Open-Mold vs. Proprietary Frames: Strategy for Chinese eMTB OEMs （Part 3）

Executive Summary

An open-mold frame is a frame built from a generic mold that multiple brands can buy and rebrand. This model lowers cost and speeds up market entry, but it also creates problems for differentiation and brand value. This article explains why open-mold frames are useful for Chinese OEMs in the short term, but also why long-term success usually requires the transition from open-mold production to proprietary design.

(LOKI is an Open Frame)

What Is an Open-Mold Frame?

An open-mold frame is a frame design that a factory develops and then sells to multiple customers. Different brands can apply different logos and paint schemes, but the underlying frame is the same. This makes the product cheaper and easier to launch.

(CEF69 is a Proprietary Frame)

Advantages

The open-mold model reduces development cost, accelerates time to market, and allows brands to enter the market without spending heavily on R&D. It also suits the DIY market, where consumers like to buy frames separately and build their own bikes.

Disadvantages

The biggest problem is differentiation. In Western forums, riders often dismiss open-mold frames as lacking innovation. If several brands sell the same frame, it becomes difficult for any one brand to claim uniqueness or premium value. Quality can also vary depending on how much each customer invests in paint, final assembly, and component choice.

Growth Path

Many Chinese carbon frame companies started with open-mold products and gradually built reputation through consistency, feedback, and refinement. The long-term goal should be to move toward semi-custom and then proprietary design, so the brand can establish its own technical identity.

Conclusion

Open-mold frames are a practical entry strategy, but they should not become the final business model. The strongest Chinese brands will use open-mold products to enter the market, then reinvest in their own frame architecture and suspension design.