THE CHINA EXPERIMENT: THE BUILD

As repeatedly stressed, the China Experiment is a response to the query made by a member of Road Bike Pilipinas on whether a replica frame made in China would be a worthwhile investment. The post was deluged by a lot of negative comments coming from people who did NOT have any personal experience with the use of replica frames. When asked for their basis, all these knowledgeable (?) people could muster were referrals to old videos on YouTube or articles written for bike magazines based on unknown agendas. NONE of the respondents, when asked, could mention a colleague who had a catastrophic crash due to bike failure, but this did not stop them from labelling China frames as 'deathtraps'.

These comments persisted, notwithstanding the testimonies of individuals who had used replica frames in podium finishes in triathlons and criterium races. Again, despite the growing information that the so-called "genuine" frames were made in either Taiwan or mainland China (N.B. Some Colnago frames have been manufactured in Taiwan since 2008. The Colnago V1-R, made in a teamup with Ferrari, is also Taiwan-made [http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/reviews/first-ride-colnago-v1-r]).

So I decided to put these accusations to the test. I will buy a China frame, subject it to the usual stresses that will be demanded of it by a weekend warrior in a variety of terrains and conditions, and hope that I will not be seriously hurt in the process.

I am NOT advocating the purchase of replica or fake frames. But in my country, majority of bikers do not have the means to purchase the top-end frames. Some hesitate to purchase China frames due to the knowledgeable (?) but persistent nay-sayers that these replica frames are deathtraps -- "buwis-buhay" in the vernacular. By conducting this experiment, I would either PROVE or DISPROVE -- at least insofar as one frame is concerned -- the issues about the China frames' road-worthiness. I WANT THE AVERAGE FILIPINO BIKER TO HAVE A CHOICE on what to buy, instead of being limited due to lack of available firsthand knowledge and information.

I have bought a replica of a Bianchi Oltre XR4. In order to reduce the random possibilities of failure other than the frame itself, I have opted to build the bike using top-end bike parts only. I need to give this underdog bike every opportunity to succeed (and save me from landing in the hospital, if I may add). I, thus, paired the fake frame with the following: Campagnolo Super Record 11s groupset (with 11-32 Ultegra cog), KMC X11L Silver chain, Zipp 404 Firecrest wheelset, Fizik Arione 00 saddle, Cinelli Ram2 integrated cockpit, Bianchi Eolosoft bartape, Bianchi bottle cages and bidons, Look Keo 2 Max pedals, and Michelin Pro racer tires 20mm. Tires are yellow because yellow is the color of Team Lotto-Jumbo, which is sponsored by Bianchi in the Tour de France. Check out the yellow-sided tires of Dylan Groenewegen of Team Lotto here (https://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/pro-bike-dutch-champion-dylan-groenewegens-custom-bianchi-oltre-xr4.html) The only changes I will make with the set-up is the installation of Fulcrum Racing Zero carbon wheels in windy conditions.

As built, the bike weighs 6.9kg.

The bike is ready. I hope I am. Game on.