Apologies at the time of uploading, I had not finished the literature, I will endeavour to publish that when I get a bit of time. It's hard fitting it in between episodes of Paw Patrol. It could be worse, I could be having an absolute crap day after getting reamed on social media. Just like this lot www.hambini.com/absoluteblack-700-ospw-leaves-company-reputation-in-tatters/ On the subject of there being differences in carbon type across the frame, that's a totally valid point but a sample that is big enough to test is required. The bottom section of the downtube is ideal for that. This testing is by no means perfect so don't take it as gospel. Overall, the cheap frame doesn't have inferior carbon or resin used. This suggests you are paying for a badge and paintwork. Another question was around having an extra thick section where it was tested. The stress is based on force per unit area so it should account for this. ***I would be interested to know if anyone has any suggestions around testing as this methodology is definitely in need of improvement*** and I would be the first to acknowledge that.
I think aside from the concerns you mentioned, you did a pretty good job of showing that the carbon fiber and resin used in cheap bikes is just as good as the stuff used in western branded bikes. The problem is this doesn't really prove your point that the CN bikes overall are just as good as western bikes. You said it yourself, build quality and geometry is much more important than quality of the fiber and resin when it comes to having a reliable bike that isn't going to fail; so I think in order to fully prove your point, you'd have to test the strength of the overall bike and show that the build quality of the cheap bikes is just as good as that of western bikes. You would also have to show that the QC on those cheap bikes is as good as the western bikes. Unfortunately I imagine these things are much harder to test, since you would probably need a bike specific frame testing apparatus and multiple samples of each frame. I'm not an expert so I could be wrong, still enjoyed the video!
@@Hambini this is how you tube fucked over my little channel! I only had 2k followers but went up against a few brands and it's them Vs me so I was gone 🤷🏻
@@lovecycling193 It's a problem that needs sorting out. I've had Cycling weekly try to take the channel down as well. A combination of the media and the brands don't want the consumer to be fully informed. The media are the marketing departments of the brand and the bike makers want max profits. I think times are changing, the most notable one is in the area of wheels. Zipp etc are no longer having the market share that they once had. Farsports, Winspace, lightbicycle and others will force them to bring their prices down.
Hambini, I have no idea about the engineering of these frames but I do appreciate you and others taking the time to explain this all in layman's terms.
there would be no point me splurting out numbers, that is what magazines do to sell. times have changed and consumers are a lot more aware. Although I did rant on a bit, in hindsight I'm glad I did it. If people don't like it they can hit forward.
Thanks, Hambini, for explaining things that the manufacturers and/or media outlets should, but don't. Because they're either too thick themselves, they think the consumers are too thick, or they're all thick. *Or* the manufacturers don't want to explain because that that would raise too many questions for them to answer, which would reveal their own apparent lack of knowledge of what they flog to the public. And heaven forbid that consumers become informed and educated, lest any advertisers are offended in the process.
When I first got into MTB's back in the 90's someone wrote to MBUK saying that they got better weight savings by taking a dump than by upgrading their bike suggested they start reviewing foods that would, let's say, assist in that aim.
@@Calum_S I was just going to say, that was the response all the crusty old guys gave at the trailhead whenever someone showed up with some new chi-chi back in the 90s.
Years ago (in steel days) I was at my LBS and a customer brought in a scale and was weighing every part and totalling with a calculator while the shop owner built his bike. After about five parts going on the scale, the shop owner told the customer to GTFO of his shop, refunded his money and told him if he wants to save that much weight to be sure to take a dump before each ride. LOL classic
Being a Mechanical Engineer makes me more appreciative of how you are trying to explain it to others that aren't in our field. 99.9% of the people don't und really understand this nor do they care. But good that you are trying to dumb things down for people to understand.
Damn it autoplay! Sat in my shed, fiddling with the Mozzy, just about to spot superglue an extra fiddly bit and BOOM...... "HELLO HAMBINI FANS" ...F****G glue everywhere....and the floor goblins got the fiddly bit!! :)
Anyone purchasing a Trifox frame is clearly on to a winner here, the amount of moneysaving is considerable and provides ample reserves to purchase better components, equipment etc..
The takeaway here is that CFRP is not an ideal material for bikes that are going to be used years on end where owners will not know that they will need to have the frame/fork tested for any underlying damage (which cannot be seen by the naked eye). If you cause a void by crashing or dropping the bike, you lose strength in that part of the frame or worse at the fork. And the way CFRP fails (catastrophically), means if the frame or fork fails while you are careening down a hill at 60 kms/hr, you might find yourself at best, picking up your teeth off the asphalt or at worse, meeting your maker.
@@shannondeckard8587 I've been saying this same thing for years but people just don't believe it. I don't own carbon fiber bikes anymore because I finally settled and made my last bike purchase which is a titanium frame with as many metal components as I could acquire. My most recent carbon fiber failure was the cage of my Dura-Ace 9150 rear derailleur because of crosschaining. The replacement cage part cost $110 for the Outer Plate. I should have gone with Ultegra RD because the cage is metal. Carbon is a waste of money unless you need to have it for racing.
@@wasupwitdat1mofiki94 Yes many CFRP zealots have their heads in the sand because they don't want to hear the hard truth about their expensive CFRP bikes. Pros get new bikes from their sponsors every season or every couple of seasons so long term durability isn't necessary for them.
Thanks very much for taking the time to explain this in simple terms. I didn't realise there was a difference between high strength. I had foolishly thought that high strength meant the frame was very stiff. You might get criticized from the know it alls for taking too long to explain it but I am very grateful you took the time to explain.
If that would be the case, Fiberglass frames would've taken over the alumiunium ones. They would be as light and strong as carbon fibre frames at half the material cost. (S-Glass E-Glass would be cheaper but less strong or light) However even hambini wouldn't ride on a bendy spaghetti bike.
I was hoping to see comments on whether the newer frames were eps or still made with a vacuum bag How clean the internal structure was especially at the tube joints Next instalment,please?
Luescher Technik specializes in this more holistic frame breakdown and analysis. Given that this was Hambini's first crack at it, this was pretty good and still very informative - the explanations he gives are concise yet sufficient for most of us non-engineers.
I'm so glad this channel came up in my recommended. It's a fun refresh on fundamentals of engineering and actually some motivation to keep looking for an engineering job post uni.
Great video! Being an engineer myself, I totally agree on the findings. I’d love to see you cut / slice them down the middle and inspect their lay up for quality and defects which, as you point out, has a huge impact on performance. Luescher Teknik does this - he’s not quite as colourful as you but interesting none the less.
I'm an owner of a Trifox X16 frame, I'm happy with the results of these tests. However Trifox needs to step up their QC in terms of finishing. My frame required sanding of the drop outs to even be able to fit my wheels in. But the worst offender was excess material in the seat tube that required significant sanding and filing to be able to even insert the seat post. Since I've made those adjustments it's been a great frame and rides really well(and I can deal with those defects at the price point), but may not be the best option for people unwilling or unable to modify the frame a bit.
Not ideal of course, and I understand your inconvenience, but I'd also say better for Trifox getting the fundamentals right and just stumbling at the finishing, instead of what some bigger names are doing giving customers subpar frames dolled up with shiny coats of paint. Methinks I should take a closer look at Trifox's offerings after your review, cheers mate
@@TypeVertigo even with all that I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Trifox (especially for crit racing which has higher crash rates). I just hope they work out their wrinkles. I could call the drop out issue a minor oversight but the seat tube issue took a long time to file down and fix and is more serious, the seat post literally would not enter the tube anymore than 4cm. But as long as you are ok with those warts you gotta deal with the frame rides great, My 2019 TCR SL0 frame with Dura Ace which has literally been hanging on the wall since I built the Trifox up.
@InLinefour24, I built up an X16 about 6 months ago, and I had exactly those 2 same issues and I also needed to file away some paint from the rear brake mounting hole to fit the caliper. Actually, for the seatpost issue, I ended up cutting the seatpost to the exact height I needed (which I usually do anyway to save some weight) so that it sat on that extra material in the tube (I figured it might prevent the seatpost slipping, although it does mean I can't drop the seat any lower). This material was about 10-12cm down the tube in my case. Like you, I was easily able to diagnose and fix those issues, so it wasn't a big problem for me. I love the Trifox bike, it is so light and rides really nice, have about 2000 km on it so far, including lots of mountain riding.
@@joedowling8322 funny you had the same issues, I forgot to mention I had the same thing with the front and rear rim brake mounts. I actually wouldn't have needed to sand my seat tube but did so anyway to make sure if I ever needed to drop a bit I could. X16 is a great buy for the price still, but would be an easier recommendation without those issues. My Winspace SLC 2.0 is lighter and the fit and finish was perfect (on par with the Giant TCR) but costs more than double (than the Trifox) even with the discount codes.
@@Inlinefour24 My x8 trifox frame had the same issue where the front and rear brake mounts had to be filed down to fit the brakes in. Similar case with the headset bearings though not as much. The paint around the seat post was dodgy and the fit of the plate covering the shifter cables below the bottom bracket was not shaped correctly. Also the internal routing holes for the shifter cables are at an awkward angle ( top of top tube). However, the frame is real good beyond that and was very cheap.
This is brilliant. I've had my share of Chinese unbranded frames, because I don't mountain bike much, and don't want to end up wrecking a very expensive frame. I started getting cheap frames for that reason and they've all held up great. I've also sold them off over the years to friends who were in the same boat, and they are still going. Are they going to structurally shatter into a million pieces like an F1 car one day? Who knows, but I doubt it. My only carbon fiber test was long ago, I took an old carbon seatpost that had a broken clamp, and I crushed it in a benchtop vise. It didn't shatter. It crushed, and I could see the strands of carbon fiber, but it was still together. I always thought it was brittle. Nope. THE PEN IS WORKING!!!!
I mean... You make F1 car shattering to million pieces sound like a bad thing. That's how they were designed - carbon bikes are not that much different.
This session brought back memories of my structural analysis Prof in my Civil Engineering days. Nice one Hambini, some how you used a cable stayed bridge in there.
I'm too well schooled on your videos not to mute you at the beginning 🤣😘 I bought that trifox because of one of your older videos. Such a honestly priced frame
When I think of my racing days there were so many new items that were made very light. Often, they broke. This included stems (Cinelli had a 1R really beautiful$) and light pedals were breaking as were cranks. I am thinking that some of the high end frames may actually be sacrificing some safety and durability as they come closer to the limits of their materials or there design and it may not take a lot for a failure. I guess that is why they MUST have extreme QC. There would be less room for error
As the owner of a 2007 Giant TCR that went spongy, I can attest to the importance of build quality. And seeing that the attributes of build quality in a carbon frame are mostly hidden, I look for one with the best warranty.
We've all learned a lot from this and many other videos from you. Thank you! I think it's obvious now that we all want Hambini bike frame in the future. Please make it and disrupt this industry. Instant buy from me.
Machinery's Hand Book has articles that explain this in great detail. Well worth studying. Cheaper than college credits, at least here in the US. Thumbs up to Mr. H. for introducing some important info.
Wondered how my carbon levo puts up with severe abuse with a fairly thin layup, it the size of the elements of the frame . Liking the more professional presentation however I may sue for hearing loss during the introduction, you get me every time😂😂😂
Thanks @Hambini for explaining everything, because previously I thought only T1000 carbon and above are the best and T800/T700 are crap. Now I have a new understanding of carbon fiber types. Big thanks!
I used a hammer (various weights), dremel, carbon saw by Irwin and my Arcteryx walking boots (with me at 90kg stood in em) to stand on the frames... The Sonder had a much bigger cross section and was almost impossible to fracture... The Boardman Pro roadie was in tatters with just a few blows but had a much smaller cross section (mtb and roadie respectively with weights of 900g and 1200g, again respectively)...
Since the title did not imply a focus on stiffness, I expected a broader review in this 28 minute video. While it is nice to have an easy to understand explanation of stiffness factors in carbon frame construction, a big omission in this talk is... intended frame usage. The best example of purpose is the Specialized Roubaix which is intended to be ridden offroad and perhaps on rough cobbles. Given this intent, the Roubaix needs to be somewhat compliant (ride quality) and not crack with repeated significant severe high stresses, ie potholes, cobbles, etc (resilience). At the other end of the usage spectrum would be a TT road frame from which you might want ultimate stiffness and low weight, while perhaps sacrificing comfort and ability to absorb significant abrupt stresses (potholes, etc). So while the Trifox put up some good stiffness numbers, what is it's usage purpose and ride quality?
Very nice video, a lot of effort in this. Took me back to school, so many years ago... The only point I would add is the diminishing point of going too big on the cross sectional area: re the beer can effect.
Great video for the layman. 👍🏻 I will say it again: “That’s why I ride metal (titanium) bikes.” Even from “good” and “well respected” manufacturers you don’t know what you are getting with carbon. Could be full of voids? Maybe cracked or delaminates when you don’t expect it? Titanium is light, stiff depending on frame design and super strong. It lasts almost forever and it’s better for the environment. And you can see damage more easily on a metal frame. Also if a metal frame fails at one tube the others normally hold the bike together long enough to save your life! (I know I have had personal experience) however with carbon, if the down tube fails, the top tube will fail also and you will end up face first into the ground! That is the joy of carbon.
Hambini thank you for all great work please keep it up ! For once its great to see a honest person saying it how it really is about these so called top bike manufacturers and comparing them to the alternative which in most cases save you hundreds of pounds in the process ! As a novice rider I'd like to see your top picks of chinese bike frames and why or had good feed back to suggest 😊
This was a very informative video. You're obviously a very good resource for this type of information. I wish more of your videos were like this and less of the juvenile carrying on. Thanks for the video.
Videos like this are a real comfort for me who is looking to build a carbon road bike next year. Maybe a gravel bike instead/as well. I don't have buckets of cash to throw down on a 'western' brand, and I would prefer to build it myself anyhow.
Thanks for the informative video, @hambini. The more we can separate the marketing speak from actual facts is always appreciated. Keep the great content coming.
This video remind me of what i used to see and learn in university haha. Takes me back to good old days. I wish hambini was my lecturer or i was in university when hambini make his youtube channel so i can be motivated to be a good engineer like him.
Hi Hambini. Once again thanks so much for your time in explainint these matters. Sorry, its gonna be a long message but before going further I popped some SKS rear bearings in the Subaru Outback from what was learnt off yerself years ago.... So, from your vid I've concluded that I won't be going for the Hi Mod afterall and get back to the drawing board on my next frame which will still probs be a Cannondale... Regardsy last 2 frames I trashed I reckon I've just understood why the Alpkit Sonder Transmitter carbon, was so strong when I took the hammer, carbon saw and dremel to it. Yet so weak when going uphill and a bad gear change broke my chain stay. Must have been a bloomin void that they never took ownership for (avoid the dirty Rascals... they sit in the same area of my brain as Crapvelo). I'll try n find the little writeup I made on the topic at the time of smashing it/em to bits. Looking forward to ordering myself a shiny BB fairly soon for the steely. Thanks again Thanks again
In the good old days, before the change of the Century I owned a very early, "Alan", italian carbon/alu frame. It was, for the time, an ultra ligth frame, but riding it with a Shimano Dura-Ace set, it felt like a "slightly trained jellyfish", so I soon found a buyer for the frame, who wanted it for ordinary use only. 😄
Great video explaining strength of CF and design. Analysis using an alternative summary statistics for the stiffness and strength would be instructive. Using the maximum value may be optimistic, "Best case, your frame will break under this load." Finding the point at which 95% or 99% fail would be better, as long as someone other than me gets the remaining 5%, :). Keep up the good work enlightening and entertaining us all. Phil
My home built carbon bike ( Ali express ) has been crashed three times and is still in one piece. I will point out that I was on my way to the hairdresser at the time to get my Brazilian touched up.
Was just watching the first part because I was curious about the frame, went to 2nd part, stayed because I just remembered I am an engineering freshman and I may actually use the info lol
This test only tells part of the story though - a bike frame in its entirety, which includes its shape, geometry and various layups in various sections of the bike is what gives the frame strength and rigidity. Like you said, frame design is a big factor in stiffness. Taking one section of the down tube doesn't really tell us anything meaningful about the bike frame performance under its working conditions.. you'd need CAD modelling for that. Also doesn't take into fact trade offs in design as we see in Cervelo which uses aerofoil like shapes for aerodynamic gains and perhaps sacrificing other areas which their engineers would account for under intended working conditions.
I guess my question is, since we can ignore all the marketing hogwash about "stiffness" and the quality of the carbon, that leaves, as you said, build quality. Problem for consumers is build quality isnt transparent at all and its so variable between one frame to the next there is really no way to know what you're going to get. Obviously, you've seen an incredibly bad canyon frame, but my canyon has no BB issues and the frame is (ostensibly) fine as I've put 20k miles on it with no issues. So I guess my question is: how can consumers like me make the most informed choice on our next purchase in terms of build quality?
That's a good question. You won't know if your frame is in good or bad condition but you can safely say that if it has a problem then it's not bad enough for you to notice. The issue is there will be a defect rate at which point it does become a problem. I don't know where that is. However, each defect makes the frame less stiff so every defect will rob you of power. But you are right build quality with lower grade carbon/resin gives a better end result.
What surprises me is that none of these bike brand companies have offered Hambini a job as a frame designer. The frames are made in China but we're being told they are actually designed and innovated in europe/USA or wherever. Be very interesting to see how different a Hambini design would be to what is offered by the industry.
For composites, especially tubular structures, bending strength is far more important than tensile properties. You should have cut the complete tube sections of the same length and test them in 3-point or 4-point bend test. Dog-bone tensile specimens that are cut out of curved tubes are more or less useless for testing. If you have tested tubes, you would have captured both basic laminate properties and the geometry driven stiffness (i.e. cross-section differences).
lovely rundown of first two or maybe three semesters of mech. eng., however pounds per square inch made me puke up a little then again, you're five so I'll let it slide
Destructive testing will show the weak spots of the frame by mounting it on the wheel axles and loading the bottom bracket downwards with a spindle >1000kg(?).
I enjoy your work, Hambini. I'm not an engineer but it seems you sectioned the test material from the down tube. Given normal weight distribution on the bike, would it have been more revealing to test material from the top tube where compressive force are in play? Shouldn't the down tube should be stretching? Down tube material would be engineered for a different force? Thanks,
Im a engineer in the LEGO field! I have designed and tested (till destruction) buildings,cranes,airplanes,ships,spacecrafts,submarines etc etc. so you don`t have to dumb it down for me Mr Hambini!
Apologies at the time of uploading, I had not finished the literature, I will endeavour to publish that when I get a bit of time. It's hard fitting it in between episodes of Paw Patrol. It could be worse, I could be having an absolute crap day after getting reamed on social media. Just like this lot www.hambini.com/absoluteblack-700-ospw-leaves-company-reputation-in-tatters/
On the subject of there being differences in carbon type across the frame, that's a totally valid point but a sample that is big enough to test is required. The bottom section of the downtube is ideal for that. This testing is by no means perfect so don't take it as gospel. Overall, the cheap frame doesn't have inferior carbon or resin used. This suggests you are paying for a badge and paintwork.
Another question was around having an extra thick section where it was tested. The stress is based on force per unit area so it should account for this.
***I would be interested to know if anyone has any suggestions around testing as this methodology is definitely in need of improvement*** and I would be the first to acknowledge that.
I don't understand how a Hambini video on TH-cam can be blocked BY Absolute Black in the UK. What standards does TH-cam apply to justify this action?
@@SignorLuigi Commercial standards, YT will do whatever is best for their pocket.
I think aside from the concerns you mentioned, you did a pretty good job of showing that the carbon fiber and resin used in cheap bikes is just as good as the stuff used in western branded bikes. The problem is this doesn't really prove your point that the CN bikes overall are just as good as western bikes. You said it yourself, build quality and geometry is much more important than quality of the fiber and resin when it comes to having a reliable bike that isn't going to fail; so I think in order to fully prove your point, you'd have to test the strength of the overall bike and show that the build quality of the cheap bikes is just as good as that of western bikes. You would also have to show that the QC on those cheap bikes is as good as the western bikes. Unfortunately I imagine these things are much harder to test, since you would probably need a bike specific frame testing apparatus and multiple samples of each frame. I'm not an expert so I could be wrong, still enjoyed the video!
@@Hambini this is how you tube fucked over my little channel! I only had 2k followers but went up against a few brands and it's them Vs me so I was gone 🤷🏻
@@lovecycling193 It's a problem that needs sorting out. I've had Cycling weekly try to take the channel down as well. A combination of the media and the brands don't want the consumer to be fully informed. The media are the marketing departments of the brand and the bike makers want max profits. I think times are changing, the most notable one is in the area of wheels. Zipp etc are no longer having the market share that they once had. Farsports, Winspace, lightbicycle and others will force them to bring their prices down.
John who donated the Canyon frame. You’re all welcome! All in the name of science and engineering Hambini style!
Thankyou very much!
Thank you John 👍🏻
Cheers, John 👋
Thanks!
Legend 🤛🏻
Hambini, I have no idea about the engineering of these frames but I do appreciate you and others taking the time to explain this all in layman's terms.
there would be no point me splurting out numbers, that is what magazines do to sell. times have changed and consumers are a lot more aware. Although I did rant on a bit, in hindsight I'm glad I did it. If people don't like it they can hit forward.
@@Hambini Kudos, you should rant more - Rantini
Soft closing drawers. Hambini is a person of class as expected.
Thanks, Hambini, for explaining things that the manufacturers and/or media outlets should, but don't. Because they're either too thick themselves, they think the consumers are too thick, or they're all thick. *Or* the manufacturers don't want to explain because that that would raise too many questions for them to answer, which would reveal their own apparent lack of knowledge of what they flog to the public. And heaven forbid that consumers become informed and educated, lest any advertisers are offended in the process.
you are welcome
"Less than a dump." One of the best weight comparisons I've ever heard!
When I first got into MTB's back in the 90's someone wrote to MBUK saying that they got better weight savings by taking a dump than by upgrading their bike suggested they start reviewing foods that would, let's say, assist in that aim.
@@Calum_S I was just going to say, that was the response all the crusty old guys gave at the trailhead whenever someone showed up with some new chi-chi back in the 90s.
This is the reason, why you take one before doing a hill-climb.
Years ago (in steel days) I was at my LBS and a customer brought in a scale and was weighing every part and totalling with a calculator while the shop owner built his bike. After about five parts going on the scale, the shop owner told the customer to GTFO of his shop, refunded his money and told him if he wants to save that much weight to be sure to take a dump before each ride. LOL classic
Taking dump saves one's weight, especially that rider is a weight weenie.
Being a Mechanical Engineer makes me more appreciative of how you are trying to explain it to others that aren't in our field. 99.9% of the people don't und really understand this nor do they care. But good that you are trying to dumb things down for people to understand.
This man is better than my mechanics professor
Damn it autoplay! Sat in my shed, fiddling with the Mozzy, just about to spot superglue an extra fiddly bit and BOOM...... "HELLO HAMBINI FANS" ...F****G glue everywhere....and the floor goblins got the fiddly bit!! :)
Anyone purchasing a Trifox frame is clearly on to a winner here, the amount of moneysaving is considerable and provides ample reserves to purchase better components, equipment etc..
I bought one because a 5 year old told me to.
The takeaway here is that CFRP is not an ideal material for bikes that are going to be used years on end where owners will not know that they will need to have the frame/fork tested for any underlying damage (which cannot be seen by the naked eye). If you cause a void by crashing or dropping the bike, you lose strength in that part of the frame or worse at the fork. And the way CFRP fails (catastrophically), means if the frame or fork fails while you are careening down a hill at 60 kms/hr, you might find yourself at best, picking up your teeth off the asphalt or at worse, meeting your maker.
@@shannondeckard8587 I've been saying this same thing for years but people just don't believe it. I don't own carbon fiber bikes anymore because I finally settled and made my last bike purchase which is a titanium frame with as many metal components as I could acquire. My most recent carbon fiber failure was the cage of my Dura-Ace 9150 rear derailleur because of crosschaining. The replacement cage part cost $110 for the Outer Plate. I should have gone with Ultegra RD because the cage is metal. Carbon is a waste of money unless you need to have it for racing.
@@wasupwitdat1mofiki94 Yes many CFRP zealots have their heads in the sand because they don't want to hear the hard truth about their expensive CFRP bikes. Pros get new bikes from their sponsors every season or every couple of seasons so long term durability isn't necessary for them.
Problem is the shipment. I don't trust it. And if I end up having problems, the sellers are on the other side of the globe.
Thanks very much for taking the time to explain this in simple terms. I didn't realise there was a difference between high strength. I had foolishly thought that high strength meant the frame was very stiff. You might get criticized from the know it alls for taking too long to explain it but I am very grateful you took the time to explain.
Glad it was helpful!
If that would be the case, Fiberglass frames would've taken over the alumiunium ones.
They would be as light and strong as carbon fibre frames at half the material cost. (S-Glass E-Glass would be cheaper but less strong or light)
However even hambini wouldn't ride on a bendy spaghetti bike.
I think i t's a good idea to chop the frames up at every junction, too. So you can really compare piece by piece what's been done there.
good idea
Excellent idea, I compared the bb of my canyon and look frame and the difference in construction is amazing.
I was hoping to see comments on whether the newer frames were eps or still made with a vacuum bag
How clean the internal structure was especially at the tube joints
Next instalment,please?
Luescher Technik specializes in this more holistic frame breakdown and analysis. Given that this was Hambini's first crack at it, this was pretty good and still very informative - the explanations he gives are concise yet sufficient for most of us non-engineers.
I'm so glad this channel came up in my recommended. It's a fun refresh on fundamentals of engineering and actually some motivation to keep looking for an engineering job post uni.
Protect Hambini at all cost!
That was his best “Hello Hambini Fans and Welcome” hands down!
How do you know if you’re a Hambini fan?
You turn up the volume at the start of the video instead of turning it down.
WHAT?
I love the really technical videos. Thanks to those who donated frames.
Great video! Being an engineer myself, I totally agree on the findings. I’d love to see you cut / slice them down the middle and inspect their lay up for quality and defects which, as you point out, has a huge impact on performance. Luescher Teknik does this - he’s not quite as colourful as you but interesting none the less.
I'm an owner of a Trifox X16 frame, I'm happy with the results of these tests. However Trifox needs to step up their QC in terms of finishing. My frame required sanding of the drop outs to even be able to fit my wheels in. But the worst offender was excess material in the seat tube that required significant sanding and filing to be able to even insert the seat post. Since I've made those adjustments it's been a great frame and rides really well(and I can deal with those defects at the price point), but may not be the best option for people unwilling or unable to modify the frame a bit.
Not ideal of course, and I understand your inconvenience, but I'd also say better for Trifox getting the fundamentals right and just stumbling at the finishing, instead of what some bigger names are doing giving customers subpar frames dolled up with shiny coats of paint. Methinks I should take a closer look at Trifox's offerings after your review, cheers mate
@@TypeVertigo even with all that I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Trifox (especially for crit racing which has higher crash rates). I just hope they work out their wrinkles. I could call the drop out issue a minor oversight but the seat tube issue took a long time to file down and fix and is more serious, the seat post literally would not enter the tube anymore than 4cm. But as long as you are ok with those warts you gotta deal with the frame rides great, My 2019 TCR SL0 frame with Dura Ace which has literally been hanging on the wall since I built the Trifox up.
@InLinefour24, I built up an X16 about 6 months ago, and I had exactly those 2 same issues and I also needed to file away some paint from the rear brake mounting hole to fit the caliper. Actually, for the seatpost issue, I ended up cutting the seatpost to the exact height I needed (which I usually do anyway to save some weight) so that it sat on that extra material in the tube (I figured it might prevent the seatpost slipping, although it does mean I can't drop the seat any lower). This material was about 10-12cm down the tube in my case. Like you, I was easily able to diagnose and fix those issues, so it wasn't a big problem for me. I love the Trifox bike, it is so light and rides really nice, have about 2000 km on it so far, including lots of mountain riding.
@@joedowling8322 funny you had the same issues, I forgot to mention I had the same thing with the front and rear rim brake mounts. I actually wouldn't have needed to sand my seat tube but did so anyway to make sure if I ever needed to drop a bit I could. X16 is a great buy for the price still, but would be an easier recommendation without those issues. My Winspace SLC 2.0 is lighter and the fit and finish was perfect (on par with the Giant TCR) but costs more than double (than the Trifox) even with the discount codes.
@@Inlinefour24 My x8 trifox frame had the same issue where the front and rear brake mounts had to be filed down to fit the brakes in. Similar case with the headset bearings though not as much. The paint around the seat post was dodgy and the fit of the plate covering the shifter cables below the bottom bracket was not shaped correctly. Also the internal routing holes for the shifter cables are at an awkward angle ( top of top tube). However, the frame is real good beyond that and was very cheap.
This is brilliant. I've had my share of Chinese unbranded frames, because I don't mountain bike much, and don't want to end up wrecking a very expensive frame. I started getting cheap frames for that reason and they've all held up great. I've also sold them off over the years to friends who were in the same boat, and they are still going. Are they going to structurally shatter into a million pieces like an F1 car one day? Who knows, but I doubt it. My only carbon fiber test was long ago, I took an old carbon seatpost that had a broken clamp, and I crushed it in a benchtop vise. It didn't shatter. It crushed, and I could see the strands of carbon fiber, but it was still together. I always thought it was brittle. Nope. THE PEN IS WORKING!!!!
I mean... You make F1 car shattering to million pieces sound like a bad thing. That's how they were designed - carbon bikes are not that much different.
This session brought back memories of my structural analysis Prof in my Civil Engineering days. Nice one Hambini, some how you used a cable stayed bridge in there.
Running into your channel was the best thing happened to me in YT, in a very long time.
Hambini, this is an explanation of the mechanics of materials that I can show to my engineering students. Thanks!
I'm too well schooled on your videos not to mute you at the beginning 🤣😘
I bought that trifox because of one of your older videos. Such a honestly priced frame
I loved the mini biography of the bridge engineer.
I've been pulling carbon steel tensiles and hammering charpys all day then come home and watch this. God I love my life.
Hambini: i would like to give a shoutout. They know who they are
When I think of my racing days there were so many new items that were made very light. Often, they broke. This included stems (Cinelli had a 1R really beautiful$) and light pedals were breaking as were cranks. I am thinking that some of the high end frames may actually be sacrificing some safety and durability as they come closer to the limits of their materials or there design and it may not take a lot for a failure. I guess that is why they MUST have extreme QC. There would be less room for error
As the owner of a 2007 Giant TCR that went spongy, I can attest to the importance of build quality. And seeing that the attributes of build quality in a carbon frame are mostly hidden, I look for one with the best warranty.
As always school is in session and for a 5 year old it was well done indeed. Thanks to those who helped make this possible.
We've all learned a lot from this and many other videos from you. Thank you! I think it's obvious now that we all want Hambini bike frame in the future. Please make it and disrupt this industry. Instant buy from me.
Great video! Nice one and thanks from all the viewers to the people who sent their frames in.
Machinery's Hand Book has articles that explain this in great detail. Well worth studying. Cheaper than college credits, at least here in the US. Thumbs up to Mr. H. for introducing some important info.
shout out to hambini for trashing his own crapvelo frame for us and for making a point, absolute real one.
Dear Lord I was already expecting the usual big shout, but you still managed to scare me 😂😋
Still can’t decide is this the best Chanel on the tube ?
Hambini you bloody legend. What a video. I hope it gets you a million views.
Wondered how my carbon levo puts up with severe abuse with a fairly thin layup, it the size of the elements of the frame .
Liking the more professional presentation however I may sue for hearing loss during the introduction, you get me every time😂😂😂
Thanks @Hambini for explaining everything, because previously I thought only T1000 carbon and above are the best and T800/T700 are crap. Now I have a new understanding of carbon fiber types. Big thanks!
Glad to help!
you need to do more of this, esp when you call people out like AB. people should know you actually do know something.
Who is AB?
Worth a watch for the engineering alone!
I used a hammer (various weights), dremel, carbon saw by Irwin and my Arcteryx walking boots (with me at 90kg stood in em) to stand on the frames... The Sonder had a much bigger cross section and was almost impossible to fracture... The Boardman Pro roadie was in tatters with just a few blows but had a much smaller cross section (mtb and roadie respectively with weights of 900g and 1200g, again respectively)...
Definitely improved that Cervelo frame.
Since the title did not imply a focus on stiffness, I expected a broader review in this 28 minute video. While it is nice to have an easy to understand explanation of stiffness factors in carbon frame construction, a big omission in this talk is... intended frame usage. The best example of purpose is the Specialized Roubaix which is intended to be ridden offroad and perhaps on rough cobbles. Given this intent, the Roubaix needs to be somewhat compliant (ride quality) and not crack with repeated significant severe high stresses, ie potholes, cobbles, etc (resilience). At the other end of the usage spectrum would be a TT road frame from which you might want ultimate stiffness and low weight, while perhaps sacrificing comfort and ability to absorb significant abrupt stresses (potholes, etc). So while the Trifox put up some good stiffness numbers, what is it's usage purpose and ride quality?
Glad to see your canyon results were ok as i just got an Ultimate. Enjoying the bike so far. Thanks for the somewhat peace of mind.
Go Hambini! 💪👍
I was waiting for this before pulling the trigger on that shiny trifox frame, thank you Hambini!
Love the technical explanations
You're a funny guy absolutely impressed with your craftsmanship
Very nice video, a lot of effort in this. Took me back to school, so many years ago... The only point I would add is the diminishing point of going too big on the cross sectional area: re the beer can effect.
imagine Hambini play polybridge
so, now we need Specialized Aethos frame to cut :)
We need BMC masterpiece compared to regular one made in far east. So, who's got 15K Euro laying around??
Nailed it! Thanks for making - I'am now a little wiser!
Hambini almost did himself an injury with the opening "Hello".
I was too slow on the draw going for the mute button - I only got "Hel..." but even then my ears are still ringing. :(
@@kyle_c936 crank up the volume and let the neighbours have the benefit too!
Ha! I had it turned right down! still loud though lol
Oviously bicycle frame manufacturers can't dazzle us with science and try to baffle us with bs. Very informative clip.
Good to see a bit of young's modulus.
Great video for the layman. 👍🏻
I will say it again:
“That’s why I ride metal (titanium) bikes.”
Even from “good” and “well respected” manufacturers you don’t know what you are getting with carbon. Could be full of voids? Maybe cracked or delaminates when you don’t expect it?
Titanium is light, stiff depending on frame design and super strong. It lasts almost forever and it’s better for the environment. And you can see damage more easily on a metal frame. Also if a metal frame fails at one tube the others normally hold the bike together long enough to save your life! (I know I have had personal experience) however with carbon, if the down tube fails, the top tube will fail also and you will end up face first into the ground! That is the joy of carbon.
Hambini thank you for all great work please keep it up ! For once its great to see a honest person saying it how it really is about these so called top bike manufacturers and comparing them to the alternative which in most cases save you hundreds of pounds in the process ! As a novice rider I'd like to see your top picks of chinese bike frames and why or had good feed back to suggest 😊
Holy shit. I just found your channel. I’m about to go down the hambini black hole son! Wooo! Your brilliant bro. Thanks for everything
This was a very informative video. You're obviously a very good resource for this type of information. I wish more of your videos were like this and less of the juvenile carrying on. Thanks for the video.
1:50 of course that X10 is a Hambini-special!
Look at the matching red-and-black overall!
Biggest takeaway: taking a dump saves more grams than buying a lightweight frame (which is potentially less stiff)
Hair is looking on point Hambini 👉
Videos like this are a real comfort for me who is looking to build a carbon road bike next year. Maybe a gravel bike instead/as well. I don't have buckets of cash to throw down on a 'western' brand, and I would prefer to build it myself anyhow.
Thanks for the informative video, @hambini. The more we can separate the marketing speak from actual facts is always appreciated. Keep the great content coming.
hambini uses science and facts to refute the bullshit that bike companies claim thru marketing magic. kudos
This video remind me of what i used to see and learn in university haha. Takes me back to good old days. I wish hambini was my lecturer or i was in university when hambini make his youtube channel so i can be motivated to be a good engineer like him.
One of your best videos, thanks for sharing a bit of your knowlage
Thank you. Now off to see my Hair Dresser. Gonna check out some localized defects..
Hi Hambini. Once again thanks so much for your time in explainint these matters. Sorry, its gonna be a long message but before going further I popped some SKS rear bearings in the Subaru Outback from what was learnt off yerself years ago....
So, from your vid I've concluded that I won't be going for the Hi Mod afterall and get back to the drawing board on my next frame which will still probs be a Cannondale... Regardsy last 2 frames I trashed I reckon I've just understood why the Alpkit Sonder Transmitter carbon, was so strong when I took the hammer, carbon saw and dremel to it. Yet so weak when going uphill and a bad gear change broke my chain stay. Must have been a bloomin void that they never took ownership for (avoid the dirty Rascals... they sit in the same area of my brain as Crapvelo). I'll try n find the little writeup I made on the topic at the time of smashing it/em to bits. Looking forward to ordering myself a shiny BB fairly soon for the steely. Thanks again
Thanks again
Hambini : "Bruce Lee ".
Hairdresser : "Say no more, mate".
In the good old days, before the change of the Century I owned a very early, "Alan", italian carbon/alu frame. It was, for the time, an ultra ligth frame, but riding it with a Shimano Dura-Ace set, it felt like a "slightly trained jellyfish", so I soon found a buyer for the frame, who wanted it for ordinary use only. 😄
Thank you, Hambini!
this was awesome. great explanation. even a detlef or a simply simon understood that kind of simplyfied basic knowledge! Great one pls give us more!
I had the volume down to 20%, still scared the heck out of me and I knew it was coming. lol
Great video explaining strength of CF and design. Analysis using an alternative summary statistics for the stiffness and strength would be instructive. Using the maximum value may be optimistic, "Best case, your frame will break under this load." Finding the point at which 95% or 99% fail would be better, as long as someone other than me gets the remaining 5%, :).
Keep up the good work enlightening and entertaining us all. Phil
This is really interesting and informative, you are amazingly good at explaining for a five year old.
My home built carbon bike ( Ali express ) has been crashed three times and is still in one piece.
I will point out that I was on my way to the hairdresser at the time to get my Brazilian touched up.
Was just watching the first part because I was curious about the frame, went to 2nd part, stayed because I just remembered I am an engineering freshman and I may actually use the info lol
This test only tells part of the story though - a bike frame in its entirety, which includes its shape, geometry and various layups in various sections of the bike is what gives the frame strength and rigidity. Like you said, frame design is a big factor in stiffness.
Taking one section of the down tube doesn't really tell us anything meaningful about the bike frame performance under its working conditions.. you'd need CAD modelling for that.
Also doesn't take into fact trade offs in design as we see in Cervelo which uses aerofoil like shapes for aerodynamic gains and perhaps sacrificing other areas which their engineers would account for under intended working conditions.
Nice use of the suspension bridge! ;)
And thanks for the lesson - reckon you should do a series of mechanics / engineeering / physics for dummies
I guess my question is, since we can ignore all the marketing hogwash about "stiffness" and the quality of the carbon, that leaves, as you said, build quality. Problem for consumers is build quality isnt transparent at all and its so variable between one frame to the next there is really no way to know what you're going to get. Obviously, you've seen an incredibly bad canyon frame, but my canyon has no BB issues and the frame is (ostensibly) fine as I've put 20k miles on it with no issues. So I guess my question is: how can consumers like me make the most informed choice on our next purchase in terms of build quality?
That's a good question. You won't know if your frame is in good or bad condition but you can safely say that if it has a problem then it's not bad enough for you to notice. The issue is there will be a defect rate at which point it does become a problem. I don't know where that is. However, each defect makes the frame less stiff so every defect will rob you of power.
But you are right build quality with lower grade carbon/resin gives a better end result.
@@Hambini Juran's has entered the chat...
*Even a crap is more than 300 grams* Nice explainer on compression, tensile, shear, torsion.. *Fun to watch for a few MOMENTS*
What surprises me is that none of these bike brand companies have offered Hambini a job as a frame designer. The frames are made in China but we're being told they are actually designed and innovated in europe/USA or wherever. Be very interesting to see how different a Hambini design would be to what is offered by the industry.
I wouldn't cheap out on the qa for the sake of 10 dollars
That is because they wouldn't pay enough.
i'm always frightened with your HELLO! XD
You must have left the misplaced frame at the hairdresser's
For composites, especially tubular structures, bending strength is far more important than tensile properties. You should have cut the complete tube sections of the same length and test them in 3-point or 4-point bend test. Dog-bone tensile specimens that are cut out of curved tubes are more or less useless for testing. If you have tested tubes, you would have captured both basic laminate properties and the geometry driven stiffness (i.e. cross-section differences).
love the stickers on your oraange board
So probably the 20% stiffer claim from the company is from the frame geometry not from the material right?
It’s Saturday, weather is shite, and I feel like a roast…
Awesome video, wished you had a Winspace T15000 in there too, I will keep dreaming of that.
lovely rundown of first two or maybe three semesters of mech. eng., however pounds per square inch made me puke up a little
then again, you're five so I'll let it slide
Thank you Hambini, informative and to the point as always.
You've trained me to rip off my headphones when I see a Hambini logo on the intro. Pavlov's got nothing on you !
I learned something today. Thanks, mate!
Destructive testing will show the weak spots of the frame by mounting it on the wheel axles and loading the bottom bracket downwards with a spindle >1000kg(?).
I enjoy your work, Hambini. I'm not an engineer but it seems you sectioned the test material from the down tube. Given normal weight distribution on the bike, would it have been more revealing to test material from the top tube where compressive force are in play? Shouldn't the down tube should be stretching? Down tube material would be engineered for a different force?
Thanks,
Fantastic video for now, great balance in simplicity and serious technical knowledge, well only now i have start to learn basic mehanics (again :) )
Im a engineer in the LEGO field! I have designed and tested (till destruction) buildings,cranes,airplanes,ships,spacecrafts,submarines etc etc. so you don`t have to dumb it down for me Mr Hambini!
Glad your Pen is Working