Best and worst overall quality/value components/tools/gear from AliExpress?

[ckot]

Similarily, I like the POAT photochromic glasses (pretty sure it's a POC clone).  The ones with the multicolour sides are built better than the solid colour sides (they use a different plastic for the solid black or white glasses arms and it feels much cheaper).  One bad thing is the lens pop out once in a while, but you can just pop them back in no problem.

I have 4 pairs that I cycle throughout the year, and no issues with them.  They've survived falling off my helmet quite a few times too, everytime the lens just pops out and once you pop it back in it is good ads new.

I've been meaning to try the SCVCN but I bought too many of the POAT ones...

I have the Rockbros ones that are usually $25 on Amazon.  They have been great for the last couple of years.  Photochromatic adjustments can be a little slow when you move into shade, but I'm not sure how much better expensive versions would be. 

[00Garza]

These SCVCN photochromic glasses are simultaneously great and terrible.
I wore them a handful of times and they quickly became my favorite glasses, but they can't survive a 5 ish foot drop onto carpet. Arm snapped right off.
Tbh considering I paid $2, I'll probably buy them again. 

Just got mine in. They actually fit my tiny head well, but they don’t feel like they’ll survive much trail use. They’ll be a back up pair for now.

[RDY]

I have the Rockbros ones that are usually $25 on Amazon.  They have been great for the last couple of years.  Photochromatic adjustments can be a little slow when you move into shade, but I'm not sure how much better expensive versions would be.

I only have experience with Oakley and they're very slow to react.  I think only very expensive glass lens photochromic lenses are reasonably quick to change - Zeiss etc.  The new electronic ones are instant though.

[coffeebreak]

Does anyone have good experience with Evosid/Goldix/Zeroing GXP 2x chain rings? I am on my second (Goldix this time) after the first one Evosid came warped from factory. The large chainring was not true. Returned it and got Goldix and this one has even more warp to it basically there is no position on front derailleur where it doesn't rub. I can make it work on large chainring + smallest 3 cogs on cassette but pretty much any other combo results in chain rub where the ring warps. I am guessing even the small ring is out of true but not very noticeable. Back it goes and I have returned to Ultegra 6800 cranks/rings. I guess I need to pony up and get the Pass Quest rings - those have been great on my other bike.

Here are the rings in question -
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805884082490.html
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806059837660.html

Stay away from these I guess.

[jonathanf2]

Does anyone have good experience with Evosid/Goldix/Zeroing GXP 2x chain rings? I am on my second (Goldix this time) after the first one Evosid came warped from factory. The large chainring was not true. Returned it and got Goldix and this one has even more warp to it basically there is no position on front derailleur where it doesn't rub. I can make it work on large chainring + smallest 3 cogs on cassette but pretty much any other combo results in chain rub where the ring warps. I am guessing even the small ring is out of true but not very noticeable. Back it goes and I have returned to Ultegra 6800 cranks/rings. I guess I need to pony up and get the Pass Quest rings - those have been great on my other bike.

Here are the rings in question -
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805884082490.html
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806059837660.html

Stay away from these I guess.

Most if not all the direct mount 2x chainrings from AliExpress suck. They tend to need spacers and they wear fast.  The only good ones that I've tried are the Senicx 2x chainrings. No spacers needed, they seem better aligned (less flimsy alloy) and I haven't noticed significant wear compared to Shimano chainrings. The only issue is that the chain drop pin is a bit long if using non-Senicx cranks. Though it's easily removable by unscrewing it. I now use 2x Senicx chainrings on all my bikes paired with carbon cranks. I also like that they do a 46:30t chainring for 2x gravel. Pass Quest chainrings are excellent as well, but they don't do direct mount for 2x.

This shop has the best prices I found for Senicx chainrings and I think it's another store front for Sensah: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805631117902.html

[coffeebreak]

Thanks for the Senicx recommendation. Unfortunately I'm not seeing the 48/32 option which Evosid and others have. May be I'll get the 50/34 and call it a day.

[nickobec]

I have these. Two pairs which I've been using for >2yrs
they're really good for the price and solved my issues with shoes, I definitely needed arch support and the 'common' insoles I've tried didn't work. Found these on Ali, bought one and another after around 3 months to have as spare (they actually went out of stock for a year or so, came back some months ago)

my experience is that they work really well, but the plastic on the arches is not the best, it starts to soften after some time. So like I started with the no.3 arch but it turned to a 2 effectively, so I had to change to a 4 to keep the support as it should.
Also the glue between the plastic part below and the foam is not good, if you get any water in it'll detach. But easily solved just glued back together

other than that, is really nice, and for sure worth the price. A fraction of the real one, but of reasonable quality, and the customization is worth it.

I have owned a pair of G8 Performance 2620 insoles for over 3 years and 30,000km. Happy with them, but not the price for replacements as they do wear out. So when I  saw these copies I purchased a couple of pairs.

They look almost identical to the G8s, so much the arch supports looks and feels the same and are interchangeable. Which is good news as the arch supports do degrade over time (a comment BikeFit James made about the G8 on YouTube, I have experienced with my G8 and

but the plastic on the arches is not the best, it starts to soften after some time.

The difference is in the sole, 2620 are available in 4 sizes, the copy is one size, looks based on a large (I have a med 2620) and can be trimmed to any size between 41 and 46.
The sole looks to be made of similar but slightly different material
The heel and footbed attachment points sit flush with the original, the copy  they protrude a little from the sole.
Very happy with my  purchase and will make good use of them.

[Tijoe]

I want to complain about the Bikinge Store.  Today, they cancelled the bicycle stem I had on order from them.  Both times I have ordered from them there has had a problem.   The previous item, I had to wait the full 60 days to apply for my refund. This store does not respond to my messages either.

Here is the link to the item they cancelled. 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800405028328.html

I recommend that fellow members put this store on their do not purchase from list.

[Greenred]

Most if not all the direct mount 2x chainrings from AliExpress suck. They tend to need spacers and they wear fast.  The only good ones that I've tried are the Senicx 2x chainrings. No spacers needed, they seem better aligned (less flimsy alloy) and I haven't noticed significant wear compared to Shimano chainrings. The only issue is that the chain drop pin is a bit long if using non-Senicx cranks. Though it's easily removable by unscrewing it. I now use 2x Senicx chainrings on all my bikes paired with carbon cranks. I also like that they do a 46:30t chainring for 2x gravel. Pass Quest chainrings are excellent as well, but they don't do direct mount for 2x.

This shop has the best prices I found for Senicx chainrings and I think it's another store front for Sensah: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805631117902.html

I’ll likely go down that route as well, Senicx paired with the Riro carbon cranks. HOWEVER, I’m a bit hesitant regarding the choice of the old 3 bolt system regarding availability of chainring replacement.
So far all I could find was senicx offering 30-46T chainrings in a 3 bolt spec. What happens if Senicx decommissions it I’m wondering… then you’re left with 1 by chainrings I guess? Or potentially using an adapter to a 4 arm chainring? The latter I only speculate, don’t have any experience.

[TidyDinosaur]

I’ll likely go down that route as well, Senicx paired with the Riro carbon cranks. HOWEVER, I’m a bit hesitant regarding the choice of the old 3 bolt system regarding availability of chainring replacement.
So far all I could find was senicx offering 30-46T chainrings in a 3 bolt spec. What happens if Senicx decommissions it I’m wondering… then you’re left with 1 by chainrings I guess? Or potentially using an adapter to a 4 arm chainring? The latter I only speculate, don’t have any experience.

You can probably use an adapter. Just see if your chainring sizes are offered in the BCD of the adapter you will buy. Or just buy a couple of Scenicx chainrings... 
Maybe I'm stating the obvious, but you can not use 1x chainrings in a 2x setup

[jonathanf2]

I’ll likely go down that route as well, Senicx paired with the Riro carbon cranks. HOWEVER, I’m a bit hesitant regarding the choice of the old 3 bolt system regarding availability of chainring replacement.
So far all I could find was senicx offering 30-46T chainrings in a 3 bolt spec. What happens if Senicx decommissions it I’m wondering… then you’re left with 1 by chainrings I guess? Or potentially using an adapter to a 4 arm chainring? The latter I only speculate, don’t have any experience.

Regarding long term availability, during AliEx sales I've purchased spare Senicx chainrings. I haven't seen any indication of direct mount chainrings being phased out, since it seems to be the most plentiful crankset option on AliExpress. Also my bias towards Senicx chainrings is mostly due to having the same alignment as Shimano cranksets. Little to no FD adjustments are needed.

Also there's another option now for 46-30t chainrings and even 48-32t. Though I haven't tried this particular version yet, so I can't vouch for quality:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806059837660.html

Also it looks you can adapt 5 bolt 46-32t chainrings as well (using a direct mount to 5 bolt adapter):
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805837927313.html

[jonathanf2]

If you're running 10 speed, these are the only sub-sub compact 2x chainrings I found available on AliEx. Though it's possible the chainrings could work with 11 speed chains, but I'm not going to try it:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801844290163.html?

Since most my terrain is long road stretches with steep dirt climbing, I've been trying to explore other gearing options without going the big cassette route and relying on extender hangers. I prefer my shifting to be fast and smooth. Running 2x with out of spec big cassettes just feels clunky. Unfortunately you'll need a 2x MTB crankset and no one makes a 2x 104/64bcd 3 bolt adapter (only 1x 104bcd is available).

[coffeebreak]

Also there's another option now for 46-30t chainrings and even 48-32t. Though I haven't tried this particular version yet, so I can't vouch for quality:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806059837660.html

I bought the 48-32 version - came warped from factory. Not minor either, you could see the rings weren't perfectly flat. Sent back. I have now ordered GXP to 110 BCD 5 arm adapter from Fovno. Just gonna use some good ol' FSA rings that were put out of commission by Pass Quest chainrings a while ago.
The adapter in question  - https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805156905073.html $8

[jonathanf2]

I bought the 48-32 version - came warped from factory. Not minor either, you could see the rings weren't perfectly flat. Sent back. I have now ordered GXP to 110 BCD 5 arm adapter from Fovno. Just gonna use some good ol' FSA rings that were put out of commission by Pass Quest chainrings a while ago.
The adapter in question  - https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805156905073.html $8

I've been curious about Fovno chainrings and cranksets and they do make a 48-32t direct mount chainring, but price-wise they're a bit more expensive. The quality appears to be good. Anyone with experience using them?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805319965924.html

[Greenred]

I bought the 48-32 version - came warped from factory. Not minor either, you could see the rings weren't perfectly flat. Sent back. I have now ordered GXP to 110 BCD 5 arm adapter from Fovno. Just gonna use some good ol' FSA rings that were put out of commission by Pass Quest chainrings a while ago.
The adapter in question  - https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805156905073.html $8

Sorry to hear. I remember tracevelo also marked them as trash along some other brands.

Buying some spare 30-46 chainrings from Senicx sounds reasonable just to make sure.