Carbon EXPERT Reviews My £300 Chinese Carbon Frame!!

In today's video, we're using Rob's top-of-the-line £40,000 scanner to create a super high-def 3D scan of my cheapo carbon frame. This way, we can really get in there and check out all the nooks and crannies using some fancy software. But don't worry, we're not relying solely on technology - we've also got Rob's expert human eye to spot any anomalies.

It's always interesting to see how advanced technology compares to the trained human eye. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good old-fashioned inspection by a pro?

In the next part of this series, we'll be cutting the frame in half for an even closer look at that carbon. Stay tuned!


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PS. When I provide a link here to gear or equipment I sometimes get a kickback from it. But I NEVER link to something that I haven't used or did use and didn't like! 👍

[corail]

Almost every major brands lower end carbon frames are built the same way - lots of carbon and heavier (almost to the same weight as AL) compared to their highest end models. Usually also made in the same factories as well. Carbon is actually a very cheap way of manufacturing, the expense mostly comes the mold and prep we really shouldn't be paying the absurd prices bike companies charge for them.

[TheKitchenTechnician]

Fascinating video! Just getting into cycling at 63 years old and the rabbit hole has now brought me here.

[donharrold]

Radius on the fork assembly has nothing to do with the deflection of the fork. Resistance to deflection depends on the flexural rigidity (EI) and the stiffness of the end connection. Flexural rigidity is increased by either increasing E (Young’s modulus) which is a material property or I (The Second Moment Area) which is determined by the section dimensions and material thickness. Both forks have similar external dimensions, so it is very likely that the cheaper fork is thinner and or is built from a lower grade of carbon fibre. Is that a problem? Well it depends. Providing the fork is rated for the potential static and dynamic loads it will experience it is unlikely to catastrophically fail even if it’s flexible.

[whitebeardcycles]

Over the last 2 yrs (particularly) people don't trust brands they're not familiar with.. Yet the ones they do end up in CBR. Goes to show they can't all be accident repairs if there's a full time business fixing them!

[grongrod]

Super interesting, looking forward to part 2!

[glennoc]

I've got scanner envy that's a great bit of tech. I'm a bit old school in the sense i still like using a vernier and micrometer but for what this guy is doing i see the benefits.

[EricBalcon]

Tha's very interesting, thanks for this great video. I got a chinese frame since years and I will not hesitate to order another one.

[awhite]

Super interesting. Especially with the forks. Really critical component 😬

[yourtubisfilled]

Very informative video, thanks & subbed. Not in the least the bit where the specialist mentions he repairs a lot of Canyon carbon drive side seat stays.

[jmsalido]

When the cutting tool starts to tear up the frame im a bit sad of it...this kind of chinese carbon frame is a luxury to us here in my country..im wishing to have that kind of frame and you guys just cut it apart but this vids help me know a lot more about this kind of frame. Still wishing to have this frame though hope someday...

[pepessz]

I'm not defending trifox or anything, but this one I guess is their lower end frames. There's newer ones the x16 and x18 (although still, "Heavily Inspired" by spez tarmac) which I hope you'd give it a look as well.

[DonOblivious]

That point about seatstays breaking is kinda funny. I've seen several bikes where people are riding around on a broken seatstay bring it to their shop complaining about a noise or weird ride feel. I don't know about carbon, but with steel people have gotten away with riding with a broken seatstay for far longer than you or I would feel comfortable with.

[TheBassallyear]

Part 3 - Rob puts it back together!!! :D

[silentbuccaneer]

This carbon explanation gives me new light in tonwhat actually could have happened to the Titan submersible when it imploded on the way down to the Titanic. Someone could have very well over stressed and over torqued a component that was attached to the carbon fiber tube and caused fractures in its structure. Carbon can be somewhat forgiving but once it's damaged, it's done.

[nickgsj]

Don't buy cheap Chinese made frames.
Buy OUR Chinese made with EXPENSIVE decals frames hanging on the wall behind me.

[chriscross]

You'd be better comparing the trifox to the cippolini that it's copied off. To get a better comparison.

[danielhertercasagrande]

I would like to see a comparison between a high end Chinese frame ($ 1500) compared to let’s say a Specialized
(Yoeleo/ winspace)
Because I have seen recently two Specialized frames that have cracked I think these ultra light weight frames are not useful except for riders that get them for free because they are sponsored
300 grams extra weight makes approx 10 seconds difference on a 1000m high difference climb (who cares if you are not a hill climbing racer?)

[lmc]

I know very little about bikes but on the flex thing, when the wheels are on, it wont flex so much? would it affect ride or is it a failure risk down the road?

[DjLogomoloChannel]

2:30 Is that Rachmaninoff's 2nd piano concerto playing in the background? 3rd movement Lol. Rob has an amazing musical taste too :D

[jnavonoD]

Enjoying your content Jourdain. Thanks for another interesting vid. Cheers.