[Help Wanted] High-End SL8-Like OEM Frame – T1100/EPS/UD Raw

[toxin]

If it was, it was from employees doing it illegally, not the factory. Literally one guy tossing them over the fence to somebody.

[glepore]

Myth.

[Tasthal]

Am I the only one who remains very curious about what you're planning for by buying these reject frames direct from factory?

[Sander2177]

Am I the only one who remains very curious about what you're planning for by buying these reject frames direct from factory?

Well obviously sell them as perfect 😂

[Sander2177]

Thanks a lot to everyone for the detailed replies – this is incredibly helpful.

From what you’re saying, it sounds like the idea of getting a true OEM or QA reject frame (from a top-level factory, unused, unpainted) is basically impossible nowadays.

I’m curious though – was this ever really a thing in the past, or has it always been more of a myth used by sellers to make their replica frames sound more legitimate?

Thanks again for all your answers – this has helped me a lot

The idea of QA reject frames from legitimate OEMs is just a myth. Otherwise, we’d all be buying them. But to be fair, why would I want to risk buying a reject frame?

That said, I have bought an X68 from Tantan, which to me was a calculated risk based on the mixed feedback about their quality. I think it’s hit or miss — you’re either lucky or you’re not.

For what you’re looking at, you might as well just buy a brand-name frame. Like everyone’s said — QuickPo, Tavelo, Arrow, Winspace. I’ve always recommended the Pro version of the SL8.

Anything else recommended on this site, or buying from OEMs or open moulds, is going to carry some element of risk. But for the money you’re spending, I’d just go brand-name.

Personally, if I had four thousand dollars right now, I’d get the QuickPro ER One. Then you can get some wheels from somewhere like XM Carbon Speed — they have a really great reputation. Even Zen is a bit cheaper and a solid option.

With that, plus a groupset and some bits and pieces, I think you could probably build a whole bike for around four thousand dollars, depending on the groupset you choose.

[Tpower59]

The idea of QA reject frames from legitimate OEMs is just a myth. Otherwise, we’d all be buying them. But to be fair, why would I want to risk buying a reject frame?

That said, I have bought an X68 from Tantan, which to me was a calculated risk based on the mixed feedback about their quality. I think it’s hit or miss — you’re either lucky or you’re not.

For what you’re looking at, you might as well just buy a brand-name frame. Like everyone’s said — QuickPo, Tavelo, Arrow, Winspace. I’ve always recommended the Pro version of the SL8.

Anything else recommended on this site, or buying from OEMs or open moulds, is going to carry some element of risk. But for the money you’re spending, I’d just go brand-name.

Personally, if I had four thousand dollars right now, I’d get the QuickPro ER One. Then you can get some wheels from somewhere like XM Carbon Speed — they have a really great reputation. Even Zen is a bit cheaper and a solid option.

With that, plus a groupset and some bits and pieces, I think you could probably build a whole bike for around four thousand dollars, depending on the groupset you choose.

Would you really spend 4000 usd in an unknown brand with a low resell value instead buying a real brand bike in slightly used condition ?

[Sakizashi]

Of the makers typically purchased on this forum, I don't think any of them would meet the definition of a top-level factory if you are referring to factories with production lines that manufacture top-spec frames for brands like Specialized, Scott, Trek, Cervelo, Colnago, Cannondale, etc. The closest is probably Carbonda / QuickPro, whose factory Flybike does a robust open mold business and has made bikes for brands that sponsor teams in the WT, but I don't believe they made the bikes actually raced by those teams.

Before Seka got booted from Xiamen Lightweight Composites, they could make that claim if you consider Factor a top brand.

Seconds are not impossible to get, but anyone selling current models at scale is fake. It never was a thing and was always a myth.

[NicoCarbonH]

Would you really speed 4000 usd in an unknown brand with a low resell value instead buying a real brand bike in slightly used condition ?

Yes, because it’s not about reselling or anything like that – I just wanted to build a fully custom bike and have a high-quality raw carbon frame. Of course, if I can’t find a good alternative, I’ll go with well-known brands like Canyon, but I first want to explore what’s available in OEM options.

[tssy5]

If you have 4000 euro to spend, get the legitimate one. The reason we explore OEM is because of ultimate C/P ratio. 4000 euro for a frame is far from that, try 500 USD.

Also, the biggest myth here is not the QA reject thing, it is the T1100 you are asking for, I am not even talking about whether it is really used for frames, ever thought there is only a single layer of T1100 even when they claimed they used T1100? Do you believe it makes a significant difference in terms of stiffness?

[ausmtb8989]

Would you really speed 4000 usd in an unknown brand with a low resell value instead buying a real brand bike in slightly used condition ?

+1
With that money I'd get a Giant Propel or Canyon Aeroad. 
Resale value matters.

[NicoCarbonH]

If you have 4000 euro to spend, get the legitimate one. The reason we explore OEM is because of ultimate C/P ratio. 4000 euro for a frame is far from that, try 500 USD.

Also, the biggest myth here is not the QA reject thing, it is the T1100 you are asking for, I am not even talking about whether it is really used for frames, ever thought there is only a single layer of T1100 even when they claimed they used T1100? Do you believe it makes a significant difference in terms of stiffness?

Thanks for the feedback, but let me clarify a few things because this project is being misunderstood:

1️⃣ “Why not just buy a legitimate frame?”
I’m not looking for a typical cost-per-performance OEM deal at $500. My goal is a high-spec raw carbon frame, close to what Specialized does with the S-Works SL8 (EPS molding, mixed T1100/T800 layup, <800g, raw UD finish).
A legitimate new S-Works frame costs over €5,500. If I can source a QA reject or surplus factory frame with verifiable layup quality for €4,000, that’s actually good value considering the tech involved.

2️⃣ “T1100 is a myth / just one layer”
I’m fully aware of this marketing trick. I’m not asking for full T1100, which is unrealistic. What I’m after is a frame with EPS molding and confirmed T1100 layers strategically placed (head tube, BB, stays), similar to FACT 12r layup. This is exactly how top brands achieve stiffness-to-weight – it’s not about slapping one decorative layer of T1100.

3️⃣ “Resale value matters”
Resale is completely irrelevant here. This is a prototype-level build, meant to be a unique, custom bike – not something to flip later. If resale was the goal, I’d just buy a used Canyon or Giant and be done.

In short, I’m not chasing cheap carbon nor blindly believing marketing claims. I’m specifically exploring real factory-sourced, EPS-molded frames with credible high-end layups. That’s a very different discussion from generic $500 clones

[Tpower59]

If you knew more about the OEM market, you'd probably realize that there's less difference between your dream frame and a 500$ frame, i can guarantee you that. It doesn't sound like you have a great grasp of the value chain, where markups are added and so on. That said, by all means, spend your money. You want a boutique bike, kudos to you, enjoy it.

One recent note: Sander on the forum, riding his Sworks and his tantan, wrote that riding the sworks now gives him anxiety because of how much money he sunk in it, and the fear of breaking something on it. I thought that made a ton of sense. I have a friend with an sworks, he's kind of the same. I made him ride 2 gravel sections in the last few weeks during rides, both super tame, and he went aaaaaape shit because he was afraid his frame would get scratched. He straight up insulted me. He kind of spent his wife's money on it.

I'll go wipe down the sweat on my $400 frame now

Caustic Serge. J’adore ! 
He is right. They make money on you with 600$ frames. Imagine the margin on a 5000$ frame.

[tssy5]

If you knew more about the OEM market, you'd probably realize that there's less difference between your dream frame and a 500$ frame, i can guarantee you that. It doesn't sound like you have a great grasp of the value chain, where markups are added and so on. That said, by all means, spend your money. You want a boutique bike, kudos to you, enjoy it.

One interesting recent note: Sander on the forum, riding his Sworks and his tantan, wrote that riding the sworks now gives him anxiety because of how much money he sunk in it, and the fear of breaking something on it. I thought that made a ton of sense. I have a friend with an sworks, he's kind of the same. I made him ride 2 gravel sections in the last few weeks during rides, both super tame, and he went aaaaaape shit because he was afraid his frame would get scratched. He straight up insulted me. He kind of spent his wife's money on it.

I'll go wipe down the sweat on my $400 frame now

Pretty much what I wanted to say! A lot of people still believe the blink blink branded bike is expensive because they are significantly better / safer...

[gandalftw]

Many of us gives to much credit to the western brands, I do appreciate that a frame cost goes to research and more people working for the company than my frame but the prices of the frames are stupidly expensive , I am abusing the hell out of this bike
And consider it like any other frame, not worrying that something might go wrong.
Love this bike and the frame was way less the 1000$
I saw also the equivalent tantán and the quality looks way less than my frame.
I would not recommend to spend 4K if you are on the budget. My all bike was around 3.2k€ and they are not that heavy (never checked I guess 7.5 )You also have elves which have few frames that I like and they are not more than 1k

[Sakizashi]

Many of us gives to much credit to the western brands, I do appreciate that a frame cost goes to research and more people working for the company than my frame but the prices of the frames are stupidly expensive , I am abusing the hell out of this bike
And consider it like any other frame, not worrying that something might go wrong.
Love this bike and the frame was way less the 1000$
I saw also the equivalent tantán and the quality looks way less than my frame.
I would not recommend to spend 4K if you are on the budget. My all bike was around 3.2k€ and they are not that heavy (never checked I guess 7.5 )You also have elves which have few frames that I like and they are not more than 1k

OP wrote no replicas or low-cost clones right in the first line of his post, spelling out requirements. You keep pushing your counterfeit Bora Team Edition SL8, which, despite all the logos, in that picture, looks an obvious fake. Why?