Fender braces who wants some?
Because if I am spending my hard earned cash I want them to look finished and professional. If it looks like someone welded them up in their garage I am going to feel ripped off and would rather do that type of work myself. My rule of thumb is if it looks cheap it probably is.
Some of the best, strongest, most functional parts are the ones that don't look good (Truax SFCs, Blehm LTB).
If you want to be a poser, that's up to you...but your logic is flawed when it comes to looks vs. performance.
If you want lots of nice, finished-looking, powdercoated, anodized, bling looking products, you're driving the wrong car. But don't worry, there are alot of Honda Civics out there with plenty of AEM parts for them....and they all look pretty.
Of course, if you sold a brushed-aluminum version with laser-etched BlehmCo logo, for twice the cost, you'd probably sell twice as many.
Chrome-dipped option for an extra $25!
First, I never said I would only purchase because a product looks pretty. That is your words. I said I wouldn't buy something that I could do myself. If I am spending money on a product, it damn well better look worth the money as well as function.
Are you guys saying that the braces I would buy are cheap and won't function?
And you say my view is flawed? You are willing to pay for something you can do yourself? What I am saying is that I wouldn't pay for that. I will only pay for something better than I can do myself. I am saying I will only pay for quality as well as function and design. I want the whole package for my dollar. And I will spend the extra coin for the better part.
While you brought up Blehmco stuff. Look at it. It is quality and it shows. It doesn't look like something welded in the garage, it looks professional and performs as such. The welds are clean and the ends are finished. The powder-coating is professional. I won't spend my money on home made. That, I can do myself.
Are you guys saying that the braces I would buy are cheap and won't function?
And you say my view is flawed? You are willing to pay for something you can do yourself? What I am saying is that I wouldn't pay for that. I will only pay for something better than I can do myself. I am saying I will only pay for quality as well as function and design. I want the whole package for my dollar. And I will spend the extra coin for the better part.
While you brought up Blehmco stuff. Look at it. It is quality and it shows. It doesn't look like something welded in the garage, it looks professional and performs as such. The welds are clean and the ends are finished. The powder-coating is professional. I won't spend my money on home made. That, I can do myself.
Last edited by jonmandude; Mar 6, 2008 at 09:06 PM.
Are you guys saying that the braces I would buy are cheap compared to the other ones pictured? I would venture to say they are probably stronger than the other ones pictured. But they are also probably more expensive too.
And my point is flawed? You are willing to pay for something you can do yourself? What I am saying is that I wouldn't pay for that. I will pay for something better than I can do myself. Whose thinking is flawed? I pay for quality as well as function and design. I will spend the extra coin for the better part.
While we brought up Blehmco stuff. Look at it. It is quality and it shows. It doesn't look like something welded in the garage, it looks professional and performs as such. The welds are clean and the ends are finished. The powder-coating is professional. I won't spend my money on home made. That, I can do myself.
And my thinking is flawed?
And my point is flawed? You are willing to pay for something you can do yourself? What I am saying is that I wouldn't pay for that. I will pay for something better than I can do myself. Whose thinking is flawed? I pay for quality as well as function and design. I will spend the extra coin for the better part.
While we brought up Blehmco stuff. Look at it. It is quality and it shows. It doesn't look like something welded in the garage, it looks professional and performs as such. The welds are clean and the ends are finished. The powder-coating is professional. I won't spend my money on home made. That, I can do myself.
And my thinking is flawed?
er....BlehmCo stuff IS welded in Matt's garage!
And not to bash Matt (Matt, you know you're the man), but Matt's LTB (for example) doesn't look nearly as "nice" as similar pieces made by "name-brand" companies for Evos, Civics, etc....And I've owned 2 Blehm LTBs, so I know what they look like compared to similar braces available for (for example) my wifes Mazda3....I bought Matt's for function, not looks.Again though, who cares what a fender brace looks like? Nobody can see it once it's installed. As long as it's strong, fits correctly, and does the job, that's all that matters. Why pay extra for polished finish or laser-etched logos? Unless you're just THAT much of a baller and have money to throw away
And if that's the case, not sure why you're driving a maxima.Personally, I'd rather pay less for a product that performs well and use the leftover for other performance parts....
Anyhow, the fact remains that only one company (if any) will make fender braces for the Maxima. There's just not much of a market here. And if it's not "pretty" enough for you I guess you'll be **** out of luck, eh?
Last edited by irish44j; Mar 6, 2008 at 09:06 PM.
Why pay extra for polished finish or laser-etched logos? Unless you're just THAT much of a baller and have money to throw away And if that's the case, not sure why you're driving a maxima.
Personally, I'd rather pay less for a product that performs well and use the leftover for other performance parts....
And if that's the case, not sure why you're driving a maxima.Personally, I'd rather pay less for a product that performs well and use the leftover for other performance parts....
You can have strong welds and still look finished. Are you saying that the other braces (that I would buy) are cheap and won't function because they are too finished?
Again though, who cares what a fender brace looks like? Nobody can see it once it's installed. As long as it's strong, fits correctly, and does the job, that's all that matters.
Anyhow, the fact remains that only one company (if any) will make fender braces for the Maxima.
That is a view of "throwing money away"
Why pay for something you can do yourself? My point is that I won't throw my money away on something I can do myself. For my dollar I want it a finished product. You can spend your money how you want.
You can have strong welds and still look finished. Are you saying that the other braces (that I would buy) are cheap and won't function because they are too finished?
You can have strong welds and still look finished. Are you saying that the other braces (that I would buy) are cheap and won't function because they are too finished?
Why pay for something you can do yourself? My point is that I won't throw my money away on something I can do myself. For my dollar I want it a finished product. You can spend your money how you want.
You can have strong welds and still look finished. Are you saying that the other braces (that I would buy) are cheap and won't function because they are too finished?
You can have strong welds and still look finished. Are you saying that the other braces (that I would buy) are cheap and won't function because they are too finished?
Who was whining? I just said I wouldn't buy them. Why are you so defensive? You all crack me up. You know nothing about me, yet because I don't agree with you, I must be wrong. You also know nothing about these braces yet because no one else makes them, they must be great. "It doesn't matter, no one can see them" That is some funny stuff.
What R&D has been done on these? What equipment was used to measure the results.
You don't want my input? That's fine. I never asked you to agree. It was just an opinion....same as yours.
What R&D has been done on these? What equipment was used to measure the results.
You don't want my input? That's fine. I never asked you to agree. It was just an opinion....same as yours.
Last edited by jonmandude; Mar 7, 2008 at 01:31 AM.
You also know nothing about these braces yet because no one else makes them, they must be great. "It doesn't matter, no one can see them" That is some funny stuff.
What R&D has been done on these? What equipment was used to measure the results.
You don't want my input? That's fine. I never asked you to agree. It was just an opinion....same as yours.
You don't want my input? That's fine. I never asked you to agree. It was just an opinion....same as yours.
1. who's gonna see it? it's 2" off the ground!
2. It wouldn't last. see #1.
3. steel is stronger than aluminum, and it bends. (See #2 and #1).
4. Aluminum would cost way more than 2x as much.
Jon, I'll remind you that you entered this thread by posting a criticism of the proposed design, so it's no surprise that people are criticizing your view. Also, Truax are really the only people who have brought a fender brace this close to reality for the Maxima community, so I don't think any of us intend to look our gift horse in the mouth, at least in terms of aesthetics.
The braces for 240s and Hondas have a much bigger market and accordingly have larger companies producing them, so naturally some producers will make prettier braces to distinguish themselves from the competition. We don't have that luxury, but frankly we don't need it.
In any case, I don't agree with your reasoning that you only buy products that look nicer that one you could make. Sure, with a lot of work I could design and build a fender brace that looks like Truax's prototype. I know I could do it. But it would take me hours and hours, phone calls to find a source for the steel stock I needed, lots of measurements and test fitting, etc. So I'm confident that spending $130-$150 on a Truax brace, no matter how unpretty it is, will be a good deal for me.
Why do you eat at restaurants when you know you could cook a tasty meal at home? Economics—you decide that the cost in time and effort to produce your own meal outweighs the additional monetary cost to buy someone else's. And the restaurant is specialized to produce delicious meals very efficiently. Economies of scale! Mass production! Henry Ford! Yummy burritos!
Now I'm hungry.
The braces for 240s and Hondas have a much bigger market and accordingly have larger companies producing them, so naturally some producers will make prettier braces to distinguish themselves from the competition. We don't have that luxury, but frankly we don't need it.
In any case, I don't agree with your reasoning that you only buy products that look nicer that one you could make. Sure, with a lot of work I could design and build a fender brace that looks like Truax's prototype. I know I could do it. But it would take me hours and hours, phone calls to find a source for the steel stock I needed, lots of measurements and test fitting, etc. So I'm confident that spending $130-$150 on a Truax brace, no matter how unpretty it is, will be a good deal for me.
Why do you eat at restaurants when you know you could cook a tasty meal at home? Economics—you decide that the cost in time and effort to produce your own meal outweighs the additional monetary cost to buy someone else's. And the restaurant is specialized to produce delicious meals very efficiently. Economies of scale! Mass production! Henry Ford! Yummy burritos!
Now I'm hungry.
Thank you vquick for making a point without being insulting or rude. I understand your point but I only said that I would not buy them, nothing more. Then came the personal attacks on me and my view. I fail to see why challenging a business produce quality worth the money spent is ever a bad thing. I fail to see why purchasing a product simply because no one else makes it, is a smart purchase.
But since many of you are worried that my view will halt Truax from producing these, then I will bow out of the conversation with a simple we agree to disagree.
But since many of you are worried that my view will halt Truax from producing these, then I will bow out of the conversation with a simple we agree to disagree.
It's not. But you seem to define quality by looks, whereas we define it by whether it fits and works. That's why you're being criticized.
Last edited by d00df00d; Mar 7, 2008 at 03:30 PM.
I would agree with the criticism of me if that was exactly what I said, but it is simply your interpretation. If the belief of quality is simply "it fits and it works". That is not quality to me. That is only satisfactory, and to me not worth my money.
At no time did I say I only cared about the appearance. At no time did I say I was looking for the "mad tyte JDM" look. That was others' words, not mine.
Go back to the first comment by me in this thread. Look at those braces. If all you see is the shiny paint and the stickers then you aren't seeing what I am seeing. I see a well designed piece. I see thought placed in the material. I don't see "weaker pretty welds", I see strong well done welds by someone that is good at his craft. I see thought in the whole design and execution of that thought, not just a basic "it will fit and do the job". I see a part that will have minimal flex. And that is after all what I want braces to do, resist flex. Yes, that part will probably cost twice as much but it will probably do what it is designed to do very well. That part could be raw metal and I woudl still have used it as my example.
At no time did I say I only cared about the appearance. At no time did I say I was looking for the "mad tyte JDM" look. That was others' words, not mine.
Go back to the first comment by me in this thread. Look at those braces. If all you see is the shiny paint and the stickers then you aren't seeing what I am seeing. I see a well designed piece. I see thought placed in the material. I don't see "weaker pretty welds", I see strong well done welds by someone that is good at his craft. I see thought in the whole design and execution of that thought, not just a basic "it will fit and do the job". I see a part that will have minimal flex. And that is after all what I want braces to do, resist flex. Yes, that part will probably cost twice as much but it will probably do what it is designed to do very well. That part could be raw metal and I woudl still have used it as my example.
Last edited by jonmandude; Mar 8, 2008 at 02:52 AM.
I thought you were going to bow out.
You can't tell for sure how a product works by looking at a picture. What metal is that? How thick are the walls? Are the main structural members hollow or solid? There's no way to know from a picture. Even plastic can look like tough metal with the right paint and the right lighting.
Besides, you're just backpedaling now. That wasn't even your point initially. You were very clearly talking about looks being the deciding factor in whether a product is worth buying instead of making -- not to mention the fact that the pictures are of a prototype, and you have no idea how this product will look when it's done or how much money it will cost.
If you want them to look bling, that's fine. State your opinion and leave it at that. Arguing it just opens you up.
You can't tell for sure how a product works by looking at a picture. What metal is that? How thick are the walls? Are the main structural members hollow or solid? There's no way to know from a picture. Even plastic can look like tough metal with the right paint and the right lighting.
Besides, you're just backpedaling now. That wasn't even your point initially. You were very clearly talking about looks being the deciding factor in whether a product is worth buying instead of making -- not to mention the fact that the pictures are of a prototype, and you have no idea how this product will look when it's done or how much money it will cost.
If you want them to look bling, that's fine. State your opinion and leave it at that. Arguing it just opens you up.
I think we've argued enough and it's been fairly pointless, but that's OK because it shows Truax that there is strong interest in their fender braces. Dan or Sean, any update on expected availability? 
Your made a comment directly at me, I responded.
And no, that was my point initially. You just didn't want to see it that way. I was never "clearly stating that looks was a deciding factor". When I say "I will only buy what looks blingy and I don't care how it functions" then you can say I said that.
Besides Vquick is right. This is pointless. Stop directing comments towards me and just let it go. As I said we can agree to disagree. You interpreted my words differently than I meant them, or said them, and you are not convincing me that I am wrong on how I won't spend my money. Let it go already.
Your made a comment directly at me, I responded.
And no, that was my point initially. You just didn't want to see it that way. I was never "clearly stating that looks was a deciding factor". When I say "I will only buy what looks blingy and I don't care how it functions" then you can say I said that.
And no, that was my point initially. You just didn't want to see it that way. I was never "clearly stating that looks was a deciding factor". When I say "I will only buy what looks blingy and I don't care how it functions" then you can say I said that.
Looks to me like someone complaining about the looks of something they will never see and saying their money will only buy something that's pretty.
Besides Vquick is right. This is pointless. Stop directing comments towards me and just let it go. As I said we can agree to disagree. You interpreted my words differently than I meant them, or said them, and you are not convincing me that I am wrong on how I won't spend my money. Let it go already.
If you say something stupid on the internet you will get flamed. Deal with it.
Back on topic, how are these coming along?
http://splparts.com/main4/parts/Z32/...ng/default.htm
i like these.
in any case, im looking for a nice pair of these braces for my maxima. the ones pictured in this thread (in red) dont look pritty, but i dont care about the image of them. i car about the design, stiffness, and function of them.
it just appears the aftermarket parts being sold are better welded and constructed. i dont know about design, it just looks like it. the image of them is irrelivant - i dont care about flashy looking and painted parts.
i like these.
in any case, im looking for a nice pair of these braces for my maxima. the ones pictured in this thread (in red) dont look pritty, but i dont care about the image of them. i car about the design, stiffness, and function of them.
it just appears the aftermarket parts being sold are better welded and constructed. i dont know about design, it just looks like it. the image of them is irrelivant - i dont care about flashy looking and painted parts.
Morpheuszero enough already. You are not flaming me you are just being stupid. If you are going to flame me on what I said, you cannot change it. You are flaming your own words, not mine.
End it and move on.
End it and move on.
You guys want an update.
I finally have one. I quit my full time job and am now devoting all of my time to prototyping expect a release date before maxus! I'm still working out some bugs in them.
Thanks,
Sean Truax
I finally have one. I quit my full time job and am now devoting all of my time to prototyping expect a release date before maxus! I'm still working out some bugs in them.
Thanks,
Sean Truax
