Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Can a cheap chromoly steel road bike frame from AliExpress compete with the lightweight carbon road bikes I usually ride???
SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below):
srko.co/tracevelo
Full disclosure, I have never ridden a steel road bike. My first road bike was a Claud Butler with an aluminium frame, but since then I have been lucky enough to own all carbon road bikes. However in my comments section, people always say ‘steel is real’, so I decided to find out if this is true.
This is a chromoly steel road bike frame from a brand called Seaboard, or possibly Tsunami-Seaboard. I picked it up on AliExpress earlier this year, and paid £372. It comes complete with a carbon fork, and a seatpost (although the seatpost was missing), and the overall quality seems fantastic.
In this episode I’ll be going over the frame with a fine tooth comb, looking at the paint job, the welding, and also looking inside the steel tubing to view the welds from the back. I also consult a professional welder to ask his opinion, and weigh the frame, comparing it to the lightweight carbon frames I usually deal in.
Affiliate link to the frame seller I used:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_olJcNpx
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:30 – Frame cost and delivery
01:57 – Frame overview
03:18 – Carbon fork
05:06 – Frame headset
06:18 – Siroko sponsor
06:51 – Welds and construction
09:53 – Fitting headset cups
12:52 – Bonus clip - Frame weight
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
Can a cheap chromoly steel road bike frame from AliExpress compete with the lightweight carbon road bikes I usually ride???
SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below):
srko.co/tracevelo
Full disclosure, I have never ridden a steel road bike. My first road bike was a Claud Butler with an aluminium frame, but since then I have been lucky enough to own all carbon road bikes. However in my comments section, people always say ‘steel is real’, so I decided to find out if this is true.
This is a chromoly steel road bike frame from a brand called Seaboard, or possibly Tsunami-Seaboard. I picked it up on AliExpress earlier this year, and paid £372. It comes complete with a carbon fork, and a seatpost (although the seatpost was missing), and the overall quality seems fantastic.
In this episode I’ll be going over the frame with a fine tooth comb, looking at the paint job, the welding, and also looking inside the steel tubing to view the welds from the back. I also consult a professional welder to ask his opinion, and weigh the frame, comparing it to the lightweight carbon frames I usually deal in.
Affiliate link to the frame seller I used:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_olJcNpx
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:30 – Frame cost and delivery
01:57 – Frame overview
03:18 – Carbon fork
05:06 – Frame headset
06:18 – Siroko sponsor
06:51 – Welds and construction
09:53 – Fitting headset cups
12:52 – Bonus clip - Frame weight
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
