Author Topic: Suggestion for a 27.5 frame, size S-M, for my child  (Read 9286 times)

qwertyas

Suggestion for a 27.5 frame, size S-M, for my child
« on: April 28, 2019, 09:43:22 PM »
Hello everybody

And happy to have been sent to this forum!

I want to build a bike for my child, carbon fiber hardtail MTB, with some pieces that I have around: the wheels and the suspension fork, shifter&deraillers etc. The point is that my wheels are QR standard, 27.5 with novatec hubs (D771SB + D772SB). The fork is an 120mm Manitou, straight steerer, not tapered,  but I have a spacer to reduce it to 100. On the other hand, there are adapters to solve the tapered headset/straight steerer problem.
I'm completely new to carbon frames, and a bit reluctant, since the fame of chinese frames is not that great. Not to mention that I've seen on youtube this guy, and this really turns me off. I would't want my kid to go through such a thing:

On the other hand, the only branded frame that I could find close to my budget is a Cube of wrong size:
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/cube-reaction-gtc-slt-27.5-side-swing-frame-carbon-n-flashred-837341.
If it matters, I'm from Romania (European Union). And I don't have previous experiences with AliExpress, I've only red some things about how to deal with them.
So, my questions:
1. What Chinese carbon frames, size 16- 16.5 (maximum 17) would you recommend me for this project? We're in cross-country, XC type of riding, 100-120 mm forks are enough.  I'm privileging safety over shaving some grams, the 1100-1200 grams interval is OK, I want the frame to be reliable;
2.  I like this frame, although it is a bit expensive, but I'm turned off by the low number of orders (allegedly, the safest indicator). What do you think/know about it?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/China-Carbon-27-5er-Hardtail-MTB-Frame-Frame-MTB-Sobato-27-5-with-headsets-2-Years/32765225749.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.53362e0eItRgTw

Again, I'm building the bike for my son, safety comes first. As for me, I'm riding aluminum, and the safest scenario for this bike is, up to now, an aluminum superlight CUBE frame, which comes at 200Euros and 1700 grams for 16". But I'd like to try a carbon frame, he tested a team colleagues bike, and felt it really less tiring and absorbing shocks completely different.

Thanks everybody for being patient with a newcomer.
« Last Edit: April 29, 2019, 04:59:08 PM by qwertyas »



bxcc

Re: Suggestion for a 27.5 frame, size S-M, for my child
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2019, 04:32:25 PM »
How tall is your son and what is your budget for the frame? The frame you sent a link to is a Sobato which is part of Workswell. I have two of their frames. It should do fine for what you want but I have had better luck with frames from XMCarbonspeed.cn though. The finish is just better. Both of my Sobato frames needed some excess resin cleaned up before I could build them up. Generally, the cheaper the frame, the greater the risk.

My daughter got this frame at 147cm tall and is now 160mm tall. It was a bit big in the beginning but now it fits great. Almost getting a bit small.
http://www.xmcarbonspeed.cn/650b-mountain-bicycle-carbon-frame-mtb-275er_p0017.html

Here is the build thread.
http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,1343.0.html

emu26

Re: Suggestion for a 27.5 frame, size S-M, for my child
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2019, 06:52:51 AM »
I'm really happy with the BXT I built up for the boy.

http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,1763.0.html

qwertyas

Re: Suggestion for a 27.5 frame, size S-M, for my child
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2019, 04:50:00 PM »
Thanks for the replies!
I've seen xmcarbonspeed, but they don't ship to Romania. I'll have to see if any aliexpress dealer is trading their frames.
Good info about Sobato, I'll think about it, thanks!
My son is aprox. 1.45m, 8 yo. We're all quite tall in the family and he's going to grow fast. With the shortest stem, he will handle the M frame - I've made some tests. He's now riding a Specialised XS, 13,5 inch (aluminum frame) which fits him just perfectly.
The point is that I'd rather skip the S size, and jump directly to M.
The budget: a maximum of 500 USD, including the shipping.
« Last Edit: May 02, 2019, 04:54:53 PM by qwertyas »

carbonazza

Re: Suggestion for a 27.5 frame, size S-M, for my child
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2019, 02:09:23 PM »
...I've seen xmcarbonspeed, but they don't ship to Romania...
Just curious what was the reason ?

qwertyas

Re: Suggestion for a 27.5 frame, size S-M, for my child
« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2019, 07:48:32 AM »
I don't know if there is a specific reason.
Simply, Romania is not listed in the list of countries where they deliver (although Germany is, for instance).
Nor is EURO, or the Romanian currency listed as an option to be selected.

bxcc

Re: Suggestion for a 27.5 frame, size S-M, for my child
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2019, 01:59:27 PM »
I would message Peter (XMCarbonspeed) directly and see what he can do. If that doesn't work, there are some other vendors offering the same frame at similar pricing. I purchased the frame directly from Peter and not through his website and the price was a bit better. But to be honest, I've purchased from him many times and he knows that I'm a repeat customer.