I Cut a Brand New "Chinese Carbon" Frame in Half... Here Is What I Found! (Yoeleo R11)

[@YOELEO]

Thank you for your honest and thoughtful review. For us we really consider safety over everything. We do internal testing and also we do the TUV test to make sure our product are safe to ride and perform exceptionally well. Its not a free test / inspection for sure, since we do multiple test in house and also with the third party like TUV. We really appreciate the details you shared Jourdain. Cheers.

[@5gvaccinator343]

I wonder if it was your special frame made for reviewers.

[@HUKIT.]

@@5gvaccinator343 I’m too skeptical for these types of “reviews” especially when the idea came from the manufacturer.

[@YOELEO]

@@5gvaccinator343 We can make sure what you receive is same as this one cause they are made by same EPX+Latex process , and there is no need to make a special one cause it will only leads to more claims when people found the difference. We are confident on our product and we just want good products to be heard, for this molding process, we have invested a lot of money and years in research and development. We guarantee all of you received are with same building process, or let`s say "ALL OF YOU RECEIVED ARE THE SPECIAL ONE FROM YOELEO". We are making products guided by customer feedback and riding experience as always. 😉

[@Questioneverything72]

A real quality test is cutting a frame with a random selection out of production line not a handpicked one. Anyways it was a good effort and better than nothing but I see this more like a PR campaign and advertising.

[@glennoc8585]

​@@HUKIT.you'd probably have to buy a random frame then compare to the gifted cut up offering from the manufacturer. If us viewers chipped in to a gofund to do that I think we'd see any if companies are doing extra layups for their test frames.

[@schrodingerthecat]

Another great vid about carbon bikes! These Yoeleos look really good for the price. I like safety first, especially for a ride like myself who isn't trying to win anything and just wants a solid, safe, carbon frame at a good price.

[@JourdainColeman]

I tend to agree, strength as a focus is 👌🏼

[@satriobanyubiru6652]

Riding Yoeleo for 3 years now, solid frame and never have such issues in general. I can understand why they focused on reinforcing the frame. Any issues regarding carbon failure is not something Yoeleo Public relations can handle like how big brand’s doing In term of budget and the power of publicity. Good video 👍🏻

[@YOELEO]

Thank you for trusting Yoeleo.

[@JourdainColeman]

Yeah, I think the strength first for a frame like this is good to see. Especially given the average consumer isn't a Pro Cyclist.

[@goldzilla77]

Had a yoeleo r12 for the past 2 years and have done multiple rides above 200k and have absolutely no complaints about the frame Also built it myself with no bike mechanic experience and had no issues Just wished KZbinrs stopped referring it as "Chinese carbon" as if the other big brands didn't have their factories in Asia

[@scottmccann4509]

It really hurt watching him cut the frames up, but what a fascinating guy Rob is. Great insight from an expert in the field and what they're looking at (not that you can see it from the outside). 👍

[@JourdainColeman]

Hey Scott! It hurt me a little as well. I was hoping to get a damaged one or a defective one. But this was a change of plan for a frame I already had. Glad you are enjoying the videos 👍🏼 I hope you are all good?

[@MatzeKel]

Never seen a better explanation about carbon…you have won a new subscriber! By the way I like your clips about building Ali Express bikes…

[@JourdainColeman]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Alan_Hans__]

Those forks are built nice and strong. Really good to see.

[@JourdainColeman]

Yes they are! I was surprised how strong they were to be honest. 👌🏼

[@whitebeardcycles]

Having worked with the UK distribution until recently I can honestly say I've never had a return of a yoeleo frame or wheels. Got 3 myself (perks) 2 yrs on no faults. Just look at their factory testing on KZbin they put them through their paces.

[@JourdainColeman]

Good to hear!! 👌🏼

[@glennoc8585]

That's good to see and I hope the parts are going to be available in years to come. I need confidence now that if I drop decent money on a lesser know brand I'm going to get that seat post or spare fork in five years time. I can't get a derailleur hangar for a Chinese frame I bought 6 years ago as they've either gone under it are under a different brand name(yes that's not uncommon).

[@JourdainColeman]

Yeah, I guess that is always a consideration. Yeoleo are a pretty big brand though so I'll be surprised if the disappear. You could always ask for a spare seat post and extra bit's in the box. They seem pretty accommodating.

[@meibing4912]

Another nice video for all of us who cannot cut up our bikes!

[@JourdainColeman]

It's great to see what's inside for sure... But I'd love to be building them more!

[@glennoc8585]

Great vid Jordan and i think this is the first new frame cut up I've seen i think.

[@Velo757]

Awesome video once again! Thanks mate for the info it's super interesting!!! Keep it up 👍🏻 Cheers

[@JourdainColeman]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks fro commenting 👌🏼

[@nicokop7078]

Nice and interesting video. Seems to be a pretty good and save frame.

[@JourdainColeman]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@davemellor4697]

All the reviews on this frame come out very good Jourdain.....

[@JourdainColeman]

Yeah, I've seen mainly positive things from people who own Yoeleo frames. Good to see.

[@kirstenspencer3630]

Carbon graphite can be purchased " preimpregnated ( prepeg ) " with epoxy resin of your choosing. It is kept at freezing temps to prevent curing and has a short shelf life. Alpha Q forks used this material when Que Lee owned the company before he sold the company to true temper. Don't know if true temper used the prepeg material. Just my observations. Stay safe all...

[@Questioneverything72]

Jourdain , Another great video by you. It is nice that Yoeleo is doing this but a real quality test is cutting a frame with random selection out of production line not a handpicked one. Also I am wondering with that much added carbon, what was the weight of this frame/fork?

[@glennoc8585]

Pity we didn't see a weigh up of the frame and fork to compare to the spec sheet for the size from yoeleo.

[@phillevin6651]

Yeah.. but the paint! Eff the carbon, it’s all about the paint…. 😂😂That Yoeleo is banging! Good review, so.. bike is solid and the paint is delicious, Yoeleo FTW. Btw, Hambini himself just built a gravel bike w Yoeleo frame, loves it.

[@JourdainColeman]

Interesting, I'll have a look at his video! I have a gravel build coming in the pipeline as well 👌🏼

[@phillevin6651]

My bad, Hambini used a “Lightspeed” frame but color looks exactly same as the Yoeleo. Looking forward to you build, btw..

[@lupitlupitan]

@@phillevin6651 it's Lightcarbon

[@cisdolce]

I have a Yoeleo R11. Love it. The only issue is the seatpost.

[@JourdainColeman]

What's the issue with the seatpost? I'm about to build one so if you have any tips please drop me a message on Instagram. Or here if you don't have insta 👍🏽

[@cisdolce]

@@JourdainColeman Well...funny you asked. It appears that they updated the saddle clamp design so it's not an issue anymore. Long story short, with the old clamp design you can't readjust the saddle. Once you tighten the bolt, it's kinda just stuck. You can hammer out the wedges using various tools but it's very difficult to do it.

[@TheMoodyedge]

@@cisdolce Loosen the bolt all the way then whack the top of the seat hard with your palm a few times and it loosens off. I have one and do exactly that. Once it's set correctly, it doesnt need to be moved.

[@cisdolce]

@@TheMoodyedge ugh. Thanks! It still sucks. I wanted experiment with many different positions.

[@tommyfreckmann6857]

Thanks for your work and time doing this. That Yoleo has a lot of voids in that fork crown. And when you mention the "Specialized" fork, that os actually the Pinarello one.

[@satriobanyubiru6652]

Yet it’s strong as hell 😂

[@tubbytoast2]

Sorry ' you won't see these air bubbles on a trek or a specialized ' I think Rob has drunk the cool aid a few carbon bike repairers in my part of the world have said the have seen bubbles and voids in the big brands maybe not as much but it still happens 😊

[@simonsepic]

Maybe the thick base is because it clips curbs or something similar they name it stronger fir safety

[@andre-louw]

Probably not sure of what the layup should be, so just add more....???

[@YOELEO]

@@andre-louwno for sure. We cannot take too much risk to reduce materials and make it super-light. We really care about the durability and safety of the product. 😊

[@sahasrangshuutube]

Pls do the same for winspace slc 2.0 its Winspaces killer deal for hill climbing

[@nealdsainte41]

If you are going to do more of this, can you try the OG-EVKIN brand? They are flooding the market here in SEA. They got some good claims on the quality of their products. Would appreciate it. THANK YOU!

[@battlebbot]

If the manufacturer suggested the test, the chances of getting the same frameset that would be provided to a retail buyer are very small.

[@onedelacruz3660]

True. 😆✌️

[@JourdainColeman]

I would agree which is why I normally get the frames, however, the way everything unfolded, I hadn't planned for this frame to be cut up. It was going to be a build. Then things changed and it got the chop. So from my side it wasn't sent to me knowing it would be cut. But they did know it was coming to me for a build. 👍🏽

[@battlebbot]

@@JourdainColeman Ok, its a valid test then.

[@lestonycyclistone]

Just got the Yoeleo R11, cant wait to test it out its stiffness compare to others bike. Used to ride Yoeleo R12 for 1 yrs + its a solid frame.

[@JourdainColeman]

Good luck with your build. I will be doing a full R11 build on the channel in the near future 👍🏽

[@joshanderson1858]

I have both an R11 and R12, and I actually feel like the R12 is the stiffer of the two, possibly because it's got the larger BB386 bottom bracket. That said, I find the R11 more comfortable to ride, but both are great bikes for the price. I do wish Yoeleo would put BSA threaded BB's on their frames though.

[@lestonycyclistone]

Mine was R12 - 2022 version. Compare with R11 its really less stiffer , very obvious when off saddle climb. R11 more agile and below 35km/h its feel light , acceleration also good. Just during cruising above 38km/h need more watts to maintain and keep up. Even the weight difference around 300g . R11 with peddle now 7.5kg and R12 was 8kg.

[@1971lemond]

I have the YOELEO R12 and it’s better than the mainstream brands in my opinion”, very comfortable, fast, stiff, and very smooth ridding bike”, also seemless inside the tubes. It was very easy to build with no sharp bit of carbon to poke your fingers like some of the mainstream brands. Overall the YOELEO R12 and other frames they make are excellent and are all tested to a very high standard,,,,, twice the standard than mainstream brands and other brands that people may know. This is why YOELEO says “WE CARE ABOUT YOUR SAFETY FIRST”, safely to a carbon frame should be number 1 when it comes to the structural integrity of the frame and fork, YOELEO does this in all there frames. There frames are all UCI approved, so you know your getting a good product, and to top it off they come with a 6 year warranty and if you want a lifetime warranty it an extra 300$ on price of the frame set, says they completely believe in there product that is true and sound. However buy yours now as the prices have gone up now. The YOELEO R12 is now 1600$ plus shipping and the 300$ lifetime warranty if you decide to get the lifetime warranty. Overall it’s not the name that matters it’s the quality of the build in the product is what’s most important. I’ve seen TREKS, and PINERELLOS FAIL, and other mainstream framesets break but haven’t seen YOELEO , WINSPACE. SEKA, HANDSLING, or VELOBUILD fail yet, these frames are very very good quality for all about 1600/1700$ for the frame set and all are UCI approved. Not bad in my opinion and besides I’d rather buy these frames than spend 5/6000$ on a bike frame any day. It’s outrageous that a bike frame cost that much on mainstream brands. There’s no middle made on the Eastern brands””” you buy directly from the factory saving you a lot of money so you can buy wheels and other cycling gear with that extra dough. We all know that almost all carbon frames are made in China and in Taiwan, that’s where the best carbon is on the planet and the expertise is when building these carbon frames………

[@bennymabazza]

Do you work for YOELEO?

[@1971lemond]

@@bennymabazza No”, I don’t work for them”, I just do a lot of research with a friend of mine in the cycling world to find out what brands are good and go above and beyond there work like “YOELEO” to build an exceptional product and what brands don’t. To note:, there are 4 UCI Pro Continental teams using the R12 and R11 on there teams.

[@glennoc8585]

With all respect how many of these lesser names do you see out there in club rides or races though. Not putting them down but it's hard to make real work evaluations when the numbers are thin on the ground relative to big store brands.

[@glennoc8585]

​@@bennymabazzaYeah that sounds straight from a marketers promotion. 😂

[@glennoc8585]

​@@1971lemondYeah but it's your opinion not actual ownership or testing? At least Jourdain and Rob are actually having a real world look at the product but even then the customers want figures such as weight and parts availability. I've owned Chinese small brand frames for a few years now and I own a Trek Emonda. Ive had a few issues with the generic brands but I could repair and fix those issues. My problem now is I need a new hangar for one frame but the company has gone some I'm having to modify up a similar part. If I need a part for my Trek I can buy pretty easily from local bike stores or as aftermarket. Parts availability and delivery time is always the problem with online purchases. I think the biggest problem is the price of the lesser known brands is going up to the point of pricing our the customer that looked to the alternative product in the first place. Before long frames ex Vietnam, Indonesia will be supplier of the gateway carbon products much like we are seeing with Polygon bikes.

[@lukaslanger5068]

The "mysterious white chunk" in the Trifox fork is a foamcore which indicates a much more efficient construction compared to the solid core of the yoleo fork. The way the fibres bend around the corners in the yoleo frame shows very poor fibre placement and layup design. Just from looking at it I dont know how you concluded that the yoleo fork is better tbh. It looks like at the bottom of the yoleo bottom bracket is also a piece of foam core. All the talks about wall thickness is to be taken with a grain of salt since you dont know which fibre they have used or havent told us. Given the same mechanical properties the larger the tubes diameter the less wall thickness you need which makes it an overall more efficient design since youll need less carbon overall to achieve the same stiffness.

[@PaulioMaldinio]

Interesting stuff

[@Andy_Lewis]

Is it wrong I want to buy one of those abandoned and broken frames? Obvs once repaired by Rob!

[@JourdainColeman]

It's not wrong! We al love a project 👌🏼

[@tonyg3091]

If they built the R11 like this I can only imagine whats inside my G21. How much carbon did you use for the G21 frame? -All of it!😂😂

[@JourdainColeman]

haha..I have a G21 waiting to be cut up so we will soon find out! I'll also be building one soon.

[@uptowndann109]

I wish manufacturers would come up with a bike with no design considerations other than the best compaction in every area. I've seen dozens of these cut up videos and low compaction in sharp radiuses is the biggest issue I see. It's the biggest reason I haven't moved to carbon yet.

[@ActionReaction..]

ngl most of the time if a company suggests to do something they send better stuff then the other customers get. The best way to do videos like this is to order from an unknown random account like any other consumer. interesting video though

[@GmailNexus]

I'm sometimes worried for Rob when I don't see Dust Extraction beeing used :/

[@5gvaccinator343]

You can hear him turning it off after cutting.

[@caerffili_callin]

Play the video again, at one point you can hear it going off.

[@jimbates6115]

Surely it would make sense to use a Stanley type knife rather than just a blade, interesting and informative video. Just made me cringe using a blade like that.

[@snowfan.]

Do that with elves frame!!!

[@JourdainColeman]

Once day an Elves frame will meet my angle grinder!

[@blinzi69]

i feel like the quality of which the frame is built doesnt quite translate into how it rides. at least thats what i have experienced with the g21 (gravel frame) i built up.

[@JourdainColeman]

What is your experience of the G21? Do you like it?

[@blinzi69]

@@JourdainColeman there are a few flaws imho - they advertise it as a race bike - yet it rides rather sluggish than nippy, kinda dead in the rear. its too stiff, has no flex at all, seatpost and cockpit feel too hard for a gravel bike, even a racer - causes pain in the hands and the back. standover is too high thus seatpost too short, looks weird, feels weird. chainstays too long, wheelbase too far. its a great descender but thats about it. a disappointment for its price. finish is great though and building it up worked like a charm - they built a solid frame material wise, but ride feel and geometry are low end.

[@sham2613]

Very good video. But was it a “special’ ?

[@JourdainColeman]

The pan wasn't to cut this frame up, but they did know the frame was coming to me.👍🏽

[@shankeong6753]

so basically...Yoeleo's approach is to over design their frames with extra carbon layups but then skimp on the resin so that their frames do not become dead feeling clunkers?

[@YOELEO]

Thank you for your observation. At Yoeleo, our approach is centered on performance and quality. Indeed, we do apply extra carbon layers to enhance the strength and durability of our frames. However, the resin usage isn't skimped on. Rather, we control it to maintain an optimal balance between rigidity and ride feel. Every individual frame receives the right amount of resin to ensure the carbon layup is appropriately covered and sealed. This contributes to the 'alive' and responsive feel of our bikes. Rest assured, we are constantly working on improving both our product quality and quality control processes. We appreciate your feedback and your support in our endeavor to create top-notch cycling products.

[@kalijasin]

if its incredibly strong as claimed then how were you able to cut through it so easily? 🤔

[@onegrapefruitlover]

It’s carbon. Also yes, you can cut an aluminum or steel tube with power tools such as these.

[@tonyg3091]

Dude please…😂😂😂

[@kalijasin]

No resistance or fight. It was like hot knife through butter.

[@JourdainColeman]

Carbon against a cutting disc is no competition. Carbon doesn't do well against abrasion. Carbon is much stronger than you may think

[@FREIXENEMET]

Yoeleo suggested and sent you a special manufactured frame for you to cut? You should buy from a random user for this to be trustful.

[@JourdainColeman]

This one was a random frame. It was sent initially to do a full build, then there was a change of plan so it was cut.👍🏽

[@blinzi69]

please do the G21 :-)

[@JourdainColeman]

I have one in my possession already waiting to be cut. Video coming soon 👍🏽

[@deejaydomino5000]

Dude i really like your videos, but is your mate not wearing any mask?

[@allenjay896]

Go slice an elves falath pro and evo plssss

[@JourdainColeman]

Maybe one day!

[@givemeyoursoul5203]

My anxiety level watching this video, bro...

[@allenjay896]

My souls is crying

[@FooFahFoeFum]

Perhaps you get get a friendly veterinarian who is a cycling addict; and together you can both take x-ray pictures of the frames, and make jpeg copies of what you see.

[@JourdainColeman]

??? I think I'm missing something here

[@FooFahFoeFum]

Instead of cutting up bike frames.... An x-ray machine .... Can maybe show you how thick the frame is ..... and type of weave the Cardon is...

[@NightOwwl728]

How would a Yoeleo compare to a Winspace frame, I wonder.

[@JourdainColeman]

It would be interesting to cut a Winspace!

[@onedelacruz3660]

Add SEKA and iCan on the list✌️

[@JourdainColeman]

The list is getting pretty long 😂 - Hard to source them as well without buying them new

[@onedelacruz3660]

@@JourdainColeman True appreciate it man. Side note , been riding a BXT (RB)and Lexon(Gravel)framesets for 2 yrs now, so far so good🤞✌️

[@radut18]

I dare you to cut out a Seka frame :)))

[@JourdainColeman]

A few people have said that, I'd like to get my hands on one!

[@EatNoJexy]

it seems like with yoeleo you get 2 frames for the price of one

[@JourdainColeman]

They are pretty solid!

[@andrewc662]

My fingers hurt the way he was holding that razor blade.

[@povertyspec9651]

I though China frames were going for $500 🤣

[@Steve-jo3cl]

Why do u call it "Chinese Carbon" frame ? Specialized junk is made in China to but you dont call it a "Chinese Carbon" Frame ....... ???????

[@quepala]

Cutting carbon without filter protection is so bad tho 😬

[@mikeinnusa8786]

been riding two knock off Chinese frames over 15 years one bike knock off carbon wheels also put on thousand of miles no problems

[@AK-oz4ew]

$1500 frame?? It is better be good. Jeez, I can get Trek or Giant carbon is US for the money. Cut $200 BXT frame from Ali please, then we will talk :)

[@2wheeledMD]

Cut a Colnago. 😂

[@BrianRPaterson]

Interesting stuff. I have to say, I wouldn't buy a frame with a D-shaped seatpost. Cheers

[@genealogyxie]

dude, you need to Dremel the carbon fiber under a tub of water so the carbon fiber dust doesn't get everywhere (including your lungs)

[@lukestreet8473]

Bro must be making bank from these videos to be able to literally buy a brand new frame to them just cut it in half

[@sebbelito2975]

Bro they ain't that expensive.... Having a job in a rich country and you can buy as many frames as you like

[@peterjay6580]

No one pays attention to these videos. 😂

[@SuperDodoe]

he said at the beginning of the video yoeleo sent him the frame to cut up

[@satriobanyubiru6652]

Will elves showing their internal carbon quality?

[@YOELEO]

Hi Luke 👋🏻. We hope so. Its our commitment to show how we really concerned about customer’s safety. It still costly for us for sure 😊

[@lovenottheworld5723]

Achilles was strong.

[@gingerb36]

Shouldn’t you be wearing a mask when cutting carbon frames ?

[@elcothelosen3621]

he is working on a table made for this kind of dust... i think it has a vacume in it.. and otherwise yes you need protection for micro fibres that come loose and float with that saw the guys are having protection

[@Acura1NSX]

This guy should know better than to use his fingers on a razor blade... Wonder if he's ever heard of an exact knife, lol.

[@davidcarino6500]

These days there is no reason to spend 3,000-5,000 on frames anymore!!! If you're a Dr or lawyer maybe!!!

[@BioStuff415]

WHY?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tomasriuka]

Free testing for chinese manufacrurers 😂

[@YOELEO]

Of course it’s not 😂

[@trackar134]

I’m sure yoeleo could cut their own frame open for free if they wanted too 😂 Would be cheaper since they wouldn’t have to ship and could cut it before paint

[@tomasriuka]

@@YOELEO not free because you give the frame? :D

[@gaminghouse173]

I want this frame but i cant afford! You cut it for content 🤮👎🏻

[@donavinnezar]

how about we return to our roots and start riding chromoly frames again!

[@andre-louw]

Rob has very poor working safety standards working with an unprotected blade in his hand. He even boasts how the blade can cut the carbon and his himself. Absolutely pathetic.

[@Gregory_tottie]

I think it’s great you’re worried about Robs safety. But you should work on how you deliver feedback. Google “feedback sandwich”. Follow that strategy and you’ll help lots of KZbinrs avoid injury.

[@SuperDodoe]

he's a pro who's been doing it long enough to know how to handle sharp tools, karen.

[@andre-louw]

@@SuperDodoe That is exactly why he should not be using an unprotected blade.

[@SuperDodoe]

@@andre-louw ok

[@tonyg3091]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@WioWio-sf5pc]

bravoooo

[@JourdainColeman]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@allenjay896]

My souls is crying

[@JourdainColeman]

mine too 😭