Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ravenous]

Hi there,

My warhorse is getting weary, so I'm looking into a new mountain bike. Can someone tell me how Elfama bikes hold up for intermediate to hard riding? I ride about 20 - 40 km a week on dirt / rocky roads and some not-too-technical single track (more roots than rocks).

I like the component groups I see on the 1-to-2 million won Elfama bikes, but I'm wary of the frames. From what I see, Koreans don't ride their rigs too hard, so I'm looking for opinions from bikers who have put their Elfama bikes through some punishment.

How do the frames hold up?

FYI, the bike I'm comparing these to is the GT Zaskar Sport, which is a nice frame for me -- with the kind of aggressive geometry I usually look for. For my budget, though, I'd have to settle for Alivio components with that bike. Not the end of the world, but if I can get a better bike for the price point, I'll do it.

I've Googled Elfama, but there really isn't too much out there about their frames. Are they made in Korea? I think the bikes are simply assembled here -- is that right?

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Weigookin74]

Korean company headquarted in Gyeong-gi do. Made in China and Korea maybe. Some foriegn parts on it. Keeps prices down because other foriegn bikes have ridiculous duties and also absurd mark up due to brand name marketing in this country. I've had an el fama. I've had to replace some things, but I did with my rocky mountain bike in Canada too because I ride the crap out of them. My el fama is also four years old. I see new ads online. I think for the newer ones if you want disk brakes, you're looking at 700,000 won and up. Under that for V lock brakes. Only foriegn bikes with a decent price here are Trek.

[ravenous]

Thanks Weigookin,

Have you 'ridden the crap' out of your Elfama?

I just wonder if the frames are reliable for, let's say, an intermediate rider. My phat air days are long over, but sometimes I can't help myself, lol.

I'm looking into something like this

http://www.interpark.com/product/MallDisplay.do?_method=detail&sc.shopNo=0000100000&firpg=01&sc.prdNo=1023058045&sc.dispNo=016001&sc.dispNo=016001

They have a good variety of price points.

[byrddogs]

Strange that there is basically no info about Elfama on the web, still. I'd venture to say that the frames are fine (most likely made in Taiwan or China like most other brands). My old bike shop guy in Korea was pretty high on the brand (he was a dealer of them, Giant, and some others). If they are spec'd well with Shimano or Sram components, I'd say go for it if they are cheaper.

[highstreet]

Personally, at the price you're looking to pay, I would buy a more well known brand. Spec, Giant, Trek, etc.

El Fama is a Korean brand, I believe a division of Samchuly. Most likely made in China or Taiwan. Nothing wrong with them, but for 1-2 million, I'd go foreign.

Foreign bikes are priced higher here, but you can talk them down to basically the same price as in the US. Even less if it's last years model. Lots of bike stores are popping up, so everyone is getting competitive with the pricing.