Caliper

Not sure I'm in the market for a new frame, but found this on eBay recently. It's fairly pricey as eBay carbon goes, but it's available in a large frame to fit me and claims to clear 40c tires, plus several other cool features. Any thoughts on this? Anyone tried one? Just kicking around ideas...

shoota 

I've seen reports of them but can't remember where, maybe on here? Anyway it's basically just an Open U.P.

mstateglfr 

WCB-R-125-workswellbikes

Its this one too.
...and found a bunch on bidding sites too.

Its an open design frame. This is often called 'open mold', even though it isnt an open mold. One of those technically incorrect terms thats still used by most(be included) since its easy to remember due to how much its used.

Benefits- low price

drawbacks- builds can be really solid and easy or total nightmares depending on skill and expectations. I have read that sometimes the finish flakes on some in some places, that seat tubes need to be smoothed, that bottom brackets dont install easily, and that fork clearances can be...wonky.

When a fake isn't - open molds vs. the knock-offs | Bicycle Business | BikeBiz
Tales of Open Mold Purchases - Slowtwitch.com

Deng-Fu and another company that ends in -Fu are known for a lot of these frames.

tyrion

How does that crazy seatpost get locked in?

ModeratedUser

You're far far braver than me! This thing has at least 3 things going against me.

1.) Carbon frame from unknown source PLUS fork
2.) Carbon frame from China PLUS fork
3.) I weigh over 120 lbs
4.) I value my life a little bit more?

Banzai

Looks like a crude copy of a GT Grade.

tagaproject6

How about this for a little less money ($599)and a lot more reputable source and it is authentic

vlicon

It looks like it won't allow you to attach disc brakes, if that is something you want.

Caliper

I agree, looks extrremely similar. But, $2900 for Open U.P.... That's just crazy money for a frameset!

That looks fine. Using QR axles instead of thru is a benefit to me also as it will fit existing wheelsets... But, I'm not finding this frame on the Ridley website? Which frame is it and where sold?

No, look closer, it has caliper mounts. Definitely something I like when roads are a bit wet.

mulveyr 

I would definitely trust my life with a company that can't spell "design" correctly.

tagaproject6

That is a 2017 Ridley X-Night Disc frame set from Competitive Cyclist. I just purchased one just because I couldn't pass up such a great deal. The sizes are getting limited so hurry.

EL LUCHADOR

non related, but one of my best friends, a good old texas boy, can build a house bottom to top by himself, read blueprints, weld, plumb , do rough carpentry etc,


but he cannot write a complete sentence without multiple spelling errors

shoota 

And now trying spelling everything correctly in a foreign language.

Caliper

Bummer, they top out at a 58c frame which is too small for comfort.

One of the things that attracted be to the eBay part was the XL's 609/398 stack/reach.

ModeratedUser

To all the brave men and women out there.......

I called Ridley out of curiosity mostly and here was the conversation.

Info at 10:33, Jun 7:
Thank you for choosing to chat with us. We are connecting you with an agent now.
Info at 10:33, Jun 7:
Hello, my name is Jani H.. How may I help you?
Allan at 10:34, Jun 7:
Any larger frames in the X-Night Disc frameset?
Jani H. at 10:34, Jun 7:
Hi Allan!
Jani H. at 10:34, Jun 7:
let me see if we have a bike gearhead available to help you out
Allan at 10:35, Jun 7:
I'm looking at the set priced at $600
Jani H. at 10:36, Jun 7:
transferring you to our bike department now!
Info at 10:36, Jun 7:
Please wait while your chat is transferred to Zach B..
Info at 10:36, Jun 7:
Hello, my name is Zach B.. How may I help you?
Allan at 10:37, Jun 7:
Any larger frames in the X-Night Disc frameset?
Allan at 10:37, Jun 7:
I'm looking at the set priced at $600
Zach B. at 10:38, Jun 7:
Hey Allan, checking that out now
Zach B. at 10:39, Jun 7:
what size do you need?
Allan at 10:39, Jun 7:
58-60
Zach B. at 10:40, Jun 7:
Unfortunately we're sold out of the 58's
Zach B. at 10:40, Jun 7:
And no 60's either
Allan at 10:40, Jun 7:
where were these frames made?
Allan at 10:43, Jun 7:
r u there?
Zach B. at 10:43, Jun 7:
checking now
Allan at 10:45, Jun 7:
u r checking where they are made????
Zach B. at 10:45, Jun 7:
yep
Allan at 10:45, Jun 7:
LOL
Allan at 10:45, Jun 7:
It changes?
Zach B. at 10:46, Jun 7:
Lots of bike companies make their high end stuff in one place and their other stuff elsewhere
Zach B. at 10:46, Jun 7:
It's hard to pin down where lots of bikes are made
Allan at 10:46, Jun 7:
wow!
Zach B. at 10:48, Jun 7:
Looks like this frame is made in Asia
Allan at 10:48, Jun 7:
LOL that can be either good or bad Can't get any closer?
Allan at 10:49, Jun 7:
I could have told you it was made in Asia!
Zach B. at 10:50, Jun 7:
That's nice
Zach B. at 10:50, Jun 7:
It's either Taiwan or China though
Allan at 10:50, Jun 7:
One is good and one is bad
Allan at 10:51, Jun 7:
LOL can't tell me huh
Zach B. at 10:51, Jun 7:
Yeah I don't have that info as to which country it is
Allan at 10:52, Jun 7:
I could have done what you have done so far
Allan at 10:52, Jun 7:
put me in coach!
Allan at 10:52, Jun 7:
I'm ready!!!!!
Zach B. at 10:52, Jun 7:
I don't see any reason for this conversation to continue
Allan at 10:52, Jun 7:
ur right!
Zach B. at 10:53, Jun 7:
Have a good one, Allan

tagaproject6

Interesting, it certainly proves something. Definitely not Ridley nor Competitive Cyclist, though.

mstateglfr 

Bless your heart.


Oh, and frames made in China arent inherently bad just because they are made in China. Thats absurd. I work on a couple dozen bikes each year with frames made in China and they are all perfectly servicable. Straight, strong, and reliable.
I personally prefer Taiwan because of all the geopolitical reasons, but saying Taiwan is better than China for frames is a generalization without merit.

ModeratedUser

No one is not better than the other straight up, but who has had pretty much impeccable quality on their craftsmanship? Also who has their quality of craftsmanship scattered through the whole range of craftsmanship? I would argue that it's pretty much still that way!

Everyone likes to dance around this issue of poor craftsmanship from China. Look at the example I provided. What, I'm the first one that ever inquired about where the frames are made with that rep? Yeah I guess it's like knowing about how sausages are created huh? It's better off not being discussed.

I'm thinking the rep uses "Looks like this frame is made in Asia" cause people suck this stuff up! That's like saying your item was made in the Americas. It's roughly the same land mass with a quarter of the people of Asia. You're going to be happy with "Looks like this frame is made in Asia"? Lets apply ourselves people.

mstateglfr 

1- bless your heart was in response to your condescending attitude and words directed towards a random company salesperson who is not part of manufacturing or logistics.

2- Yes i would agree that typically a frame from Taiwan will be well made and finished while a frame from China may or may not be well made and finished. Though I would add that frames are made to meet a pricepoint. So then claiming the frames are worse coming from one place when that place purposely makes frames to meet a lower pricepoint is...disingenuous.

3- I am not dancing around anything by saying frames from China arent inherently worse just because they come from China. I am stating actual observations based on experience. I help maintain a fleet of bikes whose frames were made in China and as stated, they are perfectly fine in terms of quality and finish.
I have assembled 4 Diamondback/Raleigh bikes for friends in the last year and all came from China. Rim brake frames, disc brake thru axle frames, carbon forks, aluminum forks- the 4 bikes varied in price and frame level. All were easy to set up and came mostly assembled(and assembled well). All are being used 1-2x/week during riding season here without issue. Claris, Sora, and 105 drivetrains- the pricepoint didnt matter- frames were straight and well finished.

4- Like most everything in manufacturing, where something made is important. You are using a seriously broad brush to state your opinion by citing two countries. I am going granular and saying the specific manufacturer is whats important.
Taiwan manufacturers have plants in China. Major heritage brands like Trek, Giant, Specialized, etc have frames built in both Taiwan and China.
The common theme is that whats important is the specific facility and not the country.

bikecrate

If it is like a Giant frame I have there is a bolt that tightens/loosens a piece that is on the underside of the frame in that little crook area that connects the top tube with the seat tube.

gqstud79

I have the Workswell 125 which appears to be the same frame. I've got ~400 miles on it so far (including some rough terrain on the DK200) and it has been great. The seatpost clamp design is a little weird. It uses a little compression plug that is recessed into the top tube and sits in front of the seatpost. In my mind, it seems like a better design than the standard collar that is used on most bikes since it distributes the pressure across a wider section of the seatpost.

Here's a really bad pic - please forgive the dirt that I have yet to clean up after the DK

vinuneuro

Looks similar to the 3T gravel bike

EL LUCHADOR

Nice looking bike. Do you know the largest tire it can fit?

shoota 

Wow that was the most condescending, pointless, and rude conversation I've seen in a while. I can't believe you even had the gall to post that publicly, I would be too ashamed of myself to post it.

vinuneuro

I don't know much about it but the tire clearance is really massive. It's also quite pricey.