TanTan Sports Equipment - same frame and different pricing

[mynamejeff]

Hello everyone.
I've decided to built my own gravel bike using one of the "chinese" frames. After some research and reading I thought that I have finally made my mind about the frame model. It appears that I chose 2026 GR206 TanTan frame http://www.tantancycling.com/index.php?_m=mod_product&_a=view&p_id=1203  but under a Cwind G50 name. I did some digging and the same exact frame can be found under many names and DIFFERENT PRICES (Airwolf YFR003, CWind G50, Seraph GR206, Spcycle G026, Syrak SY-R003, Mondince FM326). So my question is: Does different prices mean that the more expensive ones are better finished, had better quality control, came from production line lighter etc.? What are your thoughts about it?

[Serge_K]

That's probably an open mould. It means that various actors can make the frame. Afaik, open mould doesn't come with layup instructions. In theory it means that the layup, materials, QC, attention to detail, can vary greatly. In practice, the reputation of each seller is probably a good proxy for what you'll get. The geometry of the frame will dictate more about how it rides than the layup itself, but it doesn't mean that's irrelevant.

[Chiyou]

One subtle difference with the Mondince version is that they spec their frame with a flip chip fork, yet another detail to ponder.