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"Begasso" - Oh, China...

Old 02-26-21, 01:26 PM
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La Brea Bike
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"Begasso" - Oh, China...

You wouldn't believe the quality of the "Begasso" bikes being sold on Amazon. It's a spritely 40 pound road bike they are getting $180 for. It's hilarious how bad they are, and how blatant the black market Shimano parts are... We had two of these come in to be built for a customer. Neither could be made to run anywhere near correctly (rear dropouts offset so that the derailleur wouldn't run). I did find the markings epic however! Come on China, you're not even trying anymore!

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Old 02-26-21, 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by La Brea Bike
You wouldn't believe the quality of the "Begasso" bikes being sold on Amazon. It's a spritely 40 pound road bike they are getting $180 for. It's hilarious how bad they are, and how blatant the black market Shimano parts are... We had two of these come in to be built for a customer. Neither could be made to run anywhere near correctly (rear dropouts offset so that the derailleur wouldn't run). I did find the markings epic however! Come on China, you're not even trying anymore!
Excellent - there's a line of sports clothing out there with a vaguely Under Armor-ish logo and the name Uncle Martian. I really want some Uncle Martian gear....
What I don't understand is the misspelling of, for example, "SHIMANO" as "SIHMANO" or "SHIMENG" - is this just plain sloppiness or a calculated approach to keep Shimano from going after them? Do they have some sort of legal defense if they're selling componentry under "SIHMANO" vs "SHIMANO"? If you're ripping off legit companies, why not go all in?

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Old 02-26-21, 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Litespud
Excellent - there's a line of sports clothing out there with a vaguely Under Armor-ish logo and the name Uncle Martian. I really want some Uncle Martian gear....
What I don't understand is the misspelling of, for example, "SHIMANO" as "SIHMANO" or "SHIMENG" - is this just plain sloppiness or a calculated approach to keep Shimano from going after them? Do they have some sort of legal defense if they're selling componentry under "SIHMANO" vs "SHIMANO"? If you're ripping off legit companies, why not go all in?
I think it's sloppiness. I mean, "Comb ass" vs. "Compass"?
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Old 02-26-21, 02:04 PM
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COMBASS
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Old 02-26-21, 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Litespud
What I don't understand is the misspelling of, for example, "SHIMANO" as "SIHMANO" or "SHIMENG" - is this just plain sloppiness or a calculated approach to keep Shimano from going after them? Do they have some sort of legal defense if they're selling componentry under "SIHMANO" vs "SHIMANO"? If you're ripping off legit companies, why not go all in?
It's quite possible they are hoping to avoid trademark infringement. I am not well versed in TM law to opine on whether what they are doing is kosher, but I have a feeling it's not, especially since they are trying to copy the look.
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Old 02-26-21, 02:46 PM
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This is just head shakingly stupid. I hate that the barrier to entry for quality equipment in this hobby is so high, but this sort of crap helps show that there is not a lot of room to push the barrier lower before you end up with junk like in the pics.
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Old 02-26-21, 03:02 PM
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I'm amused there is a Compass ripoff. That's a pretty niche brand to be copying. I think I would have gone with Shcwalbe

Or Cominental
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Old 02-26-21, 03:08 PM
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That reminds me, my new "Evne" rims should be arriving today...
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Old 02-26-21, 03:30 PM
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I'm curious what you ended up telling the customer.
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Old 02-26-21, 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by katsup
I'm curious what you ended up telling the customer.
We told him to send them back to the sewer they were shipped from.
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Old 02-26-21, 04:12 PM
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it'd be LOL to see another chineze company rip off of another cheapese company, like SHENZHEN - HIMNZHEN or ICAN - ICANT
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Old 02-26-21, 04:28 PM
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You guys should see my new Terk bike.
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Old 02-26-21, 04:45 PM
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Any thoughts on the new SPAM Der eTarp group? Thinking of building up a Skrow-S frame.

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Old 02-26-21, 04:56 PM
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i'd opt for scampagnolo.
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Old 02-26-21, 06:38 PM
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Originally Posted by mstateglfr
This is just head shakingly stupid. I hate that the barrier to entry for quality equipment in this hobby is so high, but this sort of crap helps show that there is not a lot of room to push the barrier lower before you end up with junk like in the pics.
Brand new maybe, but if you have the patience you can find quality used bikes at reasonable prices. Better to buy a quality second hand bike than a rubbish new bike.
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Old 02-26-21, 06:49 PM
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I'm thankful I don't have to feed at that level of the pond. I hope I could find another way to spend my time.
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Old 02-26-21, 08:57 PM
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Wow that is a quality bike. Yan Heiney makes some great tires and Shimengus De2s is the best drivetrain because it has the elunktronics gear changers unless you get Cameranolos which are made in Ertaly. Conetenontals are good tires two but avoid the Skwhalebees as those are to slow.

It reminds me of this:
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Old 02-27-21, 01:01 AM
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I've always wanted to own a Chinarello Dogpoo, just for ***** n giggles... if I ever see such a thing in any local store.
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Old 02-27-21, 01:29 AM
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Originally Posted by cubewheels
I always bought cheap bikes only <$300 in the Asian market.
The only reliable enough cheap brands from China are Trinx, Foxter, Phantom, Keysto, Battle, Spanker, and Sunspeed. Probably not everything in there. At least they're honest about their parts and their frames are decent enough for future upgrades. Their bikes in the >$400 price range will be equipped with decent groupsets, often with higher quality components at the pricepoint compared to American counterparts. The Trinx brand offers the best warranty of those and definitely worth considering.
Actually, a Spanker would be kinda cool.
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Old 02-27-21, 01:23 PM
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Shimeng.
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Old 02-28-21, 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Milton Keynes
You guys should see my new Terk bike.
Maybe the guys from Wayne’s World could sell Schwing?

Otto
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Old 02-28-21, 03:37 PM
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Anyone know if this sensor works with the 2021.5 Truk Mundane with the gorilla composite frame? Not sure how to mount it? Any experts with how to mount it?
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Old 03-01-21, 05:21 AM
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Originally Posted by cubewheels
Cool name, lol! I forgot about "Battle" brand. One of their road models are selling for $600 with 105 groupset brand new.

They tend to be quite well specced for the price and they don't use fake parts.
Can you be sure the parts aren't fake though? I've seen some videos made featuring fake Shimano parts, and to an untrained eye they looked real enough, as long as they're not inspected side by side with the genuine products.
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Old 03-01-21, 09:17 AM
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what exactly is the decal on the rim supposed to be imitating? Vassago?
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Old 03-01-21, 10:20 AM
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Damn, a "road" bike that weighs more than a trike AND is such quality!?! Sign me up!
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