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Has anyone switched from an expensive, big name CF bike to a more generic CF bike?

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Has anyone switched from an expensive, big name CF bike to a more generic CF bike?

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Old 03-19-15, 07:17 AM
  #1  
Jarrett2
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Has anyone switched from an expensive, big name CF bike to a more generic CF bike?

By that I mean, did you go from riding a Trek/Specialized/Cannondale/etc to riding say a Nashbar/BikesDirect/other no name CF bike? If so, how did it go? I'd like to hear from people with actual experience doing this whether the less expensive CF bikes stand with the big names or not.
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Old 03-19-15, 07:38 AM
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indyfabz
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I'd rather fight than switch.
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Old 03-19-15, 07:44 AM
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Does not compute.
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Old 03-19-15, 07:55 AM
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ricohman
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I ride a CAAD10-3 and a Specialized Roubiaix. I rode a "no-name" brand extensively last summer on vacation.
It was less than inspiring. Heavy, slow steering, mix match of parts.
No thanks at even half the price. I only live once.
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Old 03-19-15, 08:14 AM
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tekhna
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My Hong Fu frame is substantially stiffer than my Giant.
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Old 03-19-15, 08:26 AM
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Originally Posted by ricohman
... Heavy, slow steering...
Largely a function of frame/fork geometry, which is a design choice. I'm sure there are sprite handling no-names out there.
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Old 03-19-15, 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by tekhna
My Hong Fu frame is substantially stiffer than my Giant.
Is that a good thing? What's a Hong Fu?
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Old 03-19-15, 08:47 AM
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tekhna
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Originally Posted by Jarrett2
Is that a good thing? What's a Hong Fu?
Open mold Chinese carbon
HongFu Sports Equipment CO.,LTD - HongFu Sports Equipment CO.,LTD

Their frames are excellent
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Old 03-19-15, 09:28 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by Jarrett2
Is that a good thing? What's a Hong Fu?
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Old 03-19-15, 10:19 AM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by tekhna
My Hong Fu frame is substantially stiffer than my Giant.
If I was going to go generic, this is definitely the route I would go. Light, stiff , good looking frames for same or less than BD or Nashbar frames
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Old 03-19-15, 10:32 AM
  #11  
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No. Once you ride the nice bikes, you're spoiled.

I was content with generic, 'cause most of 'em do ride just fine....but now that I've experienced the little aesthetic niceties and psychological benefits of better bikes, I *could* go back if I had to- like if I went broke or something, and had to start all over- as the ride just isn't much different....but I wouldn't go back by choice. You'd likely just miss the small touches which make you think "quality"- but you wouldn't even think about them while out on your ride.
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Old 03-19-15, 11:09 AM
  #12  
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Went from a Ridley Noah to a Neo HYPER NSL. Neo is much lighter and much more comfier without any flex.
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Old 03-19-15, 11:53 AM
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My BD Moto immortal spirit rides as good no difference than the Trek Madone 5.2 I tried against it, but my Moto had dura ace 7800 and it shifted way better than the Ulterga the trek had. Also has better wheels.
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Old 03-19-15, 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Silvercivic27
lmao... still can't believe they made that film...

RIP Swayze..
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Old 03-19-15, 02:29 PM
  #15  
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The Motobecane le Champion has the exact same geometry as the Specialized Tomac....
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Old 03-19-15, 03:29 PM
  #16  
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from cervelo s1 to hongfu fm066. very happy. 13.2 pounds witth pedals.
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Old 03-19-15, 03:40 PM
  #17  
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The current issue of Velonews has a comparison between a name brand (Specialized) and a counterfeit look alike. Scary and also helps explain why dome of these frames are so cheap. Good reading.
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Old 03-19-15, 03:44 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by jerbax18
from cervelo s1 to hongfu fm066. very happy. 13.2 pounds witth pedals.
Isn't S1 an aluminum frame?
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Old 03-19-15, 04:10 PM
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tekhna
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Originally Posted by StanSeven
The current issue of Velonews has a comparison between a name brand (Specialized) and a counterfeit look alike. Scary and also helps explain why dome of these frames are so cheap. Good reading.
A magazine carry water for their advertisers?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjbPi00k_ME

Do your homework, buy from reputable sources. There are thousands of people providing feedback about Chinese carbon, overwhelmingly positive from what I've seen.
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Old 03-19-15, 05:22 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by StanSeven
Isn't S1 an aluminum frame?
Yes. Best aluminum crit bike I ever had. But not terribly comfortable for long road races on crappy pavement.

Anywho, I have a teammate who bought a Nashbar CF frame to build up a training/commuting road bike to save his Cervelo S5 from the wear and tear. Says it's a pretty good bang for the buck.
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Old 03-19-15, 05:36 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by StanSeven
Isn't S1 an aluminum frame?
yes s1 is aluminum.
i just read the topic again, from bigname CARBON to no name carbon. my bad.
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Old 03-19-15, 06:30 PM
  #22  
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If i had to give up my Cdale for something generic, i would just ride vintage steel exclusively. I don't trust a no name. I no longer care about weight as much as I used to.
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