bbirnie

Does anyone have any thoughts on blank Carbon Frames off ebay ? You can pick them up for 300-500 bucks. I know nothing about this sport, just starting to get into it, and it seems very cost effective for me to buy a carbon frame and switch over my Ultegra components. But I have no idea if these frames are junk, or not...... my thoughts is that they are probably from China, however Im sure there are some reputable bike manufactures that buy blank frames from Chinese companies anyways ?

Any thoughts ? and please don't just say they are junk unless you have some knowledge to back it up.

THANKS ! See examples of ebay ads below

https://cgi.ebay.com/CARBON-FIBER-MON...d=p3286.c0.m14

https://cgi.ebay.com/CARBON-FIBER-MON...d=p3286.c0.m14

buddy

Interesting. I wonder how much he would charge for a custom paint job?

jrobe

There are lots of posts discussing this in the archives.

I regularly hit 40-45 mph on decents on my bike. Woud you want to do this on a generic, no-name carbon frame on Ebay. Run, don't walk away from this one. This isn't the place to save money.

HolyInstantRice

You know nothing about cycling and you have Ultegra? Not bad.

frankum

If you're trying to save monies, sell me your ultegra.

datlas 

Caveat emptor. Oh, and use the search function.

njkayaker

This is a good candidate for the oddest single sentence ever made here!

What is wrong with the frame that your Ultegra stuff is currently on? Beyond trying to lighten your wallet by $500, what advantage are you looking for?

craigcraigcraig

if you would ride the raleigh in the pictures i think you could ride one of these. go for it and report to all the doubters.

MGtrack

Buy one. Come back and tell us about it. If it breaks, buy another bike. It's good for the economy.

blackstripes

I have the frame/fork/seatpost combo in the second link in black 3K weave carbon. It is outfitted with '09 Rival and has been an excellent bike. I've put a few hundred miles on it so far without issue. I built the bike and have to say that the quality was very good. Sure there are doubters, but it is my money and I'm happy with my purchase.

MGtrack

Now THAT'S what I like to hear! Don't let the spandex sheep tell you what to do!!

MoneyBags

I would rather subject myself to a Tiger Balm enema.

Little Darwin

I was thinking the same thing...

It is possible that a new rider would buy high end, and then subsequently wreck a frame... but it does seem unusual to not have a reason for being new and wanting to swap components.

Of course, few people here remember to state what their objective is when asking advice.


My guess... OP bought an aluminum bike with Ultegra and wants to "upgrade" to carbon.

daxr

A second hand aluminum is probably a better deal, and more likely to last well.

SendMoreChris

I've looked at this stuff with interest. I've PMed a lot of the people who've posted about buying a frame, unmarked, off eBay, and not heard anything back. The only post-ride review I've ever heard is in this thread.

surfengine

in other words, you have the frame but havent ridden it yet.

SendMoreChris

I like the idea of being able to brand my bike however I want. Like with my sign:



Then start a nonprofit supporting the fight against Lance Armstrong.

grafik1979

The first linked bike looks like a cross between a Pinarello and a Time RXR ULTEAM. That must mean it's doubly as good!

Get it, ride it, and tell us how it holds up after say 1k miles, with recurring reports every subsequent 1k miles. A case study on this matter is much needed.

bbirnie

Hahah ya....... well I took the bike over from my mother who purchased it from a local bike shop who makes their own bikes, Eclipse bikes, if anyone has ever heard of them, I doubt it. Anyways, you pick and choose your components, so I guess she went for Ultegra components.

Thanks for all the responses.

doyoucompute

Why is the fork all trippy on the black bike? Is that just aesthetics?

njkayaker

Well, without that little detail, your original sentence sounded like the rantings of a mad man! There were so many ways it didn't make any sense!

So, I guess the frame just doesn't fit.

dsx724

Those generic ebay bikes are just as sturdy if not more sturdy than brand name carbon bikes and usually a tad heavier. Ride quality isn't as stiff as the high end carbon creations. They require a little bit of cleaning before you get started. I had two 22mph crashes and there's no apparent damage. Very comfortable ride compared to my old aluminum. I would recommend them for non-pros who are looking for a little bit more comfort. If you want to be faster, forget it and stick with ur AL bike.