Further datapoints on why not to buy fakes on Aliexpress

[Serge_K]

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[raisinberry777]

... did you read the above post?

[BeR]

Hi! Any thoughts on Taiwan Eisen Bike store?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806285622504.html?pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21US%20%24700.00%21US%20%24693.50%21%21%21700.00%21693.50%21%402136637917175611260674463e67a9%2112000037318982788%21sh%21US%21239339037%21&spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allItems_or_groupList.new_all_items_2007599312830.1005006471937256&spm=a2g0o.store_pc_home.hotSpots_2009574406236.0&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt#nav-store


official store:
https://taiwaneisen.cc/product/s-works-sl8-frame-2/

I was thinking of purchasing an SL8 from here - iirc, a few people said that this was a decent buy. Im hoping to gather any opinions or thoughts from anyone who purchased from this particular store

From the amazing Serge :

- taiwan eisen bike store - black list (don't use EPS and compression so bad it leaves shards of carbon in the BB area (see factor thread, oralmaster post (...))

[Tijoe]

What you describe are techniques to sell products that are a subset of "The big Lie"  There will always be 30+ percent of a population that will believe lies/bad information/false advertising and purchase a fake product.   If they (Scam sellers) have exposure to a large enough cross section of consumers,  they can make a decent living selling to lazy uninformed consumers that don't do any research, and just purchase an item based on what they want to believe and then what is advertised to them listed on the Aliexpress store. 

[Avalius]

Just wanted to add, this SL8 was the first time I had issues with a counterfeit frame. There just isn't a quality control therefore It's always at your own risk. Up to each and everyone to consider if they take this risk or not.

I own and Airwolf YFR068 gravel frame that has been abused pretty well in gravel races. That's holding up very well. These frames are known to be painted as fake cervelo aspero's.

Around me alot of people are riding fake dogma F frames and they are racing with them. No issues there, I've build some of these frames to and I didn't see a difference with the velobuild model. Could be me..

I do believe there are good replica frames but there is no guarantee that you get one of those.

[TheController]

Dear Serge,
thank you very much for the comprehensive write-up.

I am/was in the search for a good quality SL8 frame as I came into some Roval C38s and Sram Rival AXS parts for a very favorable price.

Add. Nicole Bike Store:
Had the same experience as you, very good english but the fact that it does only take maximum 28C was shocking to me - they confirmed it even via their "mechanic"

Add. Taiwan Eisen Store:
I found this seller quite late in the process and therefore could already ask some initial questions I covered with other sellers that I had to black-list then. Also I found via Facebook some people that are very happy with their SL8 frame from Taiwan Eisen Store and rated it over Yohobike (for whatever that is worth it). Also I found a person on Youtube having a SL7 frame from Taiwan Eisen Store and abusing it for more than 10.000km, had a crash with it and really gave it the push on the indoor trainer.

I really took your black-list issue with him to a further task to understand whether he really needs to be black-listed.

I asked what technique he uses and he meant he uses EPS technology, I went further on to ask whether he can send some inner frame details to assess the quality which he provided several pictures.

As I am quite new to this hobby I am not an Expert and could only compare it to SL8/SL7 frames that have been cut-up by Youtubers or people on the internet to assess the carbon layup etc.

For my newbie eye Taiwan Eisen Stores internals look adequate but I would also like to see your input.

Hopefully the attachments work.

[TheController]

BTW I also asked Taiwan Eisen Bike Store for the maximum tyre clearance - it is 32C.

[Avalius]

Yohobike saw some of my posts on social media and replaced my SL8 frame.
Yesterday I received the new frame and I have to say it's night and day difference. Finish is on a whole other level than the early replica SL8 frames.

If it wasn't a counterfeit frame I would make a build topic. But let's avoid that discussion.
On a facebook group people even used my pictures to assault yohobike and that should have never happened.

Thumbs up from me for Yohobike for handling my warranty like it should be.

[joegal]

Yohobike saw some of my posts on social media and replaced my SL8 frame.
Yesterday I received the new frame and I have to say it's night and day difference. Finish is on a whole other level than the early replica SL8 frames.

If it wasn't a counterfeit frame I would make a build topic. But let's avoid that discussion.
On a facebook group people even used my pictures to assault yohobike and that should have never happened.

Thumbs up from me for Yohobike for handling my warranty like it should be.

Would love to see some pictures and close ups of the improved quality. Despite the controversy...

[BeR]

Yohobike saw some of my posts on social media and replaced my SL8 frame.
Yesterday I received the new frame and I have to say it's night and day difference. Finish is on a whole other level than the early replica SL8 frames.

If it wasn't a counterfeit frame I would make a build topic. But let's avoid that discussion.
On a facebook group people even used my pictures to assault yohobike and that should have never happened.

Thumbs up from me for Yohobike for handling my warranty like it should be.

Unfortunately, if you did not make some noise on social media, I doubt that Yohobike would replace your frame

[Avalius]

Unfortunately, if you did not make some noise on social media, I doubt that Yohobike would replace your frame

There is a group on facebook called Chinese Bikes and this forum here. They are following both places ;-)

[jonathanf2]

I'm just curious what's the allure of fake branded frames? I feel like there's more emphasis to make it look like the real thing, as opposed to just making a decent frame. I have both an SL6 and SL8 inspired frame, but no way would I pretend to have an S-Works bike. It's a bigger flex just to drop everyone!

[WadaWada]

I actually did order a sworks sl8 raw with white decal from , nicole bicycle store , on AliExpress, the frame is okay, weight is okay, the frame is about 60g - 100g over normal for a size 52cm
Planning on putting it together soon, I bought a few real parts to replace, front and rear thru axles, headset, spacers

[WadaWada]

that is the plan, full face helmet going 10 mph by the river, also got some trusty elite wheels from AliExpress as well lol, it's going to be crackeddddddd

[Davidhe23]

Beware of yohobike or rocking cycling store of Aliexpress, before the sale they are very nice and attentive sellers, but then it becomes hell.

It is impossible to contact them, communication between seller and buyer disappears, and they can only lie.

In my case, to sell me a frame they started saying that in three days it would be painted, a week I decided to pay an extra and keep a frame in stock that they send in 48 hours, And two weeks later, I'm still waiting for an answer.