How old is you Chiner Carbon bike?

[tripleDot]

Hi guys.  I see myself getting a new bike this year and a bit on the crossroad with 3 choices of 29er HD frames.  And the Chiner carbon fibre frame is among them.

My riding preferences: 
XC, though I'm more recreational rider.  Never race and don't see myself doing it.
I ride pretty much every weekend, 50-100km, mixed trail and/or paved road.
I've been known to take my 29er on 160-200km road trips, once or twice a year.
I don't do aggressive trails.  I got nothing to prove and I'm not ashame to push or carry the bike if I'm not confident with riding down that scary slope.
My current setup is a 7yrs old Jamis Durango 29er (but 6 years with me), pretty much only the frame is original (and it is repainted), it is currently around 32lbs.

I'll be 50 in a couple of years and weighs around 175lbs.  While I still have the will to push the pedals, I simply can't ignore the fact that my body is starting to complain and asking for a lighter bike.  A 10lbs off the new setup is very doable and pretty much the target.
Btw, I'm from the Philippines.  We only got 2 seasons over here... very wet and dry.

I have absolutely no experience with carbon fibre (CF) bikes (or parts).  Was never the type who jumps into the "what's new" or "hype or hip" bandwagon (except for going 29er).  Always make do with what I have but again the body is complaining... So I'm currently in the research stage.  I've read some say the CF frames (in general) can last a lifetime, but it seems "lifetime" refers to "lifetime of that particular CF frame", not the rider or the bike co.  And so far my readings gave me the impression that folks are replacing their CF bikes at an average rate of 3 years.  The confidence to go Chiner CF is currently evading me despite that a lot have jump into it.  So the big question is "How old are your Chiner CF bikes in service?"  Have any survive 5 years of use (or abuse)?  The plan is for this bike to last me at least 5 years.

Hoping your generous input can help me make a better decision.  Thanks.

[carbonazza]

Carbon is stronger than anything else, and provide some more flex where it needs than the other materials too(my back is almost as old as yours).
However if you hit directly a tube with something sharp, it may not resist the hit.
But unless it happens in or near a junction this is easily repairable either by yourself, or someone specialised in composite repairs.

If you care about your bike, you can keep it 5 years or more.
I broke a frame last year( a seatstay that was beyond repair ) but it was totally my fault and after about ~4000km of heavy ride.

We are generally passionate about bikes here, and changing them more often than it needs is "normal"

[Sitar_Ned]

My 057 is now over 2 years old and I weigh about 230 lbs geared up. Also, I am not the most graceful rider and have definitely put the frame through it's paces. I had the same worries as you at first but now I don't even think about. At your age, weight, and described riding style.. I wouldn't worry about it whatsoever.

But of course, research it for yourself.

[Patrick C.]

Pretty much the same for me- just over 2 years on an -057 frame.  I don't put in huge mileage, but they are almost all hard miles with lots of rocks and roots, and I weigh about 205 pounds. 

[Rocklobster]

I have a chiner CF road bike from I cant remember who, with a seatmast, and cant remember the model number, but it has lasted over 6 years of hard abuse which has included hard racing miles as well as adventures gone south that ended up on trails and chunky fire roads.  I also built up an 057 last winter with carbon rims from carbon speed for the xc race season and it has held up like a champ to some pretty weird situations and still going strong.  I dont see replacing either one in the near future, and they have already outlasted many various components and groupsets.

[Sitar_Ned]

@tripledot.. Hope you don't mind, I  split this thread into two separate topics.

Here it is: http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,949.0.html

[tripleDot]

No problem Sitar_Ned.  The split allowed specific inputs about a new Chiner player yhat we can all learn from.

Thanks.

[Mike_Queyar]

Nice to read carbon china that going strong, I just got a Yoeleo and some people tell me its looks nice and order ask if Im not afraid it breaks.
Can denied today on my first ride descending 840m was thinking about it....but it actually was find and after that climbing it was just so cool....Im 170pounds on a 17.5 frame and do some km of xc, maybe 100 to 175km....so I hope it last.