Titus is Dead

[Boeing]

Oh that's nifty. Is a "soon to be available" or "never gonna happen" frame?

I ask only because I will upgrade my 29er frame next season and buying for the UK is a realistic option...

nice call. I guess the old saying applies.

If you saw it at interbike you'll know by seaotter if it is for real

 

[Boeing]

I meant that they really are into engineering and design. Not just saying it. The proof (or lack thereof) is in the product and the price.

I just think something is wrong when my motorcycle costs less than my mountain bike.

i can dig that

 

[Boeing]

The angular centers of the tubes make it look like the typical no-name frame that you can buy direct from Taiwan.

thats bold statement is a dogmatic kinda way

 

[joe_papp]

Not to sound too obtuse, but this isn't the first time I've heard "buy cheap direct from Taiwan and/or China".

How much substance is there to this?

Has anyone here done this? I'd be worried about shipping damage, robustness of the frame during use, and follow-on support if there were an issue.

But if the price is right...well, the price is right.

Last year I brought in a bunch of carbon frames (including one for me) and they were 1) incredibly cheap and 2) of reasonable quality. In fact, for what they cost, even if I'd only gotten a season out of mine it was still a deal. In reality though, mine is still in fine condition. $400 or so.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Ebay

Not to sound too obtuse, but this isn't the first time I've heard "buy cheap direct from Taiwan and/or China".

How much substance is there to this?

Has anyone here done this? I'd be worried about shipping damage, robustness of the frame during use, and follow-on support if there were an issue.

But if the price is right...well, the price is right.

The prices on ebay are generally higher than some other direct methods, but still a good discount compared to Western branded product. Look at the number of sales the sellers are doing (lots!) and the satisfaction seems to be there.

It's decent product in every respect but 'follow-on service.' The build quality can be excellent as some of the product is made on the same line as Western product, only not as perfect fit and finish. The manufacturers in Taiwan and China want it shipped, not serviced. So, follow-on service is nonexistent.


Just keep in mind the price includes you having no recourse for material defect. Some are happy to assume that cost because at this point, manufacturing bike frames is well known and perceive the materials failure risk as very small.

I am happy to pay for an in-country warranty. And yes, I read the warranty legalese. Some brands claim to have a warranty but they are just disclaimers and hold harmless shenanigans.

 

[euanli]

There are a few companies in the UK that design their frames in the UK and get Far Eastern manufacturing to build the product. Genesis, Charge and Cotic spring to mind as companies who do this.

On One has been doing this as well. If I was going to build up a mountain bike it would probably be a Scandal 29er and it was probably one of the first UK companies to offer a 29er. And certainly their Pompino and Pompitine frames are unique to them as far as I'm aware.

Planet X however is all over the Far East carbonfibre frame market, their TT, road and track frames are all very much of the open mould variety.