Those cheap carbon 3T bars, stems and seat posts on eBay...

[Joffey]

That all seem to come from China... anyone ever purchased them? Are they any good or an accident waiting to happen, literally?

 

[screenman]

I think some of the expensive one's may come from there as well. Amongst my circle I have not heard of any failures relating to said parts, they may be keeping it secret though.

A mates sisters second cousins stepfathers uncle bought a cheap parts and it fell apart when exposed to fried egg sandwiches. So there may be other tales about.

 

[BigTam]

That all seem to come from China... anyone ever purchased them? Are they any good or an accident waiting to happen, literally?

They are cheap for a reason.......they are s#!$e........bought seat post, utter rubbish, steer clear, amazing how the sellers disappear of flea bay when you complain about item, they use multiple accounts.

 

[Hacienda71]

I wouldn't go for a branded copy but a generic carbon product from China should be fine. Personally I would go via a known distributor like Dengfu or Yoleo, your downside is intercontinental warranty claims would be a pia. I have two Chinese carbon frames the first has done close to 14000 miles the newer has done 5500. I have commuted, time trialled, raced, hill climbed and just ridden them for fun and they have been fine.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I've bought carbon bottle cages, saddles (not carbon), bells and other bits and pieces, but nothing safety related - not sure I'd trust them. Seem to rememember a TV 'Watchdog' item looking at fake branded carbon parts.

 

[DRM]

Yes watchdog looked at these fakes, iirc it centered round a man who bought an fsa handlebar for his mtb, the bars snapped and he broke bones when he fell off, a broken seat post up your jacksie is also far from appealing.

 

[Joffey]

Hmmm, I think I'll steer clear!!

 

[Drago]

I know a guy had a cheap carbon stem. His cat was run over. Steer well clear.

 

[Joffey]

 

[DRM]

I know a guy had a cheap carbon stem. His cat was run over. Steer well clear.

If he had a dog that would never have happened.

 

[Drago]

He bought a cheap Chinese unbranded dog. The guys house burned down.

In fairness, this isn't confined to unbranded Chinese carbon. Branded alloy bar fail as well, and many mtb racers or hard core thrashers replace their bars every or every other season for just that reason.

 

[blazed]

Is it not simply buying direct from the manufacture, cutting out the middle man and making big savings, why the assumption that is all unsafe?

Surely these same manufacturers are the same guys the big bike brands get to make their stuff?

 

[Drago]

They maybe are, but are they made to the same specification? You can buy a Mercedes Benz for 25k, but you won't be getting the same product as you would for 100k, despite it coming from the same manufacturer. They're giving you less for less money.

 

[Chrisz]

I have a Saso carbon/Ti seat pin bought direct from China. It was (comparatively) cheap but has managed to support my 15st bulk over bumpy Kentish roads for the past 5 years (averaging 5k miles per year) with not a murmur of protest! Likewise my Token carbon bottle cages - they have been holding 500ml and 750ml bottles securely for a similar period/mileage!

 

[BigTam]

My cheap Chinesse seat post snapped and nearly tore me a new anus........buy cheap.......get cheap.