China Frame or Brand Name?

DrChristianTroy

Im hoping to embark on my 1st bike build in the very near future and I've wheels and groupset picked but I'm looking for some advice on choice of frameset.....

For the best value CF frameset should i go down the chinese route or wait and see if i get a decent brand name frame on sale?

If i dont go down the china route id prob be looking at something like a Planet X pro carbon. Any opinion on this frame?

I saw the Scott CR1 mentioned here a few weeks ago for £500 which would have been ideal but didnt have it in my size (58). My budget would be in the €600 range.

I'm not in a mad rush so ive been biding my time to try get the best value possible. I picked up a set of Zondas on offer last week and will be ordering Ultegra groupset this week or next hopefully.

guym

This frame got great reviews on bikeradar, frame and forks would come in around €650.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/frames-frames-road-ribble-r872-carbon-road-frame/ribbfrar970

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/forks-forks-road-ribble-r872-carbon-road-forks/ribbforr270

High Nellie

DrChristianTroy wrote: »

Im hoping to embark on my 1st bike build in the very near future and I've wheels and groupset picked but I'm looking for some advice on choice of frameset.....

For the best value CF frameset should i go down the chinese route or wait and see if i get a decent brand name frame on sale?

If i dont go down the china route id prob be looking at something like a Planet X pro carbon. Any opinion on this frame?

I saw the Scott CR1 mentioned here a few weeks ago for £500 which would have been ideal but didnt have it in my size (58). My budget would be in the €600 range.

I'm not in a mad rush so ive been biding my time to try get the best value possible. I picked up a set of Zondas on offer last week and will be ordering Ultegra groupset this week or next hopefully.

Are you racing or touring or sportiving or what? You can't get good advice unless you are more specific.

DrChristianTroy

High Nellie wrote: »

Are you racing or touring or sportiving or what? You can't get good advice unless you are more specific.

Thanks for replies guys....I've done a number of sportives this year and I will be joining a club in a couple of months. I would intend giving racing a go next year.

DrChristianTroy

guym wrote: »

This frame got great reviews on bikeradar, frame and forks would come in around €650.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/frames-frames-road-ribble-r872-carbon-road-frame/ribbfrar970

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/forks-forks-road-ribble-r872-carbon-road-forks/ribbforr270

I had seen that frame and do like it but think I'd need the 54.5 which is out of stock. I'm 6 foot 2. Thanks though.

pprendeville

HongFu and DengFu are your best bet. I got a HongFu FM039 in Aug 2011 and its going great still. Going to China for a year studying and may be tempted to sell the frame and handlebars as I'm getting a frame when I go over. I'm 5'8" though so probably way too small.

DrChristianTroy

pprendeville wrote: »

HongFu and DengFu are your best bet. I got a HongFu FM039 in Aug 2011 and its going great still. Going to China for a year studying and may be tempted to sell the frame and handlebars as I'm getting a frame when I go over. I'm 5'8" though so probably way too small.

Thanks, but ya would be too small...ive actually copied the spreadsheet that you posted in your thread two years ago to make sure I get everything!!

I've emailed HongFu alright but frameset including shipping is coming in at around 450euro. Main benefit cost wise seems to be that I can get bars stem seatpost etc cheaper.

People's experiences with HongFu seem good so that's reassuring. Really like Pawlies chinarello he linked here though http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=84799476&postcount=18

petethedrummer

Don't push too far your dreams are china in your hands.

TinyExplosions

I have a FM-066 From Deng Fu, and couldn't be happier with it -go for whichever you prefer the look of!

Radial

I have a Miracle Trade MC053, which I'm very happy with. Stiff as a board and great fun to ride.

The review here seems fair enough in my experience

http://www.velobuild.com/10-miracle-bikes/361-miracle-trade-mc053-build


No problems getting in from China either

Dubba

Loverly

DrChristianTroy

Dubba wrote: »

Loverly

That really is a good looking bike.....Thanks for advice guys think im gonna take a punt on a chinarello...in general peoples experiences seem pretty positive.