You can buy a 'carbon' road bike in...

[bugloss]

So you'd imagine that this has been put together using a lesser grade of carbon fiber and a cheap resin.

Thanks bugloss

It's difficult to say. It could well be that they are using a form from a couple of years back.

I would imagine that the development of the form is quite pricey, so it would make sense to use it as many times as possible.

 

[benseddon]

Form being the mould yes?

 

[bugloss]

Yep, but I didn't want to say mould development as some of the wags may pick up on it.

 

[benseddon]

Fair do's.

 

[matthew71]

If I had £800 to spend on a bike - it wouldn't be on that. With that kind of money you could buy a real bike, albeit secondhand!

just trying to work out what makes that not a proper bike.it has a wheel at each end,and pedals in the middle.i would rather someone buy that than no bike at all

 

[daj]

quick google

These are produced by liyang of taiwan who have been around since 1968 and make carbon frames for a number of branded cycle types. Amongst them Mekk, carrera virago ( same bike just different branding) see road.cc best £900 to £1000 for a review. http://road.cc/content/news/63270-best-£900-£1000-road-bikes.
T

 

[bagpuss]

Cannot say that I am surprised . Many top marques are now made in the far east . I think we kid our selves a lot when it comes to the brand name . Profit / labour cost has everything to do with production location . As i have said before a ming vase holds its value
Point of sale is another matter . On line shopping is taking over in all retail area's . I wonder how long before most local bike shops are a thing of the past as with many other retail specialists.

I am as guilty as anyone of using the internet to purchase certain bike items . In one case I received good service with a warranty issue on a big ticket item . For most purchases and clothing i keep it local.

Just because a item costs x amount more does not always mean it is x amount better . You pays your money and takes your pick .

Rip British Industry .

 

[matthew71]

Cannot say that I am surprised . Many top marques are now made in the far east . I think we kid our selves a lot when it comes to the brand name . Profit / labour cost has everything to do with production location . As i have said before a ming vase holds its value
Point of sale is another matter . On line shopping is taking over in all retail area's . I wonder how long before most local bike shops are a thing of the past as with many other retail specialists.

I am as guilty as anyone of using the internet to purchase certain bike items . In one case I received good service with a warranty issue on a big ticket item . For most purchases and clothing i keep it local.

Just because a item costs x amount more does not always mean it is x amount better . You pays your money and takes your pick .

been pondering this myself. looking to get myself a nice new bike.my local lbs stocks colnago, bianchi and ridley.there prices are fair but I can get a lot more bang for my buck online.but what after service?
Rip British Industry .

 

[legrandefromage]

I was just surprised to see how far it had filtered down really.

There are some good looking bikes for £299 in some of the sales. Much better value than a couple of years ago. The one I would avoid is the 'halfprice' bag of shite from Halfrauds.

 

[hamster]

When you see how cheap the Chinese carbon frames are on ebay it's not surprising I suppose. I wonder how safe it is...