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    Thinking about switching my AL frameset for a carbon one, is this price too good to be true for a brand new carbon gravel frameset?

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    12 Comments

    1. AutoModerator on

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    2. Chochner on

      Its an open-mould carbon frame probably manufactured by FlyBike and I believe one of their main dealers is Carbonda. You can find dozens of variations on this frame sold by many other bike brands. Since price is showing £, I can say On-One Free Ranger by Planet X, Vitus Substance, Ridley Kanzo all use the same frame. They have different colours requested by the bike brands and then hang their own componentry and price according. Nearly £900 is about the going rate, slightly cheaper than others maybe. You can chance your arm and deal directly with Carbonda for roughly half that price.

    3. Southboundthylacine on

      In some cases a high end aluminum frame is better than a low end carbon. Idk anyone on a Dolan and we don’t know what frame you already have.

    4. bikes_with_Mike on

      I put 2000 miles on a chinesium carbon frame that looked identical to that. It was decent, and I’m a bigger guy who rides pretty hard. I wouldn’t go that route again now that I’ve ridden a high end frame for a season, but it was great for my budget and being gravel-curious at the time.

    6. original_prankster1 on

      Looks like a carbonda 696 (or 969? Always mix this up). Fork looks a bit different from my memory.

    7. Sweet_Permission9622 on

      As others have said, it’s the same frame as the Bombtrack Hook EXT C, Obed Boundary, Ridley Kanzo Adventure 1.0, Vitus Substance CRX, Merit Gravel Two, Boltcutter Peacemaker, Planet X on-one free ranger, and probably others I’m forgetting about.

      I have one (purchased direct from China as a Carbonda 696, with a custom paint job), and it has worked out really well for me. It comes with a few different bottom bracket standards I think, so make sure the one you are thinking about has the bottom bracket type that you want.

    8. _Danquo_ on

      I built up a Dolan Sporco frameset earlier this year and I’ve almost put 3000 miles on it. Their CX frame is only £700 which I believe is the cheapest carbon frame available (excluding buying direct from Asia).

      Dolan have been pretty handy to deal with, I’ve emailed them a few times with random questions or requests for the odd spare part and they’ve always helped me out (usually the same day, unless I want something really obscure). Dolan have been criticised for paint overspray, but my frame is fine. The brake mounts have been nicely faced, and the bb and headset haven’t caused any issues. Overall, the bike has been a dream to ride.

      Warranty and customer support is probably the main reason to go with Dolan rather than dealing with Carbonda direct. They’re close enough to me that I could just take my bike to their shop if there was a major issue.

      TLDR: can’t really fault Dolan, would buy again.

    9. Verfblikje on

      I bought a GXA from Dolan earlier this year. Not carbon, but still Dolan. I live in mainland Europe and I was a little bit apprehensive about ordering a frame across the Channel.

      Unfortunately, I did have some niggles with mine.

      There were some paint touch-ups, but they were a different shade of grey, so they stood out.

      The internal cable routing insert was stuck into the frame with tape, because the thread inside the frame was stripped.

      They missed off my spare mech hanger in the order.

      They were responsive over email and willing to help, but I didn’t want to send it back and deal with customs (and the wait) again. In the end I fixed the stripped thread myself and they sent me a new mech hanger. Also the paint touch-ups were not in plain sight. Still, I was disappointed my frame arrived with these issues. Maybe I was expecting too much for a £600 frameset.

      Anyway, I still love riding it now. It’s not all bad. 🙂

    11. kosmonaut_hurlant_ on

      I’ve owned 4 generic/OEM carbon frames, 3 sets of OEM/generic wheelsets, stems, seats, seatposts….all have been great.
      Maybe try looking at youtube channels that inspect, review or destroy test/cut up carbon frames/wheels to get some more info on OEM/generic carbon. Hambini, Peak Torque, Leuscher Tecnic are engineers so I put their word a bit higher than other channels, Cam Nichols isn’t a engineer but he has some good videos on some of these brands by bringing the frames to people who do have some expertise in CF manufacturing.

    12. MTFUandPedal on

      We got an on-one free ranger (same frame) for a lot less than that fully built…. Prices have gone Pants.on head insane since it seems.

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