Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A few weeks ago I was given rare access inside FiberTek Composite in Xiamen, China - an OEM manufacturer producing carbon frames and other components for some VERY well-known bike brands.
Big thanks to HoverAir, check out the lineup here:
US Store - hoverair.sjv.io/engWej
UK Store - hoverair.sjv.io/OY4KAG
In this episode I’ll document the entire manufacturing process, from rolls of frozen carbon prepreg and hand layup, through to EPS and latex molding, curing, quality control, testing, and final assembly.
However, one thing that REALLY surprised me was just how manual the entire process still is. Despite using advanced composite materials and modern manufacturing techniques, many of the most important stages still rely heavily on skilled technicians working almost entirely by hand. For example, modern carbon bike frames contain 200–300 individual carbon patches, each positioned according to a precise layup recipe.
We’ll also take a look at:
• EPS vs latex molding
• Carbon fork and handlebar production
• Frame curing and internal pressurisation
• OEM manufacturing for major bike brands
• Carbon frame quality control
• Fatigue and load testing
• Why some carbon frames are manufactured in China but painted in Europe
A huge thank you to FiberTek for allowing me to film inside the factory, and to Joe from Panda Podium for helping make the visit possible.
Fibertek contact:
yantty@fbcomp.com
james@fbcomp.com
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:04 – Disclosure
01:28 – OEM carbon factory
02:14 – Molds and carbon pre-preg
04:51 – Hoverair sponsor
06:22 – Pre-preg cutting room
08:00 – Carbon layup
10:23 – Handlebars, forks, and chainstays
11:54 – Baking/curing
15:04 – A second bake/cure
16:21 – Quality control
17:03 – Raw unpainted frames
17:42 – Prototype titanium frames
18:21 – Carbon testing lab
20:10 – Carbon testing lab
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
#hoverair #CarbonBike #BikeFactory #CarbonFiber
A few weeks ago I was given rare access inside FiberTek Composite in Xiamen, China - an OEM manufacturer producing carbon frames and other components for some VERY well-known bike brands.
Big thanks to HoverAir, check out the lineup here:
US Store - hoverair.sjv.io/engWej
UK Store - hoverair.sjv.io/OY4KAG
In this episode I’ll document the entire manufacturing process, from rolls of frozen carbon prepreg and hand layup, through to EPS and latex molding, curing, quality control, testing, and final assembly.
However, one thing that REALLY surprised me was just how manual the entire process still is. Despite using advanced composite materials and modern manufacturing techniques, many of the most important stages still rely heavily on skilled technicians working almost entirely by hand. For example, modern carbon bike frames contain 200–300 individual carbon patches, each positioned according to a precise layup recipe.
We’ll also take a look at:
• EPS vs latex molding
• Carbon fork and handlebar production
• Frame curing and internal pressurisation
• OEM manufacturing for major bike brands
• Carbon frame quality control
• Fatigue and load testing
• Why some carbon frames are manufactured in China but painted in Europe
A huge thank you to FiberTek for allowing me to film inside the factory, and to Joe from Panda Podium for helping make the visit possible.
Fibertek contact:
yantty@fbcomp.com
james@fbcomp.com
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:04 – Disclosure
01:28 – OEM carbon factory
02:14 – Molds and carbon pre-preg
04:51 – Hoverair sponsor
06:22 – Pre-preg cutting room
08:00 – Carbon layup
10:23 – Handlebars, forks, and chainstays
11:54 – Baking/curing
15:04 – A second bake/cure
16:21 – Quality control
17:03 – Raw unpainted frames
17:42 – Prototype titanium frames
18:21 – Carbon testing lab
20:10 – Carbon testing lab
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
#hoverair #CarbonBike #BikeFactory #CarbonFiber
