"In the postmodern era the consumer should be perceived as an individual who, in a cultural context, is meaning-centred, and central to this approach is the recognition that the consumer does not make consumption choices solely from products’ utilities but from also from their symbolic meanings (Belk, 1988; Bourdieu, 1994; Dittmar, 1992; Douglas, 1982; Gabriel and Lang, 1995; Giddens, 1991; Goffman, 1959; McCracken, 1988). The functions of the symbolic meanings of products operate in two directions, outward in constructing the social world: Social-Symbolism, and inward towards constructing our self-identity: Self-Symbolism (Elliott, 1997)."


In simple words... any time a consumer chooses the A product vs the B product he uses a - small but important amount - of the political power he has.

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Wilier Cento Uno
Colnago Master X-light
Wilier 18carati

Apparently HongFu is a factory. Perhaps owned by another company but it seems to be real...

For those who haven't yet seen- a fella on RBR went to Shenzhen with a pal and took a tour of the HongFu factory and met the infamous Jenny...

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showth ... p?t=227718

So apparently HongFu uses SK Chemicals SkyFlex pre-preg carbon... http://www.skchemicals.com/china/produc ... itemap.asp

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Please do not PM me about Chinese carbon wheels. I will not respond.

This is Flybike. Again, Hongfu is not a factory.

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Neo Cycles

so there is no Jenny?

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http://kavitec.blogspot.com/

click this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqfFdCWAH5I&list=UUEtgd6K9EDGmoSE2YYipQgQ&index=20

So HongFu/DengFu are really FlyBike... cool with me.

http://gabeadz.com/karlo/DengFu/DengFu% ... ex.html#20

So what can we learn about FlyBike?

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Please do not PM me about Chinese carbon wheels. I will not respond.

thx for links!

frames and equipment are just industry stuff

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http://kavitec.blogspot.com/

click this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqfFdCWAH5I&list=UUEtgd6K9EDGmoSE2YYipQgQ&index=20

no they're not. they buy frames from Flybike and resell them.
Flybike is a new factory. only 2-3 years old.
Engineers came from Martec (owns Kuota) and Carbotec (makes Pina) and C6 etc..the frame that looks like Kredo and fork that looks like Onda is their work.

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Neo Cycles

Phallenthoul- so what can you tell us about rims made by these various companies? I ask as you seem to have some very particular knowledge about the industry and I for one am quite curious...

Thanks

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Please do not PM me about Chinese carbon wheels. I will not respond.

Sorry can't help... I don't usually buy carbon rims from frame manufacturers

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Neo Cycles

FYI -- a trading company can easily arrange a factory tour. All he/she has to do is ask the factory. In fact he/she could even possibly have an office at the factory. But... in terms of legal relationship, such as ownership and management of the factory, it's a different story.

Would be cool if it was true.

okay, question. some friends and i are looking at buying some frames from http://www.gotobike.com.cn/.

i've seen them referenced in these boards, but i'd actually like to make sure someone's actually dealt with them before i send them a chunk of cash.

thanks!

edited:
just found the GOTOBIKE thread on ww here. not much there though - would still appreciate hearing from anyone with any dealings.

http://www.hzflybike.com/enindex.asp

Please note that their Chinese site is much faster, be patient when clicking links and the page will eventually show.

If you go to RoadBikeReview's forums, there are at least 4 threads about these generic frames, and most of the purchases are being done with HongFu. I believe they are on "Thread 3.0" now (meaning the third thread... it's been that popular over there). GoToBike (?) apparently has new frames out too, as mentioned in Thread 3.0 - but there is little detail being released about them aside from pictures and shop drawings.

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Exp001

from GOTOBIKE!! very easy to deal with, good communication.