 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
After seeing that nice looking Carbonda commuter the other day, I thought I'd price up an aero road bike for getting it built over the winter - have heard good things about Dengfu and Carbonda.
I've priced up and sent off for a few quotes too -
Anyone had any experience with placing an order? Any surprise charges (aside from duty & Vat), did you go direct, or through ali-baba?
Thanks!
I ordered a dengfu time trial bike via ebay.
It arrived after 3 weeks damaged despite being packed well and the modular fork was too short for the headstock.
Had the frame repaired at my cost to reduce turn around and used a standard fork whilst waiting for a replacement, which took 3 months.
Rode it 50 miles and then sold it at about 10 percent of the total cost.
Just depressed myself rembering the whole situation 😂
Ordered one of those nice commuter bikes earlier in the year direct from carbonda, took a long time to arrive although they said it would. No other dramas although I wouldn't go for a complicated paint job next time. Haven't built it up yet so might die but looks good.
Although Chinese carbon frames can have a bad reputation I did my research and it does seem that Carbonda are becoming a main stream supplier.I have an On One Free Ranger gravel bike which is a Carbonda 696 and that has been superb over the last 10 months and 3000 miles,The same frame is available from a number of sources which suggests that there is confidence in this manufacturer at least.I would be more hesitant about buying from a re seller or agent off eBay or Aliexpress.
I like the look of the Carbonda 696 but is the sizing as small as it looks?
The last gravel bike I had was a Whyte Gisburn which had a 50mm longer reach like for like on frame size. I don't really want a longer seat tube, would it feel tiny?
I ordered a set of wheels from Carbonda a couple of weeks ago. Other than the wheels and shipping they wanted 4.5% paypal fee. Still works out good value, assuming they get here, and in one piece!