple under my bulk, especially stress at the bottom bracket. Thoughts? Thank you!
Can you please do a video how to series.
Like how to bleed brakes
How to recable etc
I know you have sections in various videos where you show, but maybe different videos so that we can easily find the bit?
Lovd your videos
So for Siroko: what size do you take in long sleeve jerseys? The medium is excellent, but normally I take XL to get proper length sleeves... which is sometimes still not enough. Sp for you?
Thank. Just ordered one for £200 with post. Expecting delivery in 6-8 weeks time
I recently pulled the TRIGGER!! On a Trifox X12 Aéro frame thanks to your videos. So thank you for being a sensible human being. Great stuff! I’d also like to know what you think of that frame(initial thoughts) on Trifox Website
Not even a Roadbiker, but very much interested in cheap bike alternatives. Always enjoy the content, keep up the good work!
P.S. Collaboration with Hambini would be fun, although i have a feeling how this would go :D
I wish they would make carbon frames with both rim brake and disc brake mounts so one could upgrade in the future without having to buy a whole new frame
I agree, important to be able to upgrade to rim brakes!
🙂
My understanding is they have to be structurally different, as disc braking requires reinforcing specific areas of the frame
@@milandjilas Yes… worrying isn’t it.
@@milandjilas Yes, but how would that prevent the use of such a frame for RIM brakes?
@Last FM There should be mounting points for either or. Not for both.
I always pull a new bike apart and make sure everything is as it should be. I have 2 "high end" bikes (6K and 4.5K) and both have had issues that I fixed.
I wouldn't agree that the QC is much better with name brands. Manufacturing might be better (who knows really) but don't assume any bike is safe, especially when you're essentially naked doing 40mph on a downhill.
great review, ill be back after 6 months to check for updates.
I miss your intros so much. Still the best bike channel as for me
You've outdone yourself luke
In a good way i hope 😂
Could be just different youtube creators using the same non-copyrighted music, but one of the musical cues here made me wonder if Luke is a true crime fan. Great video as usual!
Multi-part frames used to be the go... my Cervélo R3sl ftom 2008 was built that way and it really doesn’t give anything away to more ”modern” styles
If you are looking for some nice clean inside, there are only Time frames and most frames with tube to tube construction like Colnago C40, look 585 and 595.
Most entertaining presenter on UA-cam. Keep chugging that caffeine!
This is something I am interested in buying. I used a planet-x branded carbon frame for a few years, but I see all cool wheels today is discbrake only so Time to change frame.
I'd love to see you get the tool that reads the thickness of the carbon fiber. Saw it on another channel.
I brought a colnago aliexpress frame and have had no issues so far. took it easy for the first 500km but have raced it several times. its about 300g heavier than the original.
The Juin GT are the most intriguing for me!!!
Would love to see a video on sensah newest gravel 1x12 groupset!
Hi Trace, do u have any recommendations for OSPW for sensah/restrospec? thanks
Well, looking at leuscher teknik e hambini almost every new frame is still made by bonding the frame parts, this kind of construction is still very very much usede
What is the tire clearance for this frame? I bet 28mm since its a dual mold for rim and disc. Doesn't come with handle bars. Not fully integrated cabling. Is the front fork hidden cable? I don't like the routing of the rear derailleur cable exit port. Chunky. I honestly feel this frame should have been cheaper. I have a frame coming for $470 shipped that hits all the 2022 standards. I'll be posting about after the build.
Does it come with a warranty from the factory against defects/breakage?
Be interested to know if cheap Aluminium frames from ali express or ali babba are any better built.
Awsome channel really tempting to do a ali express build
Another good one. Perhaps Rennie may sponsor you....
I'm looking for a 1" 700c carbon fork for my bike. Any recommendations?
I'd say excess is always better than shortage, but quality always beats quantity. Yet I'm a fellow cheapskate cyclist......
However I'm not sure about the home brew QC test; as carbon fiber damage compounds, and might be a hairline fracture or a slight delamination and may not rear its ugly frayed head much later down the road, I suggest bringing it to a carbon fiber/crash repair specialist after the "QC test", maybe an added sponsor/collab waiting to happen too!
How about build with Senash groupset, and winspace wheels? Should give a reasonably high performance low cost bike.
Hi, what do you think about the RYET carbon wheel and carbon hub?.
My current unbranded carbon roadframe is 9 years old. Never had any issues.
Good fun video!!!😀
Cheers L Scott, glad you liked it!
Did you get that endoscope camera on aliexpress as well? Can you put a link or a name here? I have one but it is pretty shite. Thanks
Hi Luke! Great video! SEKA & WINSPACE should send their top-end frames to you!
It'd be great to have your opinion on the SEKA EXCEED RDC and WINSPACE T1500D.
Is it straight? It’ll be interesting to see the build and how it goes together, or not.
What repair stand are you using?
Thanks.
I will be watching this with interest as I am very tempted the Ali express N1K1 or even gamble bigger with an ad.one copy. If anyone has any experiences of these please let me know.
Looking for a carbon disk frame with qr drops any recommendations links?
Good to see Hambini seems to think the frame should be fine. At least there will more videos to come. Just be careful. 👍