Experiences with Chinese steel frames?

[Fat Larry]

I'm eyeing up a building a steel gravel/commuter and have been looking at frames like the two here

Darkrock
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005006173567233.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller.2.5e51ty69ty69H5&gps-id=pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40050.354490.0&scm_id=1007.40050.354490.0&scm-url=1007.40050.354490.0&pvid=8e492a29-26d4-488c-9977-6dc20e5254df&_t=gps-id:pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40050.354490.0,pvid:8e492a29-26d4-488c-9977-6dc20e5254df,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238112%231997&utparam-url=scene%3ApcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller%7Cquery_from%3A

Seaboard
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005004938064870.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller.1.5e51Nys8Nys8Wu&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40000.326746.0&scm_id=1007.40000.326746.0&scm-url=1007.40000.326746.0&pvid=eaa9a6dd-39df-4238-9ef3-b7930188329f&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40000.326746.0,pvid:eaa9a6dd-39df-4238-9ef3-b7930188329f,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238112%23561&utparam-url=scene%3ApcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller%7Cquery_from%3A

Anyone have any experiences with Chinese steel? Can they keep up with Maxways offerings?

[tripleDot]

I don't have any experience with either company/frames but there's already a number of Seaboard builts being reviewed here. Just read them.

[Serge_K]

given that steel is an inferior frame material, i assume you're looking at these for a particular reason, like a vibe, or the ability to do custom geometry? If i wanted a steel frame, i'd probably look locally for a boutique builder, if not an outright welder if you know your tube shapes. On alibaba the seaboard frames are almost free, whatever price you see on alix is going to be in LARGE part just shipping.
Or get a Peugeot 2nd hand or something like that from a million years ago?

[s3si1u]

Quick plug for Marino steel frames: https://www.marinobike.com/categoria-producto/custom-frames/
They're in the same price ballpark as the ones you linked, but these are fully custom made in Peru to your geometry and specs. Their cheapest custom made gravel frame will run you about 350 USD plus shipping.
Their Reynolds 520 house gravel frame is only $379 plus shipping.

I have one of his custom gravel frames and can happily recommend. I don't think you can match this price point and quality for a custom frame.
Here's a quick shot of mine. It was 665 USD made with Reynolds 853. I think the price includes paint as well, but I took mine unpainted. Shipping was 145 USD. About 7 weeks from time of order to delivery.

[amacal1]

Wow, that looks awesome. Does that have internal routing? What's the weight, if you don't mind me asking?

[s3si1u]

Wow, that looks awesome. Does that have internal routing? What's the weight, if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks.
Yes, internal routing for rear brake and dropper post. Rear brake hose exits right before the bottom bracket shell. There's no derailleur routing as I built it with Eagle AXS. I don't remember exactly, but I believe the frame weight is about 2kg. I think the bike weight as pictured is 10.5ish kg.
If I could go back and do it over, I would have used the dropper post port for derailleur routing instead. I don't use the dropper at all tbh, and the option for a wired groupset would be nice.

[amacal1]

Thanks.
Yes, internal routing for rear brake and dropper post. Rear brake hose exits right before the bottom bracket shell. There's no derailleur routing as I built it with Eagle AXS. I don't remember exactly, but I believe the frame weight is about 2kg. I think the bike weight as pictured is 10.5ish kg.
If I could go back and do it over, I would have used the dropper post port for derailleur routing instead. I don't use the dropper at all tbh, and the option for a wired groupset would be nice.

That's not bad at all, in the neighborhood of an alloy gravel frame, right? Pretty good for a steel frame, and one as sexy looking as that.

[frnchy]

Quick plug for Marino steel frames: https://www.marinobike.com/categoria-producto/custom-frames/
They're in the same price ballpark as the ones you linked, but these are fully custom made in Peru to your geometry and specs. Their cheapest custom made gravel frame will run you about 350 USD plus shipping.
Their Reynolds 520 house gravel frame is only $379 plus shipping.

I have one of his custom gravel frames and can happily recommend. I don't think you can match this price point and quality for a custom frame.
Here's a quick shot of mine. It was 665 USD made with Reynolds 853. I think the price includes paint as well, but I took mine unpainted. Shipping was 145 USD. About 7 weeks from time of order to delivery.

Looks pretty good, but I must say I would've chosen a different picture than this to showcase a full build.... unless backwards forks are the new trend that I'm unaware of

[JJx]

I could be intentional as having caliper mount in the front pushes the front wheel up into the dropouts, instead of pushing it down out of them. Odd to have it on the wrong side though if it's a custom fork.

[courdacier]

Quick plug for Marino steel frames: https://www.marinobike.com/categoria-producto/custom-frames/
They're in the same price ballpark as the ones you linked, but these are fully custom made in Peru to your geometry and specs. Their cheapest custom made gravel frame will run you about 350 USD plus shipping.
Their Reynolds 520 house gravel frame is only $379 plus shipping.

I have one of his custom gravel frames and can happily recommend. I don't think you can match this price point and quality for a custom frame.
Here's a quick shot of mine. It was 665 USD made with Reynolds 853. I think the price includes paint as well, but I took mine unpainted. Shipping was 145 USD. About 7 weeks from time of order to delivery.

being able to get a fully custom bike for 1/2 the price of a surly cross-check blows my mind. QBP must be making bank.