Chinertown
Chinese Carbon Road Bikes => Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components => Topic started by: jadenchinertown192 on September 20, 2023, 12:44:17 PM
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Nice looks rapid.
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Nice looking Ostro replica there. Anyway, can you show what type of compression plug given by seller?
Because I've experienced it before, D-shaped steer tube is not working well with normal round compression plug. It tends to loose during ride and for me it's so dangerous.
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Nice looking Ostro replica there. Anyway, can you show what type of compression plug given by seller?
Because I've experienced it before, D-shaped steer tube is not working well with normal round compression plug. It tends to loose during ride and for me it's so dangerous.
I find that the expander plugs supplied by any chinese vendor is always shit and you have to replace it.
I just buy a default 50 or 70mm deda and sorted.
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hey OP would you mind sharing the taobao link/shop name?
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Nice looking Ostro replica there. Anyway, can you show what type of compression plug given by seller?
Because I've experienced it before, D-shaped steer tube is not working well with normal round compression plug. It tends to loose during ride and for me it's so dangerous.
Compression plug doesn't hold any stress while riding. Your handlebar is clamped to the steerer and keeps everything together. Compression plug and top cap function only to set correct tightness for headset.
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Compression plug doesn't hold any stress while riding. Your handlebar is clamped to the steerer and keeps everything together. Compression plug and top cap function only to set correct tightness for headset.
What. The compression plug is ESSENTIAL at all times. Yes, the top cap is solely for preload, but the plug supports the clamping force of the stem, preventing the carbon steerer tube from being crushed, snapping, and causing an accident.
Bianchi Fork Failure:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH7z6uAL3j4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH7z6uAL3j4)
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Compression plug doesn't hold any stress while riding. Your handlebar is clamped to the steerer and keeps everything together. Compression plug and top cap function only to set correct tightness for headset.
Does not apply to carbon steerer tubes. Carbon steerer tubes needs the plug.
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It's an essential item, my brother. Compression plug help to 'hold' the handlebar in place to the steerer tube. Loose plugs can cause a lot of issues, especially for rider safety.
Compression plug doesn't hold any stress while riding. Your handlebar is clamped to the steerer and keeps everything together. Compression plug and top cap function only to set correct tightness for headset.
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hey OP would you mind sharing the taobao link/shop name?
did you have it,jadenchinertown192?
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show us the full build man
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Any update please ?
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Bought in the end the same frame in size 56 with T1100 carbon, according to the seller on AliExpress (for what it's worth).
Weights are:
Front fork (uncut): 452 gr
Seatpost (uncut)+clamp+rubber: 229 gr
Handlebar with integrated stem: 331 gr
Frame incl: bolts+seatclamp: 1069 gr
Parts: headset, spacers, compression plug: 153 gr
Total weight of: 2234gr
costs incl. shipping to Europe with DPD was 682 euro's
Need to build everything together, just waiting for some parts though.
Bought a Deda D-fork compression D-plug after this comment:
I find that the expander plugs supplied by any chinese vendor is always shit and you have to replace it.
I just buy a default 50 or 70mm deda and sorted.
For the rest will I hijack this topic thread to continue the build of the same replica Factor Ostro VAM. The picture is just for indication of how it looks like, so I know there are no headspacers, etc.
The bottom bracket was not included, but alu axles were. those were 64 gr but I placed those at the wheels section so they are not in the frame weight calculated.
For the rest I have the Lexon Carbon crank and the wheeltop derailleur set. I will go for a 1x setup with a 52 chainring as where I am based it's quite flat.
Probably will go for the Elite Drive wheels or Superteam, I haven't decided yet
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Thanks for your feedback. What is the quality of the frame ? (Paint, faced caliper, inside carbon,...)
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Always a fan of high level trolling, did we ever get the link to this frame? Owners, can you compare it to other bikes you have ridden?
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I wish we can test and check the carbon layup used for the frame.
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estingo.......where can that frame be purchased and did you get it painted or does it come that way if you pick a certain paint scheme ? Stickers from ?
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estingo.......where can that frame be purchased and did you get it painted or does it come that way if you pick a certain paint scheme ? Stickers from ?
I've purchased it on Aliexpress (store: taiwan factory bike parts Store - model New Model Fasterway Ostro) and I could choose between any factor color scheme (painted or the stickers are under the paint), I doubted the one without any paint or just the clear paint that you could see the carbon layers. I know a lot of people here don't like replicas or placing a brand name on a copied frame, but in the end, I still did it, because I liked it (sorry).
I doubted also the long ten that Serge-K has, but I believe the rear is still a bit different, I think the rear tubes are a bit smaller in diameter than the long ten, but that opinion is just based on pictures that I saw so I don't know for sure + there is not a big price difference between those frames. I considered basically a lot of frames, like everyone does. I checked all bike sizes and geometries and my personal preference in looks and this was, what came out.
Thanks for your feedback. What is the quality of the frame ? (Paint, faced caliper, inside carbon,...)
Difficult to say, it's my first build and I watched a lot of comments and threads here and YouTube clips from various builders/YouTubers. For my liking is the paint job very well done, I was expecting worse, to be honest. The placement of the calipers is fine for what I have and fits perfectly so that should be fine too. And I don't have a small camera to look into the bike so I have no idea what it in looks like inside other than the BB part.
For me the BB threads look good too, if I compare them to some clips that I saw from Hambini's YouTube channel, so overall I'm quite pleased. The handlebar is a copy of black inc. and I need to sand it a bit, the inside of the stem where the wires enter that it's not too sharp but I have the feeling everyone is doing this.
In the end, I think it was carbon T1000 UD instead of T1100 but okay good enough for me, I'm just an amateur, no pro by any means, so I also think I won't break the d-shaped tube from the front fork. I won't generate that much force I'm afraid, so I do not foresee any problems but I will let you know, once it's finished and I actually drove a decent amount of km or miles.
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I am looking for your finished build.
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No sympathy for the people who make fakes and who fuel this industry. As an artistic creator, I would not like someone to copy my works and make the same signature as mine and also sell them under my name. Let these people get inspired and develop their own design, why not. Not to mention that I find it corny. What would you say if someone took your appearance and moved into your bed?
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Agreed. Nice bike for sure, but I would build it without the logo. Actually would look cleaner and slicker too imho.
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Yea the logos have to go, I dont understand the mentality of trying to pass off a replica as real.
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I've purchased it on Aliexpress (store: taiwan factory bike parts Store - model New Model Fasterway Ostro) and I could choose between any factor color scheme (painted or the stickers are under the paint), I doubted the one without any paint or just the clear paint that you could see the carbon layers. I know a lot of people here don't like replicas or placing a brand name on a copied frame, but in the end, I still did it, because I liked it (sorry).
I doubted also the long ten that Serge-K has, but I believe the rear is still a bit different, I think the rear tubes are a bit smaller in diameter than the long ten, but that opinion is just based on pictures that I saw so I don't know for sure + there is not a big price difference between those frames. I considered basically a lot of frames, like everyone does. I checked all bike sizes and geometries and my personal preference in looks and this was, what came out.
Difficult to say, it's my first build and I watched a lot of comments and threads here and YouTube clips from various builders/YouTubers. For my liking is the paint job very well done, I was expecting worse, to be honest. The placement of the calipers is fine for what I have and fits perfectly so that should be fine too. And I don't have a small camera to look into the bike so I have no idea what it in looks like inside other than the BB part.
For me the BB threads look good too, if I compare them to some clips that I saw from Hambini's YouTube channel, so overall I'm quite pleased. The handlebar is a copy of black inc. and I need to sand it a bit, the inside of the stem where the wires enter that it's not too sharp but I have the feeling everyone is doing this.
In the end, I think it was carbon T1000 UD instead of T1100 but okay good enough for me, I'm just an amateur, no pro by any means, so I also think I won't break the d-shaped tube from the front fork. I won't generate that much force I'm afraid, so I do not foresee any problems but I will let you know, once it's finished and I actually drove a decent amount of km or miles.
I also came across a Ostro VAM replica frame without logo in size 52 for around $500 USD. I don't have any proof but I personally don't believe they really give you T1000 / T1100 for a cheap frame like this, even if they have it is probably just a single layer of T1000, which is pretty much useless (the western brands do it like this too when they claim they used T1000 btw).
Full build is 8kg including pedals, it feels a bit less stiff than my Giant TCR Advanced 2 but my TCR creaks like hell in the BB area when riding uphill, yet this supposed to be cheap quality aliexpress frame has no creaking issues.
Bad thing about this replica is that the little parts are not high quality, which means you would need to get yourself some titanium bolts, there is also no manual whatsoever so you would need to figure out those little issues yourself such as finding the right size and length for the bolts, could be pain in the ass if you are not a DIY person.
The paint is really great for this price, it is not perfect but you can hardly notice those minor issues without knowing where to look.
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I also came across a Ostro VAM replica frame without logo in size 52 for around $500 USD. I don't have any proof but I personally don't believe they really give you T1000 / T1100 for a cheap frame like this, even if they have it is probably just a single layer of T1000, which is pretty much useless (the western brands do it like this too when they claim they used T1000 btw).
Probably the best take on the carbon layers that they used, for that price range for sure. We will see in the end how that goes. Do you have a picture of your bike tssy5?
Agreed. Nice bike for sure, but I would build it without the logo. Actually would look cleaner and slicker too imho.
I know it will bring controversy and that many people, especially on this form, don't like it.
No sympathy for the people who make fakes and who fuel this industry. As an artistic creator, I would not like someone to copy my works and make the same signature as mine and also sell them under my name. Let these people get inspired and develop their own design, why not. Not to mention that I find it corny. What would you say if someone took your appearance and moved into your bed?
What an analogy, but I get where you are coming from. For your information I'm not selling this bike as a real one, nor do I try to sleep with someone else to take that identity. See it as a cheap kit car on a Pontiac Fiero base. If you copy a Lamborghini with a kit on the base of a Pontiac Fiero, it won't drive like a Lambo, it won't sound like a Lambo, it just looks like it.
I believe that this fake Factor also won't drive like a real Factor, I'll get Elite Drive wheels, probably the Black Inc wheels are much better, the stiffness in the frame and handlebars will be much less than the original. The original has every where Ceramicspeed bearings, I don't. At a kit car it's quite obvious for the trained eye, I think it will also be obvious for the factor that it's a replica (for the trained eye).
And at this point I can't get rid of the stickers anymore, sorry.
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I'll chip in on my Faketor Ostro too.
My frame was marketed as the highest tier amongst the faketor ostro made in chinese factories. I build it up myself with the original spacers and ceramicspeed bb so that people in my group ride don't call me out.
it was easy to build and the carbon layup internally were extremely smooth, not a speck of carbon dust on my frame.
The headset fit perfectly, the bb threaded and fitted snugly and the flat mounts came faced properly (no brake rubs).
For a size 54 full white frame, it came in at around 1054g. （edited 6 Sep 2024: see photos in later posts)
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1102991493/pages/all-items.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_home.pcShopHead_2006254741865.1&shop_sortType=bestmatch_sort
search for "first class carbon" store
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Probably the best take on the carbon layers that they used, for that price range for sure. We will see in the end how that goes. Do you have a picture of your bike tssy5?
I know it will bring controversy and that many people, especially on this form, don't like it.
What an analogy, but I get where you are coming from. For your information I'm not selling this bike as a real one, nor do I try to sleep with someone else to take that identity. See it as a cheap kit car on a Pontiac Fiero base. If you copy a Lamborghini with a kit on the base of a Pontiac Fiero, it won't drive like a Lambo, it won't sound like a Lambo, it just looks like it.
I believe that this fake Factor also won't drive like a real Factor, I'll get Elite Drive wheels, probably the Black Inc wheels are much better, the stiffness in the frame and handlebars will be much less than the original. The original has every where Ceramicspeed bearings, I don't. At a kit car it's quite obvious for the trained eye, I think it will also be obvious for the factor that it's a replica (for the trained eye).
And at this point I can't get rid of the stickers anymore, sorry.
Matte black with no logo, pretty stealthy
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Matte black with no logo, pretty stealthy
Looks also pretty cool to me! It's awesome that you went for this matte stealthy black. Bought as well some original parts like the head spacer ring, and seatpost wedge. I'm also still doubting if I add under the headset top cover a rubber ring to prevent getting moisture in the headset bearings.
For my build:
I still need a chain, cassette, and wheels. Received this week the chainring 1x, which is a Rotor Qarbon Q-ring with 52t but I received the 50t so I need to wait for that too.
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Looks also pretty cool to me! It's awesome that you went for this matte stealthy black. Bought as well some original parts like the head spacer ring, and seatpost wedge. I'm also still doubting if I add under the headset top cover a rubber ring to prevent getting moisture in the headset bearings.
For my build:
I still need a chain, cassette, and wheels. Received this week the chainring 1x, which is a Rotor Qarbon Q-ring with 52t but I received the 50t so I need to wait for that too.
That's a cool chainring. The little parts like headset spacers and top cover came with the frame so I don't need to buy them again, however the bolts they provided are pretty low quality so I bought some titanium bolts and replaced them.
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Matte black with no logo, pretty stealthy
wow it looks sick! able to advice where did you get this frame?
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wow it looks sick! able to advice where did you get this frame?
You just need to search "Ostro VAM" in aliexpress.
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Wow, i want to live inside that frame, it looks PERFECT! and i thought my LT268 was pretty inside, this is next level!
I kind of want one now :/
Can you post a few pictures of yours? And how does it ride? Did you get it from that aliexpress store? you got the highest level of carbon? how much did you pay and shipped to what part of the world?
(https://i.ibb.co/fnfF8rm/IMG-20240824-WA0014.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jWmfV37)
(https://i.ibb.co/z69kDMM/IMG-20240824-WA0015.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fD6cLgg)
(https://i.ibb.co/0fYHKh6/IMG-20240824-WA0016.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FB8RXgy)
(https://i.ibb.co/ZYN78dV/IMG-20240824-WA0017.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8dXt5M0)
(https://i.ibb.co/Kwjqsck/IMG-20240824-WA0018.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Zm68gRP)
It's super stiff. I like it alot
I got it from 咸鱼 ( its the chinese equivalent ebay/craiglist within china), my seller eventually went on aliexpress because i told him laowais are less fussy and for the quality he is offering, it's gonna sell.
yup i went for the highest level of carbon. but with white paint it did came heavier than what i expected.
i paid 6500 rmb for the frame and around 60 usd to singapore using my own forward shipper, had he sold on aliexpress I would have used aliexpress instead, saved the trouble.
oh did i mention the frame came in a factor box? [/list]
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1054g
thru axle 35g, 1019g.
derailleur hanger 20g (?), 1000g.
White paint... 75g (?), 925g
4 cage bolts, 10g (?), 915g
Size 54 advertised as 865g, that's a 50g difference, or 6% deviation. I guess anything in the 5% range is to be expected. Better safe than sorry.
6500RMB = 815 EUR + 60$ shipping, this is pricey indeed.
The Factor box makes you wonder... would that be in instance of special access to the factory floor?
I just wish the logo said Tractor and not Factor, but this is a pretty bike indeed. Having a frame from a Factor factory but with Tractor logo would be peak troll.
It is the T1000 one so it would be more expensive, mine is T800 so it is around 450 EUR without shipping, probably I should get a T1000 for my next frame to see if it is going to be stiffer.
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It's super stiff. I like it alot
I got it from 咸鱼 ( its the chinese equivalent ebay/craiglist within china), my seller eventually went on aliexpress because i told him laowais are less fussy and for the quality he is offering, it's gonna sell.
yup i went for the highest level of carbon. but with white paint it did came heavier than what i expected.
i paid 6500 rmb for the frame and around 60 usd to singapore using my own forward shipper, had he sold on aliexpress I would have used aliexpress instead, saved the trouble.
oh did i mention the frame came in a factor box? [/list]
The seller is on Aliexpress now? What is their store called?
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Did you take some pics of the inside of the frame?
There are some quite bad pictures of the internals of the frame on the Aliexpress seller you mentioned.
Bought in the end the same frame in size 56 with T1100 carbon, according to the seller on AliExpress (for what it's worth).
Weights are:
Front fork (uncut): 452 gr
Seatpost (uncut)+clamp+rubber: 229 gr
Handlebar with integrated stem: 331 gr
Frame incl: bolts+seatclamp: 1069 gr
Parts: headset, spacers, compression plug: 153 gr
Total weight of: 2234gr
costs incl. shipping to Europe with DPD was 682 euro's
Need to build everything together, just waiting for some parts though.
Bought a Deda D-fork compression D-plug after this comment:
For the rest will I hijack this topic thread to continue the build of the same replica Factor Ostro VAM. The picture is just for indication of how it looks like, so I know there are no headspacers, etc.
The bottom bracket was not included, but alu axles were. those were 64 gr but I placed those at the wheels section so they are not in the frame weight calculated.
For the rest I have the Lexon Carbon crank and the wheeltop derailleur set. I will go for a 1x setup with a 52 chainring as where I am based it's quite flat.
Probably will go for the Elite Drive wheels or Superteam, I haven't decided yet
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Everything is ordered so the waiting game has begun and I can piece this "thing" together. My expected weight is around 7 kg
Did you take some pics of the inside of the frame?
There are some quite bad pictures of the internals of the frame on the Aliexpress seller you mentioned.
Hello Tsunami, difficult to take pictures form the inside.
I did my best though, I'm not sure where you saw those bad pictures of the frame internals from this particular seller.
You can check them below.
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What wheels are you going to run with it?
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That doesn't look too good. It doesn't look like the layers are especially well compressed. Looks very different from the inside of Oralmaster's frame. I hope he's a dentist, btw, or brushes his teeth a lot.
Didn't come from the same seller, right?
How do you see that ? Around BB ? I want to learn.
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What wheels are you going to run with it?
In the end, I ordered the Elite Drive 65D wheels. so they will arrive within 20-30 days.
Also, I installed the Rear derailleur and bottom bracket, the Brake calipers, and brake hoses through the frame, and steering wheel. I added the Wheeltop shifters to the steering wheel and connected the cables. Cut in the end 20 gram from the tube from the front fork to fit. The Deda compression plug looks nice and sturdy on the steering handle as well.
The correct chainring with 52t arrived, but I don't have the correct chainring bolts yet for a 1x setup, ordered them. Same for the 8mm open-end wrench, I have it but I want to strengthen them with the right amount of force so I bought an adapter for my torque wrench, to have the brake hoses tighten with the oil pressure screws with a torque of 10-12 Nm.
That doesn't look too good. It doesn't look like the layers are especially well compressed. Looks very different from the inside of Oralmaster's frame. I hope he's a dentist, btw, or brushes his teeth a lot.
Didn't come from the same seller, right?
I checked the pictures of Oralmaster's frame and compared it to mine, however, I can only see the thread of the bottom bracket from him and compared to mine not really the inner layers. That it doesn't look good, is of course not what I would like to hear but maybe you can explain and educate us a bit like BeR also said in the comment, I also would like to know at what are you looking to compare to make such an comment.
On your question, There are different sellers for this frame and I think he has the one with the more expensive frame, his parts look also different then mine (he has more quality I think, that why I replaced them for better stuff), seatpost wedge, compression plug, headset bearings.
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Did you take some pics of the inside of the frame?
There are some quite bad pictures of the internals of the frame on the Aliexpress seller you mentioned.
i just managed to retrieve the photos that seller took before shipping out my frame, and for me to pay the balance to him lol…
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Disclaimer: i'm not a carbon expert, it's just my (hopefully) educated guess.
Caveat: we're looking at fakes here, not OEM, not chinese brands, so i'm being extra paranoid.
The carbon inside oralmaster's frame (dude, that's so cringe to write every time, i'll call it the white factor) looks laid very flat, very neat, very tight, it's so neat my reaction was "can i live in it?"
The carbon in the other one looks nothing like that. there are lots of lines (presumably because it's not EPS moulded and the bladder inside left excess resin or something like that), but more worrying to me, it doesnt look like the carbon is laid up tight, at all. it all looks wavy inside with creases and dimples and what not.
Does it matter? probably not. Would i buy the 1st one? Yes. Would i buy the 2nd one? No. Your mileage may vary.
Thanks a lot.
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Disclaimer: i'm not a carbon expert, it's just my (hopefully) educated guess.
Caveat: we're looking at fakes here, not OEM, not chinese brands, so i'm being extra paranoid.
The carbon inside oralmaster's frame (dude, that's so cringe to write every time, i'll call it the white factor) looks laid very flat, very neat, very tight, it's so neat my reaction was "can i live in it?"
The carbon in the other one looks nothing like that. there are lots of lines (presumably because it's not EPS moulded and the bladder inside left excess resin or something like that), but more worrying to me, it doesnt look like the carbon is laid up tight, at all. it all looks wavy inside with creases and dimples and what not.
Does it matter? probably not. Would i buy the 1st one? Yes. Would i buy the 2nd one? No. Your mileage may vary.
Makes perfect sense to me now with the pictures side by side, thanks a lot.
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i just managed to retrieve the photos that seller took before shipping out my frame, and for me to pay the balance to him lol…
Looks really neat. Just out of curiosity, would be interesseting to see a legit OSTRO from the inside to compare the looks. That checkerboard pattern looks special, have never seen it on the inside of a frame before.
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Looks really neat. Just out of curiosity, would be interesseting to see a legit OSTRO from the inside to compare the looks. That checkerboard pattern looks special, have never seen it on the inside of a frame before.
That checkerboad pattern is spreadtow carbon fiber, basically unidirectional carbon fibers lightly woven together, with one benefit being easier to laminate. Its also usually very light.
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Hey guys , got a Factor Ostro Frame (with no Logo on it, since i just like the way it is but i don't want it to scream FACTOR) and i wanted to ask if you did change something when you got the Frame from Aliexpr. should i move along with the same headset and bearing? did it have any play in it? (asking cause i did build a VB R 177 Last winter, and it had a play despite even getting a new C Ring from Velobuild) or you had to order something else?
IF so maybe changing the expander plugs (any recommandations on which one to order)?
i want to order them already , so that i can go on with the Build project when the Frame arrives.
what about the bottom bracket ( Will build the Ultegra Di2 on it).
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Hey guys , got a Factor Ostro Frame (with no Logo on it, since i just like the way it is but i don't want it to scream FACTOR) and i wanted to ask if you did change something when you got the Frame from Aliexpr. should i move along with the same headset and bearing? did it have any play in it? (asking cause i did build a VB R 177 Last winter, and it had a play despite even getting a new C Ring from Velobuild) or you had to order something else?
IF so maybe changing the expander plugs (any recommandations on which one to order)?
i want to order them already , so that i can go on with the Build project when the Frame arrives.
what about the bottom bracket ( Will build the Ultegra Di2 on it).
mine was a good tight fit with no play, when i shove the compression ring in, the fork was held firmly without any need to secure the fork to the frame. for the bb type its T47A, there shouldn't be any issues since the bb shell is pre threaded before bonding with the frame (i think)
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Same here, no play in the headset, I received the headset bearings also with the frame but I opted for getting other headset bearings (hambini) but for head set bearings I think it’s not worth it in the end. The compression ring I bought a factor original one and I replaced the compression plug for a deda.
Same as Oralmaster the bb is T47A I got one from Cema with ceramic bearings but every T47A will fit.
I have now another problem were I had to disassemble the whole bike as the brake hose twisted and broke. When I checked it was my partial my fault and Wheeltop, the hoses has been used before and I damaged them with the handlebar because I place them 2 times through it because I forgot the headspacers the first time. When putting the compression screw on torque the cable ‘broke’ internally. Where I can’t rely on anymore. Just figuring out now which oil pin and olive head wheel top uses.anyway happy days. Have a good weekend everyone
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Fwiw, i had a really, really bad experience with First-Class Carbon Fiber Store, the store that made that pretty white factor.
Over the years, i've dealt with a lot of chinese sellers. This one is sketchy AF.
I was considering buying an unbranded frame (to then add my Tractor logo on top myself with vinyl) because I was curious to get a product with such a high finish, and to compare it to my LT268 that costs a fraction of the price, so i started asking questions.
I asked a lot of questions to which i already knew the answer to, and nothing made sense. The guy spent a lot of time shitting on the whole industry, with only him being reputable and knowing what he's doing. He pushed back on every technical question i asked with something along the lines of "trust me bro".
Basically all his answers were red flags.
My 5 cents: stay the F away. I wish i could block sellers / shops on AliX in order to never see their products again in my feed & search results. Would be a great feature to have.
"spent a lot of time shitting on the whole industry", not sure if he's referring to the entire bike industry or the fake frame syndicate in china. but seems like the same dude i've dealt with, basically saying his stuffs albeit more expensive than other fakes, is much better.
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Fwiw, i had a really, really bad experience with First-Class Carbon Fiber Store, the store that made that pretty white factor.
Over the years, i've dealt with a lot of chinese sellers. This one is sketchy AF.
I was considering buying an unbranded frame (to then add my Tractor logo on top myself with vinyl) because I was curious to get a product with such a high finish, and to compare it to my LT268 that costs a fraction of the price, so i started asking questions.
I asked a lot of questions to which i already knew the answer to, and nothing made sense. The guy spent a lot of time shitting on the whole industry, with only him being reputable and knowing what he's doing. He pushed back on every technical question i asked with something along the lines of "trust me bro".
Basically all his answers were red flags.
My 5 cents: stay the F away. I wish i could block sellers / shops on AliX in order to never see their products again in my feed & search results. Would be a great feature to have.
You should make a list with good/bad sellers for us ;).
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Yeah and all his arguments are 100% empty, baseless statements and promises.
It's like a crack user doing tricks on skid row telling you he could be Elon Musk or some retarded $hit like this.
You willingly bought from a guy like this? Why? He literally answered none of my questions convincingly. Not one.
I can relate.
Answers are unprecise, not to the point and the crappy google translate wont help either.
Even I asked him like a lot of times and explaining, he was not able to make clear if or if not his shipping includes taxes and how much shipping is to Europe. Hm.
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Yeah and all his arguments are 100% empty, baseless statements and promises.
It's like a crack user doing tricks on skid row telling you he could be Elon Musk or some retarded $hit like this.
You willingly bought from a guy like this? Why? He literally answered none of my questions convincingly. Not one.
i wasn't very bike savvy then (still not very savvy now), how he marketed on the chinese platforms has already satisfied my needs/wants (basically a knockoff factor frame for 1/5 of the price that looks at good and could not be differentiated by the naked eye. I apologize for the inconvenience caused here, i did feedback to him that my frameset was very well received and he should focus more on aliexpress, he didn't took it well though.
but i recently placed a deposit for another "one bike to rule them all" frameset with darimo nexum drag handlebars and darimo seatpost (fake obviously) . call me a sucker i guess.
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In the end, I ordered the Elite Drive 65D wheels. so they will arrive within 20-30 days.
Also, I installed the Rear derailleur and bottom bracket, the Brake calipers, and brake hoses through the frame, and steering wheel. I added the Wheeltop shifters to the steering wheel and connected the cables. Cut in the end 20 gram from the tube from the front fork to fit. The Deda compression plug looks nice and sturdy on the steering handle as well.
The correct chainring with 52t arrived, but I don't have the correct chainring bolts yet for a 1x setup, ordered them. Same for the 8mm open-end wrench, I have it but I want to strengthen them with the right amount of force so I bought an adapter for my torque wrench, to have the brake hoses tighten with the oil pressure screws with a torque of 10-12 Nm.
I checked the pictures of Oralmaster's frame and compared it to mine, however, I can only see the thread of the bottom bracket from him and compared to mine not really the inner layers. That it doesn't look good, is of course not what I would like to hear but maybe you can explain and educate us a bit like BeR also said in the comment, I also would like to know at what are you looking to compare to make such an comment.
On your question, There are different sellers for this frame and I think he has the one with the more expensive frame, his parts look also different then mine (he has more quality I think, that why I replaced them for better stuff), seatpost wedge, compression plug, headset bearings.
did the frame came with the transition spacer and seat post cover shown in your photos? I had to look elsewhere for the original parts as mine didn't come with the seat post cover and the spacers set they gave was crap
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You do you. We have different imperatives, and i can definitely understand that you took comfort from using the chinese platform, i could see how you'd feel "closer" to the action that way.
Did you get the chance to take pics of the inside of YOUR frame? The guy boasted so much that he doesn't leave a single spec of dust in the frames that HE makes, i'm curious to see inside yours, rather than the photos he posted on aliexpress.
Where are you getting your SL8 / SLfake from? And how was the communication with the seller?
Idk how much you weigh, but i'd be careful with ultralight fake parts (darimo cockpit). If you hit a pothole and break the cockpit, you'll never know if an OEM / branded cockpit would have survived the hit, but you will have a bad day.
i didn't took pictures of the internal prior to building up, i did post the photos of my frame internals that the seller took for me, you've used it for comparison, that was from my frame. Honestly I am also skeptical that the darimo clone will come up sub 300g as the real thing. But if he doesn't back out and give me a roval rapide cockpit instead, i will gladly share the photos with you. 50-60 working days, i reckon it will be longer.
on the topic of SLfake, I did help a friend build one from taiwan eisen bike store recently, a size 56 frame came up @ 900g exact. don't ask me about the internals, it's crap, i pricked my finger while fingering the bottom bracket.
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did the frame came with the transition spacer and seat post cover shown in your photos? I had to look elsewhere for the original parts as mine didn't come with the seat post cover and the spacers set they gave was crap
I received a seatpost cover with it and two sets of clamps for the seatpost. Probably those are the ones you call transition spacers. I considered to buy them original but when I saw they were the same material (Alu) did I kept them, they feel good and snug. I also considered the same seat post wedge as you, but I read that the Alu one has more hold with carbon past than the "plastic" one (the red one), which is lighter.
The spacers for the head set did I replaced for carbon ones, which I could have bought from your notorious seller but I bought them for much more (unfortunately) original from carbon.
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Alright, I have finished the build with some hick-ups but nothing major.
- A brake disc that is not truly straight, when these AliExpress things don't work I but better ones, like the Galfer ones.
- The screw for the seat post wedge was destroyed, so had to put a temporary other one, correct one is coming.
- The Elite Drive wheels are the D65 and I ordered the 6 bolts, but I didn't read the FAQ good enough so it came with an adapter and I thought it was designed for 6 bolts, now it's center lock with an adapter.
- The Lexon Crankset was too tight and didn't run smoothly and freely so I had to get the spacers and pre-load ring out and it worked, without any play on the spindle or crankarms. Posted this in the Lexon crankset thread.
- I had the el cheapo brake hoses from Wheeltop which I replaced with Magura Kevlar brake hoses, with no problem, and everything went smoothly through the frame and handlebar.
It's 7.3 kg in the picture, with a 1x setup so no front derailleur of 206 grams and an extra chain ring, including Speedplay paddles.
It is without the computer, sensors & computer holder, bottle cages, and bar tape, radar light and mount, then it will be around 7,5 kg.
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Bling! nice! which seller did you buy from? Did you take pictures of the inside of the frame? How much did you spend and what spec did you get in terms of grade of carbon? Did you weigh the frame and other bits?
The wheel logos kind of imply you're riding a fake, but you do you!
Hi Serge_K,
It was a bit of copy and past through these last few pages (from page 2 to 5 in this thread), but here are some of the answers on the questions you asked a few weeks before as well:
Which seller: https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg63172.html#msg63172 (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg63172.html#msg63172)
I took in the beginning no pictures inside the frame afterward I did, and you compared my pictures (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg64383.html#msg64383 (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg64383.html#msg64383)) with the ones from Oralmaster his frame. You mentioned if you could choose one or the other you wouldn't prefer mine but the one from Oral master, you can read it here: https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg64725.html#msg64725 (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg64725.html#msg64725)
Yes I did weight the bits from the frame, which ones you want to know, I weighted everything, from the innertube foam, to the seatpost wedge, from the speed sensor to the bolts of the bottle cage. let me know which specific part you are looking for. However my calculated weight was 7.205 kg an my scale wasn't that precise because I first measured my self and then the bike and it came at 7.3kg
How much did you spend and weight: see added picture
Grade of Carbon T1000 UD, did I answered here on page 2 to you: https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg63172.html#msg63172 (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg63172.html#msg63172)
The wheel logos indicate that these are Drive wheels from Elite Wheels, yes it's fake. I explained it here: https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg63865.html#msg63865 (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg63865.html#msg63865)
In the end you have people that like it and you have people that hate it. Ar26 said even:
No sympathy for the people who make fakes and who fuel this industry. As an artistic creator, I would not like someone to copy my works and make the same signature as mine and also sell them under my name. Let these people get inspired and develop their own designs, why not. Not to mention that I find it corny. What would you say if someone took your appearance and moved into your bed?
And I responded with this:
What an analogy, but I get where you are coming from. For your information I'm not selling this bike as a real one, nor do I try to sleep with someone else to take that identity. See it as a cheap kit car on a Pontiac Fiero base. If you copy a Lamborghini with a kit on the base of a Pontiac Fiero, it won't drive like a Lambo, it won't sound like a Lambo, it just looks like it.
I believe that this fake Factor also won't drive like a real Factor, I'll get Elite Drive wheels, probably the Black Inc wheels are much better, the stiffness in the frame and handlebars will be much less than the original. The original has every where Ceramicspeed bearings, I don't. At a kit car it's quite obvious for the trained eye, I think it will also be obvious for the factor that it's a replica (for the trained eye).
And at this point I can't get rid of the stickers anymore, sorry.
Anyway I don't want to start the debate of good or bad with the fake replica's.
I hope I answered the your questions, it was a bit of a search to be honest, but there you go.
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No problem, I had fun composing it 8)
And yeah, the spreadsheet was to keep track of the costs and the weight, good to hear that it was helpful.
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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.
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You know what you have to do now, Patrick. The content is imminent ;D
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[quote author=patliean1 link=topic=4449.msg66098#msg66098 date=1727451845
1. Can't remember the full name, but he bought it from a place called Taiwan Carbon...something. $1000
I would get roasted if I reviewed a fake Ostro, but call me very intrigued.
[/quote]
In a fan of your YouTube channel, I would watch it for sure! Awesome story to hear that it was a fake one and you won’t get roasted only if you buy it with factor logos. I experienced that!
He bought it at the same shop as mine. For the handlebar I have to see, I also like your review on the EXS. However I first need to ride and make km/miles. Awesome post for the weekend!
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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.
I definitely would inquire before doing the video.
That said, i'd love to see that video!
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Hi Serge_K,
It was a bit of copy and past through these last few pages (from page 2 to 5 in this thread), but here are some of the answers on the questions you asked a few weeks before as well:
Which seller: https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg63172.html#msg63172 (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg63172.html#msg63172)
I took in the beginning no pictures inside the frame afterward I did, and you compared my pictures (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg64383.html#msg64383 (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg64383.html#msg64383)) with the ones from Oralmaster his frame. You mentioned if you could choose one or the other you wouldn't prefer mine but the one from Oral master, you can read it here: https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg64725.html#msg64725 (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg64725.html#msg64725)
Yes I did weight the bits from the frame, which ones you want to know, I weighted everything, from the innertube foam, to the seatpost wedge, from the speed sensor to the bolts of the bottle cage. let me know which specific part you are looking for. However my calculated weight was 7.205 kg an my scale wasn't that precise because I first measured my self and then the bike and it came at 7.3kg
How much did you spend and weight: see added picture
Grade of Carbon T1000 UD, did I answered here on page 2 to you: https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg63172.html#msg63172 (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg63172.html#msg63172)
The wheel logos indicate that these are Drive wheels from Elite Wheels, yes it's fake. I explained it here: https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg63865.html#msg63865 (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4449.msg63865.html#msg63865)
In the end you have people that like it and you have people that hate it. Ar26 said even:
And I responded with this:
Anyway I don't want to start the debate of good or bad with the fake replica's.
I hope I answered the your questions, it was a bit of a search to be honest, but there you go.
Good choice on the wheels. I got my wheelset from yuanan which also claims to have the same specs as elite drive 50D, overall a set of very good wheels, not sure if they could put on the decals for me but if they could i definitely would!enjoy your new steed! looks beautiful
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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.
I definitely would inquire before doing the video.
That said, i'd love to see that video!
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!
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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!
Go for a SL8 replica and do the comparison, problem solved ;)
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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!
There's potentially a way around it, and that's to do what Serge_K did, and get a custom paint job which says 'Tractor'. Then you can do an apples and oranges comparison between the two and not piss off your friend.
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6. Legit groupset, wheels, and cockpit. All the vital contact points if you ask me...
Yeah, because the frame is just an accessory part of the bike.
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Fwiw, i had a really, really bad experience with First-Class Carbon Fiber Store, the store that made that pretty white factor.
Over the years, i've dealt with a lot of chinese sellers. This one is sketchy AF.
I was considering buying an unbranded frame (to then add my Tractor logo on top myself with vinyl) because I was curious to get a product with such a high finish, and to compare it to my LT268 that costs a fraction of the price, so i started asking questions.
I asked a lot of questions to which i already knew the answer to, and nothing made sense. The guy spent a lot of time shitting on the whole industry, with only him being reputable and knowing what he's doing. He pushed back on every technical question i asked with something along the lines of "trust me bro".
Basically all his answers were red flags.
My 5 cents: stay the F away. I wish i could block sellers / shops on AliX in order to never see their products again in my feed & search results. Would be a great feature to have.
What questions did you ask that he refused to answer?
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Quick update on the frame after +/- 500km in, even though it's blacklisted in another forum thread, I really enjoy riding it. It's quick, stable and also responsive and with the Elite Drive D65 wheels, I would say it's even comfortable. I'm combining riding outside with riding indoors on Zwift with the bike. Putting down the power is possible and I'm getting the hang of it.
I ride most of the time solo and I do not overtake or see a lot of other people on the course that I ride, in my garage are also no people judging me on the bike (that it's fake) so still I'm quite pleased and happy with it.
Maybe I need to go to Weight Weenies but I'm looking into shave down the weight of the bike a little. I know I could have chosen different wheels instead of the 65mm and could have gone for 40 or 45mm to save weight (maybe I will at some point), but I am interested in investigating the price per gram if it's worth it, with also considering the aero aspect of it. I still want to be in the sweet spot and not and not "pissing money into the wind" as how he called it on youtube Road.cc timestamp 4:20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFwUHSZvkss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFwUHSZvkss) In the Diminishing Gains graph, where he plots performance against price
And see in Spring next year if I can get at least 500 grams off by replacing parts some parts e.g.: other discs, tires, Axles, Saddle, Bar tape, Paddle Axles, some bolts, and maybe the radar light and tools that I bring with me every ride.
With the wheels alone will I save +/- 400 gr. if I would buy No. 6: 30mm or farsports Evo S 35mm these are around 1100 grams.
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Thanks for the review.
Have you ever ridden a "true" high brand frame in order to compare with it ?
What was the seller ?
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Update all. I have ridden my ostro vam for a few thousand miles now. It ride extremely well and it's stiff enough. The bottom bracket doesn't creak. I have it around 7.5-6kg with not really any weight weenie stuff. Tubes do not flex when pressed. Considering changing to a Factor authentic handlebar, but that also costs a lot more than my frame. I have nothing but good to say. I had to get them to replace the fork since there excess paint for the front caliper and was preventing it from being mounted right but I ended up just using some washers and its okay. They sent my cousin a replacement fork and it got there within 4 days of us complaining. I'm 5,11/6' and 170 pounds. I put in some 12-1300 watts when I sprint and I feel super confident on it. Insane for a sub 2500 bike. I'm using a bunch of Ali parts including 11$ disc brakes, Wuzei 211g cassette, fake CeramicSpeed OSPW, bottlecages, bartape, might try some lightweight ali crankset since the one I have is pretty heavy.
It's great to hear that you are satisfied after a few thousand miles and that you are putting some serious power down. Nice! You could keep the price under 2500, which is also impressive, especially with the weight you achieved. Do you have a picture of the finished bike?
I'm also considering exchanging the handlebar for another one; I'm just not sure which one, curious if you would go for the original one. I'll probably do a proper bike fit before I buy any other handlebar to make sure I have the right size.
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I'll post a pic soon
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I've decided I'm going to weight weenie it, I want to get it under 7kg cuz why not. Currently 7.8kg with everything on it
What I'm currently thinking
Avian Canary- 240 grams. 100g savings, costs 190 and 40 for the adapter to Factor.
Overfast or similiar thru axles, should save me 60-80 grams. 200
Farsports 2025 evo S all rounder- should save close to 300-350, costs 1500. I think I can sell my current rovals for around 1000 bucks
Crankset- Riro crankset from Ali should save me another 100 grams
With that should be 7.1kg
Maybe lighter disc brakes, darimo post, ti bolts and a few other things if i'm feeling ambitious
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Nice dude, I am keen to see some pics and hear more about the ride feel, quality and any issues you have had!
The lighter parts sound great. I haven't heard too much about the Riro crankset, although it is very light. It reminds me of the Cannondale SL crankset and chainrings.
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I've decided I'm going to weight weenie it, I want to get it under 7kg cuz why not. Currently 7.8kg with everything on it
What I'm currently thinking
Avian Canary- 240 grams. 100g savings, costs 190 and 40 for the adapter to Factor.
Overfast or similiar thru axles, should save me 60-80 grams. 200
Farsports 2025 evo S all rounder- should save close to 300-350, costs 1500. I think I can sell my current rovals for around 1000 bucks
Crankset- Riro crankset from Ali should save me another 100 grams
With that should be 7.1kg
Maybe lighter disc brakes, darimo post, ti bolts and a few other things if i'm feeling ambitious
Cool, same as me, most of the things you planned to do I also have on my list.
The Overfast Thru Axles however I couldn't get my head around to spend 200 bucks for a weight saving of 34 gram, not sure how you get to shave off 60 to 80 grams there. My axles that came with the frame are together 64 grams and the overfast axles are together 30 grams. The titanium axles are also around the 240 dollar price point but a little heavier (40grams). What I did was checking for myself, what I think, what is still affordable grams to price ratio. So, in the end I bought the alu axles with dropout, which reduces it with 16 gram (from 64 grams to 48 grams) but costs (50 dollars) 1/4 of the carbon or titanium axles. But it's of course much cooler, lighter and nicer to have carbon or titanium ones.
Not sure what Crankset you have now but the Riro is light indeed (388 grams), I had on my list the Cybrei carbon Crank, which weights 320 grams instead of my Lexon carbon crank which is 387 grams (weighed myself including spider and bolts). but for the price of a Cybrei to save 55 grams, for 500 dollars.. I don't know you need to be really ambitious as you said, if will will be that kind of weight weenie.
Wheelset will definitely help, I also had those farsports in mind together with the No. 5's also worth looking at, and I think to logo of No. 5 looks cool with the Factor Logo IMO, it would be awesome if you could sell your Rovals than you don't lose a lot on the costs to replace those wheels.
For the disc brakes, I have now the Carbon Raceworks, but they were with 6 bolts because I read that was lighter than a center lock, however I bought the elite drive wheels and selected the 6 bolts option but instead of getting six bolt version I got an adapter for the 6 bolts that fit the center lock. So the "light" carbon raceworks are together with the adapter not so light anymore, and if I get some Galfer road wave discs of 160 mm that weigh the same as the raceworks I can replace the adapter just for the centerlock, which saves me 45 grams.
The last thing that I want to mention as you pointed out the Darima seatpost, I bought a replacement seatpost on AliExpress (https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005006226516164.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.4.6dc379d2tMfyz5&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld (https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005006226516164.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.4.6dc379d2tMfyz5&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld) which is 89 grams lighter (claimed weight 131 grams incl bolts) than the original (weighted at 220 including bolts) and costs less than a Darima (duh because it's from AliE). Maybe worth looking at.
Saddle is every rider's preference so I won't say anything about that. I got a Ryet carbon saddle width of 135mm, but that's so personal mine weighs in at 115 grams. The previous one was 163 grams.
Most bolts that I could chance with titanium didn't save me a lot, around 17 grams.
I hope it's helpful and let us know how much weight you saved in the end. With the mentioned changes above I saved +/- 400 grams (went from 7460 grams to 7050 grams) but with other tires and wheels that's around another 400 to 500 grams.
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Cool, same as me, most of the things you planned to do I also have on my list.
The Overfast Thru Axles however I couldn't get my head around to spend 200 bucks for a weight saving of 34 gram, not sure how you get to shave off 60 to 80 grams there. My axles that came with the frame are together 64 grams and the overfast axles are together 30 grams. The titanium axles are also around the 240 dollar price point but a little heavier (40grams). What I did was checking for myself, what I think, what is still affordable grams to price ratio. So, in the end I bought the alu axles with dropout, which reduces it with 16 gram (from 64 grams to 48 grams) but costs (50 dollars) 1/4 of the carbon or titanium axles. But it's of course much cooler, lighter and nicer to have carbon or titanium ones.
Not sure what Crankset you have now but the Riro is light indeed (388 grams), I had on my list the Cybrei carbon Crank, which weights 320 grams instead of my Lexon carbon crank which is 387 grams (weighed myself including spider and bolts). but for the price of a Cybrei to save 55 grams, for 500 dollars.. I don't know you need to be really ambitious as you said, if will will be that kind of weight weenie.
Wheelset will definitely help, I also had those farsports in mind together with the No. 5's also worth looking at, and I think to logo of No. 5 looks cool with the Factor Logo IMO, it would be awesome if you could sell your Rovals than you don't lose a lot on the costs to replace those wheels.
For the disc brakes, I have now the Carbon Raceworks, but they were with 6 bolts because I read that was lighter than a center lock, however I bought the elite drive wheels and selected the 6 bolts option but instead of getting six bolt version I got an adapter for the 6 bolts that fit the center lock. So the "light" carbon raceworks are together with the adapter not so light anymore, and if I get some Galfer road wave discs of 160 mm that weigh the same as the raceworks I can replace the adapter just for the centerlock, which saves me 45 grams.
The last thing that I want to mention as you pointed out the Darima seatpost, I bought a replacement seatpost on AliExpress (https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005006226516164.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.4.6dc379d2tMfyz5&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld (https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005006226516164.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.4.6dc379d2tMfyz5&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld) which is 89 grams lighter (claimed weight 131 grams incl bolts) than the original (weighted at 220 including bolts) and costs less than a Darima (duh because it's from AliE). Maybe worth looking at.
Saddle is every rider's preference so I won't say anything about that. I got a Ryet carbon saddle width of 135mm, but that's so personal mine weighs in at 115 grams. The previous one was 163 grams.
Most bolts that I could chance with titanium didn't save me a lot, around 17 grams.
I hope it's helpful and let us know how much weight you saved in the end. With the mentioned changes above I saved +/- 400 grams (went from 7460 grams to 7050 grams) but with other tires and wheels that's around another 400 to 500 grams.
I certainly can't speak to the quality of that seatpost, but lighter and a two-bolt design instead of the heavier single-bolt original looks like a win-win.
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Alright, that's a pitty, but at least you could lose some grams at the axles department 8)
Just a small question do you use the expansion plug that came with the frame or did you also bought an aftermarket? I have the d-plug expander elementi from Deda, but I destroyed the top cap screw, almost so I'm looking if I need to buy another one or if Deda has a bolt for me for sale.
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To the Ostro owners, what size tire and wheel (IW/EW) are you using? How is the tire clearance with this frame? I assume it will take up to a 32mm tire, but I haven't seen this in the specs.
Thanks
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i wasn't very bike savvy then (still not very savvy now), how he marketed on the chinese platforms has already satisfied my needs/wants (basically a knockoff factor frame for 1/5 of the price that looks at good and could not be differentiated by the naked eye. I apologize for the inconvenience caused here, i did feedback to him that my frameset was very well received and he should focus more on aliexpress, he didn't took it well though.
but i recently placed a deposit for another "one bike to rule them all" frameset with darimo nexum drag handlebars and darimo seatpost (fake obviously) . call me a sucker i guess.
what frameset did u get? and where are u getting the darimo nexum and seatpost?
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The last thing that I want to mention as you pointed out the Darima seatpost, I bought a replacement seatpost on AliExpress (https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005006226516164.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.4.6dc379d2tMfyz5&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld (https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005006226516164.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.4.6dc379d2tMfyz5&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld) which is 89 grams lighter (claimed weight 131 grams incl bolts) than the original (weighted at 220 including bolts) and costs less than a Darima (duh because it's from AliE). Maybe worth looking at.
Saddle is every rider's preference so I won't say anything about that. I got a Ryet carbon saddle width of 135mm, but that's so personal mine weighs in at 115 grams. The previous one was 163 grams.
For the ones that are interested, received the seatpost and added 2 pictures, one with the old seatpost and 163 grams saddle (total of 382 grams) and the other picture with the new seat post and 115 grams saddle (total of 269 grams). Probably, I even need to cut a bit off the new seat post to have it on the correct height so it can become a few grams ligther as well. Not as advertized with the 131 grams but close to it. Overal weight saving is then 113 grams with saddle and seatpost.
The costs: Saddle 45 euro, seat post 155 euro, so a total of 200 euro's for a weight saving of 113 grams so that costs are a bit on the high side of 1,76 euro per gram. But as I said if I compare the weight saving at the axles if I go for the Carbon ones the costs per gram is at 6,66 euro per grams.
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what frameset did u get? and where are u getting the darimo nexum and seatpost?
nexum drag
https://www.goofish.com/item?spm=a21ybx.search.searchFeedList.7.792d3da65ihUSr&id=831649676355&categoryId=126866920
seatpost
https://www.goofish.com/item?spm=a21ybx.search.searchFeedList.25.58c53da6Un5Hit&id=831086303616&categoryId=126866928
I am getting the frame with the above 2 for a total of 7000 rmb (god knows when he will deliver though)
they just listed out the new ostro 2.0
https://www.goofish.com/item?spm=a21ybx.search.searchFeedList.1.786b3da6d2QfWv&id=830250233595&categoryId=126866897
prices listed are probably downpayment
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nexum drag
https://www.goofish.com/item?spm=a21ybx.search.searchFeedList.7.792d3da65ihUSr&id=831649676355&categoryId=126866920
seatpost
https://www.goofish.com/item?spm=a21ybx.search.searchFeedList.25.58c53da6Un5Hit&id=831086303616&categoryId=126866928
I am getting the frame with the above 2 for a total of 7000 rmb (god knows when he will deliver though)
they just listed out the new ostro 2.0
https://www.goofish.com/item?spm=a21ybx.search.searchFeedList.1.786b3da6d2QfWv&id=830250233595&categoryId=126866897
prices listed are probably downpayment
Fake bonanza! the frames look amazing... good thing that's not available to the west, people would buy these en masse, let's be real. starting with me... they look like shiny candy.
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Completely agree, people would eat these up. The quality of the my ostro frame is superb honestly. The internals of mine are extremely clean like the white one, and it was off XianYu for 2950, 3000 yuan ish. I'd buy one if I were you. I'm many thousands of miles in and still going strong. They are making a t1100 Ostro Vam v2 and I'm considering that bike aswell. The counterfeit market in Asia is insane honestly. the 20th anniversary ospws came out like less than 2 months ago and its already available to buy as a clone. Any I honestly cannot believe they are counterfeiting such obscure parts like darimo, carbonti, srm etc
xianyu is such a great place for a shallow person like me. a lot of the oem bike brands which offers great frames are also on xianyu, it’s just that they are not marketed to the west. Either they are don’t have the intention or panda podium don’t pick them up. i.e the 众为g20 and g30 gravel bikes are such frames that undeservingly goes under the radar.
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You guys should think about doing forward shipping to the EU... I'm sure you'd have a lot of clients.
I was in Malaysia (KL) last week and tried to find a way to ship a few things without going through customs. It was very hard though, because I'd need more time and to understand language and get a contact there. All shops that I spoke to don't want to deal with shipping.
For me, receiving and sending a package as is is quite easy. Receive the package, stick the new address in it, and let the courier pick it. Ancestral dropshipping but to deal with some cases it has to be like this.
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You guys should think about doing forward shipping to the EU... I'm sure you'd have a lot of clients.
But also a lot of courts going after them ;)
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But also a lot of courts going after them ;)
Not necessarily for copies. In KL I was looking for people who could ship basically all pieces of a bike together.
A common problem I have is that I want a set of pieces like wheels, frame, groupsets, seats etc. They come from different sources and shipping is a a big percentage of it.
Adding for example a small groupset in a the frame box is just adding it inside the box. For us in the EU for example buying an ltwoo R9 or a 105 di2 from china we have to pay duties because no one wants to send it via these DPD (paid already tax couriers). I was just trying to find someone who could add thing into the box.
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Not necessarily for copies. In KL I was looking for people who could ship basically all pieces of a bike together.
A common problem I have is that I want a set of pieces like wheels, frame, groupsets, seats etc. They come from different sources and shipping is a a big percentage of it.
Adding for example a small groupset in a the frame box is just adding it inside the box. For us in the EU for example buying an ltwoo R9 or a 105 di2 from china we have to pay duties because no one wants to send it via these DPD (paid already tax couriers). I was just trying to find someone who could add thing into the box.
Alright, I understood it in the context of en masse importing big brand copies. What you wrote makes sense. Anyway, won't derail the thread furhter :)
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Anyway to order the v2 if you're only a native English speaker? I actually ordered a 54cm from your original seller off aliexpress and am waiting on it, I will be taking detailed photos and using a camera to look inside the frame and will post it here when it arrives.
But I would like to know if that seller does the 45cm frame for a smaller girl friend of mine (The v2 in your goofish link).
xianyu is such a great place for a shallow person like me. a lot of the oem bike brands which offers great frames are also on xianyu, it’s just that they are not marketed to the west. Either they are don’t have the intention or panda podium don’t pick them up. i.e the 众为g20 and g30 gravel bikes are such frames that undeservingly goes under the radar.
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Anyway to order the v2 if you're only a native English speaker? I actually ordered a 54cm from your original seller off aliexpress and am waiting on it, I will be taking detailed photos and using a camera to look inside the frame and will post it here when it arrives.
But I would like to know if that seller does the 45cm frame for a smaller girl friend of mine (The v2 in your goofish link).
if you can do transfers using alipay then wouldn’t have a problem to purchase it. the seller can do english just enough for you to communicate clearly what you want.but you would also need to arrange for shipping by yourself. else it won’t be long before it starts to sell on aliexpress, then you wouldn’t have to worry about the above 2
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Hey Team,
Regarding the Ostro replica, has anyone here successfully acquired a frameset from First-Class Carbon Store on Aliexpress? If so, how long did the process take from order to delivery?
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Hey Team,
Regarding the Ostro replica, has anyone here successfully acquired a frameset from First-Class Carbon Store on Aliexpress? If so, how long did the process take from order to delivery?
I believe OralMaster's white one up in the the thread is from them. I have one that is in the final stages and while he said 10-20 days till delivery, (Ordered Nov 24) same as Oralmasters actually with white and black. He replied promptly apologizing and sent a photo of the frame (nothing detailed) but said 7 more working days for it to depart it's in the final stages of QC. Fork was not in the photo but I could see the frame. I would say if you order in a month that is not December expect 20-30 days, maybe worst case 40 days.
I plan to take very detailed photos and get a snake camera that can look at the layup once it arrives. They charge a major premium and offer 3 "levels" of quality, I also chose the top one (6500RMB or around $1300CAD).
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if you can do transfers using alipay then wouldn’t have a problem to purchase it. the seller can do english just enough for you to communicate clearly what you want.but you would also need to arrange for shipping by yourself. else it won’t be long before it starts to sell on aliexpress, then you wouldn’t have to worry about the above 2
Damn yeah might be too much for an english only speaker for me. I was hoping I could get a 45cm one, as the vendor you used is doing the older Ostro frameset that doesn't go below 49cm. My frame from the vendor you used is pretty much finished and waiting for shipping. Hoping my internal CF layup looks as clean as your photos as I went with the 6500RMB highest tier as well. No major hiccups yet besides some delays, placed order on Nov 24th and received a photo today apologizing asking me to extend the aliexpress timer by 7 days.
Did you keep their D shape plug or replace it with a Deda? Hoping the handlebars aren't too flexy but if so I'll just grab something else.
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Hey Team,
Regarding the Ostro replica, has anyone here successfully acquired a frameset from First-Class Carbon Store on Aliexpress? If so, how long did the process take from order to delivery?
I ordered from this seller and the frame arrived today. Here are my impressions. Ordered on Nov 17, shipped on Dec 8th, arrived on Dec 20th. Dark blue chameleon. I can post pictures of the frame, though I did not take any of the inside since it looked good (read below).
The finish both inside and outside is fantastic. Inside of my frame looks exactly the same as oralmaster's. Outside is flawless except for one small scratch (1x1mm) on the underside of the toptube. I am not sure if this is paint problem or it happened during shipping because the box was massacred to the point I had a heart attack when I picked it up. On the other hand, the frame inside was meticulously wrapped so it's hard to image it got scratched through all that padding. Anyway, it's practically invisible and nothing a bit of nail polish would not fix. No oversprays, caliper mounts nicely faced.
I nearly built the bike already and encountered no major issues. Both seatpost and handlebars were kind hard to slip into their place - not sure if this is a good or bad thing. I was especially fighting with the seatpost. Perhaps it was because of the di2 battery rubber mount is marginally bigger than the seatpost itself. The handlebars are stiff af, I have some muscles and I tried flexing them as much as I could and they did not move a bit. I encountered only one problem while building - the top of the D-shaped plug would not fit inside the fork because the walls were a bit thicker - a bit of sanding fixed this. Unfortunately I could not finish the build because I am a moron and bought T47 instead of T47A BB.
The weight of my frame (size 52) - fork uncut 446 g, frame+hanger 822 g, seatpost+clamp 220 g, handlebars 279 g, d-plug 35 g, headset+all spacers 108 g. The weights are without thruaxles (60?).
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I ordered from this seller and the frame arrived today. Here are my impressions. Ordered on Nov 17, shipped on Dec 8th, arrived on Dec 20th. Dark blue chameleon. I can post pictures of the frame, though I did not take any of the inside since it looked good (read below).
The finish both inside and outside is fantastic. Inside of my frame looks exactly the same as oralmaster's. Outside is flawless except for one small scratch (1x1mm) on the underside of the toptube. I am not sure if this is paint problem or it happened during shipping because the box was massacred to the point I had a heart attack when I picked it up. On the other hand, the frame inside was meticulously wrapped so it's hard to image it got scratched through all that padding. Anyway, it's practically invisible and nothing a bit of nail polish would not fix. No oversprays, caliper mounts nicely faced.
I nearly built the bike already and encountered no major issues. Both seatpost and handlebars were kind hard to slip into their place - not sure if this is a good or bad thing. I was especially fighting with the seatpost. Perhaps it was because of the di2 battery rubber mount is marginally bigger than the seatpost itself. The handlebars are stiff af, I have some muscles and I tried flexing them as much as I could and they did not move a bit. I encountered only one problem while building - the top of the D-shaped plug would not fit inside the fork because the walls were a bit thicker - a bit of sanding fixed this. Unfortunately I could not finish the build because I am a moron and bought T47 instead of T47A BB.
The weight of my frame (size 52) - fork uncut 446 g, frame+hanger 822 g, seatpost+clamp 220 g, handlebars 279 g, d-plug 35 g, headset+spacer 108 g. The weights are without thruaxles (60?).
Sounds like the quality is consistent, glad to hear the handlebars aren't too noodley someone was saying they were. Did you go for the highest tier option as well? How was the BB facing/threading overall? Should definitely toss some photos up!
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Sounds like the quality is consistent, glad to hear the handlebars aren't too noodley someone was saying they were. Did you go for the highest tier option as well? How was the BB facing/threading overall? Should definitely toss some photos up!
Yes, highest tier. BB evaluation is pending, as I said I have the wrong BB. Though I can say that I managed to screw the T47 in nearly completely by hand, and only after that I realized there is not enough space for the chainrings and that I need the T47A ::)
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Yes, highest tier. BB evaluation is pending, as I said I have the wrong BB. Though I can say that I managed to screw the T47 in nearly completely by hand, and only after that I realized there is not enough space for the chainrings and that I need the T47A ::)
I ended up going white with black lettering, I wanted to change it to Chrome/black but he said that add 30 days so I said nevermind lol. Which brand BB did you go with? I've been looking at the BBInfinite one's. Thanks for reminding me to get T47A not T47 lol.
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acino & jerozilla - Thanks for chiming in.
I bought a frame from First-class on Nov 18, which shipped on Dec 7, but the last tracking update happened on Dec 10, so it seems my frame is trapped in Aliexpress-shipping-purgatory. IMHO this is BS since First-class charges ~ $133USD for shipping, which I naively assumed that meant it would ship via FedEx or UPS Exp). All this has me a bit worried, especially since acino got his frame so quickly. (I'm in the US, btw)
acino, where in the world are you located and which shipper was used? jerozilla, you're in Canada?
For anyone else considering buying from F-C on AliX: I'm 99.9% sure First Class and "RK Ultra Extreme Carbon" are the same seller and probably "Mirror Carbon Fiber" Shop too. So don't whiz in F-C cheerios and think you'll get better treatment from RK or Mirror.
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Final edit Feb-22-2025: My Ostro frame was eventually delivered after ~75 days in transit and 90 days after order. See page 19 for more info.
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acino & jerozilla - Thanks for chiming in.
I bought a frame from First-class on Nov 18, which shipped on Dec 7, but the last tracking update happened on Dec 10, so it seems my frame is trapped in Aliexpress-shipping-purgatory. IMHO this is BS since First-class charges ~ $133USD for shipping, which I naively assumed that meant it would ship via FedEx or UPS Exp). All this has me a bit worried, especially since acino got his frame so quickly. (I'm in the US, btw)
acino, where in the world are you located and which shipper was used? jerozilla, you're in Canada?
For anyone else considering buying from F-C on AliX: I'm 99.9% sure First Class and "RK Ultra Extreme Carbon" are the same seller and probably "Mirror Carbon Fiber" Shop too. So don't whiz in F-C cheerios and think you'll get better treatment from RK or Mirror.
I would not panic yet. Everytime I ordered something like this from China, there was no update for 7-12 days after leaving China and then it appeared in the destination country. Plus it's Christmas now, so likely these companies/postal services are swamped. The shipping company was, as far as I understand from 1000 labels on the box, EMS. Today I bled the brakes and aligned the calipers, no major issues (no different than few big brand bikes I had in the past). Tiny bit of rubbing in front in one particular location of the rotation, which I always assume is a bit bent rotor. Now I need to find my tool for straightening rotors...
What makes you think they are the same seller?
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Thanks for the reply, acino. I'm glad you're build is coming together so well. It speaks to solid quality.
My frame is the "ordinary" version, so I'm curious to see how mine differs from yours & others 'top' versions.
To be 100% clear: F-C has been perfectly responsive to every one of my messages, including my 'where is my frame?!?!?' questions.
I do not mean to say he's(?) done me dirty, I'd just say he's not totally upfront about the ordering and shipping process.
As to why I believe RK and F-C are the same: Here is a new listing, with pics of my frame, but on RK's store...
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807990587185.html (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807990587185.html)
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Final edit Feb-22-2025: My Ostro frame was eventually delivered after ~75 days in transit and 90 days after order. See page 19 for more info.
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Thanks for the reply, acino. I'm glad you're build is coming together so well. It speaks to solid quality.
My frame is the "ordinary" version, so I'm curious to see how mine differs from yours & others 'top' versions.
To be 100% clear: F-C has been perfectly responsive to every one of my messages, including my 'where is my frame?!?!?' questions.
I do not mean to say he's(?) done me dirty, I'd just say he's not totally upfront about the ordering and shipping process.
As to why I believe RK and F-C are the same: Here is a new listing, with pics of my frame, but on RK's store...
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807990587185.html (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807990587185.html)
My guess is that he might be just a reseller, which would be congruent with your experience and also why could not answer Serge's questions to his satisfaction (he mentions it somewhere in this thread). I was actually wondering if it could be that these frames are a rogue operation of the Factor factory using now obsolete moulds of the discontinued v1 OSTRO VAM. The dimensions are exactly the same, the weights are extremely close to the original. Even silly details like threaded inserts in the frame, thruaxles have the factor branding. For example, when I unpacked the handlebars, I was confused because it had 1 metal screw and 1 black screw. Googling revealed that the original black inc handlebars (the older version) has the same combination, which is weird. But they are likely just a very good 1:1 copy by someone with a good attention to detail. ;D
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i should not have used my pre puberty online moniker 20 years ago as my username....
anyway, for those who got the highest tiered ostro v1 frame, do share your build photos here!
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Fake bonanza! the frames look amazing... good thing that's not available to the west, people would buy these en masse, let's be real. starting with me... they look like shiny candy.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005008102883798.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller.15.350cfn5Bfn5B1M&gps-id=pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40050.354490.0&scm_id=1007.40050.354490.0&scm-url=1007.40050.354490.0&pvid=fc045651-c9e2-4e3c-ad69-d3093f75adff&_t=gps-id:pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40050.354490.0,pvid:fc045651-c9e2-4e3c-ad69-d3093f75adff,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238114%231999&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21SGD%21191.10%21191.10%21%21%211000.00%211000.00%21%40210141f717349658845846679e6be3%2112000043772139921%21rec%21SG%21176727628%21X&utparam-url=scene%3ApcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller%7Cquery_from%3A
do you like the daremou nessum drake sir?
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i should not have used my pre puberty online moniker 20 years ago as my username....
anyway, for those who got the highest tiered ostro v1 frame, do share your build photos here!
You can change your screen name in your profile settings. Just saying...
If I ever get my "ordinary" version, I'll post pics - I want to document the difference(s) between the two frames.
F-C messaged me yesterday to ask if I've heard from the "logistics department" - I have not. At least he seems to be concerned, which provides me a little comfort. (Again - my beef with F-C, at this point, is limited to his shipping method.)
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anyway, for those who got the highest tiered ostro v1 frame, do share your build photos here!
My build so far... still waiting for the T47A. In combination with wheels from Peter, 50mm deep. The weight so far is 6.04 kg, without crankset+chain, so should be dead on 7.0kg, which is pretty good considering 50 mm deep tubeless wheels and 2x160mm rotors. One could easily shave another 200-300g off from crankset and wheels. The wheels are already fairly light (1320 g), but I decided to go with brass nipples and cx sapim spokes, so you could go ~100g lighter.
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My build so far... still waiting for the T47A. In combination with wheels from Peter, 50mm deep. The weight so far is 6.04 kg, without crankset+chain, so should be dead on 7.0kg, which is pretty good considering 50 mm deep tubeless wheels and 2x160mm rotors. One could easily shave another 200-300g off from crankset and wheels. The wheels are already fairly light (1320 g), but I decided to go with brass nipples and cx sapim spokes, so you could go ~100g lighter.
The photos quality is not great ::) My phone and lighting at home does not do the frame justice.
Maybe just the lighting, but it looks like you have a significant gap between your fork crown and head tube?
Any pics inside the frame? Especially in the bottom bracket area?
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Ha. Great eyes, I thought nobody would notice :D There is about 1-1.5mm play in the headset area. The fork slipped down as I was trying to fit these very snug handlebars on the fork while the bike was lifted in the service stand. To be fair, this happens to me with every bike that I service and it takes me 2-3 tries to fix it - I guess I am doing something fundamentally wrong (maybe I should do it with the bike on the ground?) So I need to refit the handlebars and all will be good.
Inside looked pretty much exactly the same as oralmaster's, I had a thorough look with a flashlight. No bubbles, no wrinkles, no loose material. If you want, I can take couple pictures of the BB area when I refit it.
@Oralmaster: How much did you ride yours? What are your impressions in terms of how it rides?
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My build so far... still waiting for the T47A. In combination with wheels from Peter, 50mm deep. The weight so far is 6.04 kg, without crankset+chain, so should be dead on 7.0kg, which is pretty good considering 50 mm deep tubeless wheels and 2x160mm rotors. One could easily shave another 200-300g off from crankset and wheels. The wheels are already fairly light (1320 g), but I decided to go with brass nipples and cx sapim spokes, so you could go ~100g lighter.
The photos quality is not great ::) My phone and lighting at home does not do the frame justice.
Very nice they really do nail even the chromed font I almost went black/chrome. Mine will pretty much be the same as OralMasters but I will try and get one of those cheapo snake cameras with light to get a very detailed photo breakdown of everything plus final build when mine is done.
I will be swapping over from my other bike my DuraAce 9200 groupset with some 2022 Winspace Hypers, probably going to purchase the BBInfinite T47A and will run with Assiamo Duo Shi pedals. Hoping it stays around 7KG like my 2019 Time.
I will try and get the coveted BB inside/up into the frame shots everyone wants to see and a full photo dump of everything. Mine has also shipped and yeah they charge $133 or so for shipping but you're still getting non UPS/premium courier service. Doesn't really concern me as everything has always arrived for me usually in 2-3 weeks for western Canada.
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acino & jerozilla - Thanks for chiming in.
I bought a frame from First-class on Nov 18, which shipped on Dec 7, but the last tracking update happened on Dec 10, so it seems my frame is trapped in Aliexpress-shipping-purgatory. IMHO this is BS since First-class charges ~ $133USD for shipping, which I naively assumed that meant it would ship via FedEx or UPS Exp). All this has me a bit worried, especially since acino got his frame so quickly. (I'm in the US, btw)
acino, where in the world are you located and which shipper was used? jerozilla, you're in Canada?
For anyone else considering buying from F-C on AliX: I'm 99.9% sure First Class and "RK Ultra Extreme Carbon" are the same seller and probably "Mirror Carbon Fiber" Shop too. So don't whiz in F-C cheerios and think you'll get better treatment from RK or Mirror.
That's totally normal for Aliexpress based shipping, it's really improved a lot since a couple years ago. What was your last shipping update? Updates going dead for 3 days is nothing to be concerned about. You'll basically get a bunch of dead time then exited country and then not another one until it touches your home country. I do agree that $133 shipping it should be one of the major couriers but also from my exp in Canada you're more likely to get destroyed on fees/taxes via one of those as well.
Anyone know what the blurred out more expensive frame is on FC's page is? I'm assuming it's the Hanzo TT frame.
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Ha. Great eyes, I thought nobody would notice :D There is about 1-1.5mm play in the headset area. The fork slipped down as I was trying to fit these very snug handlebars on the fork while the bike was lifted in the service stand. To be fair, this happens to me with every bike that I service and it takes me 2-3 tries to fix it - I guess I am doing something fundamentally wrong (maybe I should do it with the bike on the ground?) So I need to refit the handlebars and all will be good.
Inside looked pretty much exactly the same as oralmaster's, I had a thorough look with a flashlight. No bubbles, no wrinkles, no loose material. If you want, I can take couple pictures of the BB area when I refit it.
@Oralmaster: How much did you ride yours? What are your impressions in terms of how it rides?
Its really nice, I just rode it in comparison to the SL8. The power transfer is great, it feels stiffer than the sl8 aswell as stiffer than the sl7, but I do feel more road vibrations and road chatter.
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That's totally normal for Aliexpress based shipping, it's really improved a lot since a couple years ago. What was your last shipping update? Updates going dead for 3 days is nothing to be concerned about. You'll basically get a bunch of dead time then exited country and then not another one until it touches your home country. I do agree that $133 shipping it should be one of the major couriers but also from my exp in Canada you're more likely to get destroyed on fees/taxes via one of those as well.
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Hello jerozilla,
I agree that 3 days with no updates isn't a big deal, but it's been 13 days since the last tracking update, which simply reads "Arrived at linehual office"(sic). I contacted AliX customer service today and they encouraged me to file a dispute, which I have now done.
Did F-C give you a delivery estimate? He initially told me 20-30 days. I protested and I reminded him of the $133 shipping charge. He shipped very promptly and tracking info showed it was making quick progress, which made me think he sped up the process. Again, I'm not blaming F-C at this point, it's on the shipper to deliver the goods.
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Hello jerozilla,
I agree that 3 days with no updates isn't a big deal, but it's been 13 days since the last tracking update, which simply reads "Arrived at linehual office"(sic). I contacted AliX customer service today and they encouraged me to file a dispute, which I have now done.
Did F-C give you a delivery estimate? He initially told me 20-30 days. I protested and I reminded him of the $133 shipping charge. He shipped very promptly and tracking info showed it was making quick progress, which made me think he sped up the process. Again, I'm not blaming F-C at this point, it's on the shipper to deliver the goods.
Initially he said 10-20 days for delivery. But knowing AliExpress I ordered on the 24th and it wasn't shipped until Dec 18th. It's moving along now says at the airport now. So I did have to toss a polite where's my frame message but communication was always prompt.
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Has anyone tried the new 2025 version of the ostro vam? So far the only frames I have seen here are the previous generation ostro vam. Here is a link for reference.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808080567842.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.400d558ejMv37B&algo_pvid=bae4eb13-afd0-43cc-9329-2ba25ee41616&algo_exp_id=bae4eb13-afd0-43cc-9329-2ba25ee41616-0&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21812.53%21812.53%21%21%215905.00%215905.00%21%402103246617351836406756755e0abb%2112000044422159383%21sea%21US%211711236421%21X&curPageLogUid=DrhArVg2i1pj&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808080567842.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.400d558ejMv37B&algo_pvid=bae4eb13-afd0-43cc-9329-2ba25ee41616&algo_exp_id=bae4eb13-afd0-43cc-9329-2ba25ee41616-0&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21812.53%21812.53%21%21%215905.00%215905.00%21%402103246617351836406756755e0abb%2112000044422159383%21sea%21US%211711236421%21X&curPageLogUid=DrhArVg2i1pj&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A)
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Has anyone tried the new 2025 version of the ostro vam? So far the only frames I have seen here are the previous generation ostro vam. Here is a link for reference.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808080567842.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.400d558ejMv37B&algo_pvid=bae4eb13-afd0-43cc-9329-2ba25ee41616&algo_exp_id=bae4eb13-afd0-43cc-9329-2ba25ee41616-0&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21812.53%21812.53%21%21%215905.00%215905.00%21%402103246617351836406756755e0abb%2112000044422159383%21sea%21US%211711236421%21X&curPageLogUid=DrhArVg2i1pj&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808080567842.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.400d558ejMv37B&algo_pvid=bae4eb13-afd0-43cc-9329-2ba25ee41616&algo_exp_id=bae4eb13-afd0-43cc-9329-2ba25ee41616-0&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21812.53%21812.53%21%21%215905.00%215905.00%21%402103246617351836406756755e0abb%2112000044422159383%21sea%21US%211711236421%21X&curPageLogUid=DrhArVg2i1pj&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A)
Not sure how much I'd trust this one. The new gen also has size 45 again which this "v2 ostro" seller doesn't offer. I'd wait awhile longer for the v2 clones from known sellers to show up.
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Ha. Great eyes, I thought nobody would notice :D There is about 1-1.5mm play in the headset area. The fork slipped down as I was trying to fit these very snug handlebars on the fork while the bike was lifted in the service stand. To be fair, this happens to me with every bike that I service and it takes me 2-3 tries to fix it - I guess I am doing something fundamentally wrong (maybe I should do it with the bike on the ground?) So I need to refit the handlebars and all will be good.
Inside looked pretty much exactly the same as oralmaster's, I had a thorough look with a flashlight. No bubbles, no wrinkles, no loose material. If you want, I can take couple pictures of the BB area when I refit it.
@Oralmaster: How much did you ride yours? What are your impressions in terms of how it rides?
I haven't been riding for nearly 2 months due to travelling. I honestly cannot tell the difference between a real (test rode) ostro and mine. It's definitely stiffer and more responsive than my oltre xr4.
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SNot sure how to take good photos, both with flash on and off does not look great.
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acino,
Your pictures illustrate consistency across the frames coming from the AliX seller, F-C. The layup looks better than any I've ever seen, though admittedly, I don't have a ton of experience - but it's hard to imagine a frame's layup could look any *better* than this.
Another poster asked about the new V2 Ostro copies that have recently become available. I will admit that I'm intrigued but we have no idea what the build quality is so it's hard to justify the risk when we know just how good the [high quality] V1's look. (It should be noted that not all V1's have the same layup, as seen in this thread.)
I have an endoscope and if I actually take delivery of my V1, I'll post up pics of the interior. The seller sent me pics of the interior before he shipped it and it looks like the other h/q V1's inside, but mine is the "ordinary" version, so it will be interesting to see how it differs from the top-spec version. It might come down to the carbon mix, which probably won't be apparent in photos, but should show up on the scale.
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(https://i.ibb.co/kmmbXXw/Whats-App-Image-2024-12-31-at-16-42-46-2f5815ea.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kmmbXXw) (https://i.ibb.co/GC2wJcJ/Whats-App-Image-2024-12-31-at-16-42-46-5733e528.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GC2wJcJ) (https://i.ibb.co/tJT9rTg/Whats-App-Image-2024-12-31-at-16-42-46-c9b80a5c.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tJT9rTg) (https://i.ibb.co/3hbt5gQ/Whats-App-Image-2024-12-31-at-16-42-46-ec6af459.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3hbt5gQ)
The black inc aero barstem has been produced, not sure when it reaches alixpress, but i reckon soon
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(https://i.ibb.co/kmmbXXw/Whats-App-Image-2024-12-31-at-16-42-46-2f5815ea.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kmmbXXw) (https://i.ibb.co/GC2wJcJ/Whats-App-Image-2024-12-31-at-16-42-46-5733e528.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GC2wJcJ) (https://i.ibb.co/tJT9rTg/Whats-App-Image-2024-12-31-at-16-42-46-c9b80a5c.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tJT9rTg) (https://i.ibb.co/3hbt5gQ/Whats-App-Image-2024-12-31-at-16-42-46-ec6af459.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3hbt5gQ)
The black inc aero barstem has been produced, not sure when it reaches alixpress, but i reckon soon
Looks different to my real one, also its super heavy at 430 grams for my 36 x 130!!
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Another poster asked about the new V2 Ostro copies that have recently become available. I will admit that I'm intrigued but we have no idea what the build quality is so it's hard to justify the risk when we know just how good the [high quality] V1's look. (It should be noted that not all V1's have the same layup, as seen in this thread.)
For what it's worth, I had a chat with the F-C seller yesterday and they will start offering the V2 soon, I asked for some pics but he only had pictures of unfinished frames.
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For what it's worth, I had a chat with the F-C seller yesterday and they will start offering the V2 soon, I asked for some pics but he only had pictures of unfinished frames.
That's quite interesting!
@jerozilla and @A.V.G. any updates on your shipping?
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Hi acino,
My tracking info updated yesterday with this message: "Delivery to carrier - Guangzhou, Guangdong". This is the first update since December 10 and, if I read this word-for-word, it implies that my frame hasn't even left China yet. This has been a very unpleasant experience to say the least.
-----------------------------
Final edit Feb-22-2025: My Ostro frame was eventually delivered after ~75 days in transit and 90 days after order. See page 19 for more info.
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Just found this one on the new factor, advertising seems pretty good
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQp6wWu
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Just found this one on the new factor, advertising seems pretty good
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQp6wWu
This one looks more legit as they offer the 45cm frame that came back this year with the v2. I asked F-C about this and he said it would be 7000RMB for the v2 but if I wanted a 45 it would be 12000RMB for "custom". Not sure about Yohobikes reputation.
In regards to mine it's been stuck in Singapore at "awaiting flight" since Dec 24th. But CanadaPost had a strike that really messed stuff up so I'm not really concerned.
I basically followed Oralmasters gameplan highest tier v1 Ostro from F-C > Ordered the legit 20mm top cap as he said it was crap as well as the silicone seat o-ring as it doesn't seem to have one in my photos and Oralmaster said he was missing it, as well as the I got the Factor bar tape to match from the same place.
I will post updates when it lands with detailed frame photos then full build weight etc as I will be swapping DA 9200 onto the frame.
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This one looks more legit as they offer the 45cm frame that came back this year with the v2. I asked F-C about this and he said it would be 7000RMB for the v2 but if I wanted a 45 it would be 12000RMB for "custom". Not sure about Yohobikes reputation.
In regards to mine it's been stuck in Singapore at "awaiting flight" since Dec 24th. But CanadaPost had a strike that really messed stuff up so I'm not really concerned.
I basically followed Oralmasters gameplan highest tier v1 Ostro from F-C > Ordered the legit 20mm top cap as he said it was crap as well as the silicone seat o-ring as it doesn't seem to have one in my photos and Oralmaster said he was missing it, as well as the I got the Factor bar tape to match from the same place.
I will post updates when it lands with detailed frame photos then full build weight etc as I will be swapping DA 9200 onto the frame.
Yohobike seems less reliable than Taiwan Eisen.
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I basically followed Oralmasters gameplan highest tier v1 Ostro from F-C > Ordered the legit 20mm top cap as he said it was crap as well as the silicone seat o-ring as it doesn't seem to have one in my photos and Oralmaster said he was missing it, as well as the I got the Factor bar tape to match from the same place.
Where did you order the legit spacers and o-ring?
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Where did you order the legit spacers and o-ring?
Anjoy in Hongkong came super fast still waiting on frame. I did not order the 5/10mm spacers but the 20mm base.
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Yohobike seems less reliable than Taiwan Eisen.
Taiwan Eisen has the new Ostro on their site, much less than F-C is quoting (7000rmb). I'm a thinking of pulling the trigger on this https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808140537453.html?pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21US%20%24700.00%21US%20%24700.00%21%21%21700.00%21700.00%21%402101e9ec17362627830643581ef1c6%2112000044614854633%21sh%21US%210%21X&spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allItems_or_groupList.new_all_items_2007599312830.1005008326852205&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa
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Looks interesting do they do the actual branding as well or just the frame copy ?
This delayed shipping / Canada Post strike that backed everything up is killing me.
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Taiwan Eisen has the new Ostro on their site, much less than F-C is quoting (7000rmb). I'm a thinking of pulling the trigger on this https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808140537453.html?pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21US%20%24700.00%21US%20%24700.00%21%21%21700.00%21700.00%21%402101e9ec17362627830643581ef1c6%2112000044614854633%21sh%21US%210%21X&spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allItems_or_groupList.new_all_items_2007599312830.1005008326852205&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa
Did you request photos of the inside and the weights?
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Did you request photos of the inside and the weights?
Just messaged them on WhatsApp! We'll see what they say. Would love to get one without the blatantly copied paint scheme as well.
Their website is actually pretty decent and they have almost every other western high end bike on there: https://taiwaneisen.cc/product/t1100-eps-carbon-2025-factor-ostro-vam-bike-frame-carbon-road-disc-brake-bike-framest-bicycle-frame-with-handlebar-eps-mold-light-weight-2/
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Just messaged them on WhatsApp! We'll see what they say. Would love to get one without the blatantly copied paint scheme as well.
Their website is actually pretty decent and they have almost every other western high end bike on there: https://taiwaneisen.cc/product/t1100-eps-carbon-2025-factor-ostro-vam-bike-frame-carbon-road-disc-brake-bike-framest-bicycle-frame-with-handlebar-eps-mold-light-weight-2/
Definitely a good idea to ask for detailed photos of the inside/BB/Weights. On paper it all looks good with the proper sizings with the new 45cm brought back etc but they offer all the top end frame copies it seems.
We know from Oralmasters Ostro v1 (F-C) compared to the other one in this thread the actual carbon layup quality varies wildly.
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Very nice, keep us posted. Interested especially in that D shaped steerer that scares me.
The frame looks so much like my open mould Long Teng.
Yet another friend this weekend who thought Tractor was Factor and assumed I was riding a superbike :D wonderful trolling. I then told him how much it cost me and now he wants one.
seller link please!
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seller link please!
Are you looking for his Tractor frame or the one he's referencing? The one that is touted as top tier in this thread is by FC Carbon on aliexpress and he picked the tier 3 most expensive layup from him. Hopefully mine gets on a flight so I can post a detailed breakdown.
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Just saw a build thread on WW with weights listed for a sz 54 v2 in glossy black.
Frame was 927 including bottle bolts and both hangers, 476g for the fork. These frames really aren't far off…
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Just saw a build thread on WW with weights listed for a sz 54 v2 in glossy black.
Frame was 927 including bottle bolts and both hangers, 476g for the fork. These frames really aren't far off…
Totally depends on the seller/store which one are you referencing?
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Peter from taiwan eisen told me the earliest shipping for a size 58 would be end of februari.
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Are you looking for his Tractor frame or the one he's referencing? The one that is touted as top tier in this thread is by FC Carbon on aliexpress and he picked the tier 3 most expensive layup from him. Hopefully mine gets on a flight so I can post a detailed breakdown.
Could you please share a link to FC Carbon store? I can't find it.
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Could you please share a link to FC Carbon store? I can't find it.
I would wait until me and the other user here receive our frames as there has been what seems like some decent delays in shipping. Mine has been stuck at awaiting flight since the 24th.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007696367264.html
offers the frame in 3 tiers, the third tier being the highest quality closest to a real one, the one in Oralmaster's photos that he said he could not feel the difference between a test ride of a real one and his tier 3 version. I have ordered the same one, actually identical to oralmasters size and color by chance lol.
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what price we talking all in delivered?
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I contacted both Taiwen Eisen and FC Carbon and both stated a delivery time of 60 days for the v2 version
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what price we talking all in delivered?
with shipping it's about $1025USD for the tier 3 one that is the closest to the real thing. Shipping is steep at over $100 for not utilizing something higher end imo. Mine I can't tell if it's the poor shipping or the strike that backed up mail in my country for weeks and some countries stopped sending packages in so they could catch up on the backlog. Mine was passed off to the airline in Singapore Dec.24 and hasn't moved since "Awaiting Flight".
F-C also quoted 60 days for the Ostro v2 so might be sourcing from the same place as the other ones but Taiwan Eisen offers 45cm while F-C said a 45cm frame would be almost double as its niche even though Factor brought back the 45cm size in 2024 with the v2.
I'd rather have the tried and tested v1 that we've seen from Oralmaster and another user than a brand new one even if the v2 is nicer.
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Totally depends on the seller/store which one are you referencing?
I’m referring to a legit Factor frame, not the copies. As weighed though and based on the previous posts, I would expect the high end v2 to be competitive.
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I’m referring to a legit Factor frame, not the copies. As weighed though and based on the previous posts, I would expect the high end v2 to be competitive.
Agreed they definitely do some high tier stuff if Oralmaster test rode real vs his and couldn't even feel the difference. I inquired about the blurred TT frame as well and it looked quite well done. Wasn't aware of the coming v2 at the time or I may have taken a flyer on it over the v1. Really wish F-C offered the 45cm been looking for one for a petite girl who probably might not fit a 49.
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Agreed they definitely do some high tier stuff if Oralmaster test rode real vs his and couldn't even feel the difference. I inquired about the blurred TT frame as well and it looked quite well done. Wasn't aware of the coming v2 at the time or I may have taken a flyer on it over the v1. Really wish F-C offered the 45cm been looking for one for a petite girl who probably might not fit a 49.
I would not only fit a "petite girl". I would fit anyone under ~167/170cm who wants to have a bike the right size
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I would not only fit a "petite girl". I would fit anyone under ~167/170cm who wants to have a bike the right size
Yeah she's about 158cm so I'm guessing 45cm is definitely the frame size needed. Might just wait for the V2's to launch but definitely not paying 12000RMB instead of 7000RMB to F-C for a 45 as I don't think it's that "niche"
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I would wait until me and the other user here receive our frames as there has been what seems like some decent delays in shipping. Mine has been stuck at awaiting flight since the 24th.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007696367264.html
offers the frame in 3 tiers, the third tier being the highest quality closest to a real one, the one in Oralmaster's photos that he said he could not feel the difference between a test ride of a real one and his tier 3 version. I have ordered the same one, actually identical to oralmasters size and color by chance lol.
Have you a link to just the sellers page by any chance? That link won't work/delivery to my country for some reason
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I would wait until me and the other user here receive our frames as there has been what seems like some decent delays in shipping. Mine has been stuck at awaiting flight since the 24th.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007696367264.html
offers the frame in 3 tiers, the third tier being the highest quality closest to a real one, the one in Oralmaster's photos that he said he could not feel the difference between a test ride of a real one and his tier 3 version. I have ordered the same one, actually identical to oralmasters size and color by chance lol.
Ok i get the three tiers being offered and this is done by OEM and ODM manufacturers, but with these copies how do you actually know you are getting a tie three and that they are just not doing this to get more money
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Ok i get the three tiers being offered and this is done by OEM and ODM manufacturers, but with these copies how do you actually know you are getting a tie three and that they are just not doing this to get more money
You don't. You weigh your options, consider your budget and then you hope for the best.
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You don't. You weigh your options, consider your budget and then you hope for the best.
lol ok!
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I've decided I'm going to weight weenie it, I want to get it under 7kg cuz why not. Currently 7.8kg with everything on it
What I'm currently thinking
Avian Canary- 240 grams. 100g savings, costs 190 and 40 for the adapter to Factor.
I'm also checking for an option to go for an Avian Canary with the outline of the imitation black Inc. handlebar. I have inquired them and they can print for the bike an adapter to accommodate the cables with the d-tube steer. I'm not getting much more info when reading on the forum and watching on YouTube. some people like them others don't, it's like 80-20 of positive versus negative. The Canary has a nice weight, 264 gram for a 400 by 110 for a reasonable price of 290 euros.
(https://avians.cc/cdn/shop/files/1_d2973321-647f-47ce-aa5c-f05b8e76ada0_990x.jpg?v=1690098117)
Original Black inc:
(https://blackinc.cc/cdn/shop/files/Factor-Black-Inc-Integrated-Barstem-0-overhead-4472x4472_400x.png?v=1711013915)
The EXS (500 euro) is for me a bit over the budget as well as the original Black Inc. (550 euro) but I was also looking at a more aerodynamic shape that doesn't weigh that much more. I've looked into Patty his post (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,5314.msg66946.html#msg66946) about the handlebars as well and consider the Tavelo Avro too.
(https://ueeshop.ly200-cdn.com/u_file/UPBB/UPBB237/2406/13/products/495f612cb6.jpg?x-oss-process=image/format,webp/quality,q_100/resize,m_lfit,h_800,w_800)
One other that got my interest is the Rolling Stone Manta it's also around the 290 euro price point it's 80 grams heavier than the Canary with 345 grams and same weight than the one that I have now, but I looks more aerodynamic :
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/lC4AAOSwNyNnPFLb/s-l1600.webp)
If I compare the 2:
- Avian Canary 265 gram, 290 euro carbon T1100 Less aero more climbing and all round. Not so good reviews
- Tavelo Avro gen-1, 340 gram, 290 euro no idea what carbon, but great reviews
- Rolling Stone 345 gram, 2290 euro Carbon T800 More aero less climbing less all round.
Anyway always nice to compare "stuff" too bad I can't find really reviews on the "unknown" Rolling-Stone handlebar.
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Mine from F-C arrived everything looks pretty premium will post photos later only concern is the BB I tried to hand screw one side in on a BBinfinite t47A and it probably went half way before meeting resistance (no grease yet).
Weights:
Size 54 white same as OralMaster
Frame with no rear axle - 983g
Uncut fork - 461g
Handlebars 90x400 - 292g
All bottle screws, axles, and top cap have Factor branding. If the BB installs fine I will be very pleased.
No Factor packaging like Oralmaster though.
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Some photos
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.
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Mine from F-C arrived everything looks pretty premium will post photos later only concern is the BB I tried to hand screw one side in on a BBinfinite t47A and it probably went half way before meeting resistance (no grease yet).
Weights:
Size 54 white same as OralMaster
Frame with no rear axle - 983g
Uncut fork - 461g
Handlebars 90x400 - 292g
All bottle screws, axles, and top cap have Factor branding. If the BB installs fine I will be very pleased.
No Factor packaging like Oralmaster though.
Fantastic, can't wait to see the build.
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Hey, first post here. I'm waiting for a SL8 from Taiwan Eisen. I have a real Factor ostro V1. I had an issue with the carbon arround the botom braket so i will receive a new one from factor soon. But interested about a fake one from China. Quality from Taiwan Eisen and FC are quiet similar ?
Thanks for the pics :)
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Hope so, just orderd a V2 from Taiwan Eisen.
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I've asked about the 2.0 version of this frame from both Nicole Bike Shop and First-Class Carbon - does anyone have any advice on how to choose? From Nicole Bike Shop - the communication has been good and quick, and I've been told that the bike is T1000 and reinforced with T1100 in the load bearing areas. I haven't seen any reviews from this store, but they have sent me some images (finishes and weights). From First Class - there seems to be at least a few examples of high quality frames in this thread, but I have been told from them that all frames are T800 (regardless of tier chosen, only the weight changes), and that anyone else claiming to use T1000 or T1100 isn't telling the truth and that it shouldn't matter because you can't tell anyways as long as the quality is good. The communication has been okay too, but less thorough. Thanks in advance!
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I've asked about the 2.0 version of this frame from both Nicole Bike Shop and First-Class Carbon - does anyone have any advice on how to choose? From Nicole Bike Shop - the communication has been good and quick, and I've been told that the bike is T1000 and reinforced with T1100 in the load bearing areas. I haven't seen any reviews from this store, but they have sent me some images (finishes and weights). From First Class - there seems to be at least a few examples of high quality frames in this thread, but I have been told from them that all frames are T800 (regardless of tier chosen, only the weight changes), and that anyone else claiming to use T1000 or T1100 isn't telling the truth and that it shouldn't matter because you can't tell anyways as long as the quality is good. The communication has been okay too, but less thorough. Thanks in advance!
Doesn't really make sense to me isn't T1100 lighter but weaker? I find it dubious if any of them claim it's all made with T1000/T1100. Never heard of Nicole Bike Shop either. F-C is a 60 day wait time for the 2.0 afaik.
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Hope so, just orderd a V2 from Taiwan Eisen.
Awesome dude! I'm really curious about the V2s, it seems they nailed the V1's but it is quite an old frame now (2020).
Would love you if ou did a bit of a review/write up once it's built and you've ridden it :)
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My understanding (i am not a manufacturer) is that the core / bulk / most of the frame is always going to be T700 & T800, and that key areas get fancier fiber. So, afaik, there's no such thing as a 100% T1000 frame, it would be disgusting to ride, and way too fragile (and cost too much).
I'd say, given you're buying a counterfeit anyway, make sure (1) you get the paint job that excites you, (2) you get a look at the inside of the frames to see they compact fibers properly (should be clean and neat inside), (3) you get something that weighs the right ballpark. Whether A uses T1000 and B uses T1000 & T1100, honestly, you can't check, and you wont feel. And you're dealing with illegal merchandise, so trust with these people... When asking these sellers questions, i often got "i cant tell you that because i could go to prison" as an answer a lot of times.
This is my take away, even paying for the hi-mod expensive version no frame is made from T1000-T1100 except specific areas to bring weight down. Anyone who sells you that notion is a seller to stay away from. Majority of frames need/are built from T800'ish so it doesn't snap in half on you.
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damn it looks like they improvised it! mine came with steel screws prone to rusting so i had to spent an additional 190 dollars just to get the authentic black inc cages to “complete the look”
we have the same paint job and same frame size, and yours is significantly lighter!
hope you’re happy with your purchase!
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damn it looks like they improvised it! mine came with steel screws prone to rusting so i had to spent an additional 190 dollars just to get the authentic black inc cages to “complete the look”
we have the same paint job and same frame size, and yours is significantly lighter!
hope you’re happy with your purchase!
Wait. You spent 190 USD to buy 2 bottle cages & bolts?
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My understanding (i am not a manufacturer) is that the core / bulk / most of the frame is always going to be T700 & T800, and that key areas get fancier fiber. So, afaik, there's no such thing as a 100% T1000 frame, it would be disgusting to ride, and way too fragile (and cost too much).
In essence you are right, but's actually a bit more complicated. Especially when comparing T700/800/1000.
T1000 is stiffer and stronger than T800 which has higher stiffness and strength than T700. On the other hand, T800 is more brittle (less elastic) than both T700/T1000. In principle you could make a full T1000 carbon fiber reinforced frame, but it would cost way too much for the suppliers. So indeed, it's only used at certain key areas where weight savings can be major by changing the material and yet keeping the same stiffness.
What nowadays actually is the key factor is the (impact) strength of the frames. It would be easy to make a super stiff frame sub 600gr, but it wouldn't be strong enough. There is some need to have some 'mass' to cover the strengths.
Besides this, there is the marketing aspect. Especially with those replica frames, I wouldn't trust them on the specific type of fibers used in the frame.
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Mine from F-C arrived everything looks pretty premium will post photos later only concern is the BB I tried to hand screw one side in on a BBinfinite t47A and it probably went half way before meeting resistance (no grease yet).
Weights:
Size 54 white same as OralMaster
Frame with no rear axle - 983g
Uncut fork - 461g
Handlebars 90x400 - 292g
All bottle screws, axles, and top cap have Factor branding. If the BB installs fine I will be very pleased.
No Factor packaging like Oralmaster though.
Any updates on the bottom bracket issue?
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Any updates on the bottom bracket issue?
It's being picked up in two days by my mechanic to swap everything over from my old bike so I will post if there is a serious issue with the BB if he notifies me. It should be like butter with a BBInfinite bottom bracket but didn't feel inspiring when I was turning it by hand, granted I did not slap any grease on it I was just testing it lightly.
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That was my thought. If there are any issues, it's definitely not with the BBinfinite
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Kind of crappy photos but shots of the top tube and seatstay plus the inside where the di2 port for the FD is drilled/2 bottle cages.
Sorry it's a cheapo endoscope.
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First one is looking down one of the seatposts
Second is down the top of the fork
Last two are random shots of inside the Black Inc bars.
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Do you know why I'm not able to open alexpress F-C carbon shop from the link? I receive info that is unavailable in my country. Where you guys buying this?
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Do you know why I'm not able to open alexpress F-C carbon shop from the link? I receive info that is unavailable in my country. Where you guys buying this?
it’s the chinese new year, they will be back. also, the ostro V2 will start shipping from march onwards
新春快乐 laowais！
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it’s the chinese new year, they will be back. also, the ostro V2 will start shipping from march onwards
新春快乐 laowais！
I had the same issues before Holidays started. I don't know, maybe they don't ship to EU?
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They should, if not you can use a re-shipper service in Singapore fore example. But when discussing how long mine was taking he showed me Dutch tracking of 50 days so they do ship there. I'd wait till after CNY and check again.
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anyone have a contact point at F-C? or is it just through aliexpress shop
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anyone have a contact point at F-C? or is it just through aliexpress shop
Ali shop is easiest I believe he's on another site if you speak mandarin that Oralmaster originally found him on? I'd wait it out until after chinese new year + the v2 model should be available soon.
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Mine arrived today. Looks really nice for the most part but there are a fair amount of visible fibers and resin on the bottom bracket shell. Anything I should be concerned about?
https://imgur.com/a/lKRXsiQ (https://imgur.com/a/lKRXsiQ)
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Mine arrived today. Looks really nice for the most part but there are a fair amount of visible fibers and resin on the bottom bracket shell. Anything I should be concerned about?
https://imgur.com/a/lKRXsiQ (https://imgur.com/a/lKRXsiQ)
Mine had a few of those (not that much resin spilling over on the inside of the cup) but some of the loose fibers, don't think I'm concerned after I closely inspected mine, others can chime in as I'm not an expert maybe @Serge_K will see it and chime in. But my mechanic has had it for a few days now and said nothing. Have you seemed some of the BB's in the Longten thread that were deemed safe?.... attached for your pleasure.
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Mine arrived today. Looks really nice for the most part but there are a fair amount of visible fibers and resin on the bottom bracket shell. Anything I should be concerned about?
https://imgur.com/a/lKRXsiQ (https://imgur.com/a/lKRXsiQ)
We need more pictures of that frame!
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But my mechanic has had it for a few days now and said nothing. Have you seemed some of the BB's in the Longten thread that were deemed safe?.... attached for your pleasure.
Really can't wait to see the update, mechanics comments and your impressions after riding. No pressure ;)
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I'm eagerly awaiting any reviews of the new Ostro Vam V2, I think there are more listings on aliexpress for it now than V1. It seems like they really nailed the gen one reps and everyone was really happy with them, so I wonder how the V2 compares. It's such a gorgeous frame and weight wise very competitive.
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I'm eagerly awaiting any reviews of the new Ostro Vam V2, I think there are more listings on aliexpress for it now than V1. It seems like they really nailed the gen one reps and everyone was really happy with them, so I wonder how the V2 compares. It's such a gorgeous frame and weight wise very competitive.
If F-C actually had the full lineup of sizes for the v2 I would actually test order one to show everyone. But unfortunately he said they don't have the 45cm that got reintroduced with the Ostro V2 line. Even though I believe Taiwan Eisen does? He wanted almost double for a "Niche size".
I think we'll see Taiwan Eisen V2's long before F-C as I think I was told end of Feb way back in November.
edit: if anything F-C not having 45cm or wanting 12000RMB for it may show that these two are not just peddling the same frames? I explained to him that the v2 brought back that size and he said it would be 12000RMB instead of 7000RMB for the tier 3, while I believe Taiwan Eesen lists that size but I have not confirmed.
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the prices do seem better at Taiwan Eisen but they told me there is only a single t1100 eps tier ... if i remember correctly there were already a couple of purchases from this store (v1 ostro and sl8) and quality was inferior to F-C?
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the prices do seem better at Taiwan Eisen but they told me there is only a single t1100 eps tier ... if i remember correctly there were already a couple of purchases from this store (v1 ostro and sl8) and quality was inferior to F-C?
I have recently purchased a SL8 from Taiwen Eisen and from another store. The quality of the Taiwan Eisen’s frame is top notch compared to the other one. I haven’t built the bike yet but at first sight, it’s pretty excellent to me, especially for 600USD (shipping including and no taxes).
Here are few pictures of the interior of my frame (sorry for the quality) VS the F-C’s SL8 (white and green color, they sent me some pics)
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The BSA bottom bracket area on a real SL8 comes perfectly faced from the factory. The exposed carbon is neat and square. It's nice to Taiwen Eisen make an attempt do the same.
However, that white green one from F-C would raise some concerns with me.
EDIT: Wait, did F-C only face one side of the BB?
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The BSA bottom bracket area on a real SL8 comes perfectly faced from the factory. The exposed carbon is neat and square. It's nice to Taiwen Eisen make an attempt do the same.
However, that white green one from F-C would raise some concerns with me.
EDIT: Wait, did F-C only face one side of the BB?
Definitely looks like it. I'd be having that faced before putting a BB on it for sure paint goes right to the edge...I've been a bit suspect of the SL8 clones too many floating around and I've yet to see one absolutely nailed like the Ostro V1 has been.
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I have recently purchased a SL8 from Taiwen Eisen and from another store. The quality of the Taiwan Eisen’s frame is top notch compared to the other one. I haven’t built the bike yet but at first sight, it’s pretty excellent to me, especially for 600USD (shipping including and no taxes).
Here are few pictures of the interior of my frame (sorry for the quality) VS the F-C’s SL8 (white and green color, they sent me some pics)
i am suspecting the SL8 from FC is the same as tantan TT-X68, but with fake darimo barstem and seatpost. my seller told me since this frame is done by a renowed factory, they won't be doing any paintjobs showing the S-Works logo.
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i am suspecting the SL8 from FC is the same as tantan TT-X68, but with fake darimo barstem and seatpost. my seller told me since this frame is done by a renowed factory, they won't be doing any paintjobs showing the S-Works logo.
I am wondering whether the difference in quality (apparent) of the Factor vs the SL8 (not faced BB) could indicated that FC is indeed just a reseller getting those frames from 2 different sources
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Finally have build back of F-C Ostro V1 and the final tally is 6.8kg with all goods attached except the rear light/mount.
Ostro V1 Tier 3
DuraAce 9200 groupset with 165mm cranks
carbon bottle cages
90x400 bars
Favero PM pedals
BB Infinite T47A bottom bracket
Winspace Hyper 45s early gen models
weather here is way too cold so no ride report yet.
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Finally have build back of F-C Ostro V1 and the final tally is 6.8kg with all goods attached except the rear light/mount.
Ostro V1 Tier 3
DuraAce 9200 groupset with 165mm cranks
carbon bottle cages
90x400 bars
Favero PM pedals
BB Infinite T47A bottom bracket
Winspace Hyper 45s early gen models
weather here is way too cold so no ride report yet.
You can't drop this here without photos ;D Any insights from the mechanic?
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You can't drop this here without photos ;D Any insights from the mechanic?
I knew you'd race in here to say that lol. Mechanic had nothing to say but good things, really liked the BBinfinite quality (not F-C related I know). Not much else I can say he test road it and gushed over it but I haven't yet, 6.8kg with TPU tubes and could probably shave more off with new wheels as these are the 3 year old Hypers. No mention of BB issues as I said I was concerned I couldn't fully hand screw it in when I was messing around with it without grease. It was just good to go news from the mechanic besides waiting for the longer rear brake caliper bolts. I hope my detailed journey helps people. But from what I can see F-C puts out a legit frame, I would say better than a lot of the stuff we see here but you do pay a premium.
My final thoughts after using a endoscope on the frame was probably just the loose fibers where the BB goes that the other user had, mine had a few of those but other than that the v1 feels almost like a dead copy to my eye, and perhaps even ride quality as @Oralmaster said he test rode a real one and couldn't tell the difference.
So other than the super long delay on shipping due to the postal strike and the couple fibres inside the BB I'd give it a pre-ride rating of 9/10.
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DuraAce 9200 groupset with 165mm cranks
Favero PM pedals
BB Infinite T47A bottom bracket
Winspace Hyper 45s early gen models
Damn, that's a lot of $$$. Savings on the frame really helped I guess haha.
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Yeah the beauty of being gifted the 9200 groupset for xmas and having stuff to swap over. I would say total price with mechanic fees etc and frame would be around $2000CAD instead of $6000-7000CAD for the frame alone.
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I knew you'd race in here to say that lol. Mechanic had nothing to say but good things, really liked the BBinfinite quality (not F-C related I know). Not much else I can say he test road it and gushed over it but I haven't yet, 6.8kg with TPU tubes and could probably shave more off with new wheels as these are the 3 year old Hypers. No mention of BB issues as I said I was concerned I couldn't fully hand screw it in when I was messing around with it without grease. It was just good to go news from the mechanic besides waiting for the longer rear brake caliper bolts. I hope my detailed journey helps people. But from what I can see F-C puts out a legit frame, I would say better than a lot of the stuff we see here but you do pay a premium.
My final thoughts after using a endoscope on the frame was probably just the loose fibers where the BB goes that the other user had, mine had a few of those but other than that the v1 feels almost like a dead copy to my eye, and perhaps even ride quality as @Oralmaster said he test rode a real one and couldn't tell the difference.
So other than the super long delay on shipping due to the postal strike and the couple fibres inside the BB I'd give it a pre-ride rating of 9/10.
Thanks for the detailed write up! Very nice and a very good weight! I only did about 330 km on mine so far due to poor weather here, but everything has been perfect so far. The bike just wants to go fast.
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I just couldn't help myself, bought one of these too. I bought through the "RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store". Overall good communication, polite, and easy to work with. Seems like they are just a dealer working with the factory. Received pictures of everything prior to shipment, and photos of other frames before ordering (for what its worth).
Paid $1100 CAD ($760 USD) all in for regular weight, passed on the lightweight version
Weights (size 56):
Frame: 1154g
Fork: 471g
We'll see how it goes, I have a set of custom Wheelsfar hypers on the way, a Lexon DUB crank, and an Ultegra Di2 group on the way.
(https://i.imgur.com/9ktTkYY.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rgMamWJ.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xZalCNF.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/OkJRQLq.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/A80HDMP.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ELVVVjU.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LsjVU7f.jpeg)
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Looks really good, the white one awesome! It's a small size frame so a 6.8 kg is quite solid. I have in the end here for a 56 size frame 6,9 kg so you can definitely save something with the wheels I guess.
and the black one with blue and pink also looks great. It has the same frame size as mine, only that yours looks more neat than mine. I've now ridden outside 500 km and indoors just over 1000 km and it feels fine. Need to replace the handlebar because I probably tighten it too tight, even though it didn't exceeded the 5nm but okay, I bought in the end the Tavelo Avro gen-1 (still needs to arrive).
Also got the Lexon Cranks, if the crank is not running smoothly, try it without spacers and the lockring.
These are/were my weights for a size 56:
Frame: 1069g
Fork: 432g
Handlebar fake black inc): 331g
seatpost incl clamp: 220g
Weights (size 56):
Frame: 1154g
Fork: 471g
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At this point now I'd probably order a replica Factor Ostro versus an SL8 clone from TanTan lol
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I'll have more to say about this in the next few days, but I want to get this out there for others who are interested in buying from First-Class Carbon Fiber Store (https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1102993497 (https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1102993497)) and associated storefronts, RF Ultra Extreme Carbon and Mirror Carbon, on AliExpress.
I bought a frame from First-Class Carbon 80 days ago and the frame has never been delivered. Since then, other buyers on this forum have purchased frames from F-C and they have received their frames, including another USA buyer who got his frame in only 30 days.
F-C has not (yet) taken any responsibility for my failed transaction but has spent significant energy telling me to 'just be patient' or trying to deflect responsibility.
Suffice it to say I cannot recommend First-Class Carbon Fiber Store at this time. Maybe F-C will still make things right for me, and if they do, I'll be sure to update the forum with that info.
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Final edit Feb-22-2025: My Ostro frame was eventually delivered after ~75 days in transit and 90 days after order. See page 19 for more info.
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I bought a frame from First-Class Carbon 80 days ago and the frame has never been delivered.
Has your frame shipped, according to the seller, and then no tracking update, or the seller is selling the frame still hasn't shipped and they're still "working" on it? option 1, i'd worry. option 2, i'd worry less, i'd simply be annoyed (tremendously).
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Has your frame shipped, according to the seller, and then no tracking update, or the seller is selling the frame still hasn't shipped and they're still "working" on it? option 1, i'd worry. option 2, i'd worry less, i'd simply be annoyed (tremendously).
Hello Serge,
Per the provided tracking number, F-C shipped on Dec 8. There have been no meaningful tracking updates since Dec 10. The last tracking entry came on Jan 2, but it was just a duplicate entry saying 'in transit'. On Jan 14, F-C told me it was on a ship, but that 'the weather was bad and would accordingly be further delayed'. Why was it on a ship at all (if it actually was), is an obvious question.
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Final edit Feb-22-2025: My Ostro frame was eventually delivered after ~75 days in transit and 90 days after order. See page 19 for more info.
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I just couldn't help myself, bought one of these too. I bought through the "RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store". Overall good communication, polite, and easy to work with. Seems like they are just a dealer working with the factory. Received pictures of everything prior to shipment, and photos of other frames before ordering (for what its worth).
Paid $1100 CAD ($760 USD) all in for regular weight, passed on the lightweight version
Weights (size 56):
Frame: 1154g
Fork: 471g
We'll see how it goes, I have a set of custom Wheelsfar hypers on the way, a Lexon DUB crank, and an Ultegra Di2 group on the way
Very nice definitely looks like they source from the same factory or it's another store from for F-C. From the interior to the bag parts and quality it almost is identical.
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Hello Serge,
Per the provided tracking number, F-C shipped on Dec 8. There have been no meaningful tracking updates since Dec 10. The last tracking entry came on Jan 2, but it was just a duplicate entry saying 'in transit'. On Jan 14, F-C told me it was on a ship, but that 'the weather was bad and would accordingly be further delayed'. Why was it on a ship at all (if it actually was), is an obvious question.
Hopefully you're not in the USA as the tariffs are now in effect....
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Hopefully you're not in the USA as the tariffs are now in effect....
I am in USA, and this whole project kicked off in November as a race against the tariffs. It should have worked out if not for the problems caused by First Class' inability to deliver. When I bought the frame, I got a $45 discount on Ali for the 11/11 sale (or the like), which is now long-gone, and now a 10% pointless tax on Americans imposed by Trump. So, if I bought the same frame today it will cost approximately $130-150 more, for no additional value. :-\
-----------------------------
Final edit Feb-22-2025: My Ostro frame was eventually delivered after ~75 days in transit and 90 days after order. See page 19 for more info.
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I am in USA, and this whole project kicked off in November as a race against the tariffs. It should have worked out if not for the problems caused by First Class' inability to deliver. When I bought the frame, I got a $45 discount on Ali for the 11/11 sale (or the like), which is now long-gone, and now a 10% pointless tax on Americans imposed by Trump. So, if I bought the same frame today it will cost approximately $130-150 more, for no additional value. :-\
At this point at 80 days you should charge back and hope it shows up eventually. You are losing your protection you may even be close to or past the nuclear option of a bank charge back coverage.
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I am in USA, and this whole project kicked off in November as a race against the tariffs. It should have worked out if not for the problems caused by First Class' inability to deliver. When I bought the frame, I got a $45 discount on Ali for the 11/11 sale (or the like), which is now long-gone, and now a 10% pointless tax on Americans imposed by Trump. So, if I bought the same frame today it will cost approximately $130-150 more, for no additional value. :-\
I'm afraid its worse than that. Its not just the 10%, the 10 is ON TOP of a preexisting 25% tariff imposed under Trump 1, plus processing and CBP fees. We never paid the 25% in the past because of the deminimus exception which is now gone. And, worse yet, tariffs are imposed date of entry, so you're going to get billed them even though you purchased before. Doesn't matter that your stuff is in transit. So its going to be like $400 more.
I feel your pain, ordered a complete tan/tan wheeltop bike for 2.5 k that's now going to be like 3.5. Would have done something else had I known. Sorry man.
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I'm afraid its worse than that. Its not just the 10%, the 10 is ON TOP of a preexisting 25% tariff imposed under Trump 1, plus processing and CBP fees. We never paid the 25% in the past because of the deminimus exception which is now gone. And, worse yet, tariffs are imposed date of entry, so you're going to get billed them even though you purchased before. Doesn't matter that your stuff is in transit. So its going to be like $400 more.
I feel your pain, ordered a complete tan/tan wheeltop bike for 2.5 k that's now going to be like 3.5. Would have done something else had I known. Sorry man.
Thanks for getting me up-to-speed glepore. News Flash: I'm just now reading (as of today, Feb 7) that Captain Chaos has delayed the termination of the deminimus exception by executive order. So, I guess that's good news... Wow, this is a mess!
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I am in a similar situation as A.V.G. My v1 frame shipped on Jan 12 and it has been at "arrived at linehaul office" since Jan 20. I have not received any update since. FC just told me it is on a ship. I am not sure he is just saying it because I keep asking him. I started a refund process but it was rejected. I may call my credit card company if I don't have any update by Feb 12.
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I am in a similar situation as A.V.G. My v1 frame shipped on Jan 12 and it has been at "arrived at linehaul office" since Jan 20. I have not received any update since. FC just told me it is on a ship. I am not sure he is just saying it because I keep asking him. I started a refund process but it was rejected. I may call my credit card company if I don't have any update by Feb 12.
I really don't understand this it's on a ship excuse, the cost they charge for shipping is already super high and from looking at my tracking it never was put on a boat nor should the frames be for the $100+ shipping they're asking for.
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I agree. I just don’t understand how they have no information about the shipment for so long. I hope A.V.G will get his frame soon. Hope I don’t have to wait for 80+ days to get my frame.
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Chinese new year, its a black hole until Feb 10 for many shippers.
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Thanks for getting me up-to-speed glepore. News Flash: I'm just now reading (as of today, Feb 7) that Captain Chaos has delayed the termination of the deminimus exception by executive order. So, I guess that's good news... Wow, this is a mess!
He's delayed it until USPS can figure out how to deal with the volume. Probably a month or so. Unless he forgets about it while he's turning off Medicare and Social security and firing our entire intelligence community...
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Fun thread, looking forward to seeing y'alls frames.
I have ordered frames, wheels, etc from China before and shipping is sllooowww for large items on boats. I don't know these sellers particularly but I think giving some more patience is worth it. I understand the anxiety though cause I've been through it too but its more than likely going to be ok :)
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I am so ordering V2 when the stores open up again. I just need to figure out the sizes. Is it similar to the real deal, and can I use the bike fitting service on the Factor website?
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I am so ordering V2 when the stores open up again. I just need to figure out the sizes. Is it similar to the real deal, and can I use the bike fitting service on the Factor website?
The sizes are 1:1 atleast on the highest tier. Should be the same on the lower tiers.
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As I spoke to a seller on AliExpress, it's only one factory in China currently producing this frame. So will it be the same if I buy it from Taiwanesen.cc or bigger chance of better quality somewhere else?
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As I spoke to a seller on AliExpress, it's only one factory in China currently producing this frame. So will it be the same if I buy it from Taiwanesen.cc or bigger chance of better quality somewhere else?
That sounds very suspicious. There are clearly at least two different types of Factor frames in this thread. One EPS molded with very smooth inside and the other one which looks a bit more rugged inside (I think it was from taiwan factory bike parts Store). I am not saying one is worse/dangerous whatever, but I find the statement above hard to believe.
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That sounds very suspicious. There are clearly at least two different types of Factor frames in this thread. One EPS molded with very smooth inside and the other one which looks a bit more rugged inside (I think it was from taiwan factory bike parts Store). I am not saying one is worse/dangerous whatever, but I find the statement above hard to believe.
Yeah you might be right, the seller I spoke with have the exact same pictures as http://taiwaneisen.cc . So I guess they at least are the same factory, and the AliExpress seller was more expensive aswell. Guess I will have to wait until the other sellers are back from vacation
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Is it btw worth to buy the wheelset these guys sell? Or should I just look for something else that's not a replica?
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Is it btw worth to buy the wheelset these guys sell? Or should I just look for something else that's not a replica?
I would buy from a reputable source. Wheels are so commoditized, i dont think it makes much sense to buy from people who sell fakes. Unless ofc you really want the fake logos on your wheels. Xiamen carbon speed, far sports, Elite, Yuanan, the usual suspects.
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I would buy from a reputable source. Wheels are so commoditized, i dont think it makes much sense to buy from people who sell fakes. Unless ofc you really want the fake logos on your wheels. Xiamen carbon speed, far sports, Elite, Yuanan, the usual suspects.
+1 for that. You will get better spec buying from reputable source. You can just order decals on Ali if you want to go full fake.
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I would buy from a reputable source. Wheels are so commoditized, i dont think it makes much sense to buy from people who sell fakes. Unless ofc you really want the fake logos on your wheels. Xiamen carbon speed, far sports, Elite, Yuanan, the usual suspects.
Yeah saw a post about Ace Sprint wheels to a very good price compared to what you get. Will look into it and hopefully I get to order a frame soon, if not I think I will go for a Hygge.
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I am so ordering V2 when the stores open up again. I just need to figure out the sizes. Is it similar to the real deal, and can I use the bike fitting service on the Factor website?
I would not buy an Ostro V2 from First Class Carbon unless I saw pics of the interior first. Just because the V1's that F-C sells (and occasionally delivers) are very high quality is no guarantee that the other frames they offer are of the same quality. Additionally, I think it's a bit fishy that F-C and RK are both still "on vacation" even though it's now Feb 11. There is now another Ali store that has the same V1 pics as F-C. Maybe this is their latest storefront: Polar Bicycle Store https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1104205453 (https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1104205453)
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For what its worth, i received a message from RK, they mentioned they are opening store again in March.
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For what its worth, i received a message from RK, they mentioned they are opening store again in March.
Well that’s a good way to get customers
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I would not buy an Ostro V2 from First Class Carbon unless I saw pics of the interior first. Just because the V1's that F-C sells (and occasionally delivers) are very high quality is no guarantee that the other frames they offer are of the same quality. Additionally, I think it's a bit fishy that F-C and RK are both still "on vacation" even though it's now Feb 11. There is now another Ali store that has the same V1 pics as F-C. Maybe this is their latest storefront: Polar Bicycle Store https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1104205453 (https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1104205453)
Which store will you recommand ?
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Which store will you recommand ?
I can only recommend the one i dealt with which is F-C who has shown to deliver reproducible quality, they also seem to only focus on two frames (the blurred out Pinarello TT frame and the Factor) soon to be the v2 Factor. Whereas Taiwan Eisen is selling every single high end frame copy, I'd trust the store/reseller who focuses on one specific thing over the one saying they can perfectly produce you a Colnago fake, Madone fake, SL8's etc.
After seeing the interior of the other frame in here there is definitely not just 1 factory pumping all these Ostro V1's out, they are very different quality interiors.
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Aren’t the black inc wheels an RD270-esque hub and commodity rim anyways? I say get some novelty logos on Wheelsfar or something from Peter.
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I would not buy an Ostro V2 from First Class Carbon unless I saw pics of the interior first. Just because the V1's that F-C sells (and occasionally delivers) are very high quality is no guarantee that the other frames they offer are of the same quality. Additionally, I think it's a bit fishy that F-C and RK are both still "on vacation" even though it's now Feb 11. There is now another Ali store that has the same V1 pics as F-C. Maybe this is their latest storefront: Polar Bicycle Store https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1104205453 (https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1104205453)
You can check the registration documents of every store in Aliexpress. If you see they are in the same address, you can be rather certain it's just the same people with a different store front.
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That sounds very suspicious. There are clearly at least two different types of Factor frames in this thread. One EPS molded with very smooth inside and the other one which looks a bit more rugged inside (I think it was from taiwan factory bike parts Store). I am not saying one is worse/dangerous whatever, but I find the statement above hard to believe.
Is that the same store as taiwan eisen?
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I can only recommend the one i dealt with which is F-C who has shown to deliver reproducible quality, they also seem to only focus on two frames (the blurred out Pinarello TT frame and the Factor) soon to be the v2 Factor. Whereas Taiwan Eisen is selling every single high end frame copy, I'd trust the store/reseller who focuses on one specific thing over the one saying they can perfectly produce you a Colnago fake, Madone fake, SL8's etc.
After seeing the interior of the other frame in here there is definitely not just 1 factory pumping all these Ostro V1's out, they are very different quality interiors.
But you said " I would not buy an Ostro V2 from First Class Carbon".
F-C is First class carbon, right ? I miss something :D.
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But you said " I would not buy an Ostro V2 from First Class Carbon".
F-C is First class carbon, right ? I miss something :D.
I don't see anything wrong with this, especially since the second part of his statement was "...unless I saw pics of the interior first". Just because F-C sells (so far) decent v1, it does not mean v2 will be the same. It could be from a different suppliers, there could be early manufacturing flaws/waeknesses etc. So I would not order v2 before I saw photos either. It's a Schrödinger frame at this point.
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After about a month, my V1 frame still shows "Arrived in linehaul office." F-C is not providing any additional information. One day, I was told it was on a ship, and the next day, I was informed it was in a US warehouse and would be shipped to me as soon as possible. I keep receiving basically the same message without any real update.
I filed a return/refund request with Aliexpress, but it was denied because F-C states it is still in transit. I finally called my credit card company and received a refund. I don't mind them charging me again if I finally get my frame. But for now, I am protected.
F-C is responsive to my communications, but the shipping method is unsatisfactory considering they charge us $130. I’m glad some of you received your frames. However, I won't recommend F-C unless you can find a way to use a reputable shipping company like FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Lastly, F-C is no longer listed on Aliexpress. They have been on vacation since the end of January. I don't feel confident buying another frame from them, even if they come back online.
As a comparison, I ordered my wheelset from Peter@Xiamen Carbon. They charged me about $100 for shipping and I received the package in less than 5 days.
I will wait another month or two to see if anyone has more information about the V2 frame. Who knows, maybe one day the V1 frame I ordered will show up.
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After about a month, my V1 frame still shows "Arrived in linehaul office." F-C is not providing any additional information. One day, I was told it was on a ship, and the next day, I was informed it was in a US warehouse and would be shipped to me as soon as possible. I keep receiving basically the same message without any real update.
I filed a return/refund request with Aliexpress, but it was denied because F-C states it is still in transit. I finally called my credit card company and received a refund. I don't mind them charging me again if I finally get my frame. But for now, I am protected.
F-C is responsive to my communications, but the shipping method is unsatisfactory considering they charge us $130. I’m glad some of you received your frames. However, I won't recommend F-C unless you can find a way to use a reputable shipping company like FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Lastly, F-C is no longer listed on Aliexpress. They have been on vacation since the end of January. I don't feel confident buying another frame from them, even if they come back online.
I will wait another month or two to see if anyone has more information about the V2 frame. Who knows, maybe one day the V1 frame I ordered will show up.
I think that they will come back on 20th february.
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After about a month, my V1 frame still shows "Arrived in linehaul office." F-C is not providing any additional information. One day, I was told it was on a ship, and the next day, I was informed it was in a US warehouse and would be shipped to me as soon as possible. I keep receiving basically the same message without any real update.
I filed a return/refund request with Aliexpress, but it was denied because F-C states it is still in transit. I finally called my credit card company and received a refund. I don't mind them charging me again if I finally get my frame. But for now, I am protected.
F-C is responsive to my communications, but the shipping method is unsatisfactory considering they charge us $130. I’m glad some of you received your frames. However, I won't recommend F-C unless you can find a way to use a reputable shipping company like FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Lastly, F-C is no longer listed on Aliexpress. They have been on vacation since the end of January. I don't feel confident buying another frame from them, even if they come back online.
As a comparison, I ordered my wheelset from Peter@Xiamen Carbon. They charged me about $100 for shipping and I received the package in less than 5 days.
I will wait another month or two to see if anyone has more information about the V2 frame. Who knows, maybe one day the V1 frame I ordered will show up.
It was Chinese new year.
Shipping method varies and depends on the delivery company, not on thr seller most of the times.
Tarifs are impacting customs transit. Especially in the US.
It's part of a China project. Get used to it eheh
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After about a month, my V1 frame still shows "Arrived in linehaul office." F-C is not providing any additional information. One day, I was told it was on a ship, and the next day, I was informed it was in a US warehouse and would be shipped to me as soon as possible. I keep receiving basically the same message without any real update.
I filed a return/refund request with Aliexpress, but it was denied because F-C states it is still in transit. I finally called my credit card company and received a refund. I don't mind them charging me again if I finally get my frame. But for now, I am protected.
F-C is responsive to my communications, but the shipping method is unsatisfactory considering they charge us $130. I’m glad some of you received your frames. However, I won't recommend F-C unless you can find a way to use a reputable shipping company like FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Lastly, F-C is no longer listed on Aliexpress. They have been on vacation since the end of January. I don't feel confident buying another frame from them, even if they come back online.
As a comparison, I ordered my wheelset from Peter@Xiamen Carbon. They charged me about $100 for shipping and I received the package in less than 5 days.
I will wait another month or two to see if anyone has more information about the V2 frame. Who knows, maybe one day the V1 frame I ordered will show up.
^^^ THIS!!! I got the same treatment from F-C, but mine has been 'in-transit' since Dec 7. I also bought a wheelset from Peter, which actually was a FIRST CLASS experience. I also bought a 105 Di2 groupset from a random store on Aliexpress and they shipped via UPS Expedited. That too, was a positive experience. I don't like the suggestion that Aliexpress sellers are just at the mercy of the platform's shady shipping methods - good Alexpress stores know WTF they're doing. F-C is not one of those sellers, IMHO. If you were lucky enough to have received your V1 Ostro from First Class Carbon (aka "F-C") or RK Ultra, you are golden!!!
I won't fault others here for rolling the dice with F-C for a V1 but you had better have a plan B in mind if/when your frame never shows up. And Serge_K warned all of us back in November that F-C was shady. I realized buying from F-C involved risk - risk that turned into reality. Now I'll likely have to waste money on tariffs. Even if I get my money back from F-C, I'm still out money and I'm pissed about F-C's incompetence.
At this point I'm reevaluating my options, and I'm leaning toward buying a V2 from Taiwan Eisen. I don't expect the quality will be as good as the F-C V1, but what difference does that make if I can't actually buy a V1 from F-C???
-----------------------------
Final edit Feb-22-2025: My Ostro frame was eventually delivered after ~75 days in transit and 90 days after order. See page 19 for more info.
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It was Chinese new year.
Shipping method varies and depends on the delivery company, not on thr seller most of the times.
Tarifs are impacting customs transit. Especially in the US.
It's part of a China project. Get used to it eheh
Yes, I understand there was a Chinese New Year holiday. However, according to the Aliexpress tracking information, it arrived in the U.S., cleared U.S. customs, and was handed over to a local delivery company on Jan. 23, which was almost a week before the Chinese New Year. The lack of movement for nearly a month now is unacceptable for a shipping charge of $132.
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Yes, I understand there was a Chinese New Year holiday. However, according to the Aliexpress tracking information, it arrived in the U.S., cleared U.S. customs, and was handed over to a local delivery company on Jan. 23, which was almost a week before the Chinese New Year. The lack of movement for nearly a month now is unacceptable for a shipping charge of $132.
Did you consider calling the local delivery company?
Is it just my impression or everyone who has not received their frame is in US? Is there anyone from US who successfully got a frame from FC or RK?
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Did you consider calling the local delivery company?
Is it just my impression or everyone who has not received their frame is in US? Is there anyone from US who successfully got a frame from FC or RK?
Yes - rhenders bought from F-C. Hopefully he'll chine in here. I don't want to speak for him.
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ttgolf - Did you try your tracking number on USPS.com?
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I don’t know what local shipping company AliExpress uses. USPS has no record of the tracking number. And yes I’m in the US.
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I don’t know what local shipping company AliExpress uses. USPS has no record of the tracking number. And yes I’m in the US.
Yeah, I figured you would have tried USPS. Sorry. A common thread here is Aliexpress tracking info that just trails off into the ether.
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So I just spoke to F-C.
60 days delivery time on 2.0, price will be 7000RMB and promised to be same quality as 1.0.
He said AliExpress delivery and logistics when asked about DPD delivery..
Also added som pictures he sent me
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Thanks for sharing the pictures of the v2 frame. The BB definitely looks like the V1 I ordered. One small difference I see from the picture is the Black handlebar bolts. I believe the V1 handlebar has one black and one titanium bolts. The picture you share has two titanium bolts. Maybe the real V2 uses 2 titanium bolts.
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I don’t know what local shipping company AliExpress uses. USPS has no record of the tracking number. And yes I’m in the US.
That's indeed quite odd. The global trackers showed the name of my local delivery service quite early on. Also the package got a different tracking number once it was taken over by the local service.
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Thanks for sharing the pictures of the v2 frame. The BB definitely looks like the V1 I ordered. One small difference I see from the picture is the Black handlebar bolts. I believe the V1 handlebar has one black and one titanium bolts. The picture you share has two titanium bolts. Maybe the real V2 uses 2 titanium bolts.
That's clearly not a black inc handlebar (neither old or new aero). Maybe the Avian Falcon?
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Yeah I am wondering if I am better off finding something else.
I just wanted a good and cheap Aero frame with good finish as cheap as possible. Is that to much to ask for?
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Those handlebars are a copy of the Darimo nexum drag. Quite a few companies are starting to sell these now
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EvRRleU
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Those handlebars are a copy of the Darimo nexum drag. Quite a few companies are starting to sell these now
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EvRRleU
LOL. The real nexum has a scary reputation. Crazy expensive but known to fail...
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Does anyone know if the V2 frame uses T47A or T47BB? The real V2 is T47A but all the Aliexpress sites selling V2 all state T47.
I am trying to figure out if I should return my T47A BB I purchased for my V1 frame before my return period expires. The next one I order will probably be V2.
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My long teng 268 ticks all these boxes. And it's officially very fast, says me.
Honestly with anything I would listen to Serge here, never get the first iterations of something. I know everyone wants the "sexy" new v2 Ostro but it's the v1 that has been battle tested and proven by multiple purchasers.
Right now all we have is photos of a bare v2 with a fake Darimo bar and no reviews that needs a 60 day lead time. If anything if you want the Faketor get a v1 they are plenty sexy and you know what you are getting. Also agreed on the side note Darimo stuff is expensive for a reason....it's already extremely light. I would *never* buy faux Darimo parts. Save your thousands on the frame and splurge on the other parts if you want that type of thing....
Just my 2 cents.
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here are some pictures from taiwan eisen store that I received upon request:
(https://i.imgur.com/nWHPjlr.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EIitzvB.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ypLmFck.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RWz2enR.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/6FszsRF.jpeg)
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received the same ones a month ago so im wondering if this is the showpiece frame and quality normally is below this -- im still trying to figure out how the general quality of this store's stock is ... they sell quite a few replica frames but i have not found definitive / first hand reviews in terms of quality
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received the same ones a month ago so im wondering if this is the showpiece frame and quality normally is below this -- im still trying to figure out how the general quality of this store's stock is ... they sell quite a few replica frames but i have not found definitive / first hand reviews in terms of quality
I would assume a store that pumps out every single top frame on the market is not going to be doing A1 quality consistently tbh. Someone else can chime in but the only differences I see from the photos are the checkered pattern weave that is on F-C's vs the standard looking carbon weave I see on Taiwan Esen's.
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So I just spoke to F-C.
60 days delivery time on 2.0, price will be 7000RMB and promised to be same quality as 1.0.
He said AliExpress delivery and logistics when asked about DPD delivery..
Also added som pictures he sent me
How do you contact with them? I'm trying to get through a link here to the Ali store and it's written that the store is on vacation.
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How do you contact with them? I'm trying to get through a link here to the Ali store and it's written that the store is on vacation.
If you already sent them a message before vacation, you can send them messages in your notification center.
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Thought I would throw this out there for anyone purchasing via F-C:
Tips:
They do not include the silicone seat post cover that sits at the bottom and in mine and the other user (Oralmaster?) opinion the 20mm transition head piece is kind of ass so you should order those parts. Anjoy cycling seems to have them, they even have the official Factor bar tape if you wanna go all the way. I am using F-C's spacers though.
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Hey Serge_K
I might have missed in all my reading of this site. What wheels are you running on your Tractor?
Do you ever build your own wheels
Rebel_Yell
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why f-c don't send with dpd? Has anyone from Europe bought one? did he pay taxes?
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Thanks
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Thought I would throw this out there for anyone purchasing via F-C:
Tips:
They do not include the silicone seat post cover that sits at the bottom and in mine and the other user (Oralmaster?) opinion the 20mm transition head piece is kind of ass so you should order those parts. Anjoy cycling seems to have them, they even have the official Factor bar tape if you wanna go all the way. I am using F-C's spacers though.
my suggestion to anyone buying replica bikes is to always get the original spacers set, simply because the original are lighter and meshes well. the fake ones are injected molded and many flashings
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Hey Team.
Update on my Ostro frameset as purchased from F-C:
Last Saturday morning, I took one last desperate look at my tracking info only to discover that my frameset had been handed off to US Customs in L.A. California just after midnight early that same day.
On Thursday, I picked the frame up from the local USPS office. I thought they might ask for tariff $$$, but they didn't. The box was somewhat battered from 76 days in transit, but the contents seem to have survived the trip. The quality is what we've come to expect from F-C. The BB facing seems fine while the caliper mounts aren't pretty but I think they're workable. The quality of the bar/stem is o.k. - definitely not as good as the frame. In particular, I asked for 380/100 and they are marked as such, but I don't really see how they measures out as 380/100. Still, the bars will work for now at least.
Anyway, I wanted to update this thread. In the end, I got my F-C frame after approximately 90 days, from order to delivery. F-C certainly has areas to improve their customer service, and I think Aliexpress is equally to blame. The shipping is overpriced for absolute sh!t quality. I've never had a worse shipping experience, and I've purchased a lot of rare/odd auto and bike parts over the years.
I'll post pics of my build as it comes along. I won't be rushing through it and will likely need to ask some [dumb] questions.
Cheers
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Hey Team.
Update on my Ostro frameset as purchased from F-C:
Last Saturday morning, I took one last desperate look at my tracking info only to discover that my frameset had been handed off to US Customs in L.A. California just after midnight early that same day.
On Thursday, I picked the frame up from the local USPS office. I thought they might ask for tariff $$$, but they didn't. The box was somewhat battered from 76 days in transit, but the contents seem to have survived the trip. The quality is what we've come to expect from F-C. The BB facing seems fine while the caliper mounts aren't pretty but I think they're workable. The quality of the bar/stem is o.k. - definitely not as good as the frame. In particular, I asked for 380/100 and they are marked as such, but I don't really see how they measures out as 380/100. Still, the bars will work for now at least.
Anyway, I wanted to update this thread. In the end, I got my F-C frame after approximately 90 days, from order to delivery. F-C certainly has areas to improve their customer service, and I think Aliexpress is equally to blame. The shipping is overpriced for absolute sh!t quality. I've never had a worse shipping experience, and I've purchased a lot of rare/odd auto and bike parts over the years.
I'll post pics of my build as it comes along. I won't be rushing through it and will likely need to ask some [dumb] questions.
Cheers
Glad your frame actually showed up. I didn't see any issues with the handlebars right down to the matching v1 off color screws to match. Would be nice to see some photos of your 90 day adventure, at that point I think I woulda got a refund and if it showed up it showed up.
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Great news, happy for you. You may consider editing your previous posts on this thread with like at the bottom "edit: frame received after [90] days, see thread page 19" ...
Good point Serge, and I've done as you've suggested. My apologies to the forum for junking up this thread with all my shipping rants. Cheers
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Glad your frame actually showed up. I didn't see any issues with the handlebars right down to the matching v1 off color screws to match. ...
Hey jerozilla. Regarding the bars, I did try to slip them onto the steerer tube but found that I had to use a lot of force, either because the clamp is too small or the steerer tube is slightly oversized. I only got about 10-15mm before giving up. (I was just playing around anyway.)
I'll investigate further but has anyone else seen this? What's the recommended fix?
And regarding rotor size: are you running a 160 or 140 on the rear? I'm assuming 160 on the front.
Thanks
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Hey jerozilla. Regarding the bars, I did try to slip them onto the steerer tube but found that I had to use a lot of force, either because the clamp is too small or the steerer tube is slightly oversized. I only got about 10-15mm before giving up. (I was just playing around anyway.)
I'll investigate further but has anyone else seen this? What's the recommended fix?
And regarding rotor size: are you running a 160 or 140 on the rear? I'm assuming 160 on the front.
Thanks
Correct 160 front 140 rear that came with my groupset. I saw someone say they had sand a tiny but of the interior of the handlebar but other than that no issues. I definitely flexed on them and I'm not a small person to see if I needed to swap them for something else.
Few things I would not skimp on are like Patlien said, wheel set, handlebars/contact points.
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I had a pair of the Black Inc rep handlebars from aliexpress (not sure if they would be exact same as the ones that ship with the frameset), they looked good, shallow aero section which is comfy in the tops, very light and yes a little flexy but to be honest, I think a bit of flex in the bars/stem is ideal. I now have Enve SES bars that came on my new TCR and they are very stiff! I miss the give.
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I had a pair of the Black Inc rep handlebars from aliexpress (not sure if they would be exact same as the ones that ship with the frameset), they looked good, shallow aero section which is comfy in the tops, very light and yes a little flexy but to be honest, I think a bit of flex in the bars/stem is ideal. I now have Enve SES bars that came on my new TCR and they are very stiff! I miss the give.
Yeah someone made them sound like they're noodles I think it might be in this thread but seem fine to me. Also endoscoped the interior to look for any issues. Took it out for a quick ride even though its freezing just a quick 45mins but compared to my 2019 Time Fluidity I now understand what people mean when they say "The bike just wants to go". Feels great, feels fast, and didn't explode on me so far so good.
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You should complain to the seller, either of the bars, or the frame. You can use a vernier caliper (it's cheap) to figure out which of the steerer & stem is the wrong size. Or use another stem. If stem B fits, then stem A is the problem, and if neither fits, then steerer is the problem.
You should complain, but sandpaper is the answer. ideally you'd find some decent diameter rod, wrap sandpaper around it, and sand down (i assume it's the stem that's too tight). You did undo the stem bolts, yeah? :)
i wouldnt be afraid of sanding that, because if you were able to fit 10 or 15mm, it means you really dont have much material to remove. Do wear a (good) mask, or do it outside, and / or do wet sanding, as that dust is apparently truly, truly bad for your lungs (when i cut steerers I use a water spray bottle so the dust doesnt fly off, then i wipe the black mud off the floor).
If it's the steerer that's out of spec, i'd be less happy, because it raises more questions, given how critical that part of the bike is.
I think from past posts its the Black Inc. bars themselves not the steerer tube. I forgot to check mine with my digital calipers but again, mechanic made zero mention and I could slide my bars on no problem with a bit of force.
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Hey, happy that A.V.G. received his frame even if it was a struggle and happy that jerozilla survived his first ride :)
I just wanted to chime in regarding the handlebars. My experience is the same as jerozilla's. They were a bit snug and required a bit force to get on, but nothing excessive or concerning.
My frame has about 500 km and so far so good.
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Hey All,
Just wanted to update that I tried the stem on steerer again yesterday and it went together ok, so I don't think there's an issue - it's just snug. Maybe my frameset is acclimating. 8) Thanks to all who offered advice on this.
Some have asked to see pics of my frameset, and I will do that, but for now you can see it here on RK's store:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807990587185.html
BTW, mine is a size 56 (as pictured).
The black part of the frame is actually raw. My plan is to do some custom decals and maybe a coat of clear on the decals and raw sections, just to give it some protection.
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Asked RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store for a link to all the available colour options.
https://1638572289.x.yupoo.com/ pw: 654321. I gotta say the paint jobs look insanely nice, i was especially curious about the DUKE version since that is so rich in details.
There's also multiple shots of the BB and Headset area to be found, confirming the great quality.
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Asked RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store for a link to all the available colour options.
https://1638572289.x.yupoo.com/ pw: 654321. I gotta say the paint jobs look insanely nice, i was especially curious about the DUKE version since that is so rich in details.
There's also multiple shots of the BB and Headset area to be found, confirming the great quality.
Any idea on prices of their painting of the bikes?
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Any idea on prices of their painting of the bikes?
I'm pretty confident that's the same person as F-C now after seeing the Chinarello's as well. Painting is usually included and you just pick the tier 1/2/3.
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Any idea on prices of their painting of the bikes?
I found four frames (red-black, heart of the ocean, DUKE, white pearl) on aliexpress, they're all around 800 Euros for the heavier version or 1000 euros for the lighter one. Dont know about the other colour options, but i would guess that they would be prised similarly.
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I found four frames (red-black, heart of the ocean, DUKE, white pearl) on aliexpress, they're all around 800 Euros for the heavier version or 1000 euros for the lighter one. Dont know about the other colour options, but i would guess that they would be prised similarly.
Don't think there is an extra charge for paint jobs you just pick what colorway you want then pick if you want the high mod version or the cheap one.
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why f-c don't send with dpd? Has anyone from Europe bought one? did he pay taxes?
am also trying to find a seller of the tier 3 quality that will ship to EU. Seems like only Taiwan eisen ships to EU via dpd. Did you end up finding something?
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I'm pretty confident that's the same person as F-C now after seeing the Chinarello's as well. Painting is usually included and you just pick the tier 1/2/3.
What are the weights and prices for the grades, especially for the top one?
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I'll just paste the info:
Description
Report Item
OSTRO
1. Normal strength weight/2, superhard+lighter/3, top-level competition version
Corresponding price: 4000 5000 6500 RMB in three versions
The models (regular/high version) that are currently being made in domestic shelves are relatively good
There are three versions of OSTRO 49 size and weight comparison
Low version: 1070g (domestic 700) geometric non l: l
(Not recommended) (Poor painting level, geometric accessories are not 1:1, customer feedback is not good, not recommended to start)
Normal version: 925 grams (imported 700+imported T700 l: l
(High cost-effectiveness) Moderate painting, high cost-effectiveness, and normal delivery time
Maximum version: 825 grams (30T+imported 800) with almost the same factory strength. l: L (competition, comfort)
Ultra light (with good oil filling and weight)
(Weight after fine soil filling, frame tolerance of plus or minus 10 grams)
⬇️
(Paint coating may have different weights according to different colors)
UD dew carbon+30-40 grams
Color gas:+50-60 grams
After refinement, weight:
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1102991493?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.539cufBBufBBBr
It's about $1000 vs $1330CAD for the lower tier vs top tier. Maybe cheaper, I'm only familiar with the Tier 3.
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Asked RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store for a link to all the available colour options.
https://1638572289.x.yupoo.com/ pw: 654321. I gotta say the paint jobs look insanely nice, i was especially curious about the DUKE version since that is so rich in details.
There's also multiple shots of the BB and Headset area to be found, confirming the great quality.
confirmed same source from 1 factory/seller, I remember that familiar wood laminate as the backdrop. Also my frame was featured :D
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Exactly! All these shops seems to be using the same photos. When asking for instock items, it's probably best to request at least one picture with a handwritten timestamp (or ask them to hold a household item or something else). You can also check for exif metadata (gps data, timestamps, etc.).
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Exactly! All these shops seems to be using the same photos. When asking for instock items, it's probably best to request at least one picture with a handwritten timestamp (or ask them to hold a household item or something else). You can also check for exif metadata (gps data, timestamps, etc.).
If you have to request any of this nonsense, you should immediately take your business elsewhere.
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Yep... And that goes back to my thread about not buying fakes because of how shady the whole thing gets the moment you start asking questions... If i spend 500$ on a frame, I ask questions. If i am asked to shell $1000, i ask even more questions :)
I see where you're coming from, and I understand why you hold that perspective.
You're likely looking for technical details, but that depends on whether the sellers are directly involved in manufacturing or just third-party resellers. For the same reason, my local seller probably couldn't answer detailed questions about frame production. Even with well-known Western brands, you'd likely not get more than, "that's proprietary information." I get that those brands have already built a certain level of trust. But when buying a frame from Asia, there’s always some degree of risk. You never really know if the answers you get are accurate or just what the seller thinks you want to hear anyway - and that applies not only to those selling fakes (e.g. Winspace telling the guy that the disgusting BB is ok is a good example)
My perspective is much more cynical - I am suspicious of the answers regardless of the seller. Perhaps it's the experimental scientist in me, but ultimately all we can rely on is empirical testing and first-hand experience with a reasonable sample size is what really matters imo. At the end of the day, it all comes down to how much of a gambler you are.
Edit: That is why people like Pat above are such a fantastic resource
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I asked RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store about shipping to the EU/Germany, which isn't possible atm. They said that they're working on implementing DPD shipping "this year" and to wait patiently for a while.
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I disagree because that line of reasoning is anti human and frankly just nihilistic, and ultimately puts on the same plane the worst criminals with the best operators. Or it ultimately implies that due diligence is useless.
I do agree that getting an answer to a question doesn't make it true, yes illusion of control is a thing, but you can't use that line of thought to say that nobody can't be trusted so it's just a gamble. It's not.
I do not think it is nihilistic. That is the consequence of virtually zero custom protection when purchasing through these channels. There is a reason why customer protection laws are established, or the situation would be very similar elsewhere. What good is an answer if you have no way of telling if it is accurate? Seller tells a buyer that the frame is 90% T800 and 10% T1100 - there is no way of knowing if its accurate (knowingly or unknowingly), but I understand why it can make the buyer more inclined to make the purchase. There are many motivations to give you a genuine answer, many motivations/reasons to not give you an answer at all - not necessarily due to malice or connected to quality of the product - and there are no repercussions either way whatsoever.
I did not say that nobody can be trusted, but that empirical evidence is all that matters. Whether we like it or not, it is a gamble - even established, tested Chinese brands sometimes ship a flop. All of us are just trying to improve our odds, either by asking questions or relying on (someone's) first-hand experience.
Edit: I don't know, perhaps it's just my job, where experimental evidence is the only thing that matters, manifesting...
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Maybe try reading it one more time, and the conversation that it is part of.
Because nobody is expecting or asking for any protection or guarantee.
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Maybe try reading it one more time, and the conversation that it is part of.
Because nobody is expecting or asking for any protection or guarantee.
Hows this:
Your message raises a valid point about the lack of consumer protection when purchasing through certain channels. I wouldn't necessarily call it nihilistic either—it's simply acknowledging the reality of an unregulated market. Consumer protection laws exist for a reason: to provide buyers with recourse in case of misleading claims or defective products. Without such safeguards, verifying a seller's claims—such as the exact carbon layup of a frame—becomes nearly impossible.
I agree that there are various motivations for sellers to be truthful or evasive, and that this isn’t always tied to malice or product quality. However, the absence of accountability means buyers have to rely on empirical evidence, personal experience, or trusted reviews to mitigate risk. Even well-established manufacturers occasionally produce flawed products, which reinforces the need for due diligence.
Your perspective, shaped by a reliance on experimental evidence, makes complete sense. In the end, purchasing from these sources is inherently a gamble—one that can be informed but never entirely risk-free. The best approach is to gather as much reliable information as possible and weigh the potential risks against the benefits.
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I asked RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store about shipping to the EU/Germany, which isn't possible atm. They said that they're working on implementing DPD shipping "this year" and to wait patiently for a while.
i ask the same. and they want to help them to understand how dpd works. i sent them all info and told me that they send very soon
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Edit: I don't know, perhaps it's just my job, where experimental evidence is the only thing that matters, manifesting...
I had and lost a whole long response. My point was I spent most of my career in engineering and data analysis and have found that data alone isn't enough; you have to understand the data's completeness and relevance to the problem you are trying to solve. In terms of determining the quality/safety of a bike frame and its related company, to me the # of folks riding and reviewing them is prob the best data. Yes obviously there are going to be issues with every brand, but a more established + high volume brand usually handles them better and has a lower problem probability overall.
So I may be overly conservative, but I wouldnt bother with any fly by night pop up store/brand selling these replicas. Theres just not enough user/brand history to draw any meaningful conclusions on the quality or safety of the frame. And odds are you will be completely SOL if there are any issues. A lot of needless risk IMO. I just dont understand the replica thing. I mean I can understand an SLx clone from a big brand. But this shit here? Gambling with your life to make people think you bought a Factor just seems crazy to me.
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Very nice, keep us posted. Interested especially in that D shaped steerer that scares me.
The frame looks so much like my open mould Long Teng.
Yet another friend this weekend who thought Tractor was Factor and assumed I was riding a superbike :D wonderful trolling. I then told him how much it cost me and now he wants one.
Can I ask how you fitted this bike, approximate cost?
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Can I ask how you fitted this bike, approximate cost?
Hahaha, wonderful timing, this very friend literally wired me 2750 EUR last night to order him a bike. It includes super high end wheels (carbon spokes, T1000...). Basically the budgets have been 2500-2700 all in. Ltwoo er9, conti gp5000, carbon crankset, ultralight cassette, 36cm one piece cockpit, with pedals, bottle cages, Garmin mount, saddle bag, spare tpu tubes and so on. If you go ltwoo mechanical and humbler wheels, you can go sub 2000 easily.
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Hello - I have a ostro vam and it looks like the handlebars is developing a crack - any suggestions on where I can get a decent replacement - v1
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Hello - I have a ostro vam and it looks like the handlebars is developing a crack - any suggestions on where I can get a decent replacement - v1
Which seller was it ? Which version (cheap / normal / ultralight) ? How many kilometers ? No warranty ?
You can ask to F-C may be.
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Hello - I have a ostro vam and it looks like the handlebars is developing a crack - any suggestions on where I can get a decent replacement - v1
AliExpress is chock-full of one-piece CF cockpits. There are posts on this forum with recommendations (good and bad) on various brands. I'd say the replica Black Inc bars that came with my v1 frameset are of decent quality, but I haven't even built the bike yet, so take that with a whole shaker of salt. (See First Class Carbon store on AliExpress.)
Sorry this isn't much help but it would be good to know what exactly you're looking for.
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Hey Team,
Trying to get my ducks in a row to put my ostro together. Of the parts that F-C included with my frameset, this piece (red circled) was not included. I asked F-C about this and the response was "The front fork is a new model; this accessory is not needed."
Really??? Anyone here built your V1 without this 'spacer'?
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So I also dont have this part, but after looking at OEM Ostro forks I also dont think its required.
Here is a photo of the OEM Ostro fork, you see how its flat? its requires that wedge to provide support around the perimeter
(https://i.imgur.com/pYNzraI.png)
Here is a photo of the ALI Ostro fork, they have modified it, its almost like they incorporate the extended perimeter, thus not requiring the wedge
(https://i.imgur.com/itPCcH5.png)
I guess we get to find out if its a good design or not 8)
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It is the same design of fork stem that Ostro VAM v2 uses, check the official manual. Whether the execution is good remains to be seen.
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It seems that it is the same as the genuine :
https://youtu.be/_HX_NKvlhL4
This part is no longer needed.
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Which seller was it ? Which version (cheap / normal / ultralight) ? How many kilometers ? No warranty ?
You can ask to F-C may be.
Rocking Cycling Store - bought in June 2023 - I actually rate the frame it’s great - Version 1 - I have not done a huge amount on miles on it - just checked on AliExpress a similar listing of theirs says 2years - will see if they will honour it - as I have not done a huge amount of miles on it - not even changed a chain.
I do break the occasional
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Rocking Cycling Store - bought in June 2023 - I actually rate the frame it’s great - Version 1 - I have not done a huge amount on miles on it - just checked on AliExpress a similar listing of theirs says 2years - will see if they will honour it - as I have not done a huge amount of miles on it - not even changed a chain.
I do break the occasional
Let us know for the warranty.
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I am still waiting to hear back from- they have read my messages
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Photo of bike
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The crack
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I am still waiting to hear back from- they have read my messages
I hope that they won't ghost you.
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Looks like yoho bikes or rocking bikes on AliExpress are doing just that - last chance is AliExpress admin - but don’t hold out any luck
Anyone know of any good sellers of handlebars?
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Looks like yoho bikes or rocking bikes on AliExpress are doing just that - last chance is AliExpress admin - but don’t hold out any luck
Anyone know of any good sellers of handlebars?
Maybe F-C ?
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Looks like yoho bikes or rocking bikes on AliExpress are doing just that - last chance is AliExpress admin - but don’t hold out any luck
Anyone know of any good sellers of handlebars?
It would be interesting to see if you can get the V2 version handlebars, they look like the updated design. I had my eyes peeled but cant seem to just buy the bars.
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This store has the last version :
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1103561538
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Heard back for AliExpress - at 05 am
Dear Customer,
Thank you for contacting AliExpress regarding order 3024092939379884.
since the product was received and in use for over 6 months, according to EU laws and regulations, would you please provide a testing report in 24 hours by replying this email directly which shows the issue is caused by original quality of the goods. Only with this report, we can further communicate with seller for an solution.
Your understanding and cooperation is highly appreciated and we hope you have a great experience shopping with AliExpress.
Well as it’s Sunday morning 24th to get an official report - which I would assume they are alluding to will be a bit hard
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Well, I think this is gonna be a difficult one. Their answer is obviously bullshit, but on the other hand they can always claim it was a user error - e.g. overtorquing the bolts.
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Yes but I use a torque wrench - but your right its bullshit - can’t believe yohobikes / rocking ignored me - was just about to order a second frame through them - I see its business but hey it’s Crapola
I used to love AliExpress but they are coming to American
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Unfortunately, a lot of stores don't honor their warranty.
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Yes but I use a torque wrench - but your right its bullshit - can’t believe yohobikes / rocking ignored me - was just about to order a second frame through them - I see its business but hey it’s Crapola
I used to love AliExpress but they are coming to American
There is a facebook group 'Chinese bikes'. Yoho is active there, making some noise there triggered them for an issue I had.
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Yes but I use a torque wrench - but your right its bullshit - can’t believe yohobikes / rocking ignored me - was just about to order a second frame through them - I see its business but hey it’s Crapola
I used to love AliExpress but they are coming to American
Assuming that is you that posted on FB. I have replied!!
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There is a facebook group 'Chinese bikes'. Yoho is active there, making some noise there triggered them for an issue I had.
Not sure if this is same person as on Facebook but it seems to have helped. Yoho has responded to someone and seems like new bars are on the way.
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The crack
I have the same, but I overtorqued it. I did it with a Torq wrench as well, but I did it the wrong way around, first the 2 bolts then the compression plug (stupid I know, but first bike build, and not enough research or the lack of it). Anyway, it's a cheap handlebar. I upgraded it to a Tavelo AVRO Gen 1.
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Yes that was me on Facebook- don’t know for sure if it worked - Yohobikes said they would send out a replacement. I took the post down as there was a lot of negative discrimination- and I hate that. I actually think the frame is really good really good - the bar however just cracked - I tighten things in the right order when installing. Maybe because they were too long on the stem and too much force on shitty English roads - I don’t know .
Anyway if the handlebars arrive I will put nice photos up to show off the bike - rather than when things go wrong.
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Yes that was me on Facebook- don’t know for sure if it worked - Yohobikes said they would send out a replacement. I took the post down as there was a lot of negative discrimination- and I hate that. I actually think the frame is really good really good - the bar however just cracked - I tighten things in the right order when installing. Maybe because they were too long on the stem and too much force on shitty English roads - I don’t know .
Anyway if the handlebars arrive I will put nice photos up to show off the bike - rather than when things go wrong.
I hate that negative talk also and I do hope they make it right.
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Well boys after my long wait it looks like I may have messed up. This older body may not be made for race geometry. After putting about 200km or less on my F-C tier 3 Factor I've dealt with neck and back pain issues.
I guess going from endurance geometry to this was more than I bargained for. I thought I'd let people in this thread know I'll be posting it in classifieds and I'm super down as it rides like it just wants to go fast. Would come with a $400 BBinfinite BB already installed, the missing OEM factor silicone seatpost cover, real Black Inc computer mount, Factor bar ends and tape if I can salvage it. Both 0 and +25 seatposts were ordered with it.
Snow White with black lettering size 54 shipped from Canada.
You can DM me too if someone wants to bypass the long wait times and guarantee they get a good inspected F-C top end copy.
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Well boys after my long wait it looks like I may have messed up. This older body may not be made for race geometry. After putting about 200km or less on my F-C tier 3 Factor I've dealt with neck and back pain issues.
I guess going from endurance geometry to this was more than I bargained for. I thought I'd let people in this thread know I'll be posting it in classifieds and I'm super down as it rides like it just wants to go fast. Would come with a $400 BBinfinite BB already installed, the missing OEM factor silicone seatpost cover, real Black Inc computer mount, Factor bar ends and tape if I can salvage it. Both 0 and +25 seatposts were ordered with it.
Snow White with black lettering size 54 fork has been cut to maximum spacer height no slamming, shipped from Canada.
You can DM me too if someone wants to bypass the long wait times and guarantee they get a good inspected F-C top end copy.
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I have the same, but I overtorqued it. I did it with a Torq wrench as well, but I did it the wrong way around, first the 2 bolts then the compression plug (stupid I know, but first bike build, and not enough research or the lack of it). Anyway, it's a cheap handlebar. I upgraded it to a Tavelo AVRO Gen 1.
I had a small crack, but still as I said I over-torqued it, finally got the Tavelo in and I went from 420mm to 38mm, It's pretty easy and straightforward forward and I think it looks even better than the fake Black inc one.
For reference, I added some pictures:
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Looks great, how are you liking the frame?
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Few things say "my frame is fake" louder than riding a Factor with Elite wheels with the logos :)
I would say that wheeltop screams it louder ;)
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Few things say "my frame is fake" louder than riding a Factor with Elite wheels with the logos :)
the china rotors make it obvious
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Looks great, how are you liking the frame?
Thank you and I like the frame for my usage it's perfect.
Few things say "my frame is fake" louder than riding a Factor with Elite wheels with the logos :)
Thank you Serge, I agree that I basically don't need to say that it's fake because there are Elite Wheels on it, However I don't mind and I get a lot of compliments, also there exist fake Black Inc wheels as well.
I would say that wheeltop screams it louder ;)
Thank you Lotnik, and yes you are right Wheeltop also indicates that it is a fake, imitation or replica frame. However I like how it works and not everyone is riding with a fake factor with elite wheels and Wheeltop. Nevertheless I enjoy riding it even though some people here on the forum don't like it, and that's also okay because it's not their bike and they also don't need to ride it.
the china rotors make it obvious
Unfortunately, for your comment the Q-rings Rotor is real... The crankset and powermeter are also quite "fake" It's a Lexon with Xcadey. Padels are original Speedplay, but the spindles that were steel did I replaced for "fake" titanium ones.
and to top it off I bought training wheels from Tagoola which are 1/3 of the price from the Elite wheels. Some will use Elite wheels as training wheels as replacement for their black inc wheels for good weather or races, and I use Tagoola ones for training wheels (winter/rain) and my Elite drives for nice weather. See the picture as the attached reference. also In the current state on the image as weighted: 7,00 kg
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and to top it off I bought training wheels from Tagoola which are 1/3 of the price from the Elite wheels. Some will use Elite wheels as training wheels as replacement for their black inc wheels for good weather or races, and I use Tagoola ones for training wheels (winter/rain) and my Elite drives for nice weather. See the picture as the attached reference. also In the current state on the image as weighted: 7,00 kg
[/quote]
So in the pic it looks great. Question on the Tagoola wheels…….whaf size? From and rear different sizes?
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Thought I'd drop one last message in here have a F-C Carbon tier 3 frame for sale size 54 snow white with black lettering, has about 100km on it with a BBInfinite Ceramitech bottom bracket installed, fork has been cut to max spacer height and other extras basically brand spanking new. The aero position even with max spacers did not work for me ended up going with an Enve Fray. Might be more people interested now with the 34% tariffs dropping. You can DM if interested for details on extras it comes with. Would ship from Canada.
If not I'll just build it up as a spare for friends who visit.
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So in the pic it looks great. Question on the Tagoola wheels…….whaf size? From and rear different sizes?
Thank you Rebel and I think with pictures you get a better idea how the bike looks like and how the final build went. A lot of people on the forum like to see pictures, as a famous saying "A picture says more than a 1000 words". However, some people are a bit cautious these days with posting and even deleting pictures, due to the reactions they might get from our fellow forum users.
I have posted the details of the Tagoola wheels on the Tagoola topic: https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,5712.msg78358.html#msg78358 (https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,5712.msg78358.html#msg78358) Hope that answers your question, as they are " cheap" wheels the alignment with the disc brake didn't went smoothly, I had to adjust it a bit, so keep that in mind.
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Has anyone received their bike from Taiwan Eisen?
I placed an order back in January and was told it would be shipped at the end of February. However, it became harder and harder to contact the person, Peter.
Eventually, he came back to me a few weeks ago and asked if I was happy to go with a 400mm x 80mm bar, but I had already told them at the beginning that I wanted a 400mm x 90mm bar. He said "OK" and mentioned it would take 10 days to produce the bar.
After 10 days, I heard nothing from them. I tried contacting them via WhatsApp (though I'm unsure if I've been blocked, as I can only see a single tick) and AliExpress, but no one has answered.
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Yes, I already raised a dispute a few days ago and decided to give them some time to respond. I'm planning to submit the proof to AliExpress tomorrow.
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hey guys this morning i went over a pothole while going downhill, seat post immediately became a dropper post, i stopped by the bus stop and found out the threaded insert for the seatpost clamp is cross threaded. i am not sure if i can fix it by re drilling and re tapping and hold it with a helix coil, or if i need to replace the entire threaded insert completely.
hope to get some advice, thanks
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E di questo cosa ne dite??
Ho appena trovato questo articolo su AliExpress:
922,39€ | Nuova pittura FASTERWAY Freedom Set di telai in marmo Telaio per bici da strada in carbonio con forcella Morsetto reggisella Auricolare Manubrio 32C Freno a disco
https://a.aliexpress.com/_Ey4WsAS
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Finished mine, 7.12kg, with no pedals, bottle cages or computer mount.
Specs are:
Size 56
Wheels Manufacturing t47a DUB bottom bracket
Ultegra 8150
Shimano ice tech rotors 160/140
Wheelsfar Hyper carbon tubeless hooked wheels - 24mm internal, 50/58 height
Chris King tubeless valves
Ultegra 11-34 cassette
Lexon carbon crank, 165, DUB axle
Rotor Aero chainrings, 52/36
Xcadey spider power meter
LOOK Keo 2 Max carbon pedals
Ali power saddle
Ali bottle cages
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Finished mine, 7.12kg, with no pedals, bottle cages or computer mount.
Specs are:
Size 56
Wheels Manufacturing t47a DUB bottom bracket
Ultegra 8150
Shimano ice tech rotors 160/140
Wheelsfar Hyper carbon tubeless hooked wheels - 24mm internal, 50/58 height
Chris King tubeless valves
Ultegra 11-34 cassette
Lexon carbon crank, 165, DUB axle
Rotor Aero chainrings, 52/36
Xcadey spider power meter
LOOK Keo 2 Max carbon pedals
Ali power saddle
Ali bottle cages
(https://i.imgur.com/BJHYUo9.png)
Beautiful machine! I am thinking of getting this as my next build. Does anyone have the Vam 2.0 yet? It seems pretty difficult to find a reliable seller that has experience with dpd shipping to europe. RK and FC carbon stores (someone said they are probably the same person) seem to offer the best 1.0 frame. They say the offer shipping inlcuding import fees but I am sceptical (as he said it will be shipped via dhl; which would mean import fees I think).
I am also still in doubt between version 1.0 and version 2.0. Maybe some owners of the 1.0/2.0 can chime in?
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Beautiful machine! I am thinking of getting this as my next build. Does anyone have the Vam 2.0 yet? It seems pretty difficult to find a reliable seller that has experience with dpd shipping to europe. RK and FC carbon stores (someone said they are probably the same person) seem to offer the best 1.0 frame. They say the offer shipping inlcuding import fees but I am sceptical (as he said it will be shipped via dhl; which would mean import fees I think).
I am also still in doubt between version 1.0 and version 2.0. Maybe some owners of the 1.0/2.0 can chime in?
The V2 can be preordered with those sellers. Keep in mind that they don't include the last version of the handlebar : Only V1 or Darimo copy.
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Question for everyone - FC has no feedback on aliexpress…. Is there a reason no one is leaving them positive feedback given a few people in here seem pretty happy?
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Finished mine, 7.12kg, with no pedals, bottle cages or computer mount.
Specs are:
Size 56
Wheels Manufacturing t47a DUB bottom bracket
Ultegra 8150
Shimano ice tech rotors 160/140
Wheelsfar Hyper carbon tubeless hooked wheels - 24mm internal, 50/58 height
Chris King tubeless valves
Ultegra 11-34 cassette
Lexon carbon crank, 165, DUB axle
Rotor Aero chainrings, 52/36
Xcadey spider power meter
LOOK Keo 2 Max carbon pedals
Ali power saddle
Ali bottle cages
(https://i.imgur.com/BJHYUo9.png)
Lovely build - would you mind sharing where you bought your frameset?
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Lovely build - would you mind sharing where you bought your frameset?
RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store
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Beautiful machine! I am thinking of getting this as my next build. Does anyone have the Vam 2.0 yet? It seems pretty difficult to find a reliable seller that has experience with DPD shipping to Europe. RK and FC carbon stores (someone said they are probably the same person) seem to offer the best 1.0 frame. They say the offer shipping including import fees, but I am sceptical (as he said it will be shipped via dhl; which would mean import fees I think).
I am also still in doubt between version 1.0 and version 2.0. Maybe some owners of the 1.0/2.0 can chime in?
I live in Netherlands, Europe and have the so called not so good frame according this forum, My frame is still going strong after 2500km on it, had some difficulties in the beginning but it was basically my own fault, seatpost clamp is not the best but it's okay, the handlebar is okay but I tightened it too hard (even though it was with a torq wrench). Overall, very happy with the frame. Mine is a v1 and I upgraded some parts that came with it, like the headset bearings (not necessary), compression plug, and in the end, also the handlebar.
It's just that yo uneed to pull the trigger for any frame you want, they are not all horror stories, and most of the time it will arrive, just need to find the seller with the tips and tricks that are shared here. Hope this helps. You can also DM me if you want more info
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Thx Estingo!
About to pull the trigger on this frame. The only thing that concerns me is the D shaped seatpost. I am afraid of potential problems with the headset. Factor doenst sell the original D compression plug anymore (great service ...) and i cant find it anywhere online. Deda offered a third party compression plug für d shaped steerer tube. But I cant find that online either. Am I being a little paranoid or should and can I trust the compression plug that comes with the frames?
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You're welcome, and I understand your concerns. The more you read about it, the more terrifying it will look. Same as if you have pain in your arm and you Google it. You could then end up with a tennis elbow or nerve pain, and it's maybe just muscle pain from bumping it the day before.
In this forum thread there was no one yet that broken their steer tube because of the d-shape. The recall that Factor made, for that one pro cyclist bumped on the sidewalk and cracked his steering tube because the compression plug wasn't compressed correctly https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/factor-finally-sheds-light-on-that-broken-ostro-vam-steerer-tube/ (https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/factor-finally-sheds-light-on-that-broken-ostro-vam-steerer-tube/). Full story is on a different website, also Factor their website https://factorbikes.com/news/update-on-isn-team-ostro (https://factorbikes.com/news/update-on-isn-team-ostro), this is just my summary. I would compare it to a recall of an Audi TT (old model) to add a rear spoiler, because the rear springs weren't stiff enough at 180km/h. Can you still drive the Audi without the spoiler, yes. Can you add your own aftermarket spoiler to make it better and the rear suspension stiffer, yes.
For the Ostro bike I see it like this, if you use a better quality and a bit longer compression plug 8cm instead of 5cm, and better materials, then I think it should work. That doesn't mean that the compression plug that comes with the frame doesn't work.
Anyway, I wouldn't be too afraid of it, and all the other users here either,r otherwise they didn't buy the frame. The V2 has a different steer tube, not sure if the imitation/replica has a different shape.
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I appreciate your standpoint, but I politely see things a bit differently. My intention isn’t to change your opinion, but rather to share that I have a different perspective. It seems you’re quite against replicas and D-shaped steer tubes, and I understand your concerns. However, I believe and slightly agree with you that people who order fakes might not be fully aware, such as whether the steerer tube uses a proprietary part, since they might not have seen discussions like ours.
I think both of us genuinely want to share honest opinions about frames and potential issues one might face when choosing different brands or types.
By the way, I’m far from a gangsta, e.g. — I ordered a second seatpost wedge from the original seller on AliExpress, and I paid the standard price, not a premium. The seatpost is a copy, but I’ve also fitted the original Factor seatpost in my frame, along with a lightweight Ali Darimo-type one.
It’s clear that no single type is always the best; often, there are multiple solutions, and more options can lead to good outcomes, also with a d-shape steerer tube.
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Thanks for sharing your experience Estingo! Would you mind sharing which seller you purchased from?
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Thanks for your feedback. What is the quality of the frame ? (Paint, faced caliper, inside carbon,...)
from page 2 of this topic:
I've purchased it on Aliexpress (store: taiwan factory bike parts Store - model New Model Fasterway Ostro)
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Hi everyone!
Looks like I’m finally getting my Ostro V2 from Yoho after a 2-month wait, and now I need to buy a bottom bracket, saddle, and bar tape.
I know the BB standard is T47 asymmetrical, but I’m unsure about the correct width—should it be 77mm or 79mm? Would this one work? https://shorturl.at/rRd5H (https://shorturl.at/rRd5H)
Which BBs do you guys use?
Also, are there only original Factor bar tapes available online? I can’t seem to find any replicas on AliExpress.
Lastly, I’d really appreciate any recommendations for saddles. Thanks in advance!
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I used this BB https://wheelsmfg.com/bottom-brackets/t47a/t47a-abec-3-bb-for-29mm-cranks-black.html V2 ostro should have same 79mm width as V1
I bought black inc bar tape from factor for my build.
For the saddle ive been using the 3d printed power saddle on Ali on a few of my bikes. I like it.
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I used this BB https://wheelsmfg.com/bottom-brackets/t47a/t47a-abec-3-bb-for-29mm-cranks-black.html V2 ostro should have same 79mm width as V1
I bought black inc bar tape from factor for my build.
For the saddle ive been using the 3d printed power saddle on Ali on a few of my bikes. I like it.
Don't forget to look at the diameter of your crankset.
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Hi everyone!
Looks like I’m finally getting my Ostro V2 from Yoho after a 2-month wait, and now I need to buy a bottom bracket, saddle, and bar tape.
I know the BB standard is T47 asymmetrical, but I’m unsure about the correct width—should it be 77mm or 79mm? Would this one work? https://shorturl.at/rRd5H (https://shorturl.at/rRd5H)
Which BBs do you guys use?
Also, are there only original Factor bar tapes available online? I can’t seem to find any replicas on AliExpress.
Lastly, I’d really appreciate any recommendations for saddles. Thanks in advance!
These are a few things you must buy if you don't want people to call you out.
1.Ceramicspeed T47A BB, it comes in anodized blue, it is solely made for factor bikes and comes default in the genuine pizza box
2. Black factor bartape. comes default in the pizza box, and it is also a really good bartape.
3. Original headset spacers set, the transition spacer has the "SLT by ceramicspeed". But you don't need to change your headset bearings to the SLT ones, as no one will be able to see your bearings.
4. Black Inc bottle cages, the titanium screws have printed "black inc" on it, will greatly reduce the suspicion, say they are complimentary from the bike shop, make it seem genuine.
5.original seat post cover that has the factor logo imprint
6. rubber grommets cover for DI2/AXS, those small covers have the factor logo imprints too.
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I've got a Cema T47A bottom bracket, they have only 1 size for the T47 BB.
Bartape I used Lizzard Skin and now I have Deda Elementi Perforated (quite light and still comfortable)
Saddle, I used Fiziks, SMP, Selle Italia, but now I have on the bike a Cheap Ryet AliExpress saddle because it's lighter than the big brands and still comfortable.
If you care for not being called out, do the pro tips from OralMaster, you also need Black Inc Wheels, fakes costs around 600 euro's second hand are they going for 1500 euro's new are they the double.
Also, do not use any Chinese groupset, (LTWOO / Wheeltop / SENSAH) then you will be called out as well. At least here on the forum.
Good luck the V2 looks insane!
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I used this BB https://wheelsmfg.com/bottom-brackets/t47a/t47a-abec-3-bb-for-29mm-cranks-black.html V2 ostro should have same 79mm width as V1
I bought black inc bar tape from factor for my build.
For the saddle ive been using the 3d printed power saddle on Ali on a few of my bikes. I like it.
Thanks! I’ve noticed that many T47a bottom brackets list compatibility with shell widths ranging from 77–79 mm or even 77–83 mm (like this one: https://shorturl.at/XVylJ (https://shorturl.at/XVylJ)). The BB shell width on the Factor Ostro VAM is 77.5 mm, and I’m using a Shimano crankset, so I need a 24 mm spindle diameter.
Also, do you happen to have a link to your saddle? I’m only finding Ryet options, which look similar to Specialized.
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These are a few things you must buy if you don't want people to call you out.
1.Ceramicspeed T47A BB, it comes in anodized blue, it is solely made for factor bikes and comes default in the genuine pizza box
2. Black factor bartape. comes default in the pizza box, and it is also a really good bartape.
3. Original headset spacers set, the transition spacer has the "SLT by ceramicspeed". But you don't need to change your headset bearings to the SLT ones, as no one will be able to see your bearings.
4. Black Inc bottle cages, the titanium screws have printed "black inc" on it, will greatly reduce the suspicion, say they are complimentary from the bike shop, make it seem genuine.
5.original seat post cover that has the factor logo imprint
6. rubber grommets cover for DI2/AXS, those small covers have the factor logo imprints too.
I mostly ride for myself, not others—but thanks for the detailed list! 8)
The most basic items I'll likely go with are the Black Inc bottle cages (I prefer the aero ones since they're the same price as the regular) and the Factor bar tape. That’s about another $150 I can invest in. As for the CeramicSpeed BB, $350 feels too expensive and not worth it in my opinion. For the grommets and seatpost cover, you can always just say you lost them. ;D
I also ordered a Black Inc wheelset, but the seller told me it's coming in a separate package—which I find doubtful, since I paid for shipping once for both the frameset and the wheelset.
Overall, my experience with Yahoo hasn't been great. They barely respond on WhatsApp, and I had to ask five times just to confirm whether the wheelset was shipped. Their replies have been vague at best.
I'm picking up the frameset tomorrow, but in the past two months, I’ve received only one photo of the frame—so I haven’t been able to check the frame’s condition or any details.
While Yohoo has a solid reputation, I’m feeling a bit skeptical based on my experience so far. Just curious—has anyone here dealt with Yahoo or other Chinese vendors and had a similar experience?
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Thanks! I’ve noticed that many T47a bottom brackets list compatibility with shell widths ranging from 77–79 mm or even 77–83 mm (like this one: https://shorturl.at/XVylJ (https://shorturl.at/XVylJ)). The BB shell width on the Factor Ostro VAM is 77.5 mm, and I’m using a Shimano crankset, so I need a 24 mm spindle diameter.
Also, do you happen to have a link to your saddle? I’m only finding Ryet options, which look similar to Specialized.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004983345294.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.21.212d1802Jcm5IW
I ordered this one in 155 width, not sure its available from this seller anymore. I swear Ive seen this saddle around for less though.
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I've been chatting briefly with RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store Store on AliX based on trawling through this thread.
Almost ready to pull the trigger, but just have a question about the difference between 'ordinary' and 'ultralight'
all i can get from RK is that the difference is 'Lighter weight and better materials', but can anyone else provide a little more advice, what did you go for and is it worth almost double the price?
Ordinary ￡651.19
Ultralight ￡1,146.19
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008069790512.html?pdp_npi=3%40dis%21CNY%21%21CN%EF%BF%A5%205%2C000.00%21%21%21%21%21%402140c1e917485128794208717e4fea%21%21im%21%21
Thanks!
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I've been chatting briefly with RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store Store on AliX based on trawling through this thread.
Almost ready to pull the trigger, but just have a question about the difference between 'ordinary' and 'ultralight'
all i can get from RK is that the difference is 'Lighter weight and better materials', but can anyone else provide a little more advice, what did you go for and is it worth almost double the price?
Ordinary ￡651.19
Ultralight ￡1,146.19
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008069790512.html?pdp_npi=3%40dis%21CNY%21%21CN%EF%BF%A5%205%2C000.00%21%21%21%21%21%402140c1e917485128794208717e4fea%21%21im%21%21
Thanks!
I’d go with the standard version, mainly because I’m a bit wary of the ultralight versions of Chinese carbon frames. The top tube already looks quite thin, and I’d personally feel more comfortable with the “heavier” option — I assume it’s more robust. All the frames I had in my basket were around $900 plus shipping. Check out the reviews and pull the trigger if it feels right, but just be aware — once you pay, you can usually expect less communication and engagement from the seller.
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I've been chatting briefly with RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store Store on AliX based on trawling through this thread.
Almost ready to pull the trigger, but just have a question about the difference between 'ordinary' and 'ultralight'
all i can get from RK is that the difference is 'Lighter weight and better materials', but can anyone else provide a little more advice, what did you go for and is it worth almost double the price?
Ordinary ￡651.19
Ultralight ￡1,146.19
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008069790512.html?pdp_npi=3%40dis%21CNY%21%21CN%EF%BF%A5%205%2C000.00%21%21%21%21%21%402140c1e917485128794208717e4fea%21%21im%21%21
Thanks!
I would go normal version since the weight difference isnt worth double the money.
Beware though; at this moment it is not possible to buy the frame from RK with the “Laser” logo. So only black, white or gold logo is possible right now.
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I would go normal version since the weight difference isnt worth double the money.
Beware though; at this moment it is not possible to buy the frame from RK with the “Laser” logo. So only black, white or gold logo is possible right now.
Interesting, RK said that the green one was available, which is the one I had asked about.
Thanks both for advising, normal version is what I was thinking too, especially as it's just a fun project as opposed to my main ride.
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does someone know a source that can produce the team Amani colors? The black orange one
Thanks
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I know there were some early comments in this thread about using a Deda compression plug instead of the one that comes with this frame. It looks like that product is no longer for sale from what I can see.
What are others doing for compression plugs? The one I received with the bike does not fit now that I’ve cut the steerer to size. Any other recommendations?
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I know there were some early comments in this thread about using a Deda compression plug instead of the one that comes with this frame. It looks like that product is no longer for sale from what I can see.
What are others doing for compression plugs? The one I received with the bike does not fit now that I’ve cut the steerer to size. Any other recommendations?
HY makes an ultralight one that is length of the handlebar stack.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006508448351.html?
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Lovely build - would you mind sharing where you bought your frameset?
can you send a pic of the front? is it just as thin as the legit factor?
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I've been chatting briefly with RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store Store on AliX based on trawling through this thread.
Almost ready to pull the trigger, but just have a question about the difference between 'ordinary' and 'ultralight'
all i can get from RK is that the difference is 'Lighter weight and better materials', but can anyone else provide a little more advice, what did you go for and is it worth almost double the price?
Ordinary ￡651.19
Ultralight ￡1,146.19
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008069790512.html?pdp_npi=3%40dis%21CNY%21%21CN%EF%BF%A5%205%2C000.00%21%21%21%21%21%402140c1e917485128794208717e4fea%21%21im%21%21
Thanks!
It comes down to weight and typically better QC is my guess. I ended up going with the highest tier from F-C Carbon, meaning the lightest tier 3 one and nothing about it felt noodly, if anything it felt rock solid. I think I finished it at just sub 7kg but the aggressiveness of the Ostro really didn't end up working for me and I didn't want @SergeK reporting me to the Factor police ;D so I ride a Enve Fray now.
As @Oralmaster said there's a few parts you need to get to complete your bike if you want it to look and feel legit. I did not put a ceramicspeed BB but I put a BBInfinite on mine and then got all the mini parts (Top cover, factor bar tape, silicone seat post cover.). I did just use Winspace Hypers on my couple rides before I decided it wasn't for me, who cares if someone wants to say something lol. I think the only major faux pas if you try and sell it off as a real one, then you're a POS.
Still got my size 54 in white with both seatposts, OEM PC mount, the anjoy parts minus the bar tape for sale Just been sitting in my office.
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Yesterday during a group ride, I saw someone trying to overtake us on a Factor Ostro frame. It was the first time I’d ever seen one in the wild—you recognize it immediately. He was drafting behind us for a while and then tried to jump ahead, but he wasn’t going fast enough to break away from our group (around 40km/h). That gave me the chance to ride behind him and check out the bike.
There were no logos on the frame, just a glossy UD weave. The Black Inc handlebar and wheels stood out—the wheels looked like they were about 50mm deep, with only the Black Inc logo on the hub. It had a solid Ultegra groupset, though I couldn’t really see the crankset clearly. He also had those ultra-light 7-gram bottle cages from AliExpress.
I was pretty stoked to finally see the same bike in person, and I think you guys would love it too—especially since it didn’t have any logos.
Anyway, if the rider was local, it must’ve been somewhere near Goes in the Netherlands.
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I know there were some early comments in this thread about using a Deda compression plug instead of the one that comes with this frame. It looks like that product is no longer for sale from what I can see.
What are others doing for compression plugs? The one I received with the bike does not fit now that I’ve cut the steerer to size. Any other recommendations?
Hello rhenders,
Did you get this sorted? I'm having the same issue - I've cut the steerer to length and now the stock compression plug top won't fit down into the steerer. The options seem to be either take a little carbon out of the steerer OR take a little aluminium out of the top piece of the compression plug. Since the compression plug isn't structural in the same way as the carbon, I'm leaning toward the latter, but I think either approach would work. (We're talking about the very top ~3mm of carbon at the top of the steerer.)
Anyone else come across this issue? I don't think the Deda plug would be any different (if you could get your hands on one anyway). The issue really is that the carbon of the steerer is too thick.
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Hey Serge,
Yes, I completely agree with you. These frames look amazing on the inside and outside, but the "devil is in the details" as the saying goes.
Since I had the surplus ~50mm of steerer tube, I decided to try filing a bit of the excess carbon so the top wedge of the plug would fit without modification. I was able to achieve that, but it didn't feel right - too much carbon is better than not enough!
I ended up filing down the top wedge of compression plug, per you advice. After trying both approaches, I feel assured this is the best way to sort the issue.
The next problem surfaced when I discovered that the top cap bolt was too long and bottomed out about 2mm before the cap was applying compression to the head assembly. I had to cut the cap bolt by about 3mm. (Cap bolt has 20mm of 1.0 pitch treads - a 15mm bolt would probably work too, but maximum thread engagement is desirable here since the steel top cap bolt threads into the soft aluminum compression bolt.)
Here's a link to the part I'm talking about (if anyone is still reading...) The too long top cap bolt isn't pictured.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805711708662.html (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805711708662.html)
I'll report the next QC problem if/when I find it.
Cheers
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Happy to help!
None of that sounds boutique :)
I was really starting to get sold on the whole "yes we make fakes, but we make them with a level of care that's incredible".
And now, "yeah but the steerer doesnt fit. and the hardware doesnt fit either".
The plug not fitting, how much did you have to file? because it's common to use a jeweler's file to clean out an exit cable hole, for example. But then sanding substantial material off is a very different matter.
My frame is on it's way. I will let you know about the 'level of care' that my frame has received :). I bought the Deda expander to avoid any problems. But I can try the expander that comes with the frame also.
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I changed frame from factor 1 to factor 2. Sometimes it was like nightmare but overall i finished my build
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I changed frame from factor 1 to factor 2. Sometimes it was like nightmare but overall i finished my build
hey! nice bike, did you have the ostro 1 with white base black decals? i took that paint scheme as my inspiration!
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Very nice and awesome build! Looks insanely good!
After reading your short update, I have some questions: What were your nightmare parts?
Notice any differences in version 1 and 2?
cheers hand safe and happy km/miles to ride!
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I changed frame from factor 1 to factor 2. Sometimes it was like nightmare but overall i finished my build
Nice build! where did you get the frame from? Which seller. And what was a nightmare?
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I changed frame from factor 1 to factor 2. Sometimes it was like nightmare but overall i finished my build
This looks very sharp! I too am curious about the build issues you encountered and who you bought the frameset from. (I have a V1 from First Class Carbon). Lastly, please state what size frame this is! (Sorry, personal pet-peeve of mine.)
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1. Nightmare was by internal routing. I couldnt pull out brake hoses, especially in fork. The holes in fork and frame are too small so its impossible to took it outside - diameter of holes are that same size like brake hoses (should be few mm wider). The frame doesnt have any addictional helpful internal wiring (channels or something like that). Fork has little space inside and the wirels are too tough/stiff. Better situation is in handlebar. I managed with a small plastic tube run throught the frame and fork, screwed together with the wires.
2. Outside the frame looks ok, but inside is a mess - sharp edges near to inner side of bottom bracket. Have to be carefull to not cut yourself. I fix it with a file
3. Expander was too small and very rough, so i took my old one. Inside the steerer tube was a small layer of carbon. So I couldnt insert the expander... I fix it with sandpaper
4. Stem spacers and top cover has 2 holes: for steerer tube and for the brake hoses. The hoses should go from one whole to the second hole. But the space is too small for this operation and the hoses are to stiff (again), so i have to cut with a blade and make one big hole :) So the hoses goes from handlebar to the head. And now the handlebar could sits on the up bearings.
5. The main paint/main varnist is great BUT the logos are like stickers. They are good but you can scrath it easily. I use the transparent foil to secure it and when I try to correct, I peel the foil wit logos... :)
I expected difficulties espiecially that is replica/fake frame. Overall I solved all problems (except the logos, but i will probably order new FACTOR stickers.
I changed from Factor 1 to 2 for no special reason. Second ver is a little better in my opinion. Nicer look, more stiff especially the fork - it has additional grooving in steerer tube, better seatpost mounting (can now install varia radar on it with aluminium arm). For the layman or amateur the differences may be small, if at all.
I paid about 850EUR with send, vat, custom duty. Not bad i think. I tooks 1 month for making frame and 1,5 week shipping. Seller Taiwan Carbon Bike .
Next i will try send more photos. Attached ver 1 and ver 2.
I ordered wheels too. They should be for about 2-3 weeks (Princeton 65, glossy with white)
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Wow no clear over the decals to protect them?
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Size 56, handlebar 400x100. My height 180
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Wow looks fantastic, this is the first Ostrao Vam V2 we've seen on here I think!
I would love to hear how it rides once you get a chance to spend some time with it.
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It's quite easy to spot the differences of the fake V2. V1 was much harder.
I've owned both the original V1 and V2.
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Impressive, even branded thru-axles!
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Some more photos
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Some more photos
Im guessing this is not using EPS molding?
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Definitely bladder, you can see the creases of the bladder. That bottom bracket area looks worse than velobuild frames from 4 years ago.
Who's the seller so we know never to order from them?
At this price point it's a joke.
I think that he informed Seller Taiwan Carbon Bike
Have others sellers to recomend?
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What are the obvious differences?
It's quite easy to spot the differences of the fake V2. V1 was much harder.
I've owned both the original V1 and V2.
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I dont think so this is mold.
And like I said, inside is a little mess, thats true.
I have v1 and v2 fake factor and there is no much difference between them. The biggest is look. V2 looks like after little lift. Both are responsive, durable and stiff. On V1 I rode 6000km with no issue, will see what will be with v2. On v2 i rode 1000km so far.
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Sharing a few photos of the head tube and bb. Smooth inside out, IMO. Will share the final build once finished.
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Picked up my new v2 with 54-39t rotor chain ring and 165mm cranks, DA 11-30t cassette and Supacaz handlebar tape. Feel free to criticize. Cheers.
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More photos…
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Sharing a few photos of the head tube and bb. Smooth inside out, IMO. Will share the final build once finished.
Which seller is this from?
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Taiwan Glory bike store.
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what bottom bracket do you use. i order mine from yoho and i think has normal t47.
original frame has asymetric t47
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what bottom bracket do you use. i order mine from yoho and i think has normal t47.
original frame has asymetric t47
I believe all Ostro vam2 has T47A BBs. Double check with your seller before buying BB. I bought it for the mean time although it has some good reviews.
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Any sellers that sell an Ostro V2 in size 61?
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Wheels arrived, so its final build
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Cardio night
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Love the rims, which brand are they?
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It’s from go-zone in Ali. 45-50mm depth, 28mm rim width, upgraded the rachet to 60t, marble finish at 1267grams. Enjoying it.
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Was the V2 frame easier to route internal cables ? I am tempted to do another build - who did you order from ? Can you PM me the link.
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jeez caught up on the thread and it seems like some companies are slinging some pretty garbage V2's. I will still go to bat for the quality of my FC-Carbon V1.
Please do your research before buying after seeing some of these photos of the internals and listen to people like @sergeK.
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I have made a few enquiries and bladder mold has been confirmed.
Colonel's supplier (Taiwan Glory Bike Store Store) looks to be of better quality than taiwan factory bike parts Store. The bottom bracket and head tube look much better quality.
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I have now confirmed that Colonel's supplier (Taiwan Glory Bike Store Store) is the latest 2025 V2 EPS molding hence the better quality.
For anyone keeping up with this thread, avoid taiwan factory bike parts Store as they could not guarantee the quality and would not confirm 100% refund it not happy.
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500kms on it and just enjoying every ride.
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I have now confirmed that Colonel's supplier (Taiwan Glory Bike Store Store) is the latest 2025 V2 EPS molding hence the better quality.
For anyone keeping up with this thread, avoid taiwan factory bike parts Store as they could not guarantee the quality and would not confirm 100% refund it not happy.
This seller is a mirror of Yoho bike.
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I've purchased it on Aliexpress (store: taiwan factory bike parts Store - model New Model Fasterway Ostro) and I could choose between any factor color scheme (painted or the stickers are under the paint), I doubted the one without any paint or just the clear paint that you could see the carbon layers. I know a lot of people here don't like replicas or placing a brand name on a copied frame, but in the end, I still did it, because I liked it (sorry).
I had to look back which seller I actually had, because I forgot it and have since I build the bike now around 5300 km done, and still going strong.
I have now confirmed that Colonel's supplier (Taiwan Glory Bike Store Store) is the latest 2025 V2 EPS molding hence the better quality.
For anyone keeping up with this thread, avoid taiwan factory bike parts Store as they could not guarantee the quality and would not confirm 100% refund it not happy.
I think it's quite an aggressive claim to be honest, but I do believe before you make a purchase it's good to do your own research. If I had a chance to do it again, I would probably also take another seller that is known for a nicer and smoother internal build, however I want to make a point that it is not exploding or cracking or what so ever. I'm riding it, 3 to 4 times a week and it's holding firmly, steady, solid, it's fast, etc., even with all the "fake" stuff that is not done here on the forum.
So I'm still happy with my Taiwan Factory Bike Parts Store replica factor frame, that everyone should avoid!
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Photos of my frame which will be sent as soon as 380x110 handlebar is available again from F-C Carbon. Also I can confirm that F-C Carbon and RK Ultra Extreme are the same supplier.
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Photos of my frame which will be sent as soon as 380x110 handlebar is available again from F-C Carbon. Also I can confirm that F-C Carbon and RK Ultra Extreme are the same supplier.
Do they offer paint options ?
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Do they offer paint options ?
Yes, it can be customized. I chose this white on white based on a prisma paint option from Factor’s website.
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Photos of my frame which will be sent as soon as 380x110 handlebar is available again from F-C Carbon. Also I can confirm that F-C Carbon and RK Ultra Extreme are the same supplier.
Also the same supplier for Polar.
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Funny, the lack of quality control seen with some of these suppliers seems consistent with the real manufacturer. I'm looking to build an Ostro, so I joined the Facebook group. I saw a few complaints about bottom brackets and seat post issues within seconds. Interesting that it's the same across the board. I will be building a replica nonetheless for obvious affordability reasons.
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Just thought I’d add my 2 cents to this group, as I finally received my frameset at the weekend. I ordered from Polar bicycle store on AliExpress a few months ago. However the frameset took a little longer than others,as I ordered the raw finish with the hologram logo which seems to be more difficult to manufacture and this seller was the first to have it on the market. Honestly I was a PITA customer asking loads of questions and being really picky about every detail, he answered all my questions thoroughly and promptly and never complained.
For a size medium/54cm frame weight was 898g, front fork uncut was 410g, 0mm offset seatpost was 125g and a Darimo nexum drag replica in 380x100mm was 284g.
The quality was outstanding and just as good as any western brand, perhaps even better. The facing on the BB shell meant there was no paint and the threads were super smooth. The handlebar and seatpost were a super tight fit with no play and the mounts for the calipers were also really well faced and the calipers were perfectly parallel with the rotors when I built it up.
Anyway here’s some pictures of the final build, came in at 6.7kg without bar tape.
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Just thought I’d add my 2 cents to this group, as I finally received my frameset at the weekend. I ordered from Polar bicycle store on AliExpress a few months ago. However the frameset took a little longer than others,as I ordered the raw finish with the hologram logo which seems to be more difficult to manufacture and this seller was the first to have it on the market. Honestly I was a PITA customer asking loads of questions and being really picky about every detail, he answered all my questions thoroughly and promptly and never complained.
For a size medium/54cm frame weight was 898g, front fork uncut was 410g, 0mm offset seatpost was 125g and a Darimo nexum drag replica in 380x100mm was 284g.
The quality was outstanding and just as good as any western brand, perhaps even better. The facing on the BB shell meant there was no paint and the threads were super smooth. The handlebar and seatpost were a super tight fit with no play and the mounts for the calipers were also really well faced and the calipers were perfectly parallel with the rotors when I built it up.
Anyway here’s some pictures of the final build, came in at 6.7kg without bar tape.
Can you share the link from the seller, because I just found the Vam 1.0, your is the 2.0, right?
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Polar Bicycle Store
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQkJBaw
Yes mine is V2. They don’t have a specific listing for the ostro v2, if you send them a message they will tell you to order the sl8 frameset and just leave in the notes your spec/size/colour for the ostro VAM, they’re all the same price. His number is +852 6206 7086 if you want to WhatsApp him to discuss your spec and any questions in advance.
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That frame looks incredibly tasty. Can I ask what price you paid for frameset+handlebar?
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It was £864/$1165 delivered to uk including prepaid duty and taxes. The genuine Darimo seatpost was almost half the price of the replica frameset 😂
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It was £864/$1165 delivered to uk including prepaid duty and taxes. The genuine Darimo seatpost was almost half the price of the replica frameset 😂
The darimo parts are from them too? Or only the handlebar is from the polar? If not can you share the seller from the Darimo parts too, please?
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The replica Darimo handlebar is from the same seller as the frame but the seatpost is a genuine one direct from Darimo. The seller does sell replica Darimo seatpost a for other models like sl8 but he doesn’t have it for the ostro V2 yet.
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Lol. Nice way to gaslight yourself and others. If you buy a genuine ostro, I doubt you even know there's a FB group about it. But if you get a bad one, you may look for resources, and come across that FB group.
Now people on this forum are much more likely to post about their build irrespective of whether it's good or bad.
I guess that's sampling error?
Either way, if you walk around telling yourself and others that real factors are just as bad as the fakes people have been buying here, you're full of it.
Eh, not quite. Seems like there is a good balance of positive and negative experiences over there just like here in this thread. I believe it’s quite the opposite nowadays, review based consumerism is the norm for everything now. I don’t think my observations classify me as a Factor whistle blower lol. Just my observation between the 2 markets. Now observe me build a sick replica. ???
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Just thought I’d add my 2 cents to this group, as I finally received my frameset at the weekend. I ordered from Polar bicycle store on AliExpress a few months ago. However the frameset took a little longer than others,as I ordered the raw finish with the hologram logo which seems to be more difficult to manufacture and this seller was the first to have it on the market. Honestly I was a PITA customer asking loads of questions and being really picky about every detail, he answered all my questions thoroughly and promptly and never complained.
For a size medium/54cm frame weight was 898g, front fork uncut was 410g, 0mm offset seatpost was 125g and a Darimo nexum drag replica in 380x100mm was 284g.
The quality was outstanding and just as good as any western brand, perhaps even better. The facing on the BB shell meant there was no paint and the threads were super smooth. The handlebar and seatpost were a super tight fit with no play and the mounts for the calipers were also really well faced and the calipers were perfectly parallel with the rotors when I built it up.
Anyway here’s some pictures of the final build, came in at 6.7kg without bar tape.
Yea this thing is very nice man! Thanks for the insight.
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Very nice bike!
You spent 500 bucks on a seat post? Why?
its a premium build, also a lot of people get deals on darimo. surprised you aren't picking on the OSPW
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Just thought I’d add my 2 cents to this group, as I finally received my frameset at the weekend. I ordered from Polar bicycle store on AliExpress a few months ago. However the frameset took a little longer than others,as I ordered the raw finish with the hologram logo which seems to be more difficult to manufacture and this seller was the first to have it on the market. Honestly I was a PITA customer asking loads of questions and being really picky about every detail, he answered all my questions thoroughly and promptly and never complained.
For a size medium/54cm frame weight was 898g, front fork uncut was 410g, 0mm offset seatpost was 125g and a Darimo nexum drag replica in 380x100mm was 284g.
The quality was outstanding and just as good as any western brand, perhaps even better. The facing on the BB shell meant there was no paint and the threads were super smooth. The handlebar and seatpost were a super tight fit with no play and the mounts for the calipers were also really well faced and the calipers were perfectly parallel with the rotors when I built it up.
Anyway here’s some pictures of the final build, came in at 6.7kg without bar tape.
Looks awesome, can you make a short video moving the camera alongside the frame to kind of see the effect please? Thinking of ordering the frame later this year in thé same style.
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Li at Polar, like most sellers, claims to have the best quality frames. And they have only kits started selling that Ostro after finishing its ‘development’.
A few people on the forum have bought his SL8, and the finishing looks excellent—the frame weights are also very close to the genuine version.
The frames come with a copy Darimo seatpost and bar.
I purchased the Nexum Drag copy and can say the quality is also very good. However, one issue I found was with the stem bolts: they’re aluminium, and the head of one snapped during installation. Aluminium isn’t great for bolts, so I swapped them for titanium. I was offered replacements but declined, and suggested they consider using steel or titanium instead.
One other point worth noting: Polar and RK Ultra—also trading under the names Mirror Carbon Fibre and First Class—are actually sourcing their frames from the same place.
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Very nice bike!
You spent 500 bucks on a seat post? Why?
I won’t go into details about some of the other components then 🫣
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One other point worth noting: Polar and RK Ultra—also trading under the names Mirror Carbon Fibre and First Class—are actually sourcing their frames from the same place.
Do we have a proof of this?
Also, does anyone know why this v2 seems to come with Darimo handlebars instead of Black Inc?
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Do we have a proof of this?
Also, does anyone know why this v2 seems to come with Darimo handlebars instead of Black Inc?
I confirm this.
Because theu already produced the Darimo one for the SL8 and it is very light. So they don't want to develop the Black Inc V2.
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Do we have a proof of this?
Also, does anyone know why this v2 seems to come with Darimo handlebars instead of Black Inc?
I would agree about RK ultra and mirror carbon fibre, as they shared the same WhatsApp number when I requested it. Polar I’m not 100% on because they were the only ones able to produce the raw carbon frame with the hologram logo, RK and Mirror said they didn’t have it
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Because theu already produced the Darimo one for the SL8 and it is very light. So they don't want to develop the Black Inc V2.
That's a strange decision on their end, but it is what it is.
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It's an honest question, i'm curious. How strong are you as a rider and where do you live? I dont understand buying a fake to then put boutique parts on it.
I’ve done it on the last few builds, replica frames but with high end components. I strangely like the juxtaposition of the two and also I get bored of bikes quickly so buying replica frames allows me to have a new bike each year without worrying about how much depreciation I would have lost if I’d have bought genuine ones
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Just thought I’d add my 2 cents to this group, as I finally received my frameset at the weekend. I ordered from Polar bicycle store on AliExpress a few months ago. However the frameset took a little longer than others,as I ordered the raw finish with the hologram logo which seems to be more difficult to manufacture and this seller was the first to have it on the market. Honestly I was a PITA customer asking loads of questions and being really picky about every detail, he answered all my questions thoroughly and promptly and never complained.
For a size medium/54cm frame weight was 898g, front fork uncut was 410g, 0mm offset seatpost was 125g and a Darimo nexum drag replica in 380x100mm was 284g.
The quality was outstanding and just as good as any western brand, perhaps even better. The facing on the BB shell meant there was no paint and the threads were super smooth. The handlebar and seatpost were a super tight fit with no play and the mounts for the calipers were also really well faced and the calipers were perfectly parallel with the rotors when I built it up.
Anyway here’s some pictures of the final build, came in at 6.7kg without bar tape.
I kind of hate to even ask this since I’m not a fan of blatant IP theft, but I do love the look of the hourglass head tube and fork on the Ostro.
Could you share a picture of a front on shot of the head tube?
Thank you!
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Just thought I’d add my 2 cents to this group, as I finally received my frameset at the weekend. I ordered from Polar bicycle store on AliExpress a few months ago. However the frameset took a little longer than others,as I ordered the raw finish with the hologram logo which seems to be more difficult to manufacture and this seller was the first to have it on the market. Honestly I was a PITA customer asking loads of questions and being really picky about every detail, he answered all my questions thoroughly and promptly and never complained.
For a size medium/54cm frame weight was 898g, front fork uncut was 410g, 0mm offset seatpost was 125g and a Darimo nexum drag replica in 380x100mm was 284g.
The quality was outstanding and just as good as any western brand, perhaps even better. The facing on the BB shell meant there was no paint and the threads were super smooth. The handlebar and seatpost were a super tight fit with no play and the mounts for the calipers were also really well faced and the calipers were perfectly parallel with the rotors when I built it up.
Anyway here’s some pictures of the final build, came in at 6.7kg without bar tape.
Nice build and impressive weight! have fun riding it, every km or mile counts!
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I kind of hate to even ask this since I’m not a fan of blatant IP theft, but I do love the look of the hourglass head tube and fork on the Ostro.
Could you share a picture of a front on shot of the head tube?
Thank you!
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Does anyone know what's the tire clearance of v2 in the back compared to v1?
I have 30mm tires that inflate to 32 mm and it's extremely tight for the rear wheel.
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That looks great
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Thank you for the vid, looks fantastic!
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I'm finding it very difficult at the moment to navigate all the different models and sellers. Most of them are just sellers, and the manufacturer is sometimes the same. The prices also vary considerably. What I've noticed is that the transition from the seat stay to the seat tube can vary greatly.
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I'm finding it very difficult at the moment to navigate all the different models and sellers. Most of them are just sellers, and the manufacturer is sometimes the same. The prices also vary considerably. What I've noticed is that the transition from the seat stay to the seat tube can vary greatly.
None of them are the factories
That all claim to be but they gave relationships with the factories and buy frames from them.
They always all claim the best quality but for what I have seen and read the last lot of people who have purchased from Polar have been happy one poster of here for the V2 factor and 3 members I have spoke to with SL8s
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It was £864/$1165 delivered to uk including prepaid duty and taxes. The genuine Darimo seatpost was almost half the price of the replica frameset 😂
Just to confirm when you bought you need pay two orders? They sen a link with the SL8 and other link with freight cost by UPS?
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If anyone is interested; I have a size 58 Ostro V1 frameset from RK Carbon for sale; wanted to build it up myself but its a tad too small for me. Comes with Deda expander. White with black logo. Northern Germany /Holland. No shipping. PM me
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Just to confirm when you bought you need pay two orders? They sen a link with the SL8 and other link with freight cost by UPS?
You can ask him to make a link to pay all in one.
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You can ask him to make a link to pay all in one.
He send me a link for the bicycle with the cost of 1072 euros, but in the checkout have a price adjustment...and the final price is 875 euros.
Orders shipped from outside of EU with a goods value above EUR150 will be subject to VAT upon importation into the EU. The price of your order has been adjusted to reflect a later collection of VAT at the customs. You are encouraged to confirm the logistics and tax payment arrangement (for VAT, duties, agent fees, etc.) with the seller.
But he send me a other link with the transportation charge of 223 eur and he informed that not will be need pay extra taxes when arrived.
Since I never bought something above 150 euros I would like to confirm if is normal.
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He send me a link for the bicycle with the cost of 1072 euros, but in the checkout have a price adjustment...and the final price is 875 euros.
Orders shipped from outside of EU with a goods value above EUR150 will be subject to VAT upon importation into the EU. The price of your order has been adjusted to reflect a later collection of VAT at the customs. You are encouraged to confirm the logistics and tax payment arrangement (for VAT, duties, agent fees, etc.) with the seller.
But he send me a other link with the transportation charge of 223 eur and he informed that not will be need pay extra taxes when arrived.
Since I never bought something above 150 euros I would like to confirm if is normal.
Yes it's normal. After paying additionally for shipping you will receive frame with paid customs and taxes.
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Yes it's normal. After paying additionally for shipping you will receive frame with paid customs and taxes.
I can concur!
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Just thought I’d add my 2 cents to this group, as I finally received my frameset at the weekend. I ordered from Polar bicycle store on AliExpress a few months ago. However the frameset took a little longer than others,as I ordered the raw finish with the hologram logo which seems to be more difficult to manufacture and this seller was the first to have it on the market. Honestly I was a PITA customer asking loads of questions and being really picky about every detail, he answered all my questions thoroughly and promptly and never complained.
For a size medium/54cm frame weight was 898g, front fork uncut was 410g, 0mm offset seatpost was 125g and a Darimo nexum drag replica in 380x100mm was 284g.
The quality was outstanding and just as good as any western brand, perhaps even better. The facing on the BB shell meant there was no paint and the threads were super smooth. The handlebar and seatpost were a super tight fit with no play and the mounts for the calipers were also really well faced and the calipers were perfectly parallel with the rotors when I built it up.
Anyway here’s some pictures of the final build, came in at 6.7kg without bar tape.
Seller or link?
Thanks
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So it seems Polar is the way to go at the moment?
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Or RK.
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Do you have a contact for RK? The Ali Shop is not running.
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Do you have a contact for RK? The Ali Shop is not running.
I checked and the store works for me. You can try his mirror :
https://a.aliexpress.com/_Exhy3Lc
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hello
Is anyone had a "warrantly claim" to Taiwan Eisen ? Are they still respond to e-mail ? Do have I to send the broken frame to them ?
Thanks
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hello
Is anyone had a "warrantly claim" to Taiwan Eisen ? Are they still respond to e-mail ? Do have I to send the broken frame to them ?
Thanks
Do you have a broken frame ?
No idea for Eisen but someone had a problem with Yoho (bottom bracket) and the seller ghosted him until He made a lot of bad ads on social media.
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Do you have a broken frame ?
No idea for Eisen but someone had a problem with Yoho (bottom bracket) and the seller ghosted him until He made a lot of bad ads on social media.
Yes, but early this year I heared that some sellers in China were "arrested"...
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Yes, but early this year I heared that some sellers in China were "arrested"...
Was it a myth no ? Maybe try to join him through another phone number in WhatsApp and see if He answers or not...
Where did it brake ? Do you have some pictures ?
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I know the websites states electronic group. Has anyone tried to do a me mechanical group set on this frame?
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I would assume that the hole for the rear derailleur would be too small and require filing as it is designed for Di2 battery cables. I don’t think mechanical is a good idea since you would need to route your shifter cables through the integrated headset.
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Not on this frame specifically but I did full internal through the headset on my gravel bike with GRX and it works perfectly. If the housing can exit near the rear axle I don't see why it wouldn't work, so that's probably the limitation.
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I've been chatting with three vendors for a V2 frame for a few days. Polar, First Class, and one I got in a TikTok feed randomly. I'm looking for the "Black" color scheme (raw carbon + darker 'laser' logo). All three vendors provided ~7 photos, including shots inside the seat tube and inside the bottom bracket.
Polar sent me photos of a complete bike & frameset (the complete were photos Samba88 posted lol) in the color scheme I asked for, but said they're unable to provide weight for the 58|48 wheelset and have been dragging their feet on photos. Frame price is ~$1k USD + ~$130 shipping. I'm unclear if this includes the barstem, as it wasn't pictured with the frame. Gearset seemed around MSRP, so I'll probably stick to a frame+wheelset and buy that elsewhere. Not sure I fully trust them to send an authentic gearset. Polar also confirmed they'd supply the seat post gasket.
First Class provided photos of their 58|48 wheelset, but just had photos of a black painted frame with silver laser logos. They said they could do the style I wanted, though. They have not followed up in over a day on pricing.
TikTok vendor (unsure on their name) provided photos of a raw carbon frame with black graphics, but said they're "Customizable". They were asking $1k for the frameset (and barstem/seatpost) including customs/duties/shipping. They are asking $680 USD for the wheelset and provided some photos of just the rims.
Curious if anyone has recommendations on where to find the 58|48 wheelset and proper BlackInc barstem?
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I've been chatting with three vendors for a V2 frame for a few days. Polar, First Class, and one I got in a TikTok feed randomly. I'm looking for the "Black" color scheme (raw carbon + darker 'laser' logo). All three vendors provided ~7 photos, including shots inside the seat tube and inside the bottom bracket.
Polar sent me photos of a complete bike & frameset (the complete were photos Samba88 posted lol) in the color scheme I asked for, but said they're unable to provide weight for the 58|48 wheelset and have been dragging their feet on photos. Frame price is ~$1k USD + ~$130 shipping. I'm unclear if this includes the barstem, as it wasn't pictured with the frame. Gearset seemed around MSRP, so I'll probably stick to a frame+wheelset and buy that elsewhere. Not sure I fully trust them to send an authentic gearset. Polar also confirmed they'd supply the seat post gasket.
First Class provided photos of their 58|48 wheelset, but just had photos of a black painted frame with silver laser logos. They said they could do the style I wanted, though. They have not followed up in over a day on pricing.
TikTok vendor (unsure on their name) provided photos of a raw carbon frame with black graphics, but said they're "Customizable". They were asking $1k for the frameset (and barstem/seatpost) including customs/duties/shipping. They are asking $680 USD for the wheelset and provided some photos of just the rims.
Curious if anyone has recommendations on where to find the 58|48 wheelset and proper BlackInc barstem?
A frame from Polar is definitely one I’d consider and it should come integrated bars and seatpost.
However, I wouldn’t buy a wheelset from vendors like these. The counterfeit sets often come with Novatec hubs rebranded as something else, and they typically use standard-weight carbon rim layups to cut costs, which makes them heavier. There are plenty of threads on here discussing high-quality wheelsets from reputable OEM factories, so it's worth doing your homework before buying.
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A frame from Polar is definitely one I’d consider and it should come integrated bars and seatpost.
However, I wouldn’t buy a wheelset from vendors like these. The counterfeit sets often come with Novatec hubs rebranded as something else, and they typically use standard-weight carbon rim layups to cut costs, which makes them heavier. There are plenty of threads on here discussing high-quality wheelsets from reputable OEM factories, so it's worth doing your homework before buying.
Thanks for the info. Yeah Polar sent me photos of their barstem combo, but I really liked the feel/fit of the Black Inc bike I demo'd. I'll have to dig around for that separate, it seems.
I think I'm between Polar and Taiwan Glory, just waiting on their barstem info and cost.
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My 2.0 has just arrived from Taiwan Glory and I am very impressed. The colour I chose was 'blue to purple chameleon' - the colourway pops !
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More photos
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My 2.0 has just arrived from Taiwan Glory and I am very impressed. The colour I chose was 'blue to purple chameleon' - the colourway pops !
enjoy your new frame. absolute head turner paintjob
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My local Factor dealer had a falling out with me. For reasons he has yet to disclose with me privately, despite bashing me publicly LoL
That paint job looks great! Should I buy a replica Ostra VAM frameset and parade it outside of his shop?? ;D
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Factor
Team bikes made in Taiwan
Retail bike made in China.
Seen some shockers of real frames 🤣
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My local Factor dealer had a falling out with me. For reasons he has yet to disclose with me privately, despite bashing me publicly LoL
That paint job looks great! Should I buy a replica Ostra VAM frameset and parade it outside of his shop?? ;D
Definitely 8)
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My 2.0 has just arrived from Taiwan Glory and I am very impressed. The colour I chose was 'blue to purple chameleon' - the colourway pops !
What are the specs of this in terms of tyre clearance, weight, etc.? :) looks absolutely beautiful.
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My 2.0 has just arrived from Taiwan Glory and I am very impressed. The colour I chose was 'blue to purple chameleon' - the colourway pops !
Looks very nice! Enjoy the build and a nice paint job you chose.
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I've chatted a little with Taiwan Glory Bike Store
Size 58 with paint is roughly 1050g
EPS moulded.
D-steerertube
T47A BB
Fork is 472
Seatpost 160
Bar 360
Seatpost and bar is black inc replicas and not darimos.
Tyre clearance is 32C
I asked about carbon layup and their first answer was t1000, and eventually they admitted it being primarily t800 with a little t1000.
price for me is 750 usd with bar and seat post and shipping to europe.
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As this seems to be the thread with the most traffic. Does anyone have a recomendation for the best Factor ostro vam 2 look a like? not a "fake" but something that is inspired by the shape of the Factor.
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Anyone had experience with Yohobikes?
Was chatting with them, $670usd for a Ostro Vam V2 frame + bars delivered to Aus.
They seem to have a fair few years of history across several forums and pretty receptive to questions and requests for photos.
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I've chatted a little with Taiwan Glory Bike Store
Size 58 with paint is roughly 1050g
EPS moulded.
D-steerertube
T47A BB
Fork is 472
Seatpost 160
Bar 360
Finally an admission ;D from another seller T1000 load of old BS. Who here would ride a full T1000 frame!? good luck lol ;D
Polar said all the frames basically T800
Seatpost and bar is black inc replicas and not darimos.
Tyre clearance is 32C
I asked about carbon layup and their first answer was t1000, and eventually they admitted it being primarily t800 with a little t1000.
price for me is 750 usd with bar and seat post and shipping to europe.
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I've chatted a little with Taiwan Glory Bike Store
Size 58 with paint is roughly 1050g
EPS moulded.
D-steerertube
T47A BB
Fork is 472
Seatpost 160
Bar 360
Seatpost and bar is black inc replicas and not darimos.
Tyre clearance is 32C
I asked about carbon layup and their first answer was t1000, and eventually they admitted it being primarily t800 with a little t1000.
price for me is 750 usd with bar and seat post and shipping to europe.
I myself have also been in touch with the store and the contact name is Tom.
I have been quoted for a 56cm frame with 380/110 bar and set of 50mm 21 internal rims on DT180 hubs $1250USD shipped to me. If I use Alipay, there will be the Ali cut added so it will cost me $1370usd shipped. They do not do PayPal but direct bank transfer would be ok.
Prepped and shipped within 2 weeks of payment.
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Nice blue. Would you mind taking pics of the inside of the frame, via the openings of the BB & headset? Curious about what the layup looks like inside. Thanks!
Seconding this. I like how Taiwan Glory is supplying Black Inc rep bars, but also curious if they're any better than the "flimsy" ones supplied by other vendors.
I messaged Tom a while back and he said they weren't able to do the "Black" color scheme (naked carbon with the dark reflective decals).
Also: Polar denied getting their frames from the same factory as others listed here (take that with a grain of salt) and did confirm "imported T800+m30 carbon" whatever m30 is.
Taiwan Glory (Tom) did offer the $750 direct-pay (no aliexpress) price to me.
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Hello everyone,
For a replica frame, which seller would you recommend? Yohobike, Polar, or Taiwan Glory?
Thank you.
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Following up on my previous comment Re: with Yohobikes.
They do offer the "Black" raw carbon paint with dark reflective decals.
I'm 90% certain I will order a size 56 without decals in the next week.
Will keep you all updated on how it goes :)
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Maybe this is common knowledge, but I am 99.99% sure that either 1 Yohobike is the supplier for Taiwan Glory Bike Store or they are just a mirror.
Yoho bikes have the exact same photos of the frames and weights, price and deal with 20% up front and 80% after photos of the frame. But Yoho bikes have more information regarding the frames.
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Maybe this is common knowledge, but I am 99.99% sure that either 1 Yohobike is the supplier for Taiwan Glory Bike Store or they are just a mirror.
Yoho bikes have the exact same photos of the frames and weights, price and deal with 20% up front and 80% after photos of the frame. But Yoho bikes have more information regarding the frames.
Yes absolutely, many of the Aliexpress stores have the same photos and geometry charts as Yoho.
Who is getting which frame in what layup from what factory is anyone's guess.
So whenever one of us degens takes a leap of faith, we collect little more info... (Ape together strong)
My primary reason for going with Yoho is they've at least been around for a while + many of the Aliexpress stores discussed have mysteriously emptied their store pages / listings...
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Which T47A BBs are you guys getting for yours?
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Which T47A BBs are you guys getting for yours?
I'm also trying to figure this out. I think if you want the Blue Ceramicspeed you have to buy from Factor?
I just ordered my frame from Polar. Will update here when I have more to share.
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Ok, I have ordered a 56cm from Yohobikes.
Their photographic Dutch angle is slightly less than perfect to see inside the frame but gives me enough confidence to pay rest of the 80% payment.
Note: frame weight is including FD hanger, Rear TA, bottle cage bolts.
So considering clearcoat is probably ~80g, frame 56cm is ~1000g.
~200g off genuine but I doubt I'll notice that with my 85kg chassis
570 USD to Australia (excluding any taxes).
1month sea freight.
I have a 2023 tcr adv at home so will give a direct comparison (with photos) when it arrives
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I'm also trying to figure this out. I think if you want the Blue Ceramicspeed you have to buy from Factor?
I just ordered my frame from Polar. Will update here when I have more to share.
I went with the Ceramicspeec T47a black bottom bracket (non coated).
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Does it make sense to spend THAT much money on a BB for this frame? Would another purchase from AE not be good enough?
I dont know much about BBs so I asked Tom and he said "the bottom bracket for factor frame is T47A-79". So that means the width should be 79mm correct?
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Yeah, just use a cheap AE bb, did the same for my replica Venge. Need to replace it once a year though (bb of +- 15eur)
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Does it make sense to spend THAT much money on a BB for this frame? Would another purchase from AE not be good enough?
I dont know much about BBs so I asked Tom and he said "the bottom bracket for factor frame is T47A-79". So that means the width should be 79mm correct?
I just had this arrive yesterday - The T47a 24mm ceramic for Shimano cranks - Finish & quality seems great for the shell, only time will tell for the bearings but when the time comes I'll swap them out for for some higher quality ones.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008164067923.html?pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000044052578216%22%7D&sourceType=1&spm=a2g0o.wish-manage-home.0.0
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I got a good deal on the blue ceramicspeed from someone who immediately switched it out for a (black) DUB version, but I don't think there's any other way to get the blue one than to buy a bike from Factor. I've heard many times that the cheap Ali ceramic BBs aren't worth it, but for my other build I used a ZTTO non-ceramic BB that cost me $20 CAD and I couldn't be happier with it.
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I got a good deal on the blue ceramicspeed from someone who immediately switched it out for a (black) DUB version, but I don't think there's any other way to get the blue one than to buy a bike from Factor. I've heard many times that the cheap Ali ceramic BBs aren't worth it, but for my other build I used a ZTTO non-ceramic BB that cost me $20 CAD and I couldn't be happier with it.
I'm going the same route. I'm going to build the bike with good parts regardless and save where I can. Likely getting wheels and saddle from aliexpress and keeping the rest legit.
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hello,also interested I sent a message to taiwan glory and yohobike for pictures of the frame......waiting for their reply.
Does anyone know the seller "Jone Taiwan Carbon Bike Store"?
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My order with Polar automatically refunded today due to not shipping in the set timeframe. About a week ago I followed up on the status and they said it was behind due to typhoon, then said there was a national holiday for 7 days. They said it would be here before end of Oct, so I agreed to proceed. Then the AliExpress auto-refund came through, which Polar didn't say anything about.
I followed up after the refund and they didn't seem to really care, then said they had issues with the dark graphics. They told me they could send me a different colorscheme frame that they had ready, which seems suspicious. Now they're saying "the black logo needs to wait for some time". At least one other person on here got the same graphics from them recently, so I'm unclear what's going on.
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An update on the frame I received from RK Ultra/FC carbon:
I started my build and realized that I might have a problem with the frame. I've tried three different wheels just to rule that out and I have the same problem with all of them. The rear triangle seems misaligned from the rest of the frame. When I put the rear wheel in, it sits off to the right and at an angle. Is it possible I'm missing something here or is the frame really that out of alignment? Any opinions/advice are welcomed. I contacted the seller and I'll see what they say...
Otherwise everything seems mostly ok, they forgot to send me a 7x9 clamp for the seatpost which they sent out very quickly after, and the logo on the non-drive side of the seatpost is tilted the wrong way. I'll include a picture of this too.
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An update on the frame I received from RK Ultra/FC carbon:
I started my build and realized that I might have a problem with the frame. I've tried three different wheels just to rule that out and I have the same problem with all of them. The rear triangle seems misaligned from the rest of the frame. When I put the rear wheel in, it sits off to the right and at an angle. Is it possible I'm missing something here or is the frame really that out of alignment? Any opinions/advice are welcomed. I contacted the seller and I'll see what they say...
Otherwise everything seems mostly ok, they forgot to send me a 7x9 clamp for the seatpost which they sent out very quickly after, and the logo on the non-drive side of the seatpost is tilted the wrong way. I'll include a picture of this too.
Very odd. Why does the 3rd picture look centered compared to pic 1 and 2.
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Very odd. Why does the 3rd picture look centered compared to pic 1 and 2.
Third picture I centred on the wheel, you can see the seat tube and head tube off to the side there.
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An update on the frame I received from RK Ultra/FC carbon:
I started my build and realized that I might have a problem with the frame. I've tried three different wheels just to rule that out and I have the same problem with all of them. The rear triangle seems misaligned from the rest of the frame. When I put the rear wheel in, it sits off to the right and at an angle. Is it possible I'm missing something here or is the frame really that out of alignment? Any opinions/advice are welcomed. I contacted the seller and I'll see what they say...
Otherwise everything seems mostly ok, they forgot to send me a 7x9 clamp for the seatpost which they sent out very quickly after, and the logo on the non-drive side of the seatpost is tilted the wrong way. I'll include a picture of this too.
Vincent had the same problem in the TanTan topic: https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,6275.90.html
after I told him to check the end-caps on the wheels and the UDH hanger, he got is solved. According to him, it was the UDH hanger..
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Vincent had the same problem in the TanTan topic: https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,6275.90.html
after I told him to check the end-caps on the wheels and the UDH hanger, he got is solved. According to him, it was the UDH hanger..
This frame isn’t UDH, I did check the facing around the axles and the hanger and everything seems to be as it should. I can take a closer look but I don’t see anything that could make this big of a difference.
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Here's how he solved it:
No issues with udh, replaced it with some I had, same old issue.
With some basic trigonometry I determined that i needed to displace hole 0.9mm further up.
Gravity will keep the wheel in place, although i have to fill the ovalized space for rigidity.
Everything is back in place straight et than ever. UDH hole was too low. Tolerance was over the moon. Hambini would've cried.
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not everybody is a native English speaker ;) yeah I guess the tolerances are shit, but since these bikes are made in a mold, seems the problem should be searched elsewhere, no? Or else, everybody would have this problem?
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I used a laser to take the wheel(s) out of the equation and it looks like the rear triangle is off to the right by about 1cm at the axel… not promising
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My order from Yohobikes have arrived
Ordered September 24, arrived October 22 (Western Australia).
Initial impressions is that the interior is very clean, Bearing surfaces look smooth, Brake mounts on front look good, rear has paint overrun and needs sanding.
Overall looks good enough to ride.
Will put it on the stand and build it up over the next week.
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Looks lovely and clean.
Might be a stupid question, but how is there paint overrun? Isn't that a bare carbon finish?
And did you choose one without decals? Fair play.
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My bad, I mean clear coat overrun.
So there is a small but noticable lip in the clear coat right next to one of the rear brake mount bolting holes, just something to take off with some light sanding.
My plan is to brand it with Lao Gan Ma stickers later 😎
Routed brakes and installed 'The One Ultra' handlebars.
Did not encounter any major issues;
- Had to file out the RD cable hole, the Ltwoo connector is girthier than Di2 I'm pretty sure.
- BB threaded in smooth
- headset bearings snug fit, no play
- front brake threads were a little gunked up (clear coat??) Chased and cleaned.
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Man, a Lao Gan Ma head tube badge would be sweet. Maybe I should do that on my SP Cycle. I'm addicted to the stuff.
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Cardio night
Hey what size is this frame? Thanks!
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Man, a Lao Gan Ma head tube badge would be sweet. Maybe I should do that on my SP Cycle. I'm addicted to the stuff.
You guys mean like the chili sauce? That F'n hilarious.
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yesterday i build mine from yoho. everything was ok. A little difficult with the cables from ltwoo but it wasn't terrible. The brake cables went through easily and the handlebars too. The rear wheel is centered.
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guys don't ride fakes, its not worth it. you want a chiner at least go for evolve, seka, incolor, winspace, XDS
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yesterday i build mine from yoho. everything was ok. A little difficult with the cables from ltwoo but it wasn't terrible. The brake cables went through easily and the handlebars too. The rear wheel is centered.
Did they include thru axles?
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Did they include thru axles?
yes with factor logos on it
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yes with factor logos on it
Nice. I ordered a frame. Just wondering what I need to buy because it would be my first time building one. Apart from the groupset which I found on Ali, what else is needed?
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Nice. I ordered a frame. Just wondering what I need to buy because it would be my first time building one. Apart from the groupset which I found on Ali, what else is needed?
ask to send you garmin holder and bottom bracket as a gift.
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Update on my situation if anyone is interested:
I've been back and forth with the seller from RK Ultra (FC Carbon) in the last few days. I provided a lot of proof of the issue, including a report conducted by a bike shop outlining that the frame has a manufacturing issue and is unsafe to use. The seller initially offered me a 50% refund to keep the frame or a full refund upon receiving the returned frame. I told them that I will return the frame as long as they can guarantee me that they will cover the shipping costs, but they haven't been able to confirm this to me this clearly. I also offered to provide proof of destroying the frame to show that I'm not trying to get a second frame for free.
At this point, I am going to make a claim through AliExpress. As far as I'm concerned, my evidence is very strong that the frame has a manufacturing defect, even though the seller continues to state that the problem is solely that I'm dissatisfied with the product.
I'm disappointed to have received a frame with a problem, but I understand that even though this should have been caught, mistakes happen. I'm much more disappointed in their consistant denail, and insistance that the only issue is me being dissatisfied with the product. He said that they cannot confirm it is a manufacturing issue until they receive the frame.
I bought from them becasue the quality seemed to be the best on offer, but at this point I can't recommend anyone to go through either of these sellers. I will look at Yohobike for the next frame if the refund goes through because the quality seems to be good in the recent posts.
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Yoho quality may seems fine, but keep in mind that they sold a frame that self broke at the bottom bracket not so long ago.
And in term of after sales service they seem as bad as RK, since they tried to ghost the guy in the first place, finally taking action after the guy made bad press on all over the Internet
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lol! Are you trolling, what happened? pics of your frame posted on this thread have certainly driven a lot of sales for F-C Carbon / MK ultra?
there were people who immediately noticed my color scheme was not part of factor's offering, so i had to lie to them that I ordered it through prisma studio, then they gave me a "oh yeah i see" kinda look. screw these idiots why can't they go about their own lives?
Anyway Serge, I now ride an authentic enve melee and authentic scott addict gravel with fake handlebars (because no one will call them out, right?).
I also actively call out fake frames in group rides and shame them publicly and feel very good about myself afterwards.
/s
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Let me help you old man, on The Internet, /s means sarcasm lol
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Back from the first ride, with all my teeth intact.
Frame feels good and stiff, no issues ripping it up climbs and sprints.
No other issues either, like creaks, instability or slipping seatpost (i didn't put grease, just torqued to Factor's specs), FYI i am 84kg
Also accidentally went over a huge pothole no issues, which I will consider the structural test 😂
TCR currently waiting a new stem (bolt snapped in old one RIP), before i can do any back-to-back comparisons (Same wheelset).
Still need to get my fitness back after joining the dad life so unable to make any "It's so slippery through the wind at 50kph" comments yet.
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Back from the first ride, with all my teeth intact.
Frame feels good and stiff, no issues ripping it up climbs and sprints.
No other issues either, like creaks, instability or slipping seatpost (i didn't put grease, just torqued to Factor's specs), FYI i am 84kg
Also accidentally went over a huge pothole no issues, which I will consider the structural test 😂
TCR currently waiting a new stem (bolt snapped in old one RIP), before i can do any back-to-back comparisons (Same wheelset).
Still need to get my fitness back after joining the dad life so unable to make any "It's so slippery through the wind at 50kph" comments yet.
Arghhh got a SL8 but this Factor is absolute beast
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Back from the first ride, with all my teeth intact.
Frame feels good and stiff, no issues ripping it up climbs and sprints.
No other issues either, like creaks, instability or slipping seatpost (i didn't put grease, just torqued to Factor's specs), FYI i am 84kg
Also accidentally went over a huge pothole no issues, which I will consider the structural test 😂
TCR currently waiting a new stem (bolt snapped in old one RIP), before i can do any back-to-back comparisons (Same wheelset).
Still need to get my fitness back after joining the dad life so unable to make any "It's so slippery through the wind at 50kph" comments yet.
use a Dremel to move the cages lower
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My finished build
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My finished build
How did the build go? How is the quality overall?
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Hello everyone.
New in this forum, I wanted to share my (extensive) experience.
First of all, counterfeit bikes are often talked about as being dangerous, etc... but they're no more dangerous than generic bikes. The important thing is to choose your supplier carefully. why a generic frame will be good and the same generic with brand sticker bad ? ::)
I've been riding generic and then counterfeit bikes for over 15 years, (around 7000 km/year) => about 150000km I've never had any problems (I've had two generic bikes, then an SL3 (3 years), 2 Venge (2016-19-2022) and other bikes
PS: The design (the shape of the bicycle) is not registered. It is the trademarks and logos that are registered.
my 2 Venge come from Eisen (but actually the seller is no longer responding, whether via WhatsApp, AliExpress, or their website. :'( )
I'm looking to buy one other, the Factor appeals to me. I've contacted quite a few suppliers...
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My finished build
wheels also from taiwan glory?
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very happy with the new bike. much stiffer than the sl8. very easy build without any problems. I'm wearing ltwoo erx v3 and tangoolas' 50 wheels.
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Hello everyone.
New in this forum, I wanted to share my (extensive) experience.
First of all, counterfeit bikes are often talked about as being dangerous, etc... but they're no more dangerous than generic bikes. The important thing is to choose your supplier carefully.
I've been riding generic and then counterfeit bikes for over 15 years (I've had two generic bikes, then an SL3 (3 years), a McLaren Venge (4 years), a Venge (2019, 5 years), and an SL8 until now. I've never had any problems (around 7000 km/year) => about 150000km
PS: The design (the shape of the bicycle) is not registered. It is the trademarks and logos that are registered.
my 2 Venge ans my SL8 come from Eisen (but actually the seller is no longer responding, whether via WhatsApp, AliExpress, or their website. :'( )
I had a bad fall recently and my bike is broken, so I'm looking to replace it and the Factor appeals to me. I've contacted quite a few suppliers...
I'm looking for ... I wrote to:
Luci Carbon:doesn't have version i want but showed me a cervélo with a similar color, so it might work. I asked for photos of the inside of the frame and the weight for a size 52 and prices
Taiwan Glory Bike: Very responsive. He provided me with HD photos of the frame and interior and confirmed EPS. Weight of the raw frame (900g). amazing Price : 750 euros including shipping with XDB)
Polar Bicycle Store:Weight 860g (but I don't know if that's without the frame or with the screws). The price is high (around 1050 euros including shipping via XDB).
ApexStorm : 955 euros with XDB
and Eisen (no answer due to ???)
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Hello, first time post but thought I would share my frameset coming from Yoho. Will be coming from a legit V1 Ostro so I will try to compare the two once I transfer the parts over after the frameset arrives. Went down a size on the rep to a 56 vs a 58 though.
As others pointed out, communication with Tom after initial purchase requires a good deal of patience but took around a month from ordering to shipping.
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Just finished putting together my Factor OSTRO VAM 2.0 build and thought I’d share some details for anyone interested — especially as there isn’t a huge amount of real-world info out there yet.
Frameset: Factor OSTRO VAM 2.0 (size 56cm)
Purchased from Mirror Carbon Fiber Store on AliExpress.
The buying process was a bit odd at first — the store page itself isn’t very helpful (I assume because this is essentially a “replica”), and communication only really got going once I reached out via AliExpress messages. After that, it was pretty smooth.
They sent me a Flickr album with a ton of paint options to choose from. Once I’d made my choice and asked a few questions, I placed the order and paid through AliExpress as instructed.
🕒 Timeline:
~4 weeks from payment to dispatch
~2 additional weeks stuck at the airport in China before it finally moved
Included in the package:
Frame, fork, seatpost
Darimo Nexum Drag (copy) cockpit – 120/380
Headset, spacers, top cap, expander
Seatpost collar + internal clamp
Thru-axles and small hardware bits
Build Details:
Groupset (reused from previous bike):
Shimano 105 Di2 12-speed – shifters, calipers, derailleurs
Wheels:
Serenade carbon – 50mm rear / 40mm front
Carbon spokes, lightweight hubs – 1188g for the pair
(Posted about these separately – really happy with them so far.)
Drivetrain & Components:
ZTTO Ultimate 12s 11–34T cassette (185g)
ZTTO 12s oilslick ultralight chain
GUB ceramic T47a bottom bracket
RYET OSPW
BigRock 165mm carbon cranks (24mm Ti spindle)
XCadey spider power meter
Pass Quest aero 52/36T chainrings
Onirii carbon pedals (Ti axles)
Superlight bottle cages
Berijie carbon shell saddle (105g)
Weight:
👉 7.03 kg as pictured
It’s been pretty wet and miserable here lately so I’ve only done a couple of short laps around the estate, but everything’s working perfectly so far. Really happy with how it’s come together and looking forward to getting some proper rides in when the weather improves.
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Nice frames guys, thinking about getting me a clear coat 56frame as well somewhere next year, gonna use my 105di2 group as well so hope to be around the same weight.
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Nice frames guys, thinking about getting me a clear coat 56frame as well somewhere next year, gonna use my 105di2 group as well so hope to be around the same weight.
My bare frame was 917gr (think it was advertised as 880 but I wasn't gonna send it back! Less than 5% variance) - The heavy bits of 105 are the chainset, chain & cassette, so make sure you swap those out to get the weight down. The ZTTO ultimate cassette is 170gr lighter than 105
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@robinoco
Do you have previous experience on the longevity and performance of the ZTTO items and the chainrings?
Also how easy or difficult was it to put on the OSPW?
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@robinoco
Do you have previous experience on the longevity and performance of the ZTTO items and the chainrings?
Also how easy or difficult was it to put on the OSPW?
Hey - Yeah I do have a little previous with the ZTTO cassettes - This Ultimate one is better than some of the cheaper models. They use Alu for some of the bigger sprockets whereas the Ultimate is milled completely from steel. It probably won't last as well as Dura Ace, but is lighter AND costs 1/4 what they do. The Pass Quest rings are good too. I like to keep my drivetrain clean & use wax, which helps with the longevity too.
Fitting the OSPW was a doddle - done in a couple of minutes. I read someone used one of these & the bolt through one of the pulleys came out during a ride not long after installation, so I put thread lock on the bolts before installation, just to make sure the same doesn't happen to me.
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Hello ZTTO K7 have a poor life time (about 1500-2000km max), for the lightest (Alu).
For me , regarding price, It's a good purchase for the mountains, because it's lightweight and I don't go there often, so the k7 will last me 2-3 years.
I also tested the chains and it's the same, limited lifespan, so not worth it compared to a SRAM Force or Ultegra.
Otherwise, I just ordered an Ostro ::) (Size 54 - handlebar 400/100 - Scarab finish
a pair of wheels, (40/50 + Carbons Spokes + DT240 Hubs type
and a SRAM Force AXS (D2) groupset,
as well as a Rotor Aldhu Carbon crankset and all necessary parts for assembly (T47b bottom bracket, and other custom parts etc.).
I'll keep you updated on the build, weight, price, quality, and seller... and of course my feelings with this new bike
[HELP NEEDED]
In the meantime, I'm looking to buy the spacers that go between the handlebars and the frame, as well as the fork expander.
Do you have any links, because I can't find any?
Thanks. 8)
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My finished build
Hello @deltrum, were do you found blackinc bottle cage ?
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from Factorbikes.com
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What are your recommendations to get the Fauxtro from? I have seen several AliX shops and also TanTan/Seraph and Yoho bikes and I'm not sure where to get the "best" deal in terms of price and
quality. Cheapest option seems to be Tantan/Seraph via AliX (okay frame is then all black)
Having read all of this thread I come to the conclusion: Tawain Glory (propably Yohobikes) with good reputation and solid frame, Polar Bike in most cases a really good frame (one really crap one), TanTan offering a similar frame, not all the same (esp. derailleur hanger and headset
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I just ordered from Taiwan Glory about 10 days ago, because Yohobike ghosted me after two WhatsApp messages. Unsure if they are the same entity or not, but Taiwan Glory was somewhat cheaper (and definitely more responsive).
Still waiting for QC photos.
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Taiwan Luci and Carbon Superlight Evo store should be the same, at least I got the same pictures when I asked for their framesets
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I just ordered from Taiwan Glory about 10 days ago, because Yohobike ghosted me after two WhatsApp messages. Unsure if they are the same entity or not, but Taiwan Glory was somewhat cheaper (and definitely more responsive).
Still waiting for QC photos.
yoho, taiwan glory and rocking cycling are the same. You are still dealing with Lili or Tom. the main key with communicating with yoho is really patience and be persistent. pester them with texts and they will reply.
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Im thinking of ordering a frome from Taiwan Glory. I know there are a few people who have frames from there.
Could anyone tell me how stiff these frames are?
Thanks
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I ordered from them, but I haven't received the frame (and wheels) yet, so I can't comment on its use ans on it stiff.
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Hi guys, new to the forum, and this is my first post. I've stumbled upon this thread a couple of months ago, and after research provided by you guys, I've pulled the trigger on my first chinese frame. I've bought Ostro vam 2.0 frame from Taiwan Glory, had contact with Tom on Whatsapp. I've ordered size 58 in purple to blue chameleon color with a 42cm wide handlebar.
Just a bit of the timeline, I've contacted Tom regarding frames on 21.10., after back an forth on colors and information we agreed on 665€ direct bank transfer. I confirmed and paid 50% on 24.10., and got the news on 10.11., that the frame is ready. I sent the other 50% of the money the same day. Frame was packed on 13.11. and shipped on 15.11., it arrived in Belgium on 23.11., and was delivered by DPD to my doorstep in Slovenia yesterday the 28.11. So 5 weeks from the day of contacting to the frame beeing delivered, I think that is quite fast.
The frame was packed well, and the box was not damaged in the transport.
The first impressions of the frame are great, the paintjob looks very good, and the inside walls look very clean and neat. We also agreed with Tom that he will provide the BB for the price, but it was not in the box, I contacted him today, he apologised and said that he'll send it. I had to pay 1.1€ aliexpress fee for creating a tracking number. We'll see...
I will make some detailed pictures and I'll weigh everything in a couple of days.
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Hi guys, new to the forum, and this is my first post. I've stumbled upon this thread a couple of months ago, and after research provided by you guys, I've pulled the trigger on my first chinese frame. I've bought Ostro vam 2.0 frame from Taiwan Glory, had contact with Tom on Whatsapp. I've ordered size 58 in purple to blue chameleon color with a 42cm wide handlebar.
Just a bit of the timeline, I've contacted Tom regarding frames on 21.10., after back an forth on colors and information we agreed on 665€ direct bank transfer. I confirmed and paid 50% on 24.10., and got the news on 10.11., that the frame is ready. I sent the other 50% of the money the same day. Frame was packed on 13.11. and shipped on 15.11., it arrived in Belgium on 23.11., and was delivered by DPD to my doorstep in Slovenia yesterday the 28.11. So 5 weeks from the day of contacting to the frame beeing delivered, I think that is quite fast.
The frame was packed well, and the box was not damaged in the transport.
The first impressions of the frame are great, the paintjob looks very good, and the inside walls look very clean and neat. We also agreed with Tom that he will provide the BB for the price, but it was not in the box, I contacted him today, he apologised and said that he'll send it. I had to pay 1.1€ aliexpress fee for creating a tracking number. We'll see...
I will make some detailed pictures and I'll weigh everything in a couple of days.
Nice paint choice! That said I can't resist the hologram decals on these frames. Looks very neat round the BB. Interested to see the weights and how you build it up.
Mine should be here in a few weeks, I've just ordered an Ultegra Di2 groupset for a decent Black Friday price.
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For your information Taiwan Glory = Yohobike.
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Nice paint choice! That said I can't resist the hologram decals on these frames. Looks very neat round the BB. Interested to see the weights and how you build it up.
Mine should be here in a few weeks, I've just ordered an Ultegra Di2 groupset for a decent Black Friday price.
I also love the hologram decals, espesially on raw carbon. But I think that with this color choice it would look a bit over the top. I am really happy the way it turned out white white decals.
I also chose Ultegra Di2.
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Hi guys, new to the forum, and this is my first post. I've stumbled upon this thread a couple of months ago, and after research provided by you guys, I've pulled the trigger on my first chinese frame. I've bought Ostro vam 2.0 frame from Taiwan Glory, had contact with Tom on Whatsapp. I've ordered size 58 in purple to blue chameleon color with a 42cm wide handlebar.
Just a bit of the timeline, I've contacted Tom regarding frames on 21.10., after back an forth on colors and information we agreed on 665€ direct bank transfer. I confirmed and paid 50% on 24.10., and got the news on 10.11., that the frame is ready. I sent the other 50% of the money the same day. Frame was packed on 13.11. and shipped on 15.11., it arrived in Belgium on 23.11., and was delivered by DPD to my doorstep in Slovenia yesterday the 28.11. So 5 weeks from the day of contacting to the frame beeing delivered, I think that is quite fast.
The frame was packed well, and the box was not damaged in the transport.
The first impressions of the frame are great, the paintjob looks very good, and the inside walls look very clean and neat. We also agreed with Tom that he will provide the BB for the price, but it was not in the box, I contacted him today, he apologised and said that he'll send it. I had to pay 1.1€ aliexpress fee for creating a tracking number. We'll see...
I will make some detailed pictures and I'll weigh everything in a couple of days.
Check page 35 of this thread - my build is the same colourway. Awesome frame.
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Check page 35 of this thread - my build is the same colourway. Awesome frame.
I know, when I saw your pictures, I decided for Taiwan Glory and this colorway ;D I wanted a Trek Domane in similar color in Covid times, but I couldn't get one then. The pictures don't give justice to the color in real life.
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Can anyone give contact to Tom from Taiwan Glory?
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Any interest in a top-tier carbon, 56cm v1 that started this thread? I have about 1000 km on mine. Having some health issues that will keep me from riding for the foreseeable future.
Guess everyone might have moved onto the v2 reps now but I can put up an ad in the buy/sell subforum if desired.
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New to the forum, so sorry if i shouldnt be asking her, but being its about the factor i figure maybe a good place to ask.
I got this bike locally last night. Is there a way to tell if the frame is good quality. I was told it was a China frame before i bought, but with the components, it was too good to pass on.
Again, if im jacking your post im sorry and will delete.
tahnks!
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New to the forum, so sorry if i shouldnt be asking her, but being its about the factor i figure maybe a good place to ask.
I got this bike locally last night. Is there a way to tell if the frame is good quality. I was told it was a China frame before i bought, but with the components, it was too good to pass on.
Again, if im jacking your post im sorry and will delete.
tahnks!
You can open the bottom bracket and have a look into the frame and see if everything is smooth, thats more or less all you can do in my eyes, but if it's smooth it's not a guarantee the frame is good quality and also not every unsmooth frame is shit
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Can anyone give contact to Tom from Taiwan Glory?
+86 136 7012 0157
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New to the forum, so sorry if i shouldnt be asking her, but being its about the factor i figure maybe a good place to ask.
I got this bike locally last night. Is there a way to tell if the frame is good quality. I was told it was a China frame before i bought, but with the components, it was too good to pass on.
Again, if im jacking your post im sorry and will delete.
tahnks!
You know enve wheels are false too ? !
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You can open the bottom bracket and have a look into the frame and see if everything is smooth, thats more or less all you can do in my eyes, but if it's smooth it's not a guarantee the frame is good quality and also not every unsmooth frame is shit
Weigh it, see if it's heavy like a tank. Ride it, try some sprints, see if it's flexy. Hit a few potholes, see if it snaps.
If it passes all those tests, you're probably good ;)
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Look, I have a generic SL8 (let's call it a counterfeit because it has the S-Works stickers, and remove them to say it's a generic).
This bike (come from Eisen) handles 1500W sprints without any problem.
It also, unintentionally, took a fall downhill at 50 km/h (the fork cracked where it attaches to the thru-axle).
All this to say that we often hear that counterfeit bikes are dangerous (the rhetoric of the brands that suffer the damage) without ever seeing any real durability tests.
If you don't want any problems, choose a supplier with a proven track record (tested here by the community).
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I saw this bike on local FB Marketplace. The seller was selling the fairly cheap and even said the wheels are generic he just put nice stickers on them. Having said that, there are plenty of cheap wheels out there (I ride cheapest Superteams for now 3 years on one of my bikes) and the frame, well any frame can have issues. Test if over pot holes, do some hops, and see. I would worry more about the handlebar than anything else tbh.
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sold mine last night, been a good ride.
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how are those who got the darimo bars installing them onto the D steerer with the spacers? there doesnt seem to be a way to feed it into the outer slit for the darimo opening ...
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Would you send these back or go for a partial refund and new set of stickers?
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What's go wrong ? I don't see sorry
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Is it the position and orientation of the stickers that don't match the original?
If they're stickers, you just need to buy new ones and replace them, but it seems to me they're painted, right?
It's still a copy, so it's normal that it doesn't look exactly like the original, hahaha ::)
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Is it the position and orientation of the stickers that don't match the original?
If they're stickers, you just need to buy new ones and replace them, but it seems to me they're painted, right?
It's still a copy, so it's normal that it doesn't look exactly like the original, hahaha ::)
Bingo. The bottom stickers are good but the BLACKINK and the BI are in the wrong places.
my friend got these build with proper DT180 hubs, how they managed to get the stickers on wrong is beyond me. otherwise, great quality build wheelset.
Not sure whether to return or just ask for new stickers. I told him to return these because it will a real pain to put the stickers on properly.
Actually, I went to see these today. Seem like they completely messed up the front wheel. All the stickers are in the wrong places and the 48-50 are not even aligned with the valve hole.
To me this is something that once seen, cannot be unseen.
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just buy new sticker. Easy to install !
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Or just remove them so you're not riding around with illegal fakes...
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Or just remove them so you're not riding around with illegal fakes...
Whats the process of removing these cleanly? Heatgun and peel then polish up with googone?
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Whats the process of removing these cleanly? Heatgun and peel then polish up with googone?
I would use a hairdryer. Chances are the decals come off clean.
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He decided to send them back. One less fake item out there if you ask me is a good thing.
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Are bars on this frame replacable?
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Are bars on this frame replacable?
Why would they NOT be?
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Round 2... from Yoho this time. Hoping I was just unlucky last time and there are no issues here. Frame should be shipping soon.
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Update on my frame with some pictures. The inside walls look clean and neat. The frame itself, with all the screws and derailleur hangers weights 1142g in size 58, the fork is 426g, seat post 204g and the black inc 420/90 replica handlebar is 370g.
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Some more pictures of the seatpost, fork and handlebar.
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What bottom brackets are you guys using with your frame?
Anyone has a link for me?
Please
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What bottom brackets are you guys using with your frame?
Anyone has a link for me?
Please
T47A version of this one, available in 24, DUB or 30 (T47-2479, T47-2979 or T47-3079). I wouldn't get the ceramic version.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003124765596.html
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Update on my frame with some pictures. The inside walls look clean and neat. The frame itself, with all the screws and derailleur hangers weights 1142g in size 58, the fork is 426g, seat post 204g and the black inc 420/90 replica handlebar is 370g.
That sounds freakishly light for the fork, especially if you haven't cut the steerer yet. Factor claimed weight I think is around 460gms, and rep ones are coming in at more like 490gms (painted).
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Any aero bottles recommendation for this frame?
And also if anyone is using TT clip on bars, would appreciate recommendation.
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That sounds freakishly light for the fork, especially if you haven't cut the steerer yet. Factor claimed weight I think is around 460gms, and rep ones are coming in at more like 490gms (painted).
Actually the weight of the fork is pretty much spot on, referencing yohobikes web page. I feels well made, so I'm not worried, for now ::)
Also an update, Tom stuck to his word, just received the BB they've forgot to package with the frame.
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The Yohobikes webpage says 420+/-10gms but then the photo underneath on the same page shows a bare fork at 472 grams.
Sounds like you just got lucky ;) !
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Hey guys.
New to the forum and got inspired to buy one from this thread.
I was wondering if anyone has successfully fit a genuine Ostro VAM 2.0 seatpost into a replica frame. I received my seatpost yesterday and tried installing the HY/Hylix post, but it wouldn’t fit. After measuring, I found that the HY seatpost was 1mm longer front-to-back (along the bike’s longitudinal axis).
I’m trying to figure out whether this is an issue with the seatpost itself, or if the replica frames use a slightly different seatpost spec compared to the genuine one. Any insight would be appreciated.
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Hi guys! I'm scoping on this frame some time now, not sure if I should go for it. Currently on VB268, pretty satisfied, only paint job seems pretty weak here with velobuild. Anyways, I wonder if there's anyone here my size proportions so I can get some reference on sizing. In short, anyone with around 183-187 height who bought this frame, what size did you choose? Another reference, my VB268 is L, and my inseam is 86, saddle to bb is 78.5cm.
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56 or 58
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Let me introduce you to my newly assembled Chinator (I will Update this post later)
But first, a word of warning: I ordered this frame with a pair of wheels from Taiwan Glory Bike (Tom).
He shipped my frame a little late, claiming the wheels weren't ready (okay, no problem for me).
But unfortunately, I only received the frame kit and no wheels >:( :'(.
I contacted Tom on Friday (whatapps), but haven't received a reply... Message unread until today, and the same on Ali.
I just hope my wheels will be shipped soon.
Voici quelques infos sur le kit cadre. Poids estimé 7.5Kg tout compris (je mettrai le fichier excel de configuration avec les poids.)
Le cadre (taille 54) est avec la peinture Scarab "brown to purple". Il pese 1076gr (avec patte de dérailleur AV et AR + insert axe traversant AR)
Here's some information about the frameset. Estimated weight 7.5 kg fully assembled (I'll include the configuration Excel file with the weights).
The frame (size 54) is finished in Scarab "brown to purple" paint. It weighs 1076 g (including front and rear derailleur hangers and a rear thru-axle insert).
First, let me introduce detail
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Last
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Last
Could you use an endoscopic camera to see the carbon layup please ?
PS : Merci pour la traduction.
Thanks for the translation.
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J'ai regardé dans le cadre, et c'est nickel (tresse en 3K parfaitement lisse).
I looked in the frame, and it's perfect (3K braid perfectly smooth).
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The wheels currently installed are my existing wheels, not the ones I ordered (estimated at 1180g).
I can't install the chain and test the bike because my wheels are 11-speed, while the bike has a 12-speed SRAM drivetrain :'(
I encountered a few problems during assembly.
- It was difficult to route the brake hose through the fork (about 30min ???)
- Regarding the finish, I had to lightly sand the headset bearing surfaces (a small imperfection, nothing serious).
- The Black Inc. combo cover is a disaster (see photo).
Otherwise, I changed or installed titanium bolts in various places.
I also replaced the seatpost clamp with an original one I had at home (Specialized Venge original).
I protected the frame with a ceramic coating (GEYON PURE EVO 2) and also added a protective film to critical areas.
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Let me introduce you to my newly assembled Chinator (I will Update this post later)
But first, a word of warning: I ordered this frame with a pair of wheels from Taiwan Glory Bike (Tom).
He shipped my frame a little late, claiming the wheels weren't ready (okay, no problem for me).
But unfortunately, I only received the frame kit and no wheels >:( :'(.
I contacted Tom on Friday (whatapps), but haven't received a reply... Message unread until today, and the same on Ali.
I just hope my wheels will be shipped soon.
FYI: I spoke to Tom on WhatsApp; he just gave me the tracking number for the wheels (without explaining why they weren't sent with the frame).
Anyway, the important thing is that they're safe! To be continued...
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- The Black Inc. combo cover is a disaster (see photo).
.
[/list]
i find screw with smaller head and sit little better.
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yes same for me, but the cover is very bad (look at my picture)
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Any of you guys ride that frame yet, specifically one from Tom? Wanna know how it feels and what do you think about it.
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Update as of this writing. Changed my wheelset to 24/34mm int/ext, wrapped with 30mm tires. Stiff yet forgiving.
Cheers and Happy New Year. Ride safe
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Just poppin in here. Does anyone know which supplier is making the nicest copy of the frame in terms of this special carbon layer optic of the black models. Searching the closest replica. Would appreciate any advice.
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Any of you guys ride that frame yet, specifically one from Tom? Wanna know how it feels and what do you think about it.
Première sortie hier (65km) et une autre aujourd'hui (75km), les 2 a 29 de moyenne. Il fait très froid (<0 °C).
Je considère que le vélo est facile à rouler, très rigide au niveau du boîtier de pédalier, et dans l'ensemble également.il filtre bien les vibrations, il est confortable. Pour l'emmener en Danseuse, il faut une très bonne synchronisation des mouvements sous peine de rester planté. J'ai un ami qui a un ostro vam 1.0, on fera un essai croisé.
A suivre pour le ressenti car je n'ai pas encore trouvé une selle qui me convienne ce qui ne me permet pas de bien sentir le vélo. De plus, je dois encore installer les roues définitives (gain 500gr), et faire des tests de puissance ( sprint à 1500w). Mais là, c'est l'hiver donc pour le moment je fais plutôt du foncier !
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Première sortie hier (65km) et une autre aujourd'hui (75km), les 2 a 29 de moyenne. Il fait très froid (<0 °C).
Je considère que le vélo est facile à rouler, très rigide au niveau du boîtier de pédalier, et dans l'ensemble également.il filtre bien les vibrations, il est confortable. Pour l'emmener en Danseuse, il faut une très bonne synchronisation des mouvements sous peine de rester planté. J'ai un ami qui a un ostro vam 1.0, on fera un essai croisé.
A suivre pour le ressenti car je n'ai pas encore trouvé une selle qui me convienne ce qui ne me permet pas de bien sentir le vélo. De plus, je dois encore installer les roues définitives (gain 500gr), et faire des tests de puissance ( sprint à 1500w). Mais là, c'est l'hiver donc pour le moment je fais plutôt du foncier !
Have you tried the ryet saddle with the narrow nose?
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Nope, I have bought a REFORM Seymour saddle, but after molding, unfortunately, it's not really a success for my backside.
I will try the Ryet saddle that I bought
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Le capot du combo blackinc n'était vraiment pas terrible en terme de finition, j'ai donc décidé de le réajuster.
Voici le résultat Avant (première photo)/ Après photo 2 et 3
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Original fit was pretty brutal :/
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My finished build
You need to take a size 56 !
you have too much spacer under your stem
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You need to take a size 56 !
you have too much spacer under your stem
So are you a bike fitter now? lol ;D
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You need to take a size 56 !
you have too much spacer under your stem
Joke right? If joke then include a ;) :)
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No, it's not a joke, and yes, I'm a bit of a riding position expert. When I see that seat height and the spacer height, I figure the person must be around 180cm tall. Also, it's forbidden to use more than 4cm of spacer. Anyway, that's just advice; I'm not the one riding that! :o
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No, it's not a joke, and yes, I'm a bit of a riding position expert. When I see that seat height and the spacer height, I figure the person must be around 180cm tall. Also, it's forbidden to use more than 4cm of spacer. Anyway, that's just advice; I'm not the one riding that! :o
I dont think the bike the used bought it too small BUT its a wrong bike for them for sure. People buy aero bikes for looks and then struggle to get any use of the aero position because of their limitations due to sore back etc. I think the bike is the correct size, just a VERY wrong type of a bike.
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No, it's not a joke, and yes, I'm a bit of a riding position expert. When I see that seat height and the spacer height, I figure the person must be around 180cm tall. Also, it's forbidden to use more than 4cm of spacer. Anyway, that's just advice; I'm not the one riding that! :o
dude just shut up. you haven't even seen the man who's riding this bike and you're out here saying their bike is wrong size.
And are you the UCI now? saying it's "forbidden" to use more than 4cm spacer?? what a joke!
Shut up and just ride your fake Ostro!
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Relax, I didn't insult you, so please remain courteous and polite.
As for the 4cm max, just take the time to read the instructions; it'll educate you. And whoever liked this kind of comment can do the same.
Since I'm making an observation and a recommendation, I'm not forcing anyone to listen, but since we're on a forum where mutual support and goodwill are valued rather than hatred, I'm trying to help, unlike this pointless post! ::)
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You need to take a size 56 !
you have too much spacer under your stem
Saddle to hb drop is really not that high. And those spacers, sure, maybe a bit taller side, but also not THAT tall. I would say he's in between sizes, chose smaller and adjusted with spacers. He could use larger size, but it's not a "must" imo.
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Hello, Warning and remember.
When you have to compensate for the head tube height with too many spacers, it's a clear sign that the bike is too small. In conclusion, either the rider is too tall and/or not flexible enough, regardless, this frame size or geometry is completely unsuitable. Consider going up a size and shortening the stem. You could also consider foregoing a combo handlebar to reverse the stem angle (-6° to +6°) and gain some height.
It is very dangerous to exceed the specifications. Risk of Pivot breakage (see excerpt from the Ostro VAM 2.0 assembly manual).
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Relax, I didn't insult you, so please remain courteous and polite.
As for the 4cm max, just take the time to read the instructions; it'll educate you. And whoever liked this kind of comment can do the same.
Since I'm making an observation and a recommendation, I'm not forcing anyone to listen, but since we're on a forum where mutual support and goodwill are valued rather than hatred, I'm trying to help, unlike this pointless post! ::)
let me also teach you internet forum etiquette.
"If no one is asking for your opinion, just shut up"
The guy just really posted his ride; not asking for anything. They are not even consulting if the bike is too small or big.
Is OP your friend? how would you know he needs a different size of bike? how? how?
Just because you read "warning" on some user manual that on one ever reads, doesn't mean you can come here acting like you're the best bike fitter who can easily determine the correct size for the rider.
Again, you're a joke! ;D
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dude just shut up. you haven't even seen the man who's riding this bike and you're out here saying their bike is wrong size.
And are you the UCI now? saying it's "forbidden" to use more than 4cm spacer?? what a joke!
Shut up and just ride your fake Ostro!
4cm of spacers is a joke and you're the one who should shut up
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let me also teach you internet forum etiquette.
"If no one is asking for your opinion, just shut up"
The guy just really posted his ride; not asking for anything. They are not even consulting if the bike is too small or big.
Is OP your friend? how would you know he needs a different size of bike? how? how?
Just because you read "warning" on some user manual that on one ever reads, doesn't mean you can come here acting like you're the best bike fitter who can easily determine the correct size for the rider.
Again, you're a joke! ;D
;D You made my day with a good laugh. You're a joke all by yourself.
You contribute nothing to this forum except your gratuitous attacks.
You don't read and you ask questions that have already been answered.
You invent rules that suit you.
1/ When you post on social media, you have to accept receiving criticism as long as it remains constructive. Freedom of expression, respectful debate based on facts and rules. Once again, I'm making an observation, relying on best practices, and highlighting points of vigilance regarding risks. This is just my opinion, but I'm not the one who would have problems.
2/ If manufacturers inform you of risks, it's not just for show (would you put diesel in a gasoline car despite the warning light???). You'll be at 20 Nm when they tell you 15 max? The UCI has nothing to do with this; it's engineering.
3/ I never claimed to be the best fitter in the world; in fact, I'm not a fitter. You're making things up to bolster your denialist rhetoric.
Conclusion. You're a forum troll.
Take a coffee and go ride, please ::)
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What's the overall opinion on the best supplier of the V2? Currently Taiwan Eisen Carbon Frame Store looks great on their website. I've ordered a frame from rocking cycle store in the past and that was great, had a few annoying things but was safe and great to ride. Taiwan Glory frames on here look good but that top cap issue would annoy me.
I couldnt find F-C on aliexpress do they still exist?
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I have Leese cranks.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EvzFpQU
Does anyone know how many spacers should I use between Bottom bracket and cranks?
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I have Leese cranks.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EvzFpQU
Does anyone know how many spacers should I use between Bottom bracket and cranks?
If I remember properly, 1mm on the drive side. But in general, as many as it takes to get the preload right and the cranks centered on the frame.
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It will also matter which BB you went with, t47 or t47A.
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T47a on ostro
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T47a on ostro
Should be used. But many people are using t47 and stacking spacers on one side to make it "work". Then complain about the frame or BB quality.
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What's the overall opinion on the best supplier of the V2? Currently Taiwan Eisen Carbon Frame Store looks great on their website. I've ordered a frame from rocking cycle store in the past and that was great, had a few annoying things but was safe and great to ride. Taiwan Glory frames on here look good but that top cap issue would annoy me.
I couldnt find F-C on aliexpress do they still exist?
I've just received mine from Taiwan Eisen. Looks absolutely stunning. The paint and graphics are perfect. I've not fully built it yet but everything has fitted perfect so far (Headset bearings, seatpost etc). The stem top cap is correct but the bolt is the wrong type. It's a standard cap head but I think it should be a dome so it sticks up above the cap. Ill have to get he right bolt.
My only concern is the bars feel quite flexible but I've not cut the stearer or clamped anything down correctly so hopefully it should be ok.
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Taiwan eisen ? This is not about Peter.
This is Joe from Vanobike ?
I don't know why he is using "Taiwan eisen" name
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Should be used. But many people are using t47 and stacking spacers on one side to make it "work". Then complain about the frame or BB quality.
Sure ! When don't know how to assemble a bike, don't come complaining 😅. If Factor says to use T47a tubing, why would you want to use T47 tubing? 🤔
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Update as of this writing. Changed my wheelset to 24/34mm int/ext, wrapped with 30mm tires. Stiff yet forgiving.
Cheers and Happy New Year. Ride safe
They look really good, Where did you get your wheels?
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Taiwan eisen ? This is not about Peter.
This is Joe from Vanobike ?
I don't know why he is using "Taiwan eisen" name
What?
P..S. Now I've cut down the stearer the stem cap doesn't fit like the other one. Still feels very flexible compared to my fake sl7 bars (very stiff) and my fake sl8 bar/stem. (Somewhere in the middle) Even my 140mm ally stem with 44mm bars on my indoor trainer moves less.
At this rate I'm going to have to put on a separate bar and wait for a genuine bar to come up on ebay. Wasn't really the size I wanted anyway but they didn't do 120/38.
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Anyone have a link to the Yohobikes ? Interested in this frame , a lot :) !!!
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So who's the best to buy from for the 2.0?
1)Taiwan Glory Bike store
2)Polar Bicycle Sore
3)Taiwan Yohobike Store
4)Taiwan factorybike parts store
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So who's the best to buy from for the 2.0?
1)Taiwan Glory Bike store
2)Polar Bicycle Sore
3)Taiwan Yohobike Store
4)Taiwan factorybike parts store
For fake frames it's always a lottery. It doesn't matter the source.
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So who's the best to buy from for the 2.0?
1)Taiwan Glory Bike store
2)Polar Bicycle Sore
3)Taiwan Yohobike Store
4)Taiwan factorybike parts store
You could also consider TanTan with their TT-X71 which is heavily inspired from the 2.0 but has UDH
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Hi everyone,
I wanted to share a safety warning regarding my RK Ultra frame. While cleaning the bike today, I discovered a crack in the seat tube.
Key facts:
- Mileage: Approximately 2,500 km since mid-September 2025.
- Rider weight: 75 kg.
- Usage: No crashes, no impacts, and no improper handling.
- Maintenance: The bike was never clamped by the frame tubes in a repair stand or bike rack.
The crack must have surfaced during the last road ride. I have already contacted the AliExpress support to inquire about a warranty claim or refund. I’ll keep you updated on how they handle the situation.
Has anyone else experienced similar QC issues with this specific seller?
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Hi everyone,
I wanted to share a safety warning regarding my RK Ultra frame. While cleaning the bike today, I discovered a crack in the seat tube.
Key facts:
- Mileage: Approximately 2,500 km since mid-September 2025.
- Rider weight: 75 kg.
- Usage: No crashes, no impacts, and no improper handling.
- Maintenance: The bike was never clamped by the frame tubes in a repair stand or bike rack.
The crack must have surfaced during the last road ride. I have already contacted the AliExpress support to inquire about a warranty claim or refund. I’ll keep you updated on how they handle the situation.
Has anyone else experienced similar QC issues with this specific seller?
Could you tell how deep is your seatpost in the seat tube ?
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To my untrained eyes, this looks like your seat post slipped down too much and hit the frame. That caused the crack. Hardly the manufacturers fault etc. IF they honour this, you are a lucky dude.
The seat post should have been cut properly during the original assembly.
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To my untrained eyes, this looks like your seat post slipped down too much and hit the frame. That caused the crack. Hardly the manufacturers fault etc. IF they honour this, you are a lucky dude.
The seat post should have been cut properly during the original assembly.
+1
It is what I think and this is why I asked for the depth of the seatpost. Even if it has not slipped, too deep seat post can cause crack.
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Could you tell how deep is your seatpost in the seat tube ?
To my untrained eyes, this looks like your seat post slipped down too much and hit the frame. That caused the crack. Hardly the manufacturers fault etc. IF they honour this, you are a lucky dude.
The seat post should have been cut properly during the original assembly.
The seatpost was inserted to a depth of 17,5 cm, with the '10 marking' positioned roughly 0,5 cm above the frame opening.
The post never slipped during use. The frame’s maximum insertion depth is indicated by the '13 marking,' meaning there was still 3 cm of clearance between the end of the seatpost and the internal of the frame, more than enough safety margin. I have attached photos of the bottom of the seatpost to show there are absolutely no impact marks or signs of bottoming out. You can make out the insertion depth by the carbon grip compound.
For context: I am a mechanical engineering graduate student and have previous professional experience working in bike shops. I am very meticulous with maintenance; all bolts were tightened to spec using a calibrated torque wrench, and assembly was done following best practices.
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The seatpost was inserted to a depth of 17,5 cm, with the '10 marking' positioned roughly 0,5 cm above the frame opening.
The post never slipped during use. The frame’s maximum insertion depth is indicated by the '13 marking,' meaning there was still 3 cm of clearance between the end of the seatpost and the internal of the frame, more than enough safety margin. I have attached photos of the bottom of the seatpost to show there are absolutely no impact marks or signs of bottoming out. You can make out the insertion depth by the carbon grip compound.
For context: I am a mechanical engineering graduate student and have previous professional experience working in bike shops. I am very meticulous with maintenance; all bolts were tightened to spec using a calibrated torque wrench, and assembly was done following best practices.
Stupid question but what if the seatpost min/max insertion is the same for all sizes but matchs only for one size of the frame but not on the others sizes for the replica ?
Have you tried to send a message directly to the seller or only raise a dispute on AE ?
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Personally, I shortened the seatpost to avoid any problems. You also have some "cracking" on the two seatpost clamp bolts, which could be a cause for concern. Did you report this issue to the seller?
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Stupid question but what if the seatpost min/max insertion is the same for all sizes but matchs only for one size of the frame but not on the others sizes for the replica ?
Have you tried to send a message directly to the seller or only raise a dispute on AE ?
Personally, I shortened the seatpost to avoid any problems. You also have some "cracking" on the two seatpost clamp bolts, which could be a cause for concern. Did you report this issue to the seller?
I have not messaged the seller yet, only raised a dispute on AE.
As of now I have not received a reply.
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I have not messaged the seller yet, only raised a dispute on AE.
As of now I have not received a reply.
Send to the seller a message through Aliexpress or WhatsApp.
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Yes, sellers don't appreciate having disputes through AE. It's better to contact them directly to deal with them.
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Send to the seller a message through Aliexpress or WhatsApp.
I have messaged them via AE and WhatsApp, but their WA account has not been online since October.
RK and First Class are the same seller.
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I have messaged them via AE and WhatsApp, but their WA account has not been online since October.
RK and First Class are the same seller.
They sell the same products but They are not the same sellers and They don't share the same WA number.
For your information, the WA account of RK was active today.
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They sell the same products but They are not the same sellers and They don't share the same WA number.
For your information, the WA account of RK was active today.
Can you privately send me RKs WA contact?
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Can you privately send me RKs WA contact?
I sent you a private message.
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This sucks, but also is a real puzzle.
I'm not an engineer and haven't worked in a bike shop, but I have snapped my share of frames. Two on the chainstays and one round the bottom bracket. But never in the middle of the seattube.
It's not a high stress area. It is hard to see what could have caused it apart from seat post impact unless the carbon was badly laid up and disasterously thin in that particular spot. Which is not impossible, because there's that frame in the TanTan thread that arrived with a hole in the chainstay... ???
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This sucks, but also is a real puzzle.
I'm not an engineer and haven't worked in a bike shop, but I have snapped my share of frames. Two on the chainstays and one round the bottom bracket. But never in the middle of the seattube.
It's not a high stress area. It is hard to see what could have caused it apart from seat post impact unless the carbon was badly laid up and disasterously thin in that particular spot. Which is not impossible, because there's that frame in the TanTan thread that arrived with a hole in the chainstay... ???
Actually, the mid-section of the seat tube is a highly dynamic area under significant stress.
While it might seem 'low stress' at a glance, the seatpost acts as a long lever arm. This lever generates a substantial bending moment that must be absorbed by the seat tube. As shown in my sketch (and demonstrated in the Peak Torque video linked below), the clamped seatpost (green) creates localized pressure points in the seat tube.
(https://chinertown.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4449.0;attach=42618;image)
https://youtu.be/zeANjsn14vA?si=BM7N1g9v03-sVvc_&t=149 (https://youtu.be/zeANjsn14vA?si=BM7N1g9v03-sVvc_&t=149)
Technical breakdown of the forces (red):
- Torque Generation: The rider's weight (F_g) creates a torque that forces the lower end of the seatpost against the front internal wall of the tube.
- Geometric Stress Raiser: The crack occurred exactly where the cross-section changes and the geometry shifts significantly.
- Concave Notch Effect: The frame features a sharp concave cutout for rear wheel clearance. This design creates a massive notch effect, concentrating stresses in the exact area where the seat tube transitions.
- Cyclic Fatigue: Even with 17,5 cm of insertion, the tube is subjected to cyclic flexing.
If the carbon layup is inconsistent or thin in this transition zone, as evidenced by the internal artifacts I found (fiber breakout and poor consolidation), the laminate will eventually fail under these standard bending loads. It's not about 'impact'; it's about fatigue at a structural bottleneck caused by a combination of geometry and manufacturing quality.
I have also attached additional internal photos. While some sections show a decent finish, the laminate consistency is highly variable, with several areas showing poor consolidation and 'shoddy' workmanship.
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My ostro vam 2 oceanic
Hi friends
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Actually, the mid-section of the seat tube is a highly dynamic area under significant stress.
While it might seem 'low stress' at a glance, the seatpost acts as a long lever arm. This lever generates a substantial bending moment that must be absorbed by the seat tube. As shown in my sketch (and demonstrated in the Peak Torque video linked below), the clamped seatpost (green) creates localized pressure points in the seat tube.
(https://chinertown.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4449.0;attach=42618;image)
https://youtu.be/zeANjsn14vA?si=BM7N1g9v03-sVvc_&t=149 (https://youtu.be/zeANjsn14vA?si=BM7N1g9v03-sVvc_&t=149)
Technical breakdown of the forces (red):
- Torque Generation: The rider's weight (F_g) creates a torque that forces the lower end of the seatpost against the front internal wall of the tube.
- Geometric Stress Raiser: The crack occurred exactly where the cross-section changes and the geometry shifts significantly.
- Concave Notch Effect: The frame features a sharp concave cutout for rear wheel clearance. This design creates a massive notch effect, concentrating stresses in the exact area where the seat tube transitions.
- Cyclic Fatigue: Even with 17,5 cm of insertion, the tube is subjected to cyclic flexing.
If the carbon layup is inconsistent or thin in this transition zone, as evidenced by the internal artifacts I found (fiber breakout and poor consolidation), the laminate will eventually fail under these standard bending loads. It's not about 'impact'; it's about fatigue at a structural bottleneck caused by a combination of geometry and manufacturing quality.
I have also attached additional internal photos. While some sections show a decent finish, the laminate consistency is highly variable, with several areas showing poor consolidation and 'shoddy' workmanship.
And this is why I'm not an engineer :D . Thanks for explaining. And I hope you get a satisfactory resolution from the seller!
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And this is why I'm not an engineer :D . Thanks for explaining. And I hope you get a satisfactory resolution from the seller!
Haha, no worries! It’s definitely a rabbit hole once you start looking at stress distributions and carbon layups.
I really appreciate the support. Hopefully, the seller or the AliExpress team will see the technical evidence for what it is, a clear manufacturing defect rather than a user error.
I’ll keep the thread updated as soon as I get a response regarding the refund.
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Hey guys who purchased from Yoho and Tom. Did your Black Inc bars come with the computer mount as well? Just received my frameset and everything seems to be in order except for that. Thanks.
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UPDATE: broken RK Ultra Frame
I just received a very concerning response from the seller regarding the frame failure.
Instead of addressing the technical evidence in my report, the seller is now trying to deflect all legal and structural responsibility.
Here is a summary of what was said:
- Third-Party Sourcing: The seller admitted that the frame was not manufactured by them but was sourced from 'First-Class-Carbon'.
- 'Proxy' Selling: They claimed they were only 'helping' to sell the frame on behalf of 'First-Class-Carbon'.
- Zero Quality Control: The seller explicitly stated: 'I have no idea about the quality of your transaction framework'.
- Vanishing Partners: Apparently, the original source/store has shut down and 'vanished with the money'.
My Take:
This is a massive red flag for anyone buying from this store. They are essentially operating as a middleman without performing any quality control or taking responsibility for the products sold under their name.
When I confronted them with the fact that they are my sole contractual partner under AliExpress policy, they merely offered to sell me a new frame at 'cost price'. I have obviously declined this, as I cannot trust a seller who admits they don't know the quality of what they are shipping.
I have now further escalated this to AliExpress Support, including the screenshots where the seller admits to these practices. I will keep you guys posted on how the mediation team handles this 'proxy-selling' admission.
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UPDATE 2: broken RK Ultra Frame
Quick update on the communication with the seller – it’s getting absurd. After I sent over my full Technical Failure Analysis Report, the seller’s narrative completely shifted, exposing some major inconsistencies:
- The 'Vanishing' Factory vs. 'Direct' Warranty: Initially, the seller claimed he was just a middleman for a shop that 'vanished' and that he had no idea about the quality. Now, suddenly, he is offering a 'factory warranty' and claims he is in direct contact with the production line to resolve the issue. You can’t be a clueless middleman and a factory-backed dealer at the same time.
- Deflecting Structural Issues as 'Optics': The seller tried to claim that the partially poor internal finishing I documented (fuzzy fibers, poor consolidation) doesn't affect functionality and is 'normal' for this price range. As a Mechanical Engineer, I find this argument dangerous. We aren't talking about paint chips; we are talking about delamination and manufacturing artifacts in a primary structural zone that lead to the exact type of fatigue failure I experienced.
- The 'Slipping Seatpost' Myth: He also tried to blame me, claiming the seatpost must have slipped and damaged the frame. I’ve already debunked this with high-res photos showing zero witness marks on the post and a consistent 17.5 cm insertion depth.
- The 'Compromise' Offer: He is now offering a replacement frame at 'cost price' or a new frame under warranty, but only after initially saying he doesn't know the quality.
My Stance: I have declined the replacement. I’ve lost all confidence in this specific product and the seller’s transparency. I am pushing for a full refund through AliExpress mediation, using his own contradictory messages as evidence that he is evading contractual responsibility for a safety-critical defect.
I'll keep you posted once the AliExpress dispute team weighs in on the technical report.
Short and 'not so sweet' update:
The seller has officially shut down any further negotiation. His latest response to my demand for a full refund was simply:
„Sorry, we can't meet that request.“
It seems we have reached a complete dead end in direct communication. After he tried to deflect responsibility to a third party, blamed me for a 'slipping seatpost' (which I debunked), and offered a 'cost-price' replacement, he is now flat-out refusing to acknowledge the manufacturing defect and my request for a refund.
I am now 100% dependent on the AliExpress mediation team's decision. I’ve uploaded all the evidence. At this point, it’s a waiting game to see if the AE mediators prioritize technical facts and safety-critical evidence over a seller’s empty excuses. I’ll keep you all posted on the final verdict. Thanks for all the support so far!"
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Good luck. Having experienced Aliexpress' mediation I fear you might be disappointed.
(I once received a frame in which the manufacturer had forgotten to add one of the cable holes in the downtube. I think I got $50 back in the end).
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Why are you surprised by poor customer service from someone who has already shown a clear disregard for the law?
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Visual & Acoustic Proof of Structural Failure (The "Paper-Thin" Carbon Issue)
I’ve recorded a short video to demonstrate why I’m 100% sure this is a manufacturing and engineering defect and not 'user error.' https://youtube.com/shorts/_mjw31EugHs?feature=share (https://youtube.com/shorts/_mjw31EugHs?feature=share)
- The Acoustic Resonance Test (Coin Tap): In the video, listen to the sound as I tap the seat tube. It starts with a high-pitched, solid 'ting' at the top. As I move down toward the wheel cutout notch, the sound becomes more resonant. This acoustic shift confirms a significant drop in wall thickness. While the frame's overall stiffness is mostly defined by its tube geometry (second moment of area, mostly shape of the tubing), the local strength depends on sufficient material (wall thickness) to handle stresses (flexing under finger pressure).
- The Flex Test: Watch how the carbon surface actually deflects under simple finger pressure near the crack. It’s 'paper-thin' in that specific area. While tubing walls may exhibit some flex, the lack of structural backing here is evident. Beyond wall thickness, the layup orientation and carbon type (UD, 3K, 12K etc.) are critical. Carbon is anisotropic and designed to carry forces along the fibre direction, not perpendicular to it. The visible deflection under minimal point-loading proves a lack of supporting laminate layers in this high-stress zone.
The Engineering Problem:
- Geometric Stress Raiser: The concave notch for the rear wheel already features a higher wall thickness and stiffness, creating a point of high stress concentration at the transition to the thinner side wall.
- The 'Bottleneck' Effect: Combining a sharp geometric notch with a sudden reduction in wall thickness is a recipe for disaster.
- Additional Stressors: Near the crack are the threaded inserts for the bottle cage and front derailleur. These holes act as additional stress raisers in an already weakened zone, creating a cluster of failure points.
Conclusion: It’s a critical failure of a primary structural component. The frame didn't fail because of a 'slipping seatpost' (which shows zero marks anyway), but because it simply wasn't built to handle cyclic loads in this poorly reinforced area.
One more detail for the technical crowd:
The concave cutout for the wheel (rear of the seattube) is reinforced with more layers, making it significantly thicker than the adjacent side wall. From a mechanical engineering perspective, this creates a stiffness mismatch. Under load (cyclic pedaling forces), the thin side wall undergoes higher strain than the thick concave section. This results in strain incompatibility at the transition zone. The resulting interlaminar shear stresses are concentrated exactly where the crack appeared. This isn't just a random failure; it's a textbook case of a stress raiser caused by poor structural transition in the laminate layup.
Please check the video
https://youtube.com/shorts/_mjw31EugHs?feature=share (https://youtube.com/shorts/_mjw31EugHs?feature=share)
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I'm sorry for your broken bike, but this is what you can expect buying counterfeits. Someone stole a money from Factor to produce and sell fakes and the the same person doesn't give a damn about your issue. Your lesson cost you about 1k USD and you need to take it. Now you can turn your head for the reputable part of eastern manufacturers without that boutique writing on the downtube.
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I'm sorry for your broken bike, but this is what you can expect buying counterfeits. Someone stole a money from Factor to produce and sell fakes and the the same person doesn't give a damn about your issue. Your lesson cost you about 1k USD and you need to take it. Now you can turn your head for the reputable part of eastern manufacturers without that boutique writing on the downtube.
You are absolutely right. This experience has been a massive reality check. When you buy a replica, you aren't just buying a shape; you're gamble with the lack of engineering standards and QC that a proper brand invests in.
The next bike will definitely be from a reputable chinese brand with proven quality control. I hope for the best regarding the AliExpress dispute, but regardless of the outcome, this has been a $1,000 lesson for me.
By documenting this so thoroughly, I hope it serves as a warning to everyone else here: the 'boutique' writing on the downtube isn't worth the risk of a structural failure at 50 km/h. Engineering integrity matters more than aesthetics.
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What a great analysis and great last post, I applaude this!
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What a great analysis and great last post, I applaude this!
Thanks for the support! It’s satisfying to apply my engineering background to a real-world problem, even if it’s a costly one.
This failure isn't just about 'thin carbon'; it’s about the unfortunate synergy of several design and manufacturing factors in combination with cyclic fatigue. The design combined a high-stress geometry with a low-strength transition zone. In engineering terms: the safety factor dropped below 1.0 under normal operating loads over time. It was a textbook 'planned' failure, just waiting to happen.
I’m glad this analysis helps shed some light on the 'why' things fail.
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My ostro vam 2 oceanic
Hi friends
Damn i like the look of that thing!
Which seller did you get this from?
Anything to report on finish and/or quality?
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Hey guys who purchased from Yoho and Tom. Did your Black Inc bars come with the computer mount as well? Just received my frameset and everything seems to be in order except for that. Thanks.
Nope
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insanetree , do you have the link to the store ?
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insanetree , do you have the link to the store ?
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1103851770 (https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1103851770)
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UPDATE 3: broken RK Ultra Frame
AliExpress initially offered a measly 106€ refund, which I obviously declined immediately. I’ve since doubled down and sent them even more evidence, including a full analysis of the stripped-down frame. I have all the time in the world to keep providing them with data until they get it right.
The seller, on the other hand, is completely losing it. He’s now resorted to personal attacks, calling me a liar and even claiming I made up my engineering degree... lmao.
He’s clearly mad because he realized I’m not just another customer he can gaslight with 'user error' excuses.
It’s actually quite funny to see a business owner go into full meltdown mode once you hit them with actual physics and legal facts (EU warranty laws).
I’ll keep you guys posted on the next move from AE!
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I am VERY curious how this would go over if the said frame was bought from lets say Canyon online or any other online retailer without physical dealer location. I feel like this seller is being pointed out as giving you a run around, but then again, how would anyone else handle this situation? Anyone have any experience?
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First of all, my condolences for your defect.
From what I've read, we're not dissimilar in terms of our technical background, and I mostly have success with my analytical and demonstrative approach. Except—and this is the big difference—when dealing with Chinese sellers. Comparing them to European retailers with their warranties is pointless.
I've had similar problems with both, wheels and frames, and in my experience, it was like hitting a brick wall. Last time, I was happy that the seller's offer to send a replacement frame, although I had to pay for shipping and customs (150 euros). And this despite the fact that there was undoubtedly a manufacturing defect which the dealer did not dispute.
AliExpress support probably won't read your explanation, let alone understand it. Offering a 10-20% discount is standard practice and usually impossible to increase (no matter how much you argue). Having no guarantee and potentially being left with a total loss is now part of my calculations.
Nevertheless, I certainly hope things are different for you.
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How long ago did you buy the frame? Did you pay via paypal? make a claim over paypal thats way more effective to get you money back.
I've had similar problems with both, wheels and frames, and in my experience, it was like hitting a brick wall. Last time, I was happy that the seller's offer to send a replacement frame, although I had to pay for shipping and customs (150 euros). And this despite the fact that there was undoubtedly a manufacturing defect which the dealer did not dispute.
Yeah it's common that they let u pay for shipping
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How long ago did you buy the frame? Did you pay via paypal? make a claim over paypal thats way more effective to get you money back.
Yeah it's common that they let u pay for shipping
I paid for the frame in August, received it mid September 2025. I am waiting for the next reply by AE and then will file a chargeback with all the evidence on PayPal.
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I've just taken a look inside my Fauxstro frame* with a torch - unfortunately I don't have an endoscope thing to take any pictures.
However, it's evidently quite a lot neater inside than @insanetrees. None of the fraying round the bolt inserts in the BB shell.
Perhaps most interestingly is that the seat tube is internally capped above the wheel cut out. So in this frame, there would be no way for the seatpost to impact the wheel cut out (unless I landed on it with such force it punched through the cap).
*From Yohobikes who don't have a great rep on this thread so ???
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I've just taken a look inside my Fauxstro frame* with a torch - unfortunately I don't have an endoscope thing to take any pictures.
However, it's evidently quite a lot neater inside than @insanetrees. None of the fraying round the bolt inserts in the BB shell.
Perhaps most interestingly is that the seat tube is internally capped above the wheel cut out. So in this frame, there would be no way for the seatpost to impact the wheel cut out (unless I landed on it with such force it punched through the cap).
*From Yohobikes who don't have a great rep on this thread so ???
You think you could snap a few pictures as far as possible?
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I paid for the frame in August, received it mid September 2025. I am waiting for the next reply by AE and then will file a chargeback with all the evidence on PayPal.
Keep in mind, at PayPal you can only start a claim till 180days after paying!
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Keep in mind, at PayPal you can only start a claim till 180days after paying!
I also noticed that and have just filed a claim!
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UPDATE 4: broken RK Ultra Frame
I just received a notification from AliExpress regarding my case. Interestingly, they updated the ticket stating: 'We learned that the chargeback result favors you'.
It seems that after I escalated the case to PayPal and submitted my engineering report, the pressure worked. AliExpress has officially acknowledged that the outcome is trending in my favor.
I’m still waiting for the final notification from PayPal to see the money back in my account, but it looks like a 100% win. I’ll let you know as soon as the case is officially closed!
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UPDATE 4: broken RK Ultra Frame
I just received a notification from AliExpress regarding my case. Interestingly, they updated the ticket stating: 'We learned that the chargeback result favors you'.
It seems that after I escalated the case to PayPal and submitted my engineering report, the pressure worked. AliExpress has officially acknowledged that the outcome is trending in my favor.
I’m still waiting for the final notification from PayPal to see the money back in my account, but it looks like a 100% win. I’ll let you know as soon as the case is officially closed!
Generally Paypal is very consumer friendly in cases!
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Asking for a friend, maybe you can help me.
One friend bought a second hand proteam OSTRO V2. Legit frame.
He got an accident and fork is broken. They are asking him for 1.200€ just for the raw fork.
Do you know if a Replica fork will work on a legit frame? Recomendation for a seller?
Thanks!
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Sure ! same. Ask to TOM from taiwan glory bike. +86 136 7012 0157
@insanetree I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your dispute will be resolved in your favor!
On my end, I'm letting you know about a problem I've encountered (it's not immediately obvious, but you can check it out). The issue is with the insert that holds the rear axle (the threaded side) (I'll post a picture). The screw that secures the insert to the frame is too short, and even with threadlocker, it won't hold. So I replaced it with a longer one (0.5cm longer, making it about 1.5cm). Be careful, it really needs to be a screw with a conical head, because if the head protrudes, there's a good chance it will rub against the cassette's locking nut.
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My ostro vam 2 oceanic
Hi friends
Hi mate that looks class. I've noticed your top cap fits on the black inc bars. Where did you source it from?
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Asking for a friend, maybe you can help me.
One friend bought a second hand proteam OSTRO V2. Legit frame.
He got an accident and fork is broken. They are asking him for 1.200€ just for the raw fork.
Do you know if a Replica fork will work on a legit frame? Recomendation for a seller?
Thanks!
After building up my replica V2 coming from a legitimate V1, I can tell you that the fork may fit, but you should get the bearings for the fork as well from the seller. Trying to transfer over my SLT bearings from my V1 was not fruitful. The tolerances are off and the bearings are minutely different, even though the V1 and V2 are normally supposed to have the same bearings. Had to use a shim so that the headset cap wouldn't grind on the headtube, and had to use a different bearing in the bottom for the fork to not rub on the bottom of the headtube.
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Does anyone have any idea where I could buy good quality headset spacers and spare decals?
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Hi mate that looks class. I've noticed your top cap fits on the black inc bars. Where did you source it from?
IT came with the bibycle frame. i returned the frame because it was like jelly, very flimsy. im waitrinr for aliexpress response. it dangerrous
my english not good,sorry
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IT came with the bibycle frame. i returned the frame because it was like jelly, very flimsy. im waitrinr for aliexpress response. it dangerrous
my english not good,sorry
What frame did you get?
Ive got a 58cm eps frame. Ive not fully built it yet but im concerned mines too flexy.
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IT came with the bibycle frame. i returned the frame because it was like jelly, very flimsy. im waitrinr for aliexpress response. it dangerrous
my english not good,sorry
@Champirs, oh no! Which retailer was it from?
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TAIWAN FACTORY BIKE PARTS.
If you grab it where the head tube and seat post meet, it flexes.
When I squeezed it with my hands, it also sank.
I'm waiting for a response from AliExpress regarding a refund.
It's a long wait.
sorry my english, friends
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Hello
"If you grab it where the head tube and seat post meet, it flexes."
That doesn't mean anything.
Are you referring to the main tube, the one between the head tube and the seat post (the "horizontal" tube)?
Write in your language and use Google Translate to translate.
It's normal for the carbon to dent if you press on it in certain places; that doesn't necessarily mean it's a risk.
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Thats where mine feels too flexible. The bottom end of the frame does feel ok but the head tube to seat tube moves too much.
It's fine to be able to get the power down but it's not a good feeling if the bars and seat always feel as they are going in different directions.
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I ordered V2. Does anyone know if this would work instead of the supplied plug. I think it looks better than the top cap.
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Hello
"If you grab it where the head tube and seat post meet, it flexes."
That doesn't mean anything.
Are you referring to the main tube, the one between the head tube and the seat post (the "horizontal" tube)?
Write in your language and use Google Translate to translate.
It's normal for the carbon to dent if you press on it in certain places; that doesn't necessarily mean it's a risk.
Llevo muchos años montando en bicicleta, como no saber si es SERGURO o no un cuadro de bicicleta.
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Thats where mine feels too flexible. The bottom end of the frame does feel ok but the head tube to seat tube moves too much.
It's fine to be able to get the power down but it's not a good feeling if the bars and seat always feel as they are going in different directions.
Eso mismo me pasaba a mi, bajando, al frenar y entrar en curva, una rueda no iba detras de la otra.
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I ordered V2. Does anyone know if this would work instead of the supplied plug. I think it looks better than the top cap.
Ostro has a D shaped steerer, so no.
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Ostro has a D shaped steerer, so no.
Shame. Thanks
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Shame. Thanks
It won't fit as smoothly with the black inc bar, but you can always use any top cap you want with the supplied expander plug. The system is the same.
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Ah nice ive seen you can buy a factor standard top cap for next to nothing, so might just pop that on
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It won't fit as smoothly with the black inc bar, but you can always use any top cap you want with the supplied expander plug. The system is the same.
Hello
The top cap of the Combo Black Inc handlebar is not round,. You can use this round top cap but It will look very ugly because it's not adapted to the shape of the combo's stem.
use the one supplied with the handlebar.
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Hello
The top cap of the Combo Black Inc handlebar is not round,. You can use this round top cap but It will look very ugly because it's not adapted to the shape of the combo's stem.
use the one supplied with the handlebar.
The one supplied with the handlebars looks even uglier and fake. 😂
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We must take responsibility. ;D
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Someone in this thread sanded down their fake aero top cap to fit better and look more like the genuine one.
In fact it was BIFO17 ;D
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Look at this example of a real one on youtube. I think it looks pretty good
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Anyone bought this frameset model came included the computer mount and adapter for SRAM rotors?
I waiting for frameset delivery and I want install 160mm SRAM Rival disc rotors when it arrives.
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I dont think it comes with the mount but I asked Tom from Taiwan glory if he could include one to make up for the top cap. He said he would.
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Anyone bought this frameset model came included the computer mount and adapter for SRAM rotors?
I waiting for frameset delivery and I want install 160mm SRAM Rival disc rotors when it arrives.
I had one frame that shipped out in October come with a mount, and another frame that shipped out in Decemer not come with a mount. Told Tom about it but I decided to just buy a cheap one on aliex for $5...
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I dont think it comes with the mount but I asked Tom from Taiwan glory if he could include one to make up for the top cap. He said he would.
Nice!
I had one frame that shipped out in October come with a mount, and another frame that shipped out in Decemer not come with a mount. Told Tom about it but I decided to just buy a cheap one on aliex for $5...
The seller wasn't sure if it came with a mount... So I bought one on Aliexpress.
And about SRAM caliper adapter? Do you know anything?
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Nice!
The seller wasn't sure if it came with a mount... So I bought one on Aliexpress.
And about SRAM caliper adapter? Do you know anything?
The adapter should come with the shifter/brake set. If you don't have one, you can find it on AliExpress for a couple dollars/euros/etc. I swapped mine for this: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808983914499.html
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The 140/160 rear adapter isn't always included with caliper. Get one on AliExpress. I got this one (lightweight) and the same for the front. I also got M5 titanium screws.
Tom provided me with one for the GPS mount, but you can also find them on AliExpress... for around ten euros. Come with bryton et Garmin mount support and other accessoires to add light and so on.
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Few pics of my beautifull fostro tractor :P
With new wheels
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The 140/160 rear adapter isn't always included with caliper. Get one on AliExpress. I got this one (lightweight) and the same for the front. I also got M5 titanium screws.
Tom provided me with one for the GPS mount, but you can also find them on AliExpress... for around ten euros. Come with bryton et Garmin mount support and other accessoires to add light and so on.
I bought a complete Sram Rival AXS groupset but I don't know if comes with rotor adapters. Did you Sram Force come with original adapters?
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I bought a complete Sram Rival AXS groupset but I don't know of comes with rotor adapters. Did you Sram Force come with original adapters?
I bought a Sram Rival E1 set a few months back and they came with the adapters.
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Few pics of my beautifull fostro tractor :P
With new wheels
Where did the wheels come from?
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From Taiwan glory bike (Tom).
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From Taiwan glory bike (Tom).
What size is your frame ? What is final weight with bottle cages and computer mount ?
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Is this essentially the t47a?
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Is this essentially the t47a?
yea
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What size is your frame ? What is final weight with bottle cages and computer mount ?
Size 54.
Wheight 7,4 kg full !
(with tubeless 32" + 50ml Sealant, Sram Force AXS groupset (10-33), Disc 160mm F/R , Rotor Aldhu Carbon Crankset 170 48/35 Qring + Inspider
GPS mount, 2 bottles cages, Radar Rear Mount
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Size 54.
Wheight 7,4 kg full !
(with tubeless 32" + 50ml Sealant, Sram Force AXS groupset (10-33), Disc 160mm F/R , Rotor Aldhu Carbon Crankset 170 48/35 Qring + Inspider
GPS mount, 2 bottles cages, Radar Rear Mount
Not so bad that's almost the weight of my size 58 SL8 from Yohobike
7,2 kg
SRAM Force AXS E1 10-33 too, Leese carbon crankset - Passquest AXS 48-35, XCADEY PM
Ryet light saddle
GP5000 tube type 32 tires front and back on 1380g 50mm XMCS wheels
2 light bottle cages
Stock computer mount
Could go down easily for cheap replacing stock SRAM shitty rotors
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yea
Thanks :)
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Size 54.
Wheight 7,4 kg full !
(with tubeless 32" + 50ml Sealant, Sram Force AXS groupset (10-33), Disc 160mm F/R , Rotor Aldhu Carbon Crankset 170 48/35 Qring + Inspider
GPS mount, 2 bottles cages, Radar Rear Mount
Weight photo?
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After holidays
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Anyone else find the bars lacking stiffness?
Not sure if it's because I'm coming from a very stiff set up, but it gives me a slight concern.
Would be good to know if anyone else has thought the same but has put some decent miles into them without issue.
For ref I am using the larger first spacer and one big spacer. Bars are 100*380
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Same config with 110*38.
No problem at all
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Anyone else find the bars lacking stiffness?
Not sure if it's because I'm coming from a very stiff set up, but it gives me a slight concern.
Would be good to know if anyone else has thought the same but has put some decent miles into them without issue.
For ref I am using the larger first spacer and one big spacer. Bars are 100*380
Yes, they're absolutely terrible. Ive ordered some more expensive ones that hopefully should be a lot stiffer.
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irritating having spent so long getting the hoses through.
Maybe a job for those Light Carbon ones that are getting good review...
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I've got a set of the Light Carbon bars and they're being tested out on my turbo bike (the seem stiff enough and the shape is comfortable) before being put on my proper road bike. I certainly didn't want to go through the hassle of internal routing to find out I'm not happy with them.
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Does anyone in here know where to get a replica Factor Vam decal kit? I'm keen to change my decal colours, but it seems a lot of the rep decal kits have been pulled from aliex etc.
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Anyone else find the bars lacking stiffness?
From which seller? Mine is very stiff. all frame is very stiff.
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Does anyone in here know where to get a replica Factor Vam decal kit? I'm keen to change my decal colours, but it seems a lot of the rep decal kits have been pulled from aliex etc.
You don't want ali one ?
Note that Factor, Ostro, etc. decals aren't just stickers stuck onto the paint; they're covered with a clear coat that protects the paint. If you don't want to have to sand and repaint everything, you'll have to stick the new decals over the clear coat, with the risk that the decals won't be exactly the same size (and therefore it will look awful 😮💨).
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You don't want ali one ?
Note that Factor, Ostro, etc. decals aren't just stickers stuck onto the paint; they're covered with a clear coat that protects the paint. If you don't want to have to sand and repaint everything, you'll have to stick the new decals over the clear coat, with the risk that the decals won't be exactly the same size (and therefore it will look awful 😮💨).
Speedydecals Italy has an option for normal decals or slightly larger ones to cover original letters https://speedydecal.com/index.php?id_product=3365&rewrite=factor-ostro-vam-kit-adesivi-telaio&controller=product&locale=en (https://speedydecal.com/index.php?id_product=3365&rewrite=factor-ostro-vam-kit-adesivi-telaio&controller=product&locale=en)
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my frame arrived from Tom and there's no clear coat over the decals. Is this normal?
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my frame arrived from Tom and there's no clear coat over the decals. Is this normal?
Yeah mine are over the clearcoat. Just accidentally chipped a piece off trying to check for you 😂.
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Yeah mine are over the clearcoat. Just accidentally chipped a piece off trying to check for you 😂.
On my Bora the B is not aligned with Ora on both sides of the fork 😬🗿
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Yeah mine are over the clearcoat. Just accidentally chipped a piece off trying to check for you 😂.
That's mad they done that the decals are gonna rub off in a few months. I dont know why they would go through the effort of what looks to be a great frame and ruin it with putting removable stickers on. It beggars belief XD
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On my Bora the B is not aligned with Ora on both sides of the fork 😬🗿
On my seatpost the Factor logos on each side around 20 degrees rotated from each other.... the frame and the paint are pretty solid overall but whoever is applying the decals might be partially blind. ATP I almost want to get a kit from speedydecals and just reapply myself.
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my frame arrived from Tom and there's no clear coat over the decals. Is this normal?
No ! Mine under clearcoat
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No ! Mine under clearcoat
I have the same frameset color as you and they are over the clearcoat. I do not think your decals would be under while ours is over. They are very thin and may feel like they are under, but they are not.
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Polar cancelled my order back at the end of summer/early fall because they were having issues replicating the "Black" design with the darker decals. I've kept in touch and a month ago they said "production has now returned to normal". I went to contact them about placing an order and all products are removed from their store my message has been left on read for a few days. RIP Polar?
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Mine are 100% under the clear coat. I have the glossy Raw UD version.
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mine are definitely not under the clear coat. I was able to scratch a bit of the decal off with my fingernail didn't even try that hard.
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I have the same frameset color as you and they are over the clearcoat. I do not think your decals would be under while ours is over. They are very thin and may feel like they are under, but they are not.
Could you post some pictures of your bike, please? On mine, the varnish layer is quite thin, but I can clearly see it over the stickers; in fact, I can't even pick up the sticker with my fingernail.
Mine come from taiwan glory bike, not from yoho
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on mine the UCI decal is the only one under the clear coat. I wonder if its because the reflective decals wouldn't be as effective at reflecting light if they were under the clearcoat.
I've also bought those light bicycle wheel still waiting on them are they any good?
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@Brembilla. your bike is différent from mine.
The sticker on the seatpost isn't angled correctly. You can clearly see that the Factor stickers are over the paint, which isn't the case on mine. I'll take a picture.
I don't think Yoho = Taiwan Glory
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Some pictures of the chipped decals, which took little to no effort to do. @BIFO17, hate to burst your bubble but the decal alignment on both of our seatposts seem exactly the same, which are both off from the original by ~20-30 degrees (real ostro pics for reference). Your paint does look a lot more purple than mine, which I wish mine was.
@bikemainie5 The Airia wheels are great. Took nearly 5 months from pre-ordering to arrive, but they are bombproof. Crashed on them twice and they just needed a little truing before being good to go again. At 1180 grams for steel spokes and a 25/31.5 rim profile, couldn't be happier. Not sure if a sub 1kg carbon spoked wheel would survive 2 big crashes like these did.
What is the width of tire you are using? I will use 700x32 tires that are the limit officially.
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Our seatpost stickers are indeed the same and conform to the original (perpendicular to the top tube once the seatpost is inserted into the frame). On mine, all the stickers (except the VAM one) are well under the varnish (I managed to grab the VAM one with my fingernail and easily damage it 😥).
I compared it to my real SL8 and it's the same. The Specialized stickers are definitely under the clear coat (even though I can feel the raised areas when I run my finger over them, I can't get a grip on them). Only my SD Worx sticker is on top.
As for the scarab color, it's difficult to compare; it depends on the lighting, the angle of the shot, etc. However, I do see some differences in the finish: the Ostro lettering on your fork isn't quite positioned correctly.
Note: I added a protective film to the sensitive areas. It's an ideal solution for protecting the stickers if they aren't protected by the varnish!
I also added a ceramic coating to protect the paint and enhance the "scarab" effect.
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Yeah im gonna wrap mine seems like the only solution just dont want to make the bike look tacky. Do you have the film on in those photos I cant see it
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Some pictures of the chipped decals, which took little to no effort to do. @BIFO17, hate to burst your bubble but the decal alignment on both of our seatposts seem exactly the same, which are both off from the original by ~20-30 degrees (real ostro pics for reference). Your paint does look a lot more purple than mine, which I wish mine was.
@bikemainie5 The Airia wheels are great. Took nearly 5 months from pre-ordering to arrive, but they are bombproof. Crashed on them twice and they just needed a little truing before being good to go again. At 1180 grams for steel spokes and a 25/31.5 rim profile, couldn't be happier. Not sure if a sub 1kg carbon spoked wheel would survive 2 big crashes like these did.
Nice I ordered mind and they said they would ship in 2 week. I checked a month later and they said lol we've not even started making them yet and we are going on holiday for basically a month XD. As long as they are good wheels I dont mind
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You don't want ali one ?
Note that Factor, Ostro, etc. decals aren't just stickers stuck onto the paint; they're covered with a clear coat that protects the paint. If you don't want to have to sand and repaint everything, you'll have to stick the new decals over the clear coat, with the risk that the decals won't be exactly the same size (and therefore it will look awful 😮💨).
Well that escalated quickly. At least I know the weaknesses in the carbon now.
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What is the width of tire you are using? I will use 700x32 tires that are the limit officially.
Running 30c Michelin Pro 5s, which blows up to 31.5 exact. Perfectly matches the external width of the rim.
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Well that escalated quickly. At least I know the weaknesses in the carbon now.
Did you just sand all the paint off? Holy s***t ;D 8)
How's the bare frame looking? Will you repaint or clear coat?
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Well that escalated quickly. At least I know the weaknesses in the carbon now.
Why in the world would you do this?!?!?!?! Crazy lol
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Taiwan Glory = Yoho. They are one one in the same. TG is on Ali and Yoho is a website but the rep is the same Tom. These are the only pictures I have on hand but I will take more pictures up close at the paint in the morning.
@brembilla what saddle do you have looks like the shape I use but looking for a 3d printed one
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@brembilla what saddle do you have looks like the shape I use but looking for a 3d printed one
Selle italia slr 3d carbon. I believe elitaone has a copy.
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For those of you with the decals over the clearcoat. Polar had issues with the under-clear decals, to the point where they wouldn't ship my bike. It sounded like the curing, or heat, from the curing process was melting or otherwise deforming the decals. They said it was under control in late Jan, but I haven't heard back from them since. Polar is the only one who has proven to ship a quality frame with the under-coat decals on a V2, IIRC.
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No, mine come from taiwan glory and no problem !
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For those of you with the decals over the clearcoat. Polar had issues with the under-clear decals, to the point where they wouldn't ship my bike. It sounded like the curing, or heat, from the curing process was melting or otherwise deforming the decals. They said it was under control in late Jan, but I haven't heard back from them since. Polar is the only one who has proven to ship a quality frame with the under-coat decals on a V2, IIRC.
Mine is currently getting wrapped so hopefully the heat from that doesn't deform them.
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Now then........ started building the frame for a friend of mine who bought this despite all I told him. Beautiuful looking outside and inside, except. See video below. Waiting to see how he resolves the issue with the seller and AE. The rear went in without the issue, front one not a chance. Trying to push the hose from the bottom or from the top, same result. Stuck in the same spot.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oCDvdzx4j5r2-i0NqXFMguxn9N19KMig/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oCDvdzx4j5r2-i0NqXFMguxn9N19KMig/view?usp=sharing)
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Did you check from the top with a flashlight if you can see a path from Steerer to fork?
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Now then........ started building the frame for a friend of mine who bought this despite all I told him. Beautiuful looking outside and inside, except. See video below. Waiting to see how he resolves the issue with the seller and AE. The rear went in without the issue, front one not a chance. Trying to push the hose from the bottom or from the top, same result. Stuck in the same spot.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oCDvdzx4j5r2-i0NqXFMguxn9N19KMig/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oCDvdzx4j5r2-i0NqXFMguxn9N19KMig/view?usp=sharing)
Why are you starting from the wrong side? Even on my real ostro it was very difficult to get the hose through the fork. You need to use a hose routing line.
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For some reason, that video reminds me of a frustrated toddler failing at one of those fit-the-shape games ;D
Hydraulic hose isn't very flexible. Of course it's not going round the curve of the fork crown if you just bash it around. A magnetic hose routing kit is like $8 on Aliexpress.
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J'ai rencontré le même problème (je l'avais d'ailleurs écrit un peu avant dans les pages du forum). Il faut effectivement soit un guide, soit beaucoup de chance pour réussir (une lampe aidera ! ). Donc rien d'impossible mais patience requise.
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Why are you starting from the wrong side? Even on my real ostro it was very difficult to get the hose through the fork. You need to use a hose routing line.
Because I get the same result from the bottom and this was easier to record a video.... and so far spent an hour trying with everything even a thin wire to see if I can get this through. I will go see another buddy to get a scope in there to see if its completely blocked or what.
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Wow, I guess the tolerance on that fork for the hydraulic cable is really bad. I actually had a used, genuine white 54cm Factor Ostro Vam V2. It was very easy/smooth to slide the hydraulic hoses through the fork, so I guess the replica must be really bad in that sense. Sometimes, you can find used, genuine Factor forks on eBay/online if you can't get it fixed. Also kind of surprised to see how light these replicas are in comparison to the real thing. The white frame I had was like 990 grams (without hardware) and the fork was like 500 grams.
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Hello
What's the point of your argument?
we're not here to compare the fake with the real thing.
No, replicas aren't lighter than the original. If your so-called original fork weighs more than 500g, then you have a problem. Either your "original" V2 is a (bad) fake, or your scale is faulty, or you weighed it with the expander in the steerer tube... ;D . The real V2 fork is around 350g, while replicas are more like 400g. As for the frame, the copy is generally at least 150 to 200g heavier. So yes, it can be difficult to route the hose through the fork, but that doesn't make the bike a bad bike..
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Update. The hole was partially blocked and the cable had room to get through. We managed to get a wire brush in there and 10 minutes later the hole was polished off. Still not an easy job to get it in but at least its in. The bars were another horror story to feed the lines through. All the bikes I have build from western brands to few chiner bikes, this was by FAR the worse one to get the cable trough. My last Hygge S build was butter smooth in every single aspect.
Anyways, the bike should be done by the weekend now. That was a tough one.
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Hello
What's the point of your argument?
we're not here to compare the fake with the real thing.
No, replicas aren't lighter than the original. If your so-called original fork weighs more than 500g, then you have a problem. Either your "original" V2 is a (bad) fake, or your scale is faulty, or you weighed it with the expander in the steerer tube... ;D . The real V2 fork is around 350g, while replicas are more like 400g. As for the frame, the copy is generally at least 150 to 200g heavier. So yes, it can be difficult to route the hose through the fork, but that doesn't make the bike a bad bike..
I am not trying to make an argument, but an observation. This video from cyclespeedtours shows that the real Ostro Vam v2 (size 52cm in his video) aligns more closely to the frameset I bought a year ago. He got about 916 grams for frame and 496 grams for fork. If anything, the replicas are a lot lighter than the real thing. I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. I have not seen Ostro Vam V2 genuine forks weight 350g that I am aware of.
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ok but...no replica aren't lighter than original
V2 original weight about 820gr in 54, mine goes overs 1050 ! (and other goes same)
Original Fork about 350, mine about 400
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ok but...no replica aren't lighter than original
V2 original weight about 820gr in 54, mine goes overs 1050 ! (and other goes same)
Original Fork about 350, mine about 400
Idk where you getting your numbers from. Even on Factor's official website, it says the frameset is 900g. There are plenty of online YouTube build videos of the real thing where mechanics weight it and forks are roughly 480-500g as well. The real Ostro Vam V2 is a little heavier than advertised. If anything, the replicas seem to be just as light or even lighter than the real framesets. Kind of impressive for a copy. Or it can mean that there is not enough material to make the frame safe.
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Li at Polar, like most sellers, claims to have the best quality frames. And they have only kits started selling that Ostro after finishing its ‘development’.
A few people on the forum have bought his SL8, and the finishing looks excellent—the frame weights are also very close to the genuine version.
The frames come with a copy Darimo seatpost and bar.
I purchased the Nexum Drag copy and can say the quality is also very good. However, one issue I found was with the stem bolts: they’re aluminium, and the head of one snapped during installation. Aluminium isn’t great for bolts, so I swapped them for titanium. I was offered replacements but declined, and suggested they consider using steel or titanium instead.
One other point worth noting: Polar and RK Ultra—also trading under the names Mirror Carbon Fibre and First Class—are actually sourcing their frames from the same place.
So polar and RK are the same manufacturer?
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So polar and RK are the same manufacturer?
Polar and RK are sellers.
Polar and RK are not the same and they are not manufacturers.
Most's sellers claim to be the source manufactures aswell, l this is rarely the case and they are just sellers like most of the counterfeit sellers
Polar and RK appear to be selling the same product from the same source factory.
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Polar and RK are sellers.
Polar and RK are not the same and they are not manufacturers.
Most's sellers claim to be the source manufactures aswell, l this is rarely the case and they are just sellers like most of the counterfeit sellers
Polar and RK appear to be selling the same product from the same source factory.
It sounds like RK Ultra is buying from First-Class (FC) and Polar claims they make their own?
Your bike is from Polar, IIRC? I ordered from them and they had an issue with the graphics melting or something. The order eventually auto-cancelled. I've followed up with them to re-order, but they've essentially ghosted me over the last few months. I was trying to get the same paint scheme you had ordered.
If Polar is getting their frames from the same place as RK, I'm a little concerned, after seeing InsaneTree's experience.
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It sounds like RK Ultra is buying from First-Class (FC) and Polar claims they make their own?
Your bike is from Polar, IIRC? I ordered from them and they had an issue with the graphics melting or something. The order eventually auto-cancelled. I've followed up with them to re-order, but they've essentially ghosted me over the last few months. I was trying to get the same paint scheme you had ordered.
If Polar is getting their frames from the same place as RK, I'm a little concerned, after seeing InsaneTree's experience.
Hey i think RK and Polar no longer sell anything they ghost me for weeks now. Anybody know any other seller maybe, who is also selling wheelsets?
Yohobike has probably the worst reputation around here and actually i dont want to get into a crash.
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RK and first class are 100% the same seller, back when I bought my faulty frame he asked me to cancel my first class order and make it through the RK page to boost that store's ratings. Despite the apparent better quality from RK/FC/Polar, I wouldn't suggest anyone buy from them based on mine and other people's experiences here. It seems like their stores are maybe not even operating anymore? And I would just recommend avoiding that situation. I ordered my replacement frame from yoho and have been much happier with the frame overall despite the attention to detail on the accessories (bolts etc.) being not as good.
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So polar and RK are the same manufacturer?
Polar and RK are resellers only.
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i m apsolutely happy with yoho fuctor . EPS mold Techolnogy that they use now makes big different in quality
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size is 52 . erx v3. look keo carbon. durace crank. xtr rotors. ultegra 10-30 12s . ultegra chain. tangola aeroraptor wheels
i think full is about 7800grams
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Yohobike has been fine for SL8
for me sl8 (yoho) was very soft , very flex, only on front was stiff. handlebar and fork. seatpost/bb and back felt like i had suspensions. and i am not a racer . i bought original seatpost which made some work. vam now is very stiff and madone gen8 too.
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I purchased an Ostro Vam 2.0 frameset and the frame arrived with a problem where the seatpost fits. When trying to install it for the first time, it started going in with considerable resistance, even without the screws in the wedge. Now the seatpost won't come out anymore; I've tried everything – heat, pulling it upwards with a rope – and nothing has worked. Now I'm waiting for the seller's response regarding the warranty.
Video attached.
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Maybe try some WD40 ?
Everything has already been tried. The only solution now is to saw off the seatpost. I'm just waiting for the seller's response on how the warranty will proceed...
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Everything has already been tried. The only solution now is to saw off the seatpost. I'm just waiting for the seller's response on how the warranty will proceed...
I had a friend who had a seized seatpost and He put WD40 each day for one week. It took 7 days before solving the problem. So maybe try tomorrow and after tomorrow... Unless the seller offers you a solution.
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I had a friend who had a seized seatpost and He put WD40 each day for one week. It took 7 days before solving the problem. So maybe try tomorrow and after tomorrow... Unless the seller offers you a solution.
Were the frame and seatpost both made of carbon fiber? Thank you.
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Everything has already been tried. The only solution now is to saw off the seatpost. I'm just waiting for the seller's response on how the warranty will proceed...
Maybe take it to a bike shop? I have learned that what "home mechanic" can think of as "unsafe" the pros just deal with it. Save yourself a headache and spend the few $$$ on a shop to get this done for you.
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Maybe take it to a bike shop? I have learned that what "home mechanic" can think of as "unsafe" the pros just deal with it. Save yourself a headache and spend the few $$$ on a shop to get this done for you.
Yeah, if it seized immediately on putting it in, this is not a corrosion issue. It just needs ****ing hauling on, I guarantee. I would put a saddle (metail rails) on the post, get a strong friend or two, and play tug of war.
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I managed to remove the seatpost yesterday! Thanks to everyone who tried to help!
I did the following:
1 - Three days ago I applied WD40 to the area between the seat tube and the seatpost and between the wedge bolts;
2 - I repeated the first step again yesterday, but I also applied WD40 through the holes in the bottle cage bolt holes, so the WD40 would run inside the seat tube to the seatpost (I turned the bike upside down);
3 - I removed the saddle and placed a large screwdriver with a plastic handle inside the hole where the saddle clamps fit;
4 - I tapped the plastic handle (upwards) and felt the seatpost gradually coming out, until it finally came out!
Since I tried to put the seatpost by gently tapping downwards, I figured I would also have to gently tap in the opposite direction for it to come out.
Now I have another problem. Since the seatpost doesn't go in as far as I need, the seller told me to use a file to sand the inside of the seat tube. I did this yesterday for over an hour very carefully, but the seatpost only reached the minimum insertion point (see attached image of the minimum insertion line - I took this photo when it was still stuck).
However, I need the seatpost to go down another 8 centimeters to be at the ideal height. Apparently, the inside of the seatpost is "funnel-shaped," which I'll need to file down to make everything "straight." I see I have a lot of work ahead of me!
Note: While I was typing this post, the seller replied saying that if it doesn't work, they will send me another "smaller" seatpost....
Has anyone else had this same problem with this or other frameset?
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If you can only get get a certain amount of insertion of the seat post, and the restriction is caused by a constricting frame, you could cut the seat post shorter. I'm not sure what the minimum insertion amount that is required to maintain structural integrity, maybe someone else can chime in on that.
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Has anyone had issues with the stem slipping on the steerer tube. Im able to move the handle bars if I apply a lot of force
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Pour insérer la tige de selle il faut retirer une lame en metal qui s'insère entre le carbone et la tige de selle ( les 2 vis de serrage appui sur cette lame pour bloquer la tige de selle.! )
J'ai l'impression que sur ton cadre cette pièce n'existe pas... Peux tu faire une photo de l'endroit où rentre la tige de selle dans le cadre (sans la tige de selle).
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Has anyone had issues with the stem slipping on the steerer tube. Im able to move the handle bars if I apply a lot of force
Are the bars torqued to 5nm? My bars did not come with the spacers that go in between the the male and female ends of the screws to provide the extra reinforcement to the carbon needed to reach the torque spec. I bought some rubber ones from a hardware store and was then able to properly torque the bars together. I suspect a lot of the complaints about the bars come from this issue, as mine are subjectively just as stiff as my real ones and weigh similarly.
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Thank you, yes they can torque to 5nm I went higher and it still would slip. But looking closer there is no gap and I don't think the stem can close enough so I've sanded down the in-between parts and its holding now.
I have another problem now :( the expansion plug is coming loose once installed. the steerer cut isn't 100% level so going to try level that off hopefully that helps. The plug looks really flimsy though.
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The plug is proving to be a bit of a problem. Ive seen people have bought replacments but cant find a link anywhere. Done some searching but not sure which will fit. Can someone point me in the right direction pretty please :)n
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Il faut poncer l'intérieur du pivot pour qu'il soit rugueux. Tu peux en plus mettre un bout de papier de verre enroulé sur l'expandeur , ce qui renforcera l'adhérence.
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I purchased an Ostro Vam 2.0 frameset from the seller https://justcarbon.x.yupoo.com/ and the frame arrived with a problem where the seatpost fits. When trying to install it for the first time, it started going in with considerable resistance, even without the screws in the wedge. Now the seatpost won't come out anymore; I've tried everything – heat, pulling it upwards with a rope – and nothing has worked. Now I'm waiting for the seller's response regarding the warranty.
Video attached.
You must remove the metal piece in order to remove the seat post.
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Il faut poncer l'intérieur du pivot pour qu'il soit rugueux. Tu peux en plus mettre un bout de papier de verre enroulé sur l'expandeur , ce qui renforcera l'adhérence.
It went from bad to worse. It snapped off and got stuck on the inside of the steerer. I was able to get it out but it's broken now anyway. So I need to by a new one. Do you know of a western brand that will fit or can i just get one from factor?
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Is that the direction the post goes down in? It doesn't look straight at all based on that picture amd the video.
Yes. I had to file down the inside of the seat tube so that the seatpost would fit smoothly and straight.
If you can only get get a certain amount of insertion of the seat post, and the restriction is caused by a constricting frame, you could cut the seat post shorter. I'm not sure what the minimum insertion amount that is required to maintain structural integrity, maybe someone else can chime in on that.
I thought about that too, but I managed to solve it.
Pour insérer la tige de selle il faut retirer une lame en metal qui s'insère entre le carbone et la tige de selle ( les 2 vis de serrage appui sur cette lame pour bloquer la tige de selle.! )
J'ai l'impression que sur ton cadre cette pièce n'existe pas... Peux tu faire une photo de l'endroit où rentre la tige de selle dans le cadre (sans la tige de selle).
The seatpost wasn't going in smoothly with or without the metal wedge you mentioned, but now after filing down the inside of the seat tube everything is okay.
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After finally removing the stuck seatpost and spending hours filing the inside of the seat tube, today I finally went to assemble the seatpost and saddle. To my surprise, when tightening the wedge bolts, the frame developed two cracks (as shown in the attached photo). I didn't even apply the recommended torque of 5 Nm and the frame cracked. I believe it's due to poor carbon quality or all the work to remove the seatpost ended up stressing that area where the wedge sits.
I contacted the seller to see what will be done now. When I told him that the frame had a factory defect, since I had to file the inside of the seat tube and the seatpost was stuck, he offered to send me another, smaller seatpost, but since I had already managed to remove the seatpost and file the inside of the seat tube, I said I didn't need it. Let's see what he says about these cracks in the frame...
Note: The screws on the wedge of this frame stick out halfway (see photo), they don't go all the way into the holes. Does this also happen with the replica frames you have? Because it doesn't happen with the original frame.
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UPDATE: The seller told me that he will ask the factory to send me a new frameset. I asked him to send me a different frameset model and that I would pay the difference, but he said that depends on the factory's answer.
Now I'm worried they'll send me the same model with the same issues. There was another issue with the fork dropout. It wouldn't stay tight. I had to put a washer between the dropout screw and the fork to tighten it (image attached).
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Yeah they come spec with the incorrect length on these fakes. The specs for the correct length are M6 - 1.0x 8 mm grub screws. I bought a 10 pack from home depot for like $5. Sucks that you got such a bad egg with everything else. The biggest issue that I have with mine is that the front end doesn't turn very well. I believe the tolerances for the lower headset bearing cup are off in the headtube. Either that or the shitty bearing that comes with it has poor tolerances. I ordered an enduro one to swap it out and see if that fixes anything but other than that, the frame has been pretty great.
Seems quite dangerous for a minor issue 🤭
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Help with the OSTRO gasket. Do you have a link to a good product? I just found this one https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005008772727409.html (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3nTGrnJ), but it doesn't look very good.
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The D-Shaped tube plus the flexible handlebars provided by Taiwan glory (tom) seems somewhat of a safety concern. It's definitely possible to make the stem slip. Takes a bit of force but its possible.
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Yeah they come spec with the incorrect length on these fakes. The specs for the correct length are M6 - 1.0x 8 mm grub screws. I bought a 10 pack from home depot for like $5. Sucks that you got such a bad egg with everything else. The biggest issue that I have with mine is that the front end doesn't turn very well. I believe the tolerances for the lower headset bearing cup are off in the headtube. Either that or the shitty bearing that comes with it has poor tolerances. I ordered an enduro one to swap it out and see if that fixes anything but other than that, the frame has been pretty great.
It seems that all replica framesets have some kind of problem. Is there a perfect one?
Help with the OSTRO gasket. Do you have a link to a good product? I just found this one https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005008772727409.html (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3nTGrnJ), but it doesn't look very good.
I think all models on Aliexpress are of the same quality. To get the best quality, you should probably buy the original gasket.
There is this too: https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005010159849263.html
The seller can be contacted via WhatsApp for more details about the item.
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Personally, I only had minor issues: the stem cap was poorly finished, and the screw that holds the insert at the rear of the frame for the thru-axle was a bit of a problem.
With those two small issues fixed, the bike is perfect. Another 150km and 2500m of elevation gain this Sunday!
2500km since I've got it !
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Note: The screws on the wedge of this frame stick out halfway (see photo), they don't go all the way into the holes. Does this also happen with the replica frames you have? Because it doesn't happen with the original frame.
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My buddy has a Cube Litening I think its called. The screws are the same design and also stick out like this. Make sure to apply locktight or grease to the threads as these are positioned so that all road spray goes all over them and can get them to corrode and then snap.
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wow 53 pages on chinertown for a fake frame!
there is nothing chiner about this frame gentlemen! this is piracy. wonder why the mods aren't doing anything
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wow 53 pages on chinertown for a fake frame!
there is nothing chiner about this frame gentlemen! this is piracy. wonder why the mods aren't doing anything
Yarrrr! Ahoy matey! Welcome to the party, about late but yarrrr
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wow 53 pages on chinertown for a fake frame!
there is nothing chiner about this frame gentlemen! this is piracy. wonder why the mods aren't doing anything
Why should they? This is NOT a promotional thread but rather "be careful" and maybe DONT come here complaining when things go wrong.
At least with this big of a thread those that are thinking about buying this frameset, will have all the details and experiences of others, and they can make their own decisions.
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wow 53 pages on chinertown for a fake frame!
there is nothing chiner about this frame gentlemen! this is piracy. wonder why the mods aren't doing anything
Ce n'est pas un faux cadre, c'est un vrai cadre... ;D
L'illégalité ne réside pas dans le cadre mais dans l'usage de la marque factor, qui est déposée.
Tu pourrais bien appliquer le logo Factor sur n'importe quel cadre que le résultat serait le même, usage d'un logo, ou d'une marque déposée sans autorisation de la dite marque.
C'est comme une paire de logo Enve sur une paire de roues qui n'est pas de la marque, c'est illégal.
Il est même possible d'acheter ce cadre sans logo...ce qui n'en fait pas une copie illégale !
This isn't a fake frame, it's a real one... The illegality lies not in the frame itself, but in the use of the Factor trademark, which is registered.
You could put the Factor logo on any frame and the result would be the same: unauthorized use of a logo or trademark.
It's like putting Enve logos on wheels that aren't from that brand; it's illegal.
It's even possible to buy this frame without the logo... which doesn't make it an illegal copy!
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Ce n'est pas un faux cadre, c'est un vrai cadre... ;D
L'illégalité ne réside pas dans le cadre mais dans l'usage de la marque factor, qui est déposée.
Tu pourrais bien appliquer le logo Factor sur n'importe quel cadre que le résultat serait le même, usage d'un logo, ou d'une marque déposée sans autorisation de la dite marque.
C'est comme une paire de logo Enve sur une paire de roues qui n'est pas de la marque, c'est illégal.
Il est même possible d'acheter ce cadre sans logo...ce qui n'en fait pas une copie illégale !
Je suis aussi français, mais s'il-vous-plaît, je vous remercie de bien vouloir écrire en anglais.
I am also french, but please, write in english.
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Personally, I only had minor issues: the stem cap was poorly finished, and the screw that holds the insert at the rear of the frame for the thru-axle was a bit of a problem.
With those two small issues fixed, the bike is perfect. Another 150km and 2500m of elevation gain this Sunday!
2500km since I've got it !
I got it. Thanks!
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Does anyone know the maximum seatpost insertion depth for a Factor Ostro VAM V2 (size 54)?
I noticed what seems like a ring or molding bump inside the seat tube (see attached pictures), and I had to cut about 1 cm off the seatpost to achieve a saddle height of 73 cm. Currently, I can insert the seatpost to a total depth of 18 cm.
I’ve since gotten a new, longer seatpost, but I’m unsure whether it’s safe to sand down that internal bump or if it’s there for a structural reason. Has anyone encountered this or knows the correct approach?
Also, what type of washers would you recommend for use between the cockpit clamps? Are standard M5 washers suitable, or do I need something more specific?
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The bump is there for good reason - it's so you don't jam your seatpost down any further and crack the seattube where it starts to narrow.
Max insert depth is simply the point at which your seatpost hits that bump stop.
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if your seat post is too long, just cut it. It's standard practice. I've cut seat posts for various bikes because not everybody's got long legs.
Also, at some point, it's dead weight to have more insertion than you need.
There's also a question of ride quality. The right length of insertion (that's what she said) vs max length (virtually always what she prefers) should result in less comfort, and different ride quality. I dont think anyone ever bothered to quantify it, but intuitively, it makes sense.
Bottom line: cut the seat post, dont go inside to sand the frame so you can insert extra, extra seat post.
I use a hack saw w a cheap blade and a spray bottle to precipitate the carbon dust, and a mask. The spray bottle works better than the mask.
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if your seat post is too long, just cut it. It's standard practice. I've cut seat posts for various bikes because not everybody's got long legs.
Also, at some point, it's dead weight to have more insertion than you need.
There's also a question of ride quality. The right length of insertion (that's what she said) vs max length (virtually always what she prefers) should result in less comfort, and different ride quality. I dont think anyone ever bothered to quantify it, but intuitively, it makes sense.
Bottom line: cut the seat post, dont go inside to sand the frame so you can insert extra, extra seat post.
I use a hack saw w a cheap blade and a spray bottle to precipitate the carbon dust, and a mask. The spray bottle works better than the mask.
Composite engineer here:
Btw for everyone good practice but maybe mix in a bit of soap! Works a bit better. The dust the saw produces isn’t as fine as sanding and stuff. Nonetheless you should be aware that the fine dust can end up in your skin too and produces irritation and can end up in an allergic reaction to carbon dust. When it comes to sanding please wear clothes covering bare skin, don’t touch your skin, gloves and wash your workwear! As a general advice
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Is Yoho still the best store to buy these in?
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Is Yoho still the best store to buy these in?
I've ordered a frame a couple of weeks ago, should arrive beginning of May I think.
I'll keep you posted.
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for me sl8 (yoho) was very soft , very flex, only on front was stiff. handlebar and fork. seatpost/bb and back felt like i had suspensions. and i am not a racer . i bought original seatpost which made some work. vam now is very stiff and madone gen8 too.
I also bought the SL8 from Yoho Bike. I saw your message mentioning that the other two bikes you got from them were better. In what order did you buy the bikes? Do you think the quality has improved since then?
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Surely in 54 pages there's a consensus for or against the quality of the fake factor, has it been compared to the original in ride characteristics, or is it such a gamble (loads of crap and good frames) to not be worth looking at, wouldn't be for me personally
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You would be amazed at what ppl are willing to overlook for a nice label.
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You would be amazed at what ppl are willing to overlook for a nice label.
I regularly ride over 60kph so having lingering doubts about structural quality would be less than ideal
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I regularly ride over 60kph so having lingering doubts about structural quality would be less than ideal
Any doubts on your R01 from XMCS?
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Any doubts on your R01 from XMCS?
Zero tbh, it's never given me anything weird to question it, it's stiff, creak free and imo well built. That could just be bias on my side as I have 6k km done on it and (other than struggling to find a comfortable saddle) it's been the fastest and most comfortable bike I've ridden. Bonus points for no slipping saddle as I weigh 90kg.
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Zero tbh, it's never given me anything weird to question it, it's stiff, creak free and imo well built. That could just be bias on my side as I have 6k km done on it and (other than struggling to find a comfortable saddle) it's been the fastest and most comfortable bike I've ridden. Bonus points for no slipping saddle as I weigh 90kg.
100% with you I am 102kg and not one seat post slip. I have had several advanced riders that ride true SL8s and they are extremely impressed with the frame and bike. I absolutely love it.
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Hello
Unfortunately, we can't generalize. The result depends on the manufacturer's sourcing, the type of molding (not always EPS)... etc. Personally, I've never encountered the slightest problem... from my point of view, there's no structural risk; the bikes are solid. Now, are they more performant than the original? It's difficult to judge, so I have no idea, but from my point of view, that's not the question to ask. Otherwise, buy the original, which is 10 times more expensive, or buy used.
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Hello
... from my point of view, there's no structural risk; the bikes are solid. Now, are they more performant than the original?
There were sl8 clone forks that exploded under riders a few months ago. There was someone on this thread with a rear triangle that made the bike unrideable.
And more performance, really? The new fake colnago weighs like 400g more than the original: how is that going to ride other than like dog $hit?
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There were sl8 clone forks that exploded under riders a few months ago.
Would you have links or more details about theses cases?
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There were sl8 clone forks that exploded under riders a few months ago. There was someone on this thread with a rear triangle that made the bike unrideable.
And more performance, really? The new fake colnago weighs like 400g more than the original: how is that going to ride other than like dog $hit?
Please, read again. I never tell bike are more performant !
Bikes will always break, whether they're counterfeit, generic, or premium brands. I've owned loads of bikes and none of them had a problem... well, almost. I did have a Trek Fuel EX mountain bike whose seat stays cracked, even though the frame cost over €3,000 at the time. My personal conclusion is that these bikes aren't any less bad than others. Everyone is free to do as they please.
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Would you have links or more details about theses cases?
There are 2 threads on SL8 fakes here, i think. It's in them. Try the search function, if you look for ""SL8 fork"" you should find it. It was second half of last year, from memory.
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There are 2 threads on SL8 fakes here, i think. It's in them. Try the search function, if you look for ""SL8 fork"" you should find it. It was second half of last year, from memory.
From memory it was a Tantan X68 green color / first batch
Edit : found it
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Tantan isnt't a counterfeit frame... Yet it breaks !
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Tantan isnt't a counterfeit frame... Yet it breaks !
The X68 IS a COUNTERFEIT frame. They don't put S-Works logos on which puts them in the darker shades of grey instead of dark counterfeit. Their frames/forks aren't manufactured by TanTan I think. At least I've got two X68 frames which are quite different in terms of quality.
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X68 removed from Tantan website, discontinued or sued?
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Would bet on sued considering the success this frame has on this forum alone
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The X68 IS a COUNTERFEIT frame. They don't put S-Works logos on which puts them in the darker shades of grey instead of dark counterfeit. Their frames/forks aren't manufactured by TanTan I think. At least I've got two X68 frames which are quite different in terms of quality.
Sorry but...You really don't know anything about law!
::)There is an important difference between:
a counterfeit → a copy intended to pass off as the genuine brand; Misuse of a trademark
For example, a frame bearing the Trek or Specialized logo when it was never manufactured by that brand.
A near-identical copy of a protected design
This can involve:
the frame design,
certain specific shapes,
patented elements,
characteristic decorations or colors.
an “open mold” → a generic frame legally manufactured without a copied brand. An open mold frame is not necessarily illegal as long as it does not reproduce
in this case, Specialized does not register the frame shape or even its name (SL8). only the logos specialized, S...and trademarks "sworks" "sworks tarmac sl8, roubaix, and so on are registered and can only be used and reproduced with the brand's permission. Therefore, the frame Tantan is not a counterfeit, simply because it only reproduces a form of frame that is not registered.
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Received te frame from yohobike, took about 1 month after first payment, 660eur total with payment directly to them. Frame looks well made, smooth finish inside unlike my venge from 2020, which Is still ride.
Frame is a 56 and weighs 1139 grams with all screws and derailleurhanger attached + di2 battery holder. Fork 505 grams with two screws attached, seatpost 198 grams and handlebar 38mm 90mm weighs 349 grams.
Now waiting for bb tool to install it. Installed a wheel to see if it's symmetrical, seems good. 8)
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Looks great. Good luck with the build; hope all your threads are clean and aligned 😂. Only downside is that paintjob is a dead giveaway because it was only offered on the V1 if you care about being called out.
Thx, I don't care about being called out, I just wanted a nice looking colour which I was sure of that they wouldn't fuck up ;)
Liked thé clear Carbon as well, but there are enough black/dark frames on thé Roads here already.
Fyi, my venge has a colour that they don't sell over here and never been called out, even by an ex pro who has riden on specialized bicycles... None the less, when I get complements I always say it's a chinalized, so now it Will be a fagina? 8)
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Received te frame from yohobike, took about 1 month after first payment, 660eur total with payment directly to them. Frame looks well made, smooth finish inside unlike my venge from 2020, which Is still ride.
Frame is a 56 and weighs 1139 grams with all screws and derailleurhanger attached + di2 battery holder. Fork 505 grams with two screws attached, seatpost 198 grams and handlebar 38mm 90mm weighs 349 grams.
Now waiting for bb tool to install it. Installed a wheel to see if it's symmetrical, seems good. 8)
Proper looking bike! In the end I ordered from Yoho, but opted for a SL8 instead. 1 more week before they ship it out. Hopefully the quality is going to be good.
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Proper looking bike! In the end I ordered from Yoho, but opted for a SL8 instead. 1 more week before they ship it out. Hopefully the quality is going to be good.
Also opted for an SL8 from yoho, he send me the final pictures and weight of the frame today. A little over 1300 grams for the fork and frame. What's the total weight of your frame?
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Also opted for an SL8 from yoho, he send me the final pictures and weight of the frame today. A little over 1300 grams for the fork and frame. What's the total weight of your frame?
UCI sticker isn’t even at the good height (too low)
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Also opted for an SL8 from yoho, he send me the final pictures and weight of the frame today. A little over 1300 grams for the fork and frame. What's the total weight of your frame?
Not arrived yet, still being manufactured.
I sent them a message to improve the UCI sticker placement.
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Took the bicycle for a test ride, man this rides nice, smoother than my Venge, but still feels stiff.
Installation was fairly easy in comparison with the Venge, only the bb is a pita without the correct tools.
Here's a photo, I'll remove some spacers in time.
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Proper looking bike! In the end I ordered from Yoho, but opted for a SL8 instead. 1 more week before they ship it out. Hopefully the quality is going to be good.
It's a nice frame as well, good luck with the shipment :)
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Also opted for an SL8 from yoho, he send me the final pictures and weight of the frame today. A little over 1300 grams for the fork and frame. What's the total weight of your frame?
Tom just sent me the photos of the bike and he used exactly the same photos that he sent to you. I'm waiting for more photos from him before I pay the full amount.
Not sure what's happening here. +86 136 7012 0157
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Happens to everyone trying to shift to being chinalized :D
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Tom just sent me the photos of the bike and he used exactly the same photos that he sent to you. I'm waiting for more photos from him before I pay the full amount.
Not sure what's happening here. +86 136 7012 0157
That's strange. Communication with Tom is not always easy. I paid the full amount upfront via aliexpress. Just to be sure if something happens when i receive the frame.
What color did you buy?
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That's strange. Communication with Tom is not always easy. I paid the full amount upfront via aliexpress. Just to be sure if something happens when i receive the frame.
What color did you buy?
Same colour like yours. I paid 150e over Wise so it comes out cheaper in the end, we'll see how it goes.
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Man, I really loved your bike, congratulations.
The paint finish is way better super clean, consistent, and it really looks premium. The handlebar also surprised me a lot, it feels very well made and the finishing looks flawless. Overall, the bike has the presence of a top-tier build.
Are the spacers screen printed as well?
Best
Took the bicycle for a test ride, man this rides nice, smoother than my Venge, but still feels stiff.
Installation was fairly easy in comparison with the Venge, only the bb is a pita without the correct tools.
Here's a photo, I'll remove some spacers in time.
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You must remove the metal piece in order to remove the seat post.
Can you send me by message justcarbon contacts please
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Hey guys, I've been riding my frame from Taiwan Glory for about 1000km on the road, and good two months on the trainer indoors. My fears when starting to ride outdoors were flex in the handlebar and in the seatpost, but those were all gone when going from indoor trainer to the roads. The bike handles perfectly, and the flex is basically gone now that the bike isn't fixed to trainer. When comparing flex in the handlebar to a genuine Colnago C68 my friend rides, It's actually stiffer than Colnago.
That being said I've encountered my first problem. After a longer ride (150km) I started to hear a knocking sound from the BB area, and I also felt a slight "kick" in the crank accompanying the sound. The next day I've taken the crank and the bb out. The drive side bearing was "stuck" to the crankshaft, but other than removing it and reinserting it to the housing everything was normal, also the bearings run very smoothly. I've cleaned everything, regreased it, torqued it to spec, but the next ride the same problem reappeared after 50km or so. It's not a s bad as the first time, but still.
The bb is the one supplied with the frame and the groupset is Ultegra di2.
Now my question is, do I need to use spacers for the non drive side as the original Factor frame? Or just changing the bb altogether? Or do you guys have any ideas what could be the problem.
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Yeah man, you were always supposed to use the same spacer setup as a real factor. They use the same bb(t47a). You have been riding the bike the entire time without any spacers? ???
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Hey guys, I've been riding my frame from Taiwan Glory for about 1000km on the road, and good two months on the trainer indoors. My fears when starting to ride outdoors were flex in the handlebar and in the seatpost, but those were all gone when going from indoor trainer to the roads. The bike handles perfectly, and the flex is basically gone now that the bike isn't fixed to trainer. When comparing flex in the handlebar to a genuine Colnago C68 my friend rides, It's actually stiffer than Colnago.
That being said I've encountered my first problem. After a longer ride (150km) I started to hear a knocking sound from the BB area, and I also felt a slight "kick" in the crank accompanying the sound. The next day I've taken the crank and the bb out. The drive side bearing was "stuck" to the crankshaft, but other than removing it and reinserting it to the housing everything was normal, also the bearings run very smoothly. I've cleaned everything, regreased it, torqued it to spec, but the next ride the same problem reappeared after 50km or so. It's not a s bad as the first time, but still.
The bb is the one supplied with the frame and the groupset is Ultegra di2.
Now my question is, do I need to use spacers for the non drive side as the original Factor frame? Or just changing the bb altogether? Or do you guys have any ideas what could be the problem.
The use of spacers depends more on the chain line and the crank axle being securely fastened without any play.
Yeah man, you were always supposed to use the same spacer setup as a real factor. They use the same bb(t47a). You have been riding the bike the entire time without any spacers? ???
Not all frames use a T47A bottom bracket. Some replicas of the Factor VAM frame use the standard T47.
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Yeah man, you were always supposed to use the same spacer setup as a real factor. They use the same bb(t47a). You have been riding the bike the entire time without any spacers? ???
Yeah, I've also contacted Tom from Taiwan, and he didn't know what to tell me. The BB and the frame without any spaceres, and there was no rubbing or anything. The cranks spinned without any problems. I'll order the necessary spacers and try again :)
Thanks!
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The use of spacers depends more on the chain line and the crank axle being securely fastened without any play.
Not all frames use a T47A bottom bracket. Some replicas of the Factor VAM frame use the standard T47.
Mine has the T47A. I'll just buy the spacers and try with them.
Thanks.
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i had same problem with bb in first 200klm. i intall new one and all sound gone. i have now 1300klm and the bike is perfect.
just the bb which gave as gift is garbage
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Yeah, I've also contacted Tom from Taiwan, and he didn't know what to tell me. The BB and the frame without any spaceres, and there was no rubbing or anything. The cranks spinned without any problems. I'll order the necessary spacers and try again :)
Thanks!
Getting the spacing correct can be a PITA. different manufacturers require different amounts of spacers. Would be best to just replace the BB with a regular sram one and go off their chart.
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i had same problem with bb in first 200klm. i intall new one and all sound gone. i have now 1300klm and the bike is perfect.
just the bb which gave as gift is garbage
Did you use spacers with either BB?
By the OEM manual it should be 2.5 mm spacers on the non drive side.
Has anyone tried Ryet x Senix ceramic BB? The reviews look promising.
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Did you use spacers with either BB?
By the OEM manual it should be 2.5 mm spacers on the non drive side.
Has anyone tried Ryet x Senix ceramic BB? The reviews look promising.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010094306007.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.2289Po2nPo2nY8&algo_pvid=ef2dd67f-4b11-4dfe-8198-692b01e7e28b&algo_exp_id=ef2dd67f-4b11-4dfe-8198-692b01e7e28b-0&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2224%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21EUR%2138.65%2132.14%21%21%2143.56%2136.23%21%40211b65de17809949583724647ee145%2112000051121563953%21sea%21GR%21134069283%21X%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29919%3Bd%3A9262c68a%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895%3BpisId%3A5000000208180767&curPageLogUid=5reJHyIPd9qn&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005010094306007%7C_p_origin_prod%3A
i bought this . i don't remember about spacer. i think no
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I've always been happy with the spcycle one https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005007698085870.html (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4WskUJ3)
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I've always been happy with the spcycle one https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005007698085870.html (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4WskUJ3)
mine frame from yoho needs t47a
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The number of spacers depends on the type of bottom bracket and crankset (Sram or Shimano). Here is the Ostro Vam assembly manual:
https://assets.ctfassets.net/uyc32o2uod42/2MPYR6VZUI4GEDZsr9EEd7/f5c0f9a1baebd142a7de5ec99f55d265/2024_Ostro_2.0_Manual-v2.pdf
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The number of spacers depends on the type of bottom bracket and crankset (Sram or Shimano). Here is the Ostro Vam assembly manual:
https://assets.ctfassets.net/uyc32o2uod42/2MPYR6VZUI4GEDZsr9EEd7/f5c0f9a1baebd142a7de5ec99f55d265/2024_Ostro_2.0_Manual-v2.pdf
I found this spacing to be correct for the ceramicspeed t47a. However for the official sram dub bb, they have their own chart for spacers.
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The use of spacers depends more on the chain line and the crank axle being securely fastened without any play.
Not all frames use a T47A bottom bracket. Some replicas of the Factor VAM frame use the standard T47.
if not T47a, it isn't a replica :-\
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if not T47a, it isn't a replica :-\
It's a "not perfect" replica ;D