After reading through this forum i finally decided to buy a China Carbon 036 frame, since I couldn’t find any real big quality issues lately.
Thanks for all the good info ! Now it is time for me to add some experiences.
Some background, my current bike is a Rose Dr.Z, a aluminum fully 29” from 2012, no issues on this bike, I was ready for something new after 4 years good service.
Decided to start with requesting quotations from different 036 suppliers, had fast response and good contact with ICAN so decided to purchase there. I went for a full Chinese Carbon parts package: Frame + Seat post + Seat + Steer + Stem + Headset Spacers + Seat tube clamp + Rear Shaft.
The start of the projects wasn’t so smooth, the box arrived but there was a big carton tear in the center of the box. We had to accept the package and pay taxes before we would be allowed to check the if the frame was damaged, so decided to refuse the box. The tricky part is if you accept the package, it will be difficult to get warranty replacement and if you get free replacement you still have to pay taxes again. Policy if box is refused and not picked up within 2 weeks from depot it will be shipped back to the sender. After a few days I went to the depot, asked if I could check if the frame was damaged, luckily I was allowed to go into the box with my hand, felt that everything was well packed and I could not feel any damage so I decided to accept the box. At home unpacked everything and everything looked in good condition.
The built:
- First thing I bought was the front suspension, new from a USA 2014 stock clearance sale. Recently changed from remote to manual, unfortunately no trail adjust in this fork.
- A long search for Rims and Hubs selection, wanted Chinese Carbon rims, but comparing price and weight made the decision to go for a factory wheels set, DT Swiss 240s with Ryde Trace rims.
- The Shimano M8000 was in a full drivetrain with brakes set, pricewise a easy decision, sold the 180mm discs and mounted 160mm discs.
- The rear suspension was a quite long search to find one for a fair price.
- The smaller parts was straight forward, no issues there.
- Started with tubeless Latex, I wasn’t really impressed, so went back to Latex inner tubes.
- Made frame stickers, gloss black “Chiner”
The ride:
- First ride immediately went for a 100 Km ride (50km XCl / 50km concrete), no issues on the bike, only the full Carbon saddle, it is only 96 gram, but comfort is 0,0. So immediately replaced that one. The stem I original purchased didn’t feel as solid as I am used to, also it was too long, so I replaced it for a shorter aluminum version.
- Rides after that were a bit more rough, some jumps, faster through the corners, climbing some hills, got more confidence in the bike, not disappointed so far.
- Last ride got some sounds in rear suspension, opened all joints, checked all bearings, couldn’t find any abnormality’s, think main issue was Fox hinge bush grease.
Bearing sizes:
4x Outer 19mm x Inner 8mm x width 6mm
2x Outer 24mm x Inner 12m x width 6mm
Question, the retaining rings to hold the bearings in position are a thin version (not standard), 24mmx1 and 19mmx0,6, anybody has found where i can buy them ?
Current specifications:
Description
Frame type, AC036, BB30, 21", 142x12mm,ICAN
Seat post, SP006, 31,6mm, 400mm, ICAN
Steer, 680mm, HB001, ICAN
Stem, aluminium, 90mm, 0 degrees, Bike Discount
Headset spacers, SC02, ICAN
Bottle cage, BC02, ICAN
Selle Royal saddle, Bought second hand from a Demo bike.
Headset, 1-1/8", 1-1/2", H373, ICAN
Seat tube clamp, SCS04, ICAN
Rear shaft, TH142, 12x142mm, ICAN
Fox Front shox, 32mm, Float, 2014, 100mm, Kashima, Ebay
SPD Pedals, Shimano, XTR, PD-M980, Cycle Klein
Wheelset, DT Swiss 240s Disc IS / Ryde Trace-XC 29", Bike Discount
Fox Shox Float DPS, SV, 6.5" x 1.5" Kashima 165x38, Ebay
Fox Hinge bush, 22,2mm long, inner diameter 8mm, Ebay
Fox Hingebush, 22,86mm long, inner diameter 8mm, Ebay
Shimano M8000, 1x11 Groupset + Brakes, Bike Discount, this contained below parts.
XT 11-speed Crank FC-M8000-1 32 175mm
XT Hollowtech II Bottom Bracket BB-MT800
XT 11-speed Rapidfire PLUS SL-M8000 I-Spec II right
Gear wire 2050mm and Gear cable SIS OT-SP41
XT 11-speed Rear Derailleur RD-M8000 SGS Shadow RD+
XT 11-speed Cassette CS-M8000 11-42T incl. Lock Ring
HG-X 11-speed Chain CN-HG701, 116 linkst
XT Disc Brake BR-M8000, G02A Resin, Front
XT Disc Brake BR-M8000, G02A Resin,. Rear
XT Disc Rotors SM-RT86M2 160mm 6-hole (was 180mm original)
XT Disc Rotors SM-RT86M2 160mm 6-hole (was 180mm original)
Tube Michelin C4 Aircomp Latex, 47/57-559 SV 40 mm, Bike Components
Schwalbe Racing Ralph Evolution LiteSkin PaceStar Set 29",Bike Components
NoTubes Stan's Yellow Rim Tape, 21mm, Bike Components
Handle bar grips, Aliexpress
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