See likes

See likes given/taken


Posts you liked

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 6
Post info No. of Likes
Re: Advice on fake frames Well I was unsure if I should post anything regarding my new racebike project since it is a copy of a well known brand...

I was curious enough to place an order and build up the bike after checking the inside of the frame with a camera and all looked good.
Seller was the mentioned Rocking cycling store, I ordered the frame on October 19th and it arrived just before Christmas.
The paint quality leaves room for improvement but the rest of the frame, seat mast and handlebar look good. Only the break areas and the handlebar spacers needed some manual work with file and sandpaper...

Here a picture of the finished bike with 105 Di2, Elite Edge wheels GP5000 28mm: Total weight 7.6kg.
First ride was excellent, the bike accelerates fast and holds speed well. Position on the bike is comfortable.



Honestly speaking, if I would have found a similar frame design from a Chinese manufacturer like Seraph or Winspace I would chosen one of their frames instead. But I always liked the design of this particular frame so took the risk to give it a try... if it does not work out it will end up as my indoor bike  ;D

BR Chris
January 15, 2023, 03:01:49 PM 		1
Re: Consensus on replica frames ??
Quote from: Liter on July 03, 2023, 09:40:11 AM
entry bikes going for 4/5K, considering stocks are up I think prices will get slashed soon.
I built my F12 replica with 454 nsw replica wheels, hydraulic disc ultegra di2 and assioma duo pedals for around 4200 USD.
An original bike would be like 4K with mechanic 105 and alloy wheels instead for the same price.
My CX was built for 1500 USD, same bike is like 4K today. It was very easy to justify the replica in my case for sure.
July 03, 2023, 01:35:17 PM 		1
Re: Consensus on replica frames ??
Quote from: Takiyaki on July 22, 2023, 07:11:45 AM
Not really, especially if you buy used. Plus with all the affordable "original" frames there's no point in buying a fake frame, unless you want to look like you spent more money than you could afford which seems to be the case with you.

i agree with you. I just got a fake factor ostro too. I have told my cycling group that my new bike: a prisma studio ostro frameset is coming, and i will not be riding fake bikes anymore, as i will be selling off my fake bianchi oltre xr4 disc.

I have also bought the ceramicspeed bottom bracket (in blue）to ensure no one can call out my fake bike.

and you may ask why am I doing this? its simply because i cannot afford a real ostro.
November 23, 2023, 11:41:55 PM 		1
Re: Consensus on replica frames ?? I think a lot of people simply think replica / knockoff = unsafe to ride, but in reality, it is about knowing which vendor to trust as some of the factories are producing good quality replica. Some of the big brands out there have a very small R&D department for frame design, maybe not even have one, they just have a huge marketing department. The blueprint of the frames they are selling are also provided by the manufacturer in China, perhaps with a little adjustments heres and theres.

The idea of associating well-known brands with quality and great design is not always accurate, I think people need to start understanding this.
December 30, 2023, 09:07:36 PM 		1
Re: Consensus on replica frames ??
Quote from: carbonazza on January 01, 2024, 04:13:38 AM
Did you watch the video from 24:17 ?
Most replica look the same as the real thing, but just from afar, at best they are QA rejected B or C quality bikes, or at worst just gross copies.
People selling them do not put their skin in the game like the brands that try to build their reputation and trust.

Yes I did and what Joe said was remarkebly vague and generic. As others said already, bad things can happen with other frames and sources too, it depends from whom you buy and not at least the quality control you have to do for yourself. And I can tell from experience that my VBR-218 is fine. The crank doesn't spin any worse than on an original Dogma and it does 80km/h descents just fine. Just the rear brake mount is not perfect, but workable. Everything, including the appearance of the inside of the tubes, very much in line of what I have seen with regular middle-class CF frames from western brands.   

I like Joe from PandaPodium and what he is doing. But he has way too much personal interest in this matter to be your only advisor. Here in Germany buying a replica product is legal for private use. But if you sell something like that, it's a crime. So if Joe would sell replicas, he might get into bigger trouble when returning to Europe. I wouldn't take that risk if I were him. His business is instead making Chinese originals accessible to us, which is great. But for sure he wants us to buy Chinese originals from him and not some replica he can't sell.
January 01, 2024, 07:53:32 AM 		1
Re: replica vs open mold discussion
Quote from: tssy5 on August 22, 2024, 02:05:14 AM
2. Is replica going to be as good as the real thing performance wise?

Absolutely not, but is it close? I would say yes, replica tends to feel less stiff, a bit heavier and a little bit sluggish. If I really need to give a direct comparison, I will say replica has 90% of the performance, in fact, we all sort of know the answer, if you get dropped, problem's on you, not the bike. Honestly if you are not a racer, don't bother, I don't really think a racer would consider buying replica anyway.


if frames from TanTan, VB, ICAN can be as close to 85% ride quality of the frames they took inspiration on, this is plenty good for a hobbyist racer like me.
im paying probably 25-40% on bike frame from reference of a big brand bike, get ~80% ride quality, and its not like my race performance is handicaped at 80% of my full potential if i would be on thos big brand bike(i guess). the savings of $ can go to more race fees n travel
August 22, 2024, 08:48:25 AM 		1
Re: SL8 Replica Build Very nice! Who's the seller exactly? I made a list in the sellers section of the forum of sellers of fakes and so far I black listed all of them.
I'm considering doing a similar build assuming I can get the bike without logo and I'd then put on a vinyl ass-works logo on it because I'm an 8 year old troll at heart, like I did with my tractor.
Did you get additional photos of the inside of the frame?
The frame weight is impressive, how much did you pay for the frame exactly?
Is there any area, especially the down tube, where you can flex the frame with your hand? Apparently the down tube of the new ostro vam flexes like that (and same on at least one frame of the LC 17D).

Ass-works... Or maybe sex-works? There are two sides on a bike after all. Or only-fans. The Factor font was easy enough to hack, the specialized one should be similar if not easier.
October 03, 2024, 12:01:25 AM 		1
Re: Mini Velo I have wanted a mini velo ever since I got dropped by a guy riding one. I was on a Dogma F and the guy lapped me easily doing 42+kph. Stijn cycles Peg is very interesting but a little pricey option.
October 28, 2024, 10:32:44 AM 		1
Re: Mini Velo
Quote from: maza on October 28, 2024, 10:32:44 AM
I have wanted a mini velo ever since I got dropped by a guy riding one. I was on a Dogma F and the guy lapped me easily doing 42+kph. Stijn cycles Peg is very interesting but a little pricey option.

This is the exact reason I want a mini velo. I mean, there aren't a lot of people that I'd be able to drop, but the few that I do would damn well remember the time they got dropped by that fat guy on the weird, tiny wheeled bike. lol
October 30, 2024, 09:13:46 AM 		1
Re: Elves Falath EXP If we are sick of Chinese and Western brands producing SL7 and Scott Foil clones, what exactly are we looking for in terms of innovation?
February 07, 2025, 04:18:15 PM 		1