Why you should choose Chinese carbon gravel frame
You'll likely look at big bike brand frames, or complete bike builds when looking for a new gravel bike. You must have some deep pockets if you want a high-end carbon frame. If you search for more affordable options, you'll often end up on Alibaba or Aliexpress and look into a Chinese carbon frame. But are these frames any good? Or are they just too good to be true? We all have heard the horror stories of people who snapped their Chinese carbon frame. We will give you some explanation.
Is the Chinese carbon frame any good?
If you're interested in a Chinese gravel frame, don't buy the first frame you see online. Sure, it'll be very interesting financially, but you'll need to research the frame's origin more because not all Chinese carbon frames are equal.
There are a couple of pointers to keep in mind:
First of all, buy from a trustworthy and established brand. These manufacturers will cover their products with a warranty (sometimes even a lifetime warranty on your frame). A manufacturer that proposes a warranty has put all of their frames through rigorous testing and quality control; most of the time, their frames and other products are even UCI-legalized. You'll also find a geometry chart for the frame on the manufacturer's website to help you find the right bike size.
Secondly, the frames will be branded. This distinguishes them from unbranded counterfeit frames. It also allows you to find different reviews and experiences from others on the internet and YouTube.
The Upgraded Internal Routing X-Gravel Bike Frame is ICAN's new gravel bike frame for 2024. It is a true pavement and gravel all-rounder performance-oriented gravel bike. Racing is recommended on this speedy gravel bike.
Durability, stiffness, tire clearance, weight?
After you did your investigation, you still might have a couple of questions. How durable is the gravel frame I've chosen? And what about the stiffness? Of course, a manufacturer will claim that their frame is lightweight and stiff, but keep in mind that the lower the frame weight, the lower the limit is to the rider's weight. If you're a heavier rider, a lightweight gravel frame won't suit your riding style as the frame can twist under stress.
But how can I find out if the frame is durable? Ensure your frame has been extensively tested; normally, your manufacturer will mention this on their website, or once again, the internet is your friend; look for any customer reviews.
Lastly, there are some other options you'll you'll need to consider. What tire width can the frame support, and which tire width do you expect to use? What type of bottom bracket does the frame use? Is it a press-fit or a threaded BB? Make sure you get the compatible BB, or if you already have a bottom bracket, get a compatible frame.
Which groupset is the frame compatible with? Can I add some accessories to the frame?
Most modern gravel frames are compatible with any groupset you want: Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM… And for the accessories, check the bike specifications; you'll get most of the information from the manufacturer, and if you're still not certain, message the manufacturer.
ICAN provides accurate and timely pre-sales and after-sales services, with a professional technical team ready to answer your questions. If you have any queries or concerns, please feel free to get in touch with us.
