N+1 Carbon Bike or Upgrade my Alu one?

[Psyclist]

Got a bit of cash sitting aside and thinking whether I should build a Chinese carbon frame instead of upgrading my Forme, and use the Forme as a winter trainer.

I love the Forme, but I've been contemplating a cheap(ish) carbon bike as a summer ride.

I have a 10 speed Microshift gruppo on it's way to me, but thinking whether to bother upgrading my alu Forme, and put the 10 speed on a carbon bike and build that.

Basically, I want a light bike for the summer, and I'm thinking that even Pro Lite Braccianos wouldn't make much of a difference as opposed to a carbon bike in weight.

So, shall I use cash I have to give my Forme a makeover in weight terms, or build a Carbon Chinese frame?

I appreciate any opinions and don't mind any critique, I won't cry, honestly

Cheers.

Psyclist.

 

[mattobrien]

Are you happy buying cheap chinese carbon / I guess what I mean by that is do you think that you will have confidence in the quality of it?

If the answer is yes and you would be prepared to descend at speeds considered ludicrous by mere mortals, then go for it. You only live once.

Why have one slightly better bike, when you can have two. Plus the carbon may be shiny.

 

[Rob3rt]

Depends how good the alu frame is. I know nothing of Forme.

 

[Psyclist]

Are you happy buying cheap chinese carbon / I guess what I mean by that is do you think that you will have confidence in the quality of it?

If the answer is yes and you would be prepared to descend at speeds considered ludicrous by mere mortals, then go for it. You only live once.

Why have one slightly better bike, when you can have two. Plus the carbon may be shiny.

I've done a lot of research into the Chinese bikes, and know of a few people who own them. They're pretty decent. I know a guy on here owns one too.

I had a frame before but sold it due to a problem with debt to pay off, but now I'm out of it.

Good points too. I guess I just needed to justify building one.

Depends how good the alu frame is. I know nothing of Forme.

The material is 6061 alu. But the bike feels rather heavy. Most likely the stock wheels being the main issue.

I just don't know if it's worth paying the amount to get the weight down, when I could spend about the same amount on a carbon frame.

It's a dilemma for me.

 

[smokeysmoo]

PM gb155, he's built approx. 3 CCF's over the past few years and he's never had an issue with any of them.

He only doesn't have them now as he changes bikes like everyone else changes their underwear

 

[Psyclist]

PM gb155, he's built about 3 CCF's over the past few years and he's never had an issue with any of them.

He only doesn't have them now as he changes bikes like everyone else changes their underwear

He sounds like me And yup, they're reliable bikes. I guess I can justify getting an N+1 then, I'll see what's available on the bay and make an order!

Cheers.

 

[Hacienda71]

I am over 6000 miles on mine. It hasn't slowed me down.

 

[Pale Rider]

Another benefit of a second bike is you have something ride in the event of a breakdown.

 

[Psyclist]

I am over 6000 miles on mine. It hasn't slowed me down.

You're the guy I was on about I knew it was Hacienda, jsut forgot the number. I had a build thread on here before, but had to sell as mentioned due to finances. I'm lookiing around but Flyxii seem to have the more appealing bikes to me.

Another benefit of a second bike is you have something ride in the event of a breakdown.

Yes, definitely! Another reason why I could do with an N+1.

 

[Psyclist]

I found a frame on Alibaba and have enquired, but asked for a discount because I'm a previous customer to Flyxii. Hopefully they'll do me a discount It's paypal too, so I'm covered if there's a scam involved.

Wish me luck.

Psyclist.

 

[logrus]

Hmm, i went through this almost exact thought process late last year.

Bought my CCF from Dengfu. The whole process was pretty slick and the delivery was reasonably fast too.
My LBS built up the bike for me and only ran a couple of small issues.
1) The deraileur hanger screws were put in at a very slight angle and thus had to be slightly machined
2) The seatpost would not go into the frame very deeply, again some minor adjustments (including use of a rubber hammer by me, yes really), solved the issue.

Would i do it again....yes, i now have pretty much my dream bike, for a very reasonable price and as i chose the components myself i feel more like it's "my" bike.

One consideration is that velobuild have removed flyxii as a supplier, this apparently due to the number of quality complaints about the products. Which frame are you considering btw?

 

[Psyclist]

This

Hmm, i went through this almost exact thought process late last year.

Bought my CCF from Dengfu. The whole process was pretty slick and the delivery was reasonably fast too.
My LBS built up the bike for me and only ran a couple of small issues.
1) The deraileur hanger screws were put in at a very slight angle and thus had to be slightly machined
2) The seatpost would not go into the frame very deeply, again some minor adjustments (including use of a rubber hammer by me, yes really), solved the issue.

Would i do it again....yes, i now have pretty much my dream bike, for a very reasonable price and as i chose the components myself i feel more like it's "my" bike.

One consideration is that velobuild have removed flyxii as a supplier, this apparently due to the number of quality complaints about the products. Which frame are you considering btw?

This one - The guy on another forum had no problems with his Flyxii, so fingers crossed, mine won't either. They gave me a small discount on the frame too.

 

[biggs682]

alex why !!!

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I would upgrade your alu bike personally.
I would rather have one bike with decent components and bearings than two average bikes

 

[400bhp]

I would upgrade your alu bike personally.
I would rather have one bike with decent components and bearings than two average bikes

Depends on the purpose though.

One for winter and one for summer for example.