Chinertown
Chinese Carbon MTB => 26er & 27.5 (650b) => Topic started by: hellomrko on November 07, 2025, 01:03:34 PM
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Post-build video in the attachments.
Hello folks.
I saw a 26 inch counterpart of this thread subject, so I thought I'd share my experience with my 9-yo's new bike build.
We had to size up our child from the 20 inch to 24 inch bike, and we couldn't find a hardtail with modern spec (disk brake, thru axle) and the requested color, so we took it to aliexpress. The basic idea was to go for something that Trailcraft would make, maybe pay less, and totally purple it out.
- Meinier 24 inch hardtail frame: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806779946023.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.9.7611pPO8pPO8PH&algo_pvid=bd03928a-f70d-4147-b3b5-f204e903ab93&algo_exp_id=bd03928a-f70d-4147-b3b5-f204e903ab93-8&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2217%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21USD%21469.00%21248.57%21%21%21469.00%21248.57%21%402101d6fe17625397912708394e7ac3%2112000039042654061%21sea%21US%21124277437%21X%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29919%3Bd%3A54aa6c9f%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&curPageLogUid=Zj9xKYRnlvMH&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005006966260775%7C_p_origin_prod%3A (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806779946023.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.9.7611pPO8pPO8PH&algo_pvid=bd03928a-f70d-4147-b3b5-f204e903ab93&algo_exp_id=bd03928a-f70d-4147-b3b5-f204e903ab93-8&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2217%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21USD%21469.00%21248.57%21%21%21469.00%21248.57%21%402101d6fe17625397912708394e7ac3%2112000039042654061%21sea%21US%21124277437%21X%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29919%3Bd%3A54aa6c9f%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&curPageLogUid=Zj9xKYRnlvMH&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005006966260775%7C_p_origin_prod%3A)
- Same company's "HS-001" IS headset: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832673325362.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.111.644518029B7Tej&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832673325362.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.111.644518029B7Tej&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa)
- Nanlio 24 inch suspension form (tapered steerer tube): https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807154873728.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.90.644518029B7Tej&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807154873728.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.90.644518029B7Tej&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa)
- Pasak 24 inch boost MTB wheels
- SR Suntour Zeron crankset and bottom bracket
- TrailOne alloy handlebar
- Spank Spoon stem
- Drivetrain is hand-me-down Deore M4120 derailleur/shifter/cassette from my 29" hardtail
- Deore 2-piston brakes. I love that I don't have to service V brakes anymore.
- Maxxis Rekon tires and TPU tubes
We didn't skimp out much around the drivetrain and cockpit parts. We're not doing any "serious" mountain biking - just occasional rounds around the pump track and riding around town - so it's bit overbuilt for the actual riding that we do. It's been working out well so far, nothing broken. I think it's actually lighter than our 20" Specialized Riprock. Don't have the bike scale here, sorry.
The positives were:
- Faster than expected delivery. I received it about 3 weeks after ordering.
- I took it to the LBS for things that I couldn't do at home: installing headset, cutting steering tube to length, cutting the handlebar, BB and crankset installation. Zero complaints about parts not fitting.
- The frameset is compatible with modern standards: thru axle, boost width, internal cable routing, not *headset* internal routing, disk brake caliper mounting points
- The frameset is light, being carbon and all
- Very nice color options, well done Meinier. That's important for kids. I don't mind the logo. Compared to other brands with awkward names, I think they did well with their name and logo.
The negatives were:
- From start to finish, I think the build process took around 4-6 weeks, waiting for last bits and pieces to arrive, and wrenching during the weekend. Fortunately no one was clamoring for a new bike.
- Poor frame finishing around one of the internal cable routing holes. The hole was not a clean round shape, and some section was wider than the plastic grommet.
- Poor customer service about the above point. I sent them the same photo, and they said they would send a wider side grommet. They never followed through on it. Shame on them, but for the price that I paid for, whatever...
- Internal cable routing #1: you won't be able to do dropper posts. There are left and right holes, and the plastic grommer (cover) allows for only 1 cable.
- Internal cable routing #2: you guessed it. "Only 1 cable per side" means that you have to route your rear shifter cable on the left side, and rear disk brake hydraulic hose on the right. Or vice versa. Pick whichever you're more comfortable with. It doesn't look bad, but is different from a typical setup.
- Kickstand: I know, no kickstands on real mountain bikes. But kids still like to prop their bike up. I ordered a ztto kickstand that you can put on your thru axle, but it requires about 6mm longer thru axle, so back to the aliexpress for that. Actually I just went to amazon for the same part (faster).
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Roughly $1300 total in parts and labor. These wheels, cost probably about as much as the frameset. If I had more time, I suppose I could have ordered parts and built the wheels myself. But it's okay, everything works. No more cheap grip shifter or v-brake nonsense now.
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Niveau build, i did the same for my son, thread is further down the forum. I bought wheels (unbranded pazak) and similar fork at a pretty nice discount. He has been really enjoying it. The 2-3kg vs random bike store built makes a massive difference for them