TriFox X18, 6 months later - Is this Chinese frame even viable?
Trace Velo
February 09, 2024
TriFox produce some incredibly cheap carbon bike frames out of Shenzhen in China, but they have a mixed reputation on YouTube. Has this X18 frame impressed me?
SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below):
https://srko.co/tracevelo
TriFox sent me their X18 frame to review last year. I built up a road bike using it, so after 6 months, and just over 1000 miles (1600km), whats the verdict?
Essentially there are pro’s and cons. The frame is fantastic to ride, once you get all the issues sorted. I faced problems with the headset, brake mounts, rear dropouts, and the front derailleur hanger. All of these needed fixing before I was happy. This took quite a lot of my time, and a few extra quid to sort out as well.
But you also need to remember, this is pretty much THE cheapest frame of its type you can buy. In my opinion, a few small issues are to be expected, but the number of issues I faced, along with the other problems I had with my X16 frame from TriFox, it does show a pattern.
So in this episode, I’ll show you what I like about this frame, dive into the issues I've faced, and also cover some of the problems you’ve discussed in the comments as well. If you are looking to buy a cheap carbon bike frame from TriFox, hopefully this episode will give you everything you need to know!
Trifox - Bad Experiences
https://imgur.com/a/TzVho2x
Trifox - Good Experiences
https://imgur.com/a/RN3AFor
Previous episodes with this TriFox frame:
https://youtu.be/C87KRXa8cRA
https://youtu.be/ClL6P-9Oi4k
https://youtu.be/jJdrd59eFgU
Timestamps:
00:00 – Start
00:22 – Intro
00:48 – What I like about the X18
03:21 – Headset issue
04:19 – Front derailleur hanger
05:40 – Rear brake mount
07:04 – Siroko sponsor
08:23 – Rear triangle alignment
09:56 – Conclusion & my opinion
14:27 – Comments about TriFox
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - http://www.go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
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Email:
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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!!!
Keywords: Trifox,Cheap chinese carbon,Cheap carbon road bike frame,TriFox X18,TriFox X16,Long term review,Carbon road bike,Road cycling,TriFox frame review,Chinese carbon road bike,Cheap road bikes
Parts Mentioned
Trifox X18
Choice Day / Outdoor Fun
FrameTrifox X18
Created: April 07, 2026The reviewer, Luke, provides a detailed review of the Trifox Carbon Road Bike Frame X18 after approximately 1,000 miles of use. He states that the frame, once issues were resolved, is enjoyable to ride, with a clean appearance and a compliant, nimble ride quality. However, he details multiple quality control and manufacturing issues encountered during ownership, including a jammed headset spacer, a front derailleur hanger that came loose and required re-epoxying, misaligned rear brake mounts, and an unusually wide rear triangle causing slop in the dropout alignment. He also references similar issues with another Trifox frame (X16). The reviewer concludes that while the frame represents good value and has a good design basis, the unpredictable quality and need for owner fixes mean he cannot recommend it to most people.
AI-Summary
Pros
- The paint job is clean and decals are applied well, not looking like a budget frame.
- The ride is comfortable, compliant, and good for long distances due to its endurance style.
- It feels nimble, fast, and confidence-inspiring, especially on flats and downhill.
- The through axle design includes cones that help center and stabilize them in the dropouts.
- The seat post has not slipped at all.
- The frame is robust; the carbon survived a crash that cracked the rear derailleur hanger.
- It is very inexpensive (less than £450) and comes with a carbon handlebar and stem.
- The basis for a really good frame is present in the design.
Cons
- A headset spacer was jammed against the frame, requiring sanding to fix; noted as a common issue.
- The front derailleur hanger came loose (rivets failed) and required a complex repair involving drilling, epoxy, and re-riveting.
- The rear brake mounts were not flat/parallel, causing disc rub, requiring a shim to fix.
- The rear triangle appears to be bonded at a slightly wrong angle, making it too wide, causing slop in the non-drive-side dropout alignment.
- Quality control is lacking and unpredictable.
- Customer service is poor for smaller issues; they tend to ghost customers or not assist with fitment problems.
- Similar issues were present on another Trifox frame (X16), indicating a pattern.
- The reviewer cannot recommend the frame due to the need for potential repairs and lack of reliability.
Key Points
- Model: Trifox X18 carbon endurance road bike frame.
- Price: Less than £450, including carbon handlebar and stem.
- Design: Lightweight endurance style, takes design cues from the Specialized SL7 Tarmac.
- Features: Through axles with centering cones, internal cable routing.
- Ride Character: Compliant with frame flex, but stiff enough with chunky seat stays and a bladed fork.
- Issues encountered: Headset spacer interference, front derailleur hanger failure, misaligned brake mounts, wide rear triangle/dropout alignment.
- Durability: Carbon frame survived a crash without damage, only the hanger was cracked.
- Customer Experience: Mixed; positive outcomes possible but often require additional finishing work by the owner.
Where to Buy
