Culprit launches shipped-anywhere pricing, hints at “Superbike” wind tunnel results for Legend

Although I’m not the target customer, I am curious as to what happens when people need to warranty their Asian direct sales frames (there’s no local contact, who pays international shipping costs, etc.). If this is representative of the company’s ability to communicate (from the warranty page), I’m a little skeptical: “Culprit Bicycles can refuse the replacement warranty if it is detected that the bike is damaged wilfully or is of optical nature.”

HI Bald Ben

We are currently in the process of setting up a USA center in a years time or so. However, I am the owner and an American based in Taiwan so communication globabally in English will not be a problem. What we have done in the past was we payed a local shop to inspect the bike and via phone calls and images a decision was made. If it needed replacements they were sent out and repairs were covered by Culprit. We are not asking our customers to ship back to Taiwan. However, what you are referencing was our crash replacement policy and that was written in order to prevent buyers from willfully damaging their bike near the end of the discounted period to get a new frameset. Any of our customers can attest to our quick support and customer service.

SD
You can get a cannondale for the same price. But it is NOT the same spec/ weight. etc. Look at the finer details on our site. You will find, the following upgrades. Carbon Stem, carbon handlebar. Wheels on cannondale are 300 USD retail mavics. RoaDi has 925 USD Reynolds Stratus Pro which are around 400 grams lighter. Also, jersey, mini torque wrench included and this is a total cost. Taxes included, etc. So, it is not the same bike for price. I am positive the RoaDi weighs in lighter as well. But unable to find a published weight on the Caad12. Bikerumor has a frameset on review coming in the future. I am sure it will be a positive review as all our customers who are riding the RoaDi love it.

Greg Devins- I find it unlikely that the CAAD 12 frame was the cause of any creaks you heard. More importantly, if you can’t track down and remedy a creaking bike on your own, you’re going to be in a world of financial pain when you take your mail order bike to the LBS for maintenance.

Culprit’s lineup does look nice though.

I’ve owned a Cervelo S2 and a Venge. I took a chance and purchased a Croz Blade. The former two bikes rode harsh as you would expect with an aero frameset. The Croz Blade handled as well and yet has a smooth enough ride to be ridden for 6-8 hours on end. I have never considered going back to either the Venge or S2.

J-Bikes – I hear a callout coming but who cares when and for how long. I have loved every Cannondale I’ve owned, especially my CAAD 8, 9, and 10, and Supersix except, I’m building suspense here, every one of them creaked at the BB. Some straight out of the box. Some where warranted and some not but every one had creaky BB issues. It is a known and very common issue with any iteration of BB30/PF30. When I got tired of pulling, cleaning, re-greasing them every 100-200 miles I simply resorted to a few drops of chain lube on the bearing/frame interface as part of pre-ride readiness and moved on. Eventually I got smart and went to something with threaded BB and no more issues but I’m not on C-Dale anymore so who cares when and how long someone had their CAAD12. I doubt Cannondale solved any BB issues with an identical bearing interface.

Clyde – the CAAD 12’s may creak, but it was just a simple question since the caad 12 is relatively new and I want to ensure it wasn’t a caad 10. You may have left C-dale and don’t care anymore, but others may consider them. They may care regarding experiences and for how long the product was used.

@ Allan

The price list does not show our spec. I am sure if you look at what you are offered at what price. we are hard to beat. We are competitive with Canyon pricing for USA if you factor in their current global pricing + shipping costs and import duties + 200 or so more to cover the perks our bikes include of paint to order, kit, etc. So carbon bike pricing is on. Alloy, is competitive for the quality of the bike and other parts on them.

Of course, we are not a “name brand” as you say yet, but what new brand gets that qualification? How long do they need to be in the market, etc. Branding takes time and that doesn’t mean the little guy can’t offer a much better bike, buying experience, etc than the big boys in the market.

We are seeking riders who want that unique bike to ride. not a cookie cutter bike being pumped out by the 1000s. We are 100% made in Taiwan. There is no China manufacturing in our product line and we are proudly made here, living here and hands on with our suppliers and QC checks.

We are more than happy to discuss the brand with anyone personally, just email us at service@culpritbicycles.com

We hope that the bike buyer can see the value in supporting a family owned brand rather than the mass produced bike brands. Come join the Culprit family.