Consensus on replica frames ??

[paracord]

Jarkacz, which seller from Ali? Rocking cycling store/Taiwanese bike store? They are related to Yohobike.com and I have been looking at them for a while now. For some reasons, they seem reliable. However, I can't really find proper reviews. Also I am sure they sell a lot of them. They seem to be the most reliable replicas I could find.

Anyone has found detailed reviews from that seller?

This comes from "Taiwan Carbon Factory Store"
http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,3391.0.html

Yohobike had the name Kiss Kiss at that point i bought mine. They seem to be just as good. Same thing with "High quality carbon frame store"

[erallen30]

Definitely don't buy a replica like that. It's illegal.

[paracord]

Definitely don't buy a replica like that. It's illegal.

It depends on what country you live in.

[erallen30]

If not illegal, it's tacky.

[paracord]

If not illegal, it's tacky.

I think the regular bike prices have been tacky. You will soon have to be a millionare to buy a road bike.

[Liter]

I think the regular bike prices have been tacky. You will soon have to be a millionare to buy a road bike.

entry bikes going for 4/5K, considering stocks are up I think prices will get slashed soon.

[paracord]

entry bikes going for 4/5K, considering stocks are up I think prices will get slashed soon.

I built my F12 replica with 454 nsw replica wheels, hydraulic disc ultegra di2 and assioma duo pedals for around 4200 USD.
An original bike would be like 4K with mechanic 105 and alloy wheels instead for the same price.
My CX was built for 1500 USD, same bike is like 4K today. It was very easy to justify the replica in my case for sure.

[palmettoman]

I bought a Workswell R-066 frame 6-7 years ago that was a copy of the R5. I didn't buy it for that reason, I bought it because the geometry looked right for me. It's a S or a 51 size frame. It's been great and I just rode it yesterday. Ultegra DI2 groupset and Zipp 404 firecrest wheels. It's quick little bike...and still naked.

[Kactusdog]

Ok so, I rode on bike about 1k kilometers (1150km). I dissasembly it 2 times. I didnt noticed cracking carbon of any parts inside or breaking (frame, handlebar, seatpost). BUT It has some paint scratches looks like carbon crack (seat post, seat tube). I check it many times and till now nothing change (good for me) - scratch are on outside side on paint.
The bike is very stiff, i dont feel that frame is flexible. Every parts from my previous bicycle fit well (crank, derailleurs, wheels). The frame is very difficult to mount due to internal cables and hydraulic brakes so have to be patient, have good tools and some skills, but i think its normal - in every type of internal routig frame (not only chinese version)

I bought frame from ali, size 56cm with handlebar 100x400 and glossy white paint, from seller that has shop from 2014 (7 years) and selling frames, handlebars and carbon parts. I bought it for about 750EUR with shipping.
I dont know how it works but when I add frame to basket it shows me 750EUR, but when I would like to pay for it the price changed to 600EUR. Maybe its VAT or some tax returned by law in EU. Next I added xdb shipping costs for EU for 150EUR, so overall 750EUR for frame back to my door.
Shipping lasted 3 weeks.

The package was very well protecded by foil, tape and sponge? in medium box.

Paint job is quite good. I rate it on 3 or 4 on 6 posiible (1-reprehensible, 6 perfect). The main varnish is very good and durable. But has some mistakes visible under the light, some black parts ale slightly smeared on white (thru axle mount), seat tube socket has too much paint (and its not harvested enough) and socket for screw seat tube is smeared on white too. Letters and logos are sharp and centered but I think they are not secured enough by scratching - should be additional transparent protective varnish. Seat tube socket doesnt have cover, so I had to doit by myself.

Frame has mounted perfect bottom bracket, the fork and back part of bike (rear triangle?) Its fits perfect with wheels and crankset. They are on position and central.

Steerer tube and seatpost tube has thick walls, maybe not perfect but strong enough. Seat tube looks like very durable and i think there is one layer with fiber glass (between are some spaces). Seat post has some paint crack looking strange, but when i checked it, it looks like its only paint crack.

With fork I get 2 aluminium overlapping spacers, 1 plastic spacers, 1 down pad with "ceramicspeed" logo (i dont know how its called) and 1 up pad, 3 aluminium upper rudder pads for compression, 2 headset bearings (up and down).
With seatpost I get additional clip for carbon rail of saddle

Handlebar is very good looking, like one piece made with stem, good finishing, with internal mount wire. There is garmin mount too with 2 bolts. Internal cables looks beautifull but mounting it is horrible...
There is a little disadvantage with stem. Mounting area is a little wider than should be, so when I put the handlebar on steerer tube, I had to remove some clearence with the stem bolts (i.e. should be 31.8mm and it is 31.9mm) and then remove clearence on head tube.

I sending some pictures below.
I have no time to respond for every email, im so sorry for that.
But sending pictures is simple so if U want more pictures, send me Ur email, maybe I try send u more

Thanks for the photos. I am looking at picking one up, with no paint, only clearcoat. Do you think I could fit 32mm tires here? I only ride in dry roads, no mud.

[Takiyaki]

I think the regular bike prices have been tacky. You will soon have to be a millionare to buy a road bike.

Not really, especially if you buy used. Plus with all the affordable "original" frames there's no point in buying a fake frame, unless you want to look like you spent more money than you could afford which seems to be the case with you.

[OralMaster]

Not really, especially if you buy used. Plus with all the affordable "original" frames there's no point in buying a fake frame, unless you want to look like you spent more money than you could afford which seems to be the case with you.

i agree with you. I just got a fake factor ostro too. I have told my cycling group that my new bike: a prisma studio ostro frameset is coming, and i will not be riding fake bikes anymore, as i will be selling off my fake bianchi oltre xr4 disc.

I have also bought the ceramicspeed bottom bracket (in blue）to ensure no one can call out my fake bike.

and you may ask why am I doing this? its simply because i cannot afford a real ostro.

[radfactor]

I built fake Factor O2 back in November 2020 to replace my heavy Merida Reacto 400.
The components I using for this build are SRAM Force 22, a Chinese handlebar, a Chinese lightweight wheelset, Schwalbe Pro One TLE 25mm, Fabric knurl bar tape, and Time Xpresso 2 pedal.

The total build-up is around ~ 6.8kg.

I'm not an expert to tell exactly how the ride feels on this bike. But what I can say it's night and day difference compared to Reacto 400.
The fake O2 frame feels so lively during the ride, stiff and fast to pick up the speed and yet convenient to use for a long ride. As for records, the longest distance I'm riding with this fake O2 is 220km, and countless 120km and above ride sessions.

To tell about the frame quality. Yes, it's may not the same as an original O2 but for a Chinese frame, it's high in quality compared to cheap chiner frames such as Twitter, Alcott, and Trifox. I've never experienced a creaking sound in BB area, slip seat post, and frame crack here and there.

I love this bike and will use it for a long time for sure.

[joegal]

I built fake Factor O2 back in November 2020 to replace my heavy Merida Reacto 400.

Nice build! 
I am also interested in those replica frames. I tend to see them as a taboo somehow, but on the other hand they often look like good quality.
Remember where you bought the frame?

Would love to see more insights and experiences regarding those replicas.

[this is dog]

I built fake Factor O2 back in November 2020 to replace my heavy Merida Reacto 400.
The components I using for this build are SRAM Force 22, a Chinese handlebar, a Chinese lightweight wheelset, Schwalbe Pro One TLE 25mm, Fabric knurl bar tape, and Time Xpresso 2 pedal.

The total build-up is around ~ 6.8kg.

I'm not an expert to tell exactly how the ride feels on this bike. But what I can say it's night and day difference compared to Reacto 400.
The fake O2 frame feels so lively during the ride, stiff and fast to pick up the speed and yet convenient to use for a long ride. As for records, the longest distance I'm riding with this fake O2 is 220km, and countless 120km and above ride sessions.

To tell about the frame quality. Yes, it's may not the same as an original O2 but for a Chinese frame, it's high in quality compared to cheap chiner frames such as Twitter, Alcott, and Trifox. I've never experienced a creaking sound in BB area, slip seat post, and frame crack here and there.

I love this bike and will use it for a long time for sure.

I've been riding a custom painted disc version of this frame, also since 2020. Did several bike trips with it including some speedy descents in the Swiss alps. Mileage is around 15.000km until now, zero complaints, the frameset is solid!

[radfactor]

I bought it from Aliexpress. You can just type fasterway o2. The quality much much better than Fasterway Ostro. I think the seller account is taiwanbikestore or frame if not mistaken.

Nice build! 
I am also interested in those replica frames. I tend to see them as a taboo somehow, but on the other hand they often look like good quality.
Remember where you bought the frame?

Would love to see more insights and experiences regarding those replicas.