Carbon kit frames

[rpm]

Cyclingnews this morning has some pictures of some gorgeous Condor frames, including some all carbon ones made from Dedaccia's carbon kits:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/tech/shows/london07/index.php?id=/photos/2007/tech/shows/london07/london071/IMG_3037

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/tech/shows/london07/index.php?id=/photos/2007/tech/shows/london07/london071/IMG_3046

The kits allow custom sizing. I'm curious about how good these Deda kit frames are, compared to top custom carbon frames like those from Serotta, Parlee, and Crumpton. In theory, the kits could allow a competent small framebuilder to expand into all carbon frames, just as Serotta and Seven have done. And in theory, they could offer their frames at prices comparable to those of stock Chinese frames, as in this under $2500 example:

http://www.andersoncustombicycles.com/index.html

But the question is, are they any good?

[Volant]

They're a good way for the small builder to get into carbon. BUT, the devil's in the details. You'll see, and hear, of builders who just think they can glue them together, pop a few rivnuts in there and rivet on some cable guides, not taking into consideration that aluminum and carbon need to be isolated from each other. How many of you out there know of someone with a carbon frame that the water bottle bosses are loose on them? There's a reason for that. I'm sure Nick Crumpton and Craig Calfee have been asked to repair these areas on some 'high-end' carbon frames.

[rpm]

They're a good way for the small builder to get into carbon. BUT, the devil's in the details. You'll see, and hear, of builders who just think they can glue them together, pop a few rivnuts in there and rivet on some cable guides, not taking into consideration that aluminum and carbon need to be isolated from each other. How many of you out there know of someone with a carbon frame that the water bottle bosses are loose on them? There's a reason for that. I'm sure Nick Crumpton and Craig Calfee have been asked to repair these areas on some 'high-end' carbon frames.

I never thought of thought of that. Mixed metal and carbon tubes would have the same problem. I bet the Condor folks know better.

[Ozz]

I think the "jerk" built a bike using one of those Deda kits....he posted some pics of it a year or so ago and seemed pleased with the results.

Davidson and Landshark also use them for their carbon bike offering...they both know a thing or two about bike building. A Somec bike was favorable reviewed in Asphalt mag a couple years ago built with one of these kits also.