Unipack / Create / Sports Direct singlespeed track bikes?

Wicksie, second row from the bottom, third from the right?

Did I miss something?

See look at that, they have forgotten the lugs and the seatstays are far too high up

Eurgh, fillet brazing, integrated seat clamp and fastback stays pukes

I bumped into an old friend of mine who is now modelling for various brands who thinks he knows a thing or two about fashion and as most conversations with (old timer) non cyclist friends go after a couple of awkward silences, the subject of bikes came up. At which point he recommended that I should be riding a Create as they "are the way forward". After a good chuckle I told him the wrongs of his ways and carried on dranking.

The thing that confused me was that how a brand like create can market itself to 'common people' apart from the fact that they are sold in urban outfitters...AND how they can convince people that they are good bikes, or good fashion accessories.

Thats it. No punchline, just thought I would share my boring story.

I'm out of touch here I know, but when did "made in Taiwan" become an indicator of quality?

Taiwanese quality isn't all too bad but I think theres a consensus amongst manufacturing that Taiwan is lower in quality.

I remember a few years back, Sony had a popular video camera which came in two versions, names where something like SONY DVG6500T and SONY DVG6500U (I made these up but its something like that). One was made in Taiwan the other in Japan. Japanese one was much better in build, quality, everything and was priced higher (by £70 or so).

This was very common with SONY and other electronic companies.

That said, I think quality has become much much better but its still a factor to consider.

Bicycles are not video cameras. There may be a perception that Taiwanese bikes are of lower quality but this perception is held by the ignorant alone.

Bicycles are not video cameras. There may be a perception that Taiwanese bikes are of lower quality but this perception is held by the ignorant alone.

I know bicycles aren't cameras. The point of my comment was to define why there is a perception of Taiwanese being lower quality manufacturing as this may have been the case years ago.

I agree, Taiwanese built bikes, as well as Taiwanese built anything else doesn't mean low quality.

"Taiwanese quality isn't all too bad but I think theres a consensus amongst manufacturing that Taiwan is lower in quality."

"I agree, Taiwanese built bikes, as well as Taiwanese built anything else doesn't mean low quality."

?

Taiwanese manufacturing WAS poor quality, but HAS improved, to the point where you don't really question something if it says made in Taiwan.

However, the perception that Taiwanese build being crap still remains. This perception isn't just mine, its a widely held belief.

It's probably widely held because you post crap like that above. Most people have no idea where stuff is built and have no idea that their favourite steeped-in-racing-history, Italian-named, hand-crafted, Giuseppe-mobile is welded or bonded by a bloke called Xing, 5000k away.

Bought a create frame only to turn into a polo bike.
Trust me it is made from gas pipe
The frame alone weighs in heavier than my complete road bike

Bought a create frame only to turn into a polo bike.
Trust me it is made from gas pipe
The frame alone weighs in heavier than my complete road bike

and imagine the quality/weight of the bike if it was made in england for the same price! ;o

A friend at work (Pete) recently asked my opinion when looking for a new bike to buy. Either spend £500+ on the ride to work or get a Create. I related all I have heard of Creat / Unipak - that they're likely to fall apart, that you should go over them with lube and an allen key before you ride them, and that you can't expect them to last very long without starting to replace parts.

Pete opted for the Create reasoning that if it got him through the Summer and he ditched it then at £189 it would still be a pretty good deal.

When the bike arrived (black frame fluro green wheels mmm) both wheels were out of true slightly. All bolts were duly tightened and brake levers and calipers adjusted.

The first week passed without incidence and indeed my friend (it is my friend honest!) was having a great time being back on the road.

Week 2 and the bearings went in the rear wheel NDS. Seemed like several of the ball bearings had worked their way loose and fallen out, leaving play in the axle.

After contacting Create they promised to send a replacement wheel - in a month! After some complaining they sent a set of replacement bearings in the post and said they would pay for the mechanic charge to fit these. Evans charged £20(!) and when the receipt went back to Create they stated they were only willing to pay £3-£7. These figures had not been previously mentioned.

The wheel duly repaired my friend rode home. On a quiet street the crank arm sheared off the taper of the bottom bracket. Following another angry email a replacement Shimano 'upgrade' BB was despatched. We'll be fitting this tomorrow to get back on the road.

So six weeks after purchase Pete has had a week of riding and loads of hassle.

Do yourself a favour if you're thinking of buying one of these and don't.

repped

Another tale of woe. How can a bike be so bad?

Pete opted for the Create reasoning that if it got him through the Summer and he ditched it then at £189 it would still be a pretty good deal.

This bit I really don't understand.

Option (a): buy a create for £189 and ride for 2 months. End resale value £0

Option (b): buy a fuji track for £350 (allowing some extra dinero for brake, etc.) and ride for 2 months. End resale value £250.

So option (a) costs you £189, option (b) costs you £100. And that's even before you consider how much longer you can ride the fuji than the 2 months you can ride the unipak.

Whichever way you look at it, unipacks are a waste of money; literally a false economy.

Or, a cheap second hand road/town bike, fix it up as much as you can yourself and ride it for two months.

Create Freestyler...

Jesus... These blokes are flogging those chains for £18!!!

Fcuk me that's ugly! Trying to tap into the 'Charge' market

i won't post the link here for fear of doing them a favour but check out the video on their website front page, and their explanation about being fashionable anti-fashion or some such tripe...

Oh my giddy aunt, a freestyler alright, all the part will be flying off freely soon.

Check out some of the guff on the vendors website:

Fixedgearfrenzy.co.uk

"The added bonus of a CREATE bike is that you are getting the build quality and finish that matches a £700 bike for only £270"

FFS... These things are only £199 aren't they?

I think the anti-Taiwan feeling is a bit like the 'jap crap' consensus that was around in the 70s and continued into the 80s even though by that time Japanese quality had overtaken everything in terms of build quality.
Now there is still some shit made in Taiwan but their manufacturing is pretty damn good, all in all.

Edit. I do not own nor recommend a create :)

Check out some of the guff on the vendors website:

Fixedgearfrenzy.co.uk

"The added bonus of a CREATE bike is that you are getting the build quality and finish that matches a £700 bike for only £270"

FFS... These things are only £199 aren't they?

The @freestyler@ is £300 I believe... which is almost the cost of a proper bike

Create's are evolving...

Like a virus.

these freestylers gonna brake and chop your arm off and scar your face for ever. my unipackian frame broke without freestyling it around and i am build like a bird. (i mean the hollow bones, not boobs!)

stay clear, you hear?!