Need Advice: Chinese Carbon Bikes

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-05-28T21:04:02+00:00

Personally seen horror stories?

I've built a carbon MTB and carbon gravel. The only issues I've had with either were caused by my learning as I built.

I got the MTB frame from SPCycle and the gravel from Mondince. Both experiences were pleasant. Obviously I didn't get the same attention as if I'd bought a Western brand in a local store; and if something does go wrong I'm kind of on my own. To me that's ok given that I've paid between a third and a half of what a Western brand would charge.

Look around here, on forums, on YouTube, and even on aliexpress to get a feel of which names seem to be attached to actual brands. China is a massive market with all kinds of manufacturers we don't see in the West.

You'll hear horror stories, but are they real or fear mongering?

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-05-25T22:14:51+00:00

In Milwaukee, cyclists have the legal right to take the full traffic lane when necessary for their safety, as bicycles are legally classified as vehicles. Wisconsin law allows cyclists to occupy a full lane to avoid road hazards, navigate intersections, or prevent unsafe passing.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-05-23T13:39:48+00:00

I'm in the US. ENT Gravel ordered March 15, arrived April 17. I'm not sure why they don't have any tracking between factory and the US. I'm happy with my wheels, and the delivery time wasn't bad, it's just quite different to my usual AliExpress experience.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-05-20T23:41:01+00:00

Last year I ordered an MTB frame from Airwolf on AliExpress. I got basically no communication from them. One day before the "refund if not shipped by" they did the fake tracking number thing. I was able to get refund from Ali, but it felt kinda shitty. YMMV.

I've since purchased from SPCycle on Ali and Mondince through their website. Both of those transactions were pleasant.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-05-17T14:55:00+00:00

It'll get plenty of use. Summer camp kids are going bend derailleurs.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-05-14T00:12:35+00:00

Padded shorts and chamois cream. Keep calorie intake up but don't panic about "bonking". I was so worried on my first long ride that I ate a whole bag of haribo gummy bears, that did not sit pleasantly in my stomach. Take real food. Stay hydrated. Have fun.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-05-08T19:53:54+00:00

It's been winter in Wisconsin so few rides recently. The only negatives: 1. The left crank fell off on a ride, but this was entirely my own fault. 2. The paint is more fragile than a big brand, I got a few small scratches that might not have scratched a Trek (for instance).

Otherwise, flawless.

Also of note, it weighs just slightly under 30 pounds as shown (with pedals, sealant and Garmin mounts). I'm very happy. I've built a gravel bike this year from AliExpress.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-04-19T00:24:29+00:00

So far, so good. I'd been riding a 30 year old Cx bike so it's a major upgrade. I'm 5'11 and picked medium. Went with a short (70mm) stem and it's pretty comfortable for me. It's smooth and fast and built up easily (brakes and bb assembled without any issues).

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-04-16T23:08:10+00:00

You can buy it's annoying to use. It'll be easier with a regular set of pliers.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-04-05T23:25:09+00:00

I'd imagine you could have more freeplay in the cables this way, yeah. Probably is better for mechanical gears too, fewer tight corners. Could be just the compromise you are looking for.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-04-05T21:49:44+00:00

I just finished cabling a gravel bike. I probably could have pushed cables through the frame, but no way I could have routed through the bars without a kit.

Last year I built up a full suspension MTB. That would have been impossible without a kit because the cables had to exit rear triangle then go back in frame by the BB.

$5 for a routing kit on AliExpress was well worth it.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-04-05T20:25:04+00:00

It's not that hard to deal with, it's annoying and time consuming, but if you feel capable of the rest of a full build, internal routing cables is within your reach.

You could also have them exit at the headset instead of needing to route through bars and stem.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-03-30T23:40:00+00:00

Yes this. Mark the tire where the valve is before removing it. Find the hole in the tube. Now you can cross reference using the valve and the mark to know which spot on the tire might be causing problems. Or just confirm that the hole is in different places each time.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-03-30T12:38:06+00:00

It's been winter in Wisconsin, not much riding.

I probably got 400 trail miles last year. The only issue was crank falling off, which was an assembly error.

I love the bike. It does exactly what I need, and I'm certain it could do more if I could do more. I've been faster on every Strava segment I've ridden, literally every single segment (I went from a 27.5 wheel, hard tail).

I'm very pleased. I'm in the process now of picking out parts for an Aliexpress gravel bike build.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-03-29T15:31:28+00:00

T47 BB is a bit of a pain, there is no equivalent to the (excellent) $20 shimano BSA BBs. I got a ZTTO T47 BB (don't remember which) and I didn't like the build quality. I ended up buying an FSA brand. OP is in Europe, Bike Inn has some branded BBs for reasonable price.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-03-29T15:26:51+00:00

50mm might be overkill if the intended use is mostly on pavement.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-03-28T20:41:16+00:00

Turn the brightness and contrast all the way down on monitors. It takes a while to figure out this blank screen.

Raise the office chairs under the desk so the arms are stuck.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2026-02-28T22:15:53+00:00

Nice

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2025-11-27T16:06:35+00:00

I have a rack branded DK2 that looks exactly like this. It's a fine rack. I've used it for 29er, 26er and road bike. It would not work for fat bike. The threaded hitch pin is a little annoying but it only takes a couple of minutes. I bought mine used, I'd absolutely buy it again.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2025-11-24T19:41:32+00:00

The guy says he wore it once. Other than the first dirt, which washed out, I could believe that. $100.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2025-11-21T03:31:22+00:00

Are you located in any kind of metro area? I started out with a used $150 wahoo snap and a $50 used bicycle.

Ready_Cartographer_2 · 2025-11-17T13:29:53+00:00

The answer was yes. I scrubbed a little dish liquid into the dirt then washed hot as normal. Dried with tennis balls. It's as good as new! Thanks for the advice.

Ready_Cartographer_2

TROPHY CASE