FMEA: 88mm Chinese Carbon Wheelset – Baixiang

Objectives:
1. To upgrade the Time Trial Bike with aerodynamic wheelset at a lower cost.
2. To find out if the lower cost of a product  does not necessarily mean a sacrifice of quality and function
3. Just being curious about how an unknown international business like Baixiang can compete with a branded and well established factory of expensive carbon bicycle wheelset.

Notes:
1. This is my personal notes of the product and I am not motivated by any means to receive compensation or perks from Baixiang. Although Wendy reminded me that I have a 1 year warranty of the product if the damage is a factory defect that pertains to quality.

2. I am comparing this carbon wheelset with my 4 years old Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL which at this time had not failed me yet for any single time.

3. My Saturday rides is around 55 miles, I will be evaluating this product during my 50 miler weekend training ride.  I’m also scheduled to ride on the annual Outlaw 100 in Georgetown Texas which I am planning to do the 100Mile route [the usual].

MapMyRide Site
SwimBikeLog.xlsx

Mindmap-Failure Mode and Effect Analysis-Time Trial Bike Wheelset
Product Description
        Baixiang 700C 88mm Carbon Clincher Shimano [from Amazon]
Custom Ordered Spec
        All black, bladed aero spokes
Ordered Date
August 5, 2014
Delivery Date
August 16, 2014 [EMS then USPS]
  FMEA-Rim
Function
            Provide radially balanced structural support for spokes and tires
Potential Failure Mode
            Front wheel bent/crack
Potential Effect of Failure
            Bicycle becomes unstable
Potential Cause of Failure
            Incorrect wheel material composition
            Wheel cross section too thin for anticipated impact loads
Current Design Control-Prevention
            Design of Experiments on wheel material composition
Current Design Control-Detection
            None
Recommended Action
            Conduct reliability testing at Mile15, Completed 20140817. Passed.
            Conduct reliability testing at Mile 50, Completed 20140822. Passed.
            Conduct reliability testing at Mile 100, Completed 20140830. Passed.
            Conduct reliability testing at Mile 150,
            Conduct reliability testing at Mile 200,
            Conduct reliability testing at Mile 500,
            Conduct reliability testing at Mile 1000,
            Conduct reliability testing at Mile 1500,
Reliability Testing Criteria [any >0 is a Failure]
            Rim Crack=0
            Broken Spoke=0
            Loose nipple=0
            Hub failure=0

Product Information:

Tracking the package:

The package:

The note:

How it is packed:

Other items included:
Rim tape, 2x
Skewers
Spare bladed spokes and nipples
Extra ring for 9 speed cassette
Valve stem extender
Brake pads

The rear wheel:

Rear wheel hub

The front wheel

Weight of rear wheel: 2.4 lbs

Weight of front wheel and rear wheel: 4.4 lbs

Quality control inspection stickers

Before: With Mavic Carbone Cosmic SL

After: With 88m Chinese Carbon wheelset

My AMAZON Review
I was looking for a backup wheelset for my time trial bike which had a set of Mavic Carbone Cosmic SL on it but I don’t want to over spend. I did my research and looked at several vendors from youtube and ebay but I could not trust ebay or anywhere else other than Amazon.  I was assuming that Amazon did their homework about their international vendors and if the purchase goes negative, I have Amazon to confront for return or exchange.  I was skeptic a little bit of what I’m getting and they always said that "you get what you paid for".  [I paid less and I’m still satisfied]

It’s too early to tell if the product will pass my 2000 miles reliability test [around 1 year of testing] but so far I had >100 miles on the wheelset and it had not failed me yet.  I ride in Austin, Texas Hill Country back roads and the roads are not that smooth.  I am hoping that this wheelset will fail within one year so that I can get a replacement from Baixiang as promised by Wendy, the ever caring Chinese lady who follows up the ordering, shipping and health status of the product. Yes, my plan is to really test this wheelset to its limit just like how I rode my expensive Mavic Carbone wheelset every week for more than 4 years now.

My Custom Order:
1. All black
2. Bladed aero spokes

I installed a 700cx25 Gatorskin Tire.

POSITIVE:
1. Price
2. 88mm is designed with aerodynamics in mind.
3. The weight of the bike remained the same as compared to my old Mavic wheelset but the deep 88mm rims made a difference in terms of aerodynamics.
4. No cracks, broken nipple or wobble yet at Mile100.
5. I love headwind and crosswind now.
6. I’m in love with my bike again. It seems like the aerodymic wheelset is my virtual source of power.
7. Customer Service [Wendy] was always there for every email questions I had.

NEGATIVE:
1. Scary on downhill and crosswind flat ride, the 88mm deep rim function like a sail.  It felt like I was on a sailboat.
2. The extender that came with the purchase did not satisfy my quality assurance.  I am using the Topeak Presta Valve Extension. You have to get this extender because they only manufacture an 80mm tubes.  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M82ZHA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2WP65ECF326V9&coliid=IFTLA1HE4W43U
3. My bike is now noisy, maybe because of the deep rims but it is not a functional failure.  Anyone can notice now that I am attacking the peloton ;-(). But hey, this is a TTBike and meant to be used on a solo ride.
4. I’m getting a weird look from people.  I guess they have not seen a bike like this one in the neighborhood.  [Coolness effect was high]
5. I stopped riding my indoor trainer in exchange for a 15Mile time trial after work.  I even installed an LED light for my night ride.

Read more about my unpacking, inspection and reliability test.  If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the blog. 
http://blindcaveman.wordpress.com/2014/08/18/fmea-88mm-chinese-carbon-wheelset-baixiang/
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/80421698/SwimBikeRun.xlsx

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Use the 88m Rims on TTBike only, you need an aero bar to fully benefit from the aerodynamic design of the wheelset.
2. If 100 miles does not convince you of the reliability of the product, then wait for my 2000 miles test. 

SATISFACTION RATING:
As of 20140901, Very Satisfied.