Forgot link.

Name of bike and brand in title for future searchers.

 

Lol! I sure did

I just found this on AliExpress:
$904.52 | Softtail Mountain Bike Frame Enduro DH Bike Frames Aluminum Alloy BOOST DH Speedway AM Downhill Bicycle Frames 29/27.5inch Wheel

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mK02l9H

 

It's a chinese frame, but I'm a budget type biker

 

Lots of bikes are Chinese, but that doesn't make them all equal. I personally would not trust anything from AliExpress. That's me, personally. I bought a hardtail frame for 67Prince to get through a NICA season as he was that age where he grows a lot (8th grade). It did get through 3 races, but not long after. But, an aluminum failure, on a frame, probably wouldn't be as likely to cause an injury as some critical components like bars, stems, cranks, etc.

I'd be more inclined to go with something from DIYCarbon, XMCarbonspeed, or some actual brand, rather than something generic from AliExpress.

Personally, I'd love to buy frames made in America or western Europe or something. But there aren't many options that aren't exorbitantly priced. Taiwan is usually good stuff. Some Chinese stuff is top notch, but if there isn't a brand name behind it, I personally assume it is junk.

 

My thought is I would stay really far away from it as none of us know anything about it other than it's being offered on a website that sells cheap stuff, to put it nicely.

And consider it doesn't come with a shock, which may be a good thing in this case.

 

I think it's not a "soft tail" and Wabatuckian's new search is gonna be more difficult than it should be.

I have strong thoughts about local manufacturing. While relevant to your request, so I feel must be disclosed, that conversation is rarely productive. So I'll not open dem werms.

The frame itself?

shrug

 

Ahahahahahahahahahaha

The old "Softtail ,enduro DH Bike, Alloy BOOST DH Speedway AM Downhill Bicycle Frames" chestnut. Lets try an shoehorn as many mtb categories in one add as possible.
But then omit to say how much travel the bike has and provide zero geometry details what so ever.

Dont touch it with a barge pole.

You are better off buying a second hand well known brand bike or frame with solid proven geo and kinematic.

 

The travel and geometry are in the listing

 

Go for it

 

I like everything about it.

 

 

It's very similar to the Zink Vacay. Obviously not exact, and I'm sure the Vacay is better, but for a thousand bucks less this is interesting.

 

One of my hobbies is woodworking. You can buy knock off tools all day long that look just like the high dollar originals. I get all excited when I make the purchase and feel like I just scored a bargain. Unfortunately, my glee is usually short lived after they are put to use. It always seems like something is off - poor tolerances, cheap hardware, inaccuracy... just something. I have learned to just save or spend a little more for something better.

 

We've had 3 ebay carbon forks that ran fine. And a different one that didn't mount crown race or axle properly. If i really wanted sus, and I really wanted carbon, and I really wanted to save money, I would no longer be me.

 

Lol! I sure did

I just found this on AliExpress:
$904.52 | Softtail Mountain Bike Frame Enduro DH Bike Frames Aluminum Alloy BOOST DH Speedway AM Downhill Bicycle Frames 29/27.5inch Wheel

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mK02l9H

Dang...the frame is now $560...and not 904.52

Send it. Just my opinion...I'd get it if bikes are super expensive right now and I wanted something "affordable". The chances of it actually failing...I bet is pretty low. A lot of these factories also make frames for first party manufacturers. You'll find all kinds of random European bike brands that use open mold frames out of China.

With that said...right now...you can get a Salsa Blackthorne for $999 right now. All sizes available.

https://www.treefortbikes.com/Salsa-Blackthorn-Alloy-Full-Suspension-Mountain-Bike?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplp333222462810193&sc_intid=333222462810193&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA7Y28BhAnEiwAAdOJUErD5P8i7lraU5WWBTtj6J9xH1oC44GzmTyJDWGYBRFLKpxORjvmcBoCCskQAvD_BwE

 

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say the bike they would send you would not be the same as represented in those pictures.

 

Get the Salsa.

 

I would absolutely give that a go. Geometry looks decent, doesn’t look fragile. Internal routing will probably be finicky but that’s it.

 

With stuff like this out there, I don’t know why you would risk it:

Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Alloy Frame

Introducing the all-new Stumpjumper EVO Alloy! Featuring the same all-new design as its carbon brethren—including an adjustable head tube angle, 150mm of performance tuned travel, the adaptability of S-Sizing, and SWAT™ Door integration—in a lightweight yet tough M5 Alloy chassis. You're going...

www.fanatikbike.com

Ripmo AF Bundle

All Sales Are Final Get a jump start on a new bike build and save big on this Ripmo AF (Aluminum Frame) in size XL paired with a Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork, and Cane Creek headset! The Ripmo AF brings the award-winning performance of the carbon Ripmo to a wider, rowdier audience. While supplies...

store.ibiscycles.com

Search out something in the size you’re looking for and ride the hell out of it.

 

To me it looks exactly like a Polygon Siskiu without the paint job. I just sold my Siskiu D7 and had no issues with geometry on it. If you want a budget bike I would recommend just buying a Canyon/Polygon for 500-1000& more for a complete bike. Since they are both real brands with decent customer service I wouldn’t have much concerns with either. There are some great deals on used frames on pinkbike. Just got a Druid V1 frame for 1000$

 

This is generally a poor design, since it side-loads the shock at bottom out. Add to that sometimes questionable frame-alignment from manufacturers like this and poor recourse for warranty issues and IME those are good reasons to stay away. If it was a more conventional design without a "yoke" then maybe, but Specialized doesn't really care as much about the issues, they figure most will be ok and most will sell the bike in a year or two and anyone replacing the shock will not have a warranty, so it won't affect their sales much. In this case, they are copying the design because it is "popular". Notice they don't mention bearings or shock hardware. You won't know if they are common available bearings or some stupid proprietary size.

 

I'm sure it's not a concern at the moment but the resale value will be really low compared to the Salsa, Specialized, Ibis, etc. And as mentioned, customer service may not exist.

 

I have a custom Chinese Ti frame and it's been awesome. No issues and the welds are works of art.

Having said that, I wouldn't buy a full squish from Ali. In dealing with the manufacturer of my frame, who was well known on Chinertown for quality, I had to fight for what I wanted every step of the way. They were ALWAYS trying to cheap out and make things easier for themselves at the cost of good design. In the end I mostly always got what I wanted, but only because I hadn't paid in full up front. 1/2 up front, 1/2 before delivery which saved my bacon several times.

If you go with that frame, it's most likely going to be straight, their jigs are good and the Chinese welders are top notch. Where you're probably going to run into problems is with all the pivot hardware being garbage.

Read the reviews on Chinertown, roll the dice or not. Personally I'm OK with the HT frames from known makers, but I'd pass on a full squish.

 

I'd pick up 3-4 more shifts at McDonalds and buy a name brand frame, but that's just me.

 

Some prefer to support China

 

You do realize nearly all the big name CF names mentioned in this forum are made in China, right? What’s worse is the quality of the big name products, many times, isn’t even as good as the products the actual manufacturer put out under their own name, which most have never heard of.

 

I bought my FS frame from AE for $300 after cashback and code, and that included a rear shock during the 11.11 sales. If you're at $600 that's way too much as others have said.

Look into the winbo cooyes 5. During a choice day sale you should be able to get the frame for $310 shipped.


My Sodce Habit below.

 

I have been looking at the winbo cy-5. It is also a strong contender. I didn't know you could get one that cheap, though. I'll have to look more.

 

The supporting China comment is the one that causes me to pause. I've struggled with that in the past buying from there. I hate to support the enemy in any way. It may be the one point that keeps me from buying this.

Those who are dogging buying off AliExpress, I get the concerns, but I've already bought many mountain bike related items off there, including a carbon frame. Most purchases from there have been phenomenal. So I know what I'm dealing with with AliExpress. I've been pretty good on spotting the crap on there and finding the good stuff. Chinertown helps a ton with that, too.

I do appreciate everyone's thoughts, though.

This wouldn't be my only bike. I have built up two from scratch already. I really enjoy the process of picking out deals on parts and building up a bike. That's how this started. I kind of feel like building up another bike. The mullet configuration of this frame kind of interests me too.

I would definitely be open to a good used frame. That's how I got my Knolly Fugitive.

I love the suggestions on frames people have given. But the Specialized is only in the smallest and largest sizes. Won't work for me. The Ibis deal is insane. I saw it on here the other day in the best deals section. And I've always wanted an Ibis. Only the XL is available and will work for me but it has one problem. That long seatpost is a huge bummer. Is it that big of a deal? Maybe, maybe not. But that's what's holding me back on that one. Still it's such a good deal, I'm still thinking about it. The Blackthorn is interesting, but I'm having a hard time getting excited about it. I don't think the Salsa will have high resale, but of course it's higher than a no name frame. I doubt I'd be reselling the Chinese frame. I would just reuse the parts on it for a future project.

Those that are suggesting getting a Canyon or some other cheap full bike, that kind of defeats my desire to build up a bike again. But there are some great options out there for sure.

Jayem makes a good point about the bearings and mounting hardware. But I'd contact the seller to get that info before purchasing.

If anyone else knows if any other good frame deals, I'd love to see them.

Thanks guys