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Re: Cannondale SystemSix ‘inspired’ Frame
hello Serge, Hello, Long teng 268. I love that bike. I get quite a few PMs asking me about it. I bought 2, built both, alongside 2 winow. Months before that, i built 4 VB frames. And after that, i built a grevil clone from Xiamen carbon speed (XCS, Peter on the forum). I've been recommending LT & XCS over the others. Sample size: 9. What i recently wrote to someone who was asking was to keep in mind that the market changes a lot. It was my choice when i ordered last summer (2023), but it's quite an old frame now, and we're late 2024. Please dont ask me what i'd buy today, i'm not sure. But: - consider the long teng 301, as it's from the same factory, but more recent. I have mixed feelings about it myself (38C clearance and chonky down tube, especially). - consider the SP Cycle 65 / 53 because they didnt exist when i ordered mine, and the specs list is interesting. Either way, i'm super happy with my 268, so if you were to buy one, i doubt you'd regret it, but it doesnt mean it's the best frame, especially owing to its age. In fact... i feel that if they were to update the layup, use T1000 or something along those lines, and charge more for it, it might be the best aero open mould frame out there, because the only sub optimal thing as far as i'm concerned is that it's not a light frame by 2024 standards (1160g with metal bits (no TA) in 54 matte, 30g more in gloss). September 27, 2024, 04:59:23 AM |
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Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
Local buddy of mine. Cat 1 racer. I've him seen race against some of the best pro teams in the country during our locally held events. He's strong as heck. So I've been admiring his Factor Ostro all summer, as I'm considering buying one to test against my SL8, only for him to confess this morning at the coffee shop that his frame is....fake. Not a failed QC Ostro but an unauthorized copy. Here's what he told me: 1. Can't remember the full name, but he bought it from a place called Taiwan Carbon...something. $1000 USD 2. His frame is about 300g heavier than the real version. 3. The supplied hardware isn't an exact fit. It required some facing and sanding. 4. He swapped the fake Black Inc cockpit for a real version. He said the fake was too flexy. 5. The carbon layup isn't as tidy as the real version. 6. Legit groupset, wheels, and cockpit. All the vital contact points if you ask me... I would get roasted if I reviewed a fake Ostro, but call me very intrigued. To me the extra frame weight is simply an insurance policy to withstand the daily abuse of riding. Makes sense to me. Buying an 800g fake anything sounds like trouble... When I picked up the bike to inspect it indeed felt pretty heavy. But I've also held up a real Ostro (the 2024 version) and that's also heavy even with a full Sram Red groupset. However, the fake felt very solid and study. He said it has served him very well this race season. September 27, 2024, 10:44:05 AM |
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Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
I'm not sure how Youtube / Factor would react to your video, because i think in our jurisdictions the mere possession of a fake is illegal, so technically you might be committing a felony by reviewing it. Then there's the reputation / brand IP, and Factor might come raining down on you. This is part of a larger issue I have too. One of my close buddies here just recently open his own bike shop, and is now an auth dealer for Factor. He's hinted to me about working out a deal on pricing to help promote the shop. So I can't imagine the strain it would put our business relationship if: - I bought a real Ostro from a competing dealer. - Me parading around with a fake Ostro. This all sounds like a threesome gone terribly wrong! September 27, 2024, 11:24:44 AM |
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