I’m currently torn between 2 models. The Rodeo labs trail donkey 4.0
Or this small brand in Austria
https://pastelcycles.com/products/gravel
I lean towards the Traildonkey but the Pastel cycles has a few things going for it:
Designed, made and assembled in europe
Cheaper
Made out of T1000 Toray carbon (vs T800 of the Traildonkey) which is supposedly stronger
The only things that I’m weary is the limited warranty (2 years vs Traildonkey lifetime) and the smaller tire clearance
Advice? Any other suggestions?
by Southern_Might6189
1 Comment
> Made out of T1000 Toray carbon (vs T800 of the Traildonkey
This is a meaningless factoid. It doesn’t make it “better”.
> assembled in europe
From the parts made in china. It’s another meaningless factoid.
So on the upside, it has less warranty and less tyre clearance and I’ve never heard of the brand….
If my eyes don’t mistake me that’s the same Chinese open mould frameset as the on one free ranger (amongst others) with a different fork.
Ok so out of the two it’s trail donkey time – unless budget is a big factor then buying the Chinese frame from planet X is a LOT cheaper (we’ve got one. It’s a decent frame.)
Edit – if you want to go straight to the source it’s a Carbonda 696.
http://www.carbonda.com/road/gravel/80.html
See this thread for a list of another dozen “manufacturers” who use the same open mould frame
https://www.reddit.com/r/gravelcycling/comments/n5k8ti/list_of_bikes_using_the_carbonda_696/