XACD custom titanium frames

el tel

Anybody ever tried a frame made by the Chinese outft XACD?

http://www.xacd.com.cn/product.asp?rootcl=1#

They are very cheap, seemingly around €600 for a custom frame. I haven't been able to pin down whether or not they are a good buy.

kona

el tel wrote: »

Anybody ever tried a frame made by the Chinese outft XACD?

http://www.xacd.com.cn/product.asp?rootcl=1#

They are very cheap, seemingly around €600 for a custom frame. I haven't been able to pin down whether or not they are a good buy.

I wouldnt touch them TBH, they look ****e.

blorg

There is a fair bit of stuff on other forums including BikeRadar about them- have a Google. I met someone with one on the Marmotte and he was very happy with it. I have corresponded with them myself, was considering one, hmm maybe still am, got a quote of:

FOB XI'AN USD485.00/set 1set USD485.00
Shipping costs(EMS express):USD155.00
Bank fee:USD40.00
Total:USD680.00

Bear in mind there is a risk you would have to pay VAT and duty on top of that.

Lumen

I discovered the other day (when I rang them) that Enigma Ti frames were until now made in the far east, but they have now started some UK production.

No idea whether there is any connection.

blorg

kona wrote: »

I wouldnt touch them TBH, they look ****e.

@Kona- they are reputed to OEM for quite a few European titanium bike companies who get their manufacturing done in China... They may not be Litespeed but if you do a search on the internet there are actually a lot of happy customers.

I have seen one in the flesh and it does not look "****e", unless that is you generally think bare titanium bikes look "****e." Maybe not quite as nice as some others but certainly not "****e."

rob1891

Their full sus frame is funny, Unified Rear Triangle design, one of the worst ever [only works when you are seated, and barely at that]. Now commonly seen on supermarket BSOs.

kona

blorg wrote: »

@Kona- they are reputed to OEM for quite a few European titanium bike companies who get their manufacturing done in China... They may not be Litespeed but if you do a search on the internet there are actually a lot of happy customers.

I have seen one in the flesh and it does not look "****e", unless that is you generally think bare titanium bikes look "****e." Maybe not quite as nice as some others but certainly not "****e."

im looking at the mtb. they look ****e.

People aint gunna make themselves look like fools for spending e700 on a unknown chinese bike frame manufacturer.

Id pay the extra few quid and get a well established brand. With a decent warranty.

blorg

Fair enough, my comments are restricted to the road frames only

el tel

Should have mentioned, would only be interested in their road frames.
At that price may be worth a punt. I might get one made to the same geometry as my litespeed but with slightly thicker seat stays, chain stays and bb just to be on the safe side.

paulgs

Old thread I know, but does anyone have any recent experience of these.

rp

(bumped again)
I'm about ready to order a custom Ti frame from China, after spec'ing it with the fabled "Porter" of XACD. As its going to be a belt-drive fixie, I've based the spec on this bike, also from XACD, and close to what I want.
Most reviews of XACD on the web seem positive (see Spanner's collected reviews), and this is the only way I'd afford to my ideal SuperCommuter (sub 7kg, sub €2k) - nearest off-the-shelf is the weird-looking Budnitz at €6k+.
So, anyone here have any first hand experience of Chinese Ti?

Lumen

rp wrote: »

As its going to be a belt-drive fixie, I've based the spec on this bike, also from XACD, and close to what I want.

Using the S&S coupler on the seatstay is a nice idea. They're great things - never a hint of looseness or seizing in the few years I've had my Enigma.

Would you not be able to get hydraulic brakes for that budget? Since it's a fixie you could use the TRP Hylex levers.

rp

That TRP lever looks nice, much neater than Shimano's attempt, but I'm still undecided on the brake set-up; like you say, it could blow the budget - both cost and weight. Also, its going to look as 'bicycle' as possible, flat bars, etc.

rp

After a load more research, I've decided to give Cielo Rosso bikes.com a try: Neil there is quoting c. €900 for a custom Ti frame to my spec (Gates drive fixie) - he gets them built in China (prob XACD), but takes care of the spec, quality control, etc., and is very easy to deal with. Full report in February, as my 6.3kg fixie basket commuter starts takes shape...

rp

After a number of design iterations, the new commuter, "Idéal Fixe" is about ready for building. I'd appreciate any feedback on the geometry, etc.

• 54cm 700C commuter
• Frame/forks Titanium (painted black)
• Fixed gear, Gates carbon drive (70x19)

Fully spec'd for internal wiring of hub dynamo, rack, mudguards
(Despite my earlier assumption, Neil emphatically states that he does not use XACD)

Idriss

Have you got it yet?

Are you pleased with it?

rp

Idriss wrote: »

Have you got it yet?

Just about to order it this week (had to wait for the c.c. to cool down after the xmas): est. 10 weeks lead time, then a couple of weeks basteln and it should be on the road. Check back start of May...

rp

Frame has just arrived, I am exceptionally impressed by the quality, detailing, price, and above all, the service from Neil at Cielo Rosso. All the advantages of getting a chinese custom build without the worries of things going pair-shaped.

Watch this space as I hide the bling under black powder-coat and add the gates carbon drive, 'guards, rack, front basket!

connie_c

Good to hear it went well, keep the updates coming, interested in going down this road myself.

mp31

Hey rp, how is the bike coming along.. any pics?

rp

Nearly finished, in summer 'bare bones' mode, just under 8kg still.
Word of advice, don't be tempted to take a half-finished bike for a quick spin, without even a front brake. Bad idea. DAMHIKIJKOK?
Tannus tyres were very easy to fit (I've had more trouble with Marathon pluses on some rims), Gates drive feels very smooth, and the frame-splitter worked well, you can hardly see it on the RH seat-stay.

rp

First commute on the new bike today. Lots of new stuff to evaluate:
Ceilo Rosso frame: perfect fit (should be, being custom built), felt much like the steel Pompino only lighter. Too shiny.
Tannus tyres: (Aether 1.1 700C23 hard) like regular tyres pumped up to the max, grip seems fine (forgot about them and cornered as usual), still automatically avoiding glass, tho
Gates Drive: (70x20) No hint of flex, even when out of the saddle compensating for the single gear; smooth, quiet.
Brooks Cambium: (C15) Good fit, quite hard
Elvedes Cantis: most powerful brakes I've experienced, which is good cuz I haven't sorted a rear brake yet