Chinese Open Mold Gravel / CX Bikes

The spirit of Grav-lo-cross. No but seriously, cyclocross and gravel go here!

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b5000
Posts: 39
Joined: Tue Sep 05, 2017 6:15 am

by b5000

Hi out there -

Anyone have any experience with this frame: https://imgur.com/a/RNUQv

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thru-Axle-Carbon-Fiber-Gravel-Frame-Road-Racing-Bicycle-Frameset-OEM-Bike-Frames/263153129194

Anyone who is familiar with this design should know what its "based" on. (3T Exploro)

It looks like they have simplified the seat post securing method that was a big gripe on the reviews of the original frame. Also the rear dropout has an option to convert it back and forth between QR and TA. It looks like the only thing different in the TA and QR versions are the front forks. Weight is a bit more than the original 1237g vs 1150g (+87g more) - but totally acceptable given the price.

Looks like a fun potential project - just wondering if anyone out there has tried this frame or any similar versions of it.
Last edited by b5000 on Tue Sep 05, 2017 5:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

glepore
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Joined: Thu Mar 28, 2013 4:42 pm
Location: Virginia USA

by glepore

Cysco Ti custom Campy SR mechanical (6.9);Berk custom (5.6); Serotta Ottrott(6.8) ; Anvil Custom steel Etap;1996 Colnago Technos Record

by Weenie


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ooo
Posts: 1590
Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 12:59 pm

by ooo

New(?) frame / fork, still 15x100

HongFu FM279 / FK279

Image

Image
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romalor
Posts: 241
Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2015 3:56 pm

by romalor

Yes I had heard this was coming soon

ndbike
Posts: 146
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2005 10:13 am
Location: Sunny Southern Spain

by ndbike

b5000 wrote:Hi out there -

Anyone have any experience with this frame: https://imgur.com/a/RNUQv

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thru-Axle-Carbon-Fiber-Gravel-Frame-Road-Racing-Bicycle-Frameset-OEM-Bike-Frames/263153129194

Anyone who is familiar with this design should know what its "based" on. (3T Exploro)

It looks like they have simplified the seat post securing method that was a big gripe on the reviews of the original frame. Also the rear dropout has an option to convert it back and forth between QR and TA. It looks like the only thing different in the TA and QR versions are the front forks. Weight is a bit more than the original 1237g vs 1150g (+87g more) - but totally acceptable given the price.

Looks like a fun potential project - just wondering if anyone out there has tried this frame or any similar versions of it.


Have you made any moves on this? I was just looking at this frameset over the weekend and would love to know if anyone has tried it yet. Seems rather new because I can´t find anyone with it in any chinese frame posts in any of the gravel forums.

drider85
Posts: 183
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:53 pm

by drider85

I have had mine for a full season. I built it this past January. It has seen use a road bike, gravel 650+, monstercross trail bike. I have really enjoyed the flexibility of tire option and use.

ndbike
Posts: 146
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2005 10:13 am
Location: Sunny Southern Spain

by ndbike

drider85 wrote:I have had mine for a full season. I built it this past January. It has seen use a road bike, gravel 650+, monstercross trail bike. I have really enjoyed the flexibility of tire option and use.


Which frame is the one you have? It looks more like the Czech Merit brand than 3T with the cutout of the seat tube. Did you have any issues getting your position on the bike correct with the offset seat post that they send? 3T and Open use zero offset posts with this type of geometry.

Thanks!

ooo
Posts: 1590
Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 12:59 pm

by ooo

Is anyone making affordable 12mm CX fork? I only find Hylix 12mm fork (flat mount) with "Max Tire width: 30mm"
'

AJS914
Posts: 5392
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:52 pm

by AJS914

Where do you buy Workswell frames? I see the WCB-R-146 on their web site but don't see it for sale anywhere.

They also give little information on their site:

http://www.workswellbikes.com/PRODDUCT/ ... 5/136.html

Is this the frame that is similar to the Open UP? Will it fit 650B mtb tires?

ooo
Posts: 1590
Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 12:59 pm

by ooo

650b will fit according to description "Max tire: 700*42C and 27.5*2.2"
difference: openup have 420 rear-center and shorter wheelbase, this have 435 rc and longer wheelbase
similarity: asymmetric chainstay, bottle mount on top tube (but openup have more bottle mounts on downtubes)

http://ali.pub/1zgsqe - they don't have it in official store yet

you can try to contact them via email/whatsapp/fb:
https://twitter.com/Candy1193031225
https://www.facebook.com/Workswellbike/posts/462960617396426

if they give you info on availability please post it here too
'

AJS914
Posts: 5392
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:52 pm

by AJS914

Is there another open mold frame that matches the OpenUP geometry?

drider85
Posts: 183
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:53 pm

by drider85

ndbike wrote:
drider85 wrote:I have had mine for a full season. I built it this past January. It has seen use a road bike, gravel 650+, monstercross trail bike. I have really enjoyed the flexibility of tire option and use.


Which frame is the one you have? It looks more like the Czech Merit brand than 3T with the cutout of the seat tube. Did you have any issues getting your position on the bike correct with the offset seat post that they send? 3T and Open use zero offset posts with this type of geometry.

Thanks!


I do have the one that looks like a Merit/Tideace etc that I got of Ebay. I did find a bit of difficulty getting the right fit. A ~72.5 degree seat tube on a Small was a bit relaxed. I ended up using a Fizik Thar saddle that has a large/longer range of rail adjustment. I think if I were to do it again it would pick a frame like the Workswell WCB-R-146 with a conventional post and steeper seat tube angle (wasn't available at the time). In any case I have had a really enjoyable year of use.

Rainysunshine
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2017 7:21 am

by Rainysunshine

For @drider85 or those with the Workswell 125 - are there threaded eyelets to hold fenders on the wishbone/crown of fork, and the rear bridge stay?

liam7020
Posts: 1261
Joined: Tue Jul 27, 2010 10:04 am

by liam7020

Anyone know which of these open mold gravel/cx disc frames is the lightest? I see the tantan cycling quote a weight of 985g (52cm) for their GR029 frame but I'd be interested in any real world weights. Cheers.
Tarmac SL6 & Campag Record EPS https://weightweenies.starbike.com/foru ... 0&t=153968

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by Weenie


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