Today I rode, for the first time, My New Carbon Fibre bike.
Looking at the tech sheet/ Technical drawings , you would be forgiven for thinking its a Trek Madone, but its not, its a Chinese Madone, or as I like to call it, a Chi-Done 🙂
Since I started to cycle I always wanted a Carbon bike, but , put simply, I was too darn fat. I’m not any more, In fact I have not been for at least 6 months BUT I wanted to wait, make sure I didnt gain weight and then reward myself.
FM028 None Isp 60CM Cheap Frame Carbon
With the help of a bike shop and then a good friend its now together, there are a couple of adjusters missing so its not 100% right now, but after 5 Miles today I know all I need to, lets look at some figures:
Frame Inc Shipping : £325 (No Customs)
Groupset SRAM Rival/Force £230
Shop Costs £40
So for less than £600 I have a brand new Carbon Bike, with pretty much the same Tech Sheet as a Madone
FM028 Front Cable
The Bike is BB30, however as I am not flush with cash, this build has been kept to a minimum, as such its running an adaptor, meaning it can only get better.
I cant say how well it will hold up to my beatings every day, but for now, I can say that it climbs like a beast, its lighter than my CAAD9 (BB30) and Stiffer than my CAAD9, and descending its as sold as a rock, I cant wait to beat it every day, but for now simply marvel in the glory of a Carbon SRAM road bike for less than an average Hybrid
Update, its been up Joel Lane, to Werneth Low, Its stiff climbing, great at sprinting and rock sold cornering
FM028 werneth low
Cycle Of Life - Fix You 
That’s a nice bike. Reminds me of the Ribble Stealth.
How did you get the groupset so cheap?
What about the cost of the other bits i.e. saddle, handlebars, cables, wheels, tyres etc?
Groupo Was second hand, bargain, not really used.
Saddle is stolen from my Caad9 TBH, Bars, Cables, Wheels and Tyres were all just laying around from bikes I’d killed in the past with my awesome-power-ness. 🙂
Looking forward to seeing how durable it is mate.
You and me both buddy, that’s the one thing I cant answer for a while, but all being well, I’ll end up with a carbon MTB or Cross and of course a TT (Im build for speed you see LOL)
Early indications are good tho TBH
Carbon fiber is rock solid, so long as it’s decently made.
From what carbon people tell me – the biggest difference I will notice when I switch from aluminum to CF is not weight or speed or any of that…
It is that “You will not get fatigued nearly as fast.”
A recent carbon convert told me that what he noticed was when he did his century on the carbon – “Mile 90 felt like mile 30.”
By the way, I dub your new ride “Smoke.”
🙂
Im looking forward to riding 100 miles on Smoke then 😀
Very nice!
Thinking of building a bike up myself. How did you get on fitting the bottom bracket?
It was easy
I took it to a shop
then picked it up
Simples BB installation
🙂
Hope that helps 😀
Glad its running good. Will be sorted when you get the cable adjusters
Got decathlon to stick one in mate
Thanks 😀
Gaz
Hi Gaz, Just wondering mate, how tall are you? Im looking at an FM028 for myself and im curious about which frame size to go for.
Hi Ben
Im 6 Foot 3″
Gaz
Cool, cheers mate. I reckon at 5 10″ the 56 should e perfect for me. All I have to do is wait for my student loan and plan a cool retro paint job!
I’d agree mate
Enjoy when you get it
for the money, its amazing
Gaz
hi mate,you mind me asking which ebay seller you used for you fm28 frame? im just about to pull the trigger on an ebay frame and love the build you’ve done
I went direct to Hong Fu
Really keen to hear how the frame is doing. Still on it? Still happy? I’ve been looking at the ‘chinarellos 🙂
Adam
I use it daily and lov it
That’s fantastic. Have you looked at the chinese pinarellos? They look really amazing. You really are a bike lover aren’t you 🙂
I really, REALLY admire your weight loss. Well done that man 🙂
Adam
Thanks Adam, I appreciate your comments
Welcome mate.
A
PS re the Chinarellos – I’ll be posting a picture soon enough 🙂
Ohhh ) You got one? Tell me tell me tell me!
Adam
By the way, this is me:
http://www.facebook.com/adam.baudelaire
I sure have – check the pictures on my Manchester to Blackpool 2011 post
Your a photographer / writer ?
Hi There,
Do you know if the frame will take Dura Ace BB?
Thanks
Jon
It will take a bb30 BB
Hi Jon, sorry not to get back to you. I’m not getting post updates. I settled on a aluminium Cervelo soloist. Prettiest thing you ever saw but I need to get a taller frame now I think. The riding position is just too uncomfortable. It’s a compact geometry 54 and I reckon I could ride a 61 comfortably.
I am a photographer and a lot of other things. Just starting a fashion label with my wife and always looking into entrepreneurial ventures.
A
May i ask about your weight when u started on this frame? Im looking for a chin-done as well, just wondering if it will keep together..
Around 19 stone
Thank you, so there might be hope for me getting carbon as well 🙂 what wheels?
I used rs80’s