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Re: Which chains is everyone using?
Is this the chain/series that you guys are talking about? I try to keep my chains below $35, so at $50-60, this one is outside my usual chain purchase price. Does/will it really last 3X longer?Yep thaat is the chain/series, except I am running 10 and 11 speed group sets, so it is $30-40 a chain for me. Can personally say it last 3X longer, multiple bikes, waxed chains, only been 18 months (no problems so far). On the other hand Adam from Zero Friction Cycling says the last longer, I trust him, lots of knowledge and experience in testing chains and chains lube. June 01, 2023, 08:59:26 AM |
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Re: Magene L508 Radar bike light
bought a Garmin Varia RTL 515, loved it, had to send it back for warranty, the usb cover got dislodged on gravel ride. Did not want to be without a radar so I got a Magene L508 in the interim. Now have two radar lights and I ride with the Magene and lend the Garmin to friends to convince them to buy their own (and the end up buying the Magene). Main differences other that Magene is smart tail light and brightens when you brake (which is why I ride with it) The Garmin is slightly brighter (but I run both in flashing mode) When a car matches your speed, the Garmin will keep the alert for a couple of seconds longer than the Magene before it drops. But once a car or other object including another bike matches your speed the alert will disappear. Other than that the are the same, get false postives from both, usually from vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. Never had a false negative, ie no missed approaching cars. They both work with Wahoo Bolt V2, Wahoo Elmnt, Garmin 510, Garmin 935 watch and Magene C 508. June 01, 2023, 09:16:45 AM |
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Re: Chinese cycling clothes
Long term wearer of Chinese cycling kit, over 5 years ago purchased my first Racmmer and Spexcel kit. Own a lot of kit from Rapha Pro Team (probably my favourite to wear), DHB Aeron (my value for money pick), Pedal Mafia (my local brand) and a heap of Australian, European and Chinese brands. I am hard on my kit, I sweat a lot, train hard and race hard. Did not always take good care of my kit, ie did not rinse my kit immediately after use and used detergent with added enzymes. If I was lucky I might get 40 or so rides out of a pair of bibs before the went see through. Hence looking for value for money options particularly for my commute/training ride which was 40km one way. I currently have 30 jerseys and 20 bibs of various colours (everything but white) in rotation. Calmed down purchasing over last 18 months as improved washing techniques have extended the life of my kits and I am spending time in gym which is changing my body shape. Quality of kit is changing, what you expect from high end kit 5 years ago in design, materials, constructions is common amongst the value end of the market and what was acceptable to me as budget kit a few years ago is no longer. My experience with Chinese brands Racmmer: My first jersey cost me $10 and came with laser cut aero sleeves and body that didn’t breath, great value at the time, but not something I would buy now. I find their base layers don’t breath and the bibs shorts don’t do it, cheap and nasty pad in wrong place, harsh lycra, minimal compression. Spexcel: Had a bunch of their jerseys from a few years back, looked good, felt good, but they deteriorated fairly quickly, after 30 or so rides, badly faded, broken zips, saggy pockets, stitches just unravelling and even a tear in the material from use not damage. Most jerseys last me for a lot longer before I retire them . The bib shorts rarely got worn as they lacked the compression. Did buy some 2021 releases, the compression is better in the bib shorts https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002861130474.html , but not the level I get and like from other brands and the jersey https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002580418338.html has survived so far, but probably only a dozen rides, but better than others. Would buy again. YKYWbike: Love the atheistic of their jerseys, but realising they are deteriorating faster the most others jerseys ie 10 to 15 rides and they are worse that jerseys bought over 5 years ago with 50 or more rides in them. Bought their Korea lycra cargo bibs, first impressions great, so I bought a second pair with the Elastic Interface pad, but again after regular use (maybe 20 rides each) the soft, compressive lycra is a little harsh and lost some compression. Really rate their base layers and socks. Darevie: Friends rave about them, but did like their style. Bought a plain long sleeve jersey, crashed and destroyed it first ride, did not care, cheap material poor fit. Also bought bibs, https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003127347074.html , the pad is a little thin still done 100km in a pair, does lack the compression I like, the lycra is light weight which is great for summer rides in 30C/90F around here. Liked the range of colours I bought three, only downside is one pair the lycra appears to be damaged on a hip, no idea why. Cheji took a risk on this brand because they were the first to sell coloured bibs on AliExpress. Happy I did, these are my favourites https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001939822272.html have three different colours and the bright purple take a beating as my race bibs. Decent compression, has taken a lot of use with deteriorating and the lycra still feel good. Quality wise (construction, materials etc) like the previous DHB Aeron bibs and no problem on 4 hour rides. Have a couple of jerseys that have survived a dozen rides without issue. Only word of warning their pricing is unpredictable and fluctuates. I scored two pairs of those bibs at $25 each, current asking $50 and have seen them at $70. Monton https://montonsports.com/ a level above the AliExpress brands, I own a pair of their Skul bib shorts $66 very lightweight, great compression, my bib shorts of choice when I had to do a ride in 45C/112F. After sales service leaves a little to be desired my shipment disappeared for 9 weeks in transit. Had tracking got to Chinese airport and nothing, negotiating a replacement was challenging process, then suddenly tracking sprang to life after 11 weeks will my shipment appearing at an airport on the other side of Australia. Other brands, I have taken a few risks with other brands off AliExpress and generally been disappointed and I don’t set my expectations too high. June 02, 2023, 08:05:30 AM |
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Re: Best AliExpress head & tail lights?
head light the 1200 lumen version https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004942538790.html garmin quarter turn mount, easy to flip lens to change from under bars to helmet mount (as yes I use it off road) and doubles as power bank tail light Magene L508 no question June 02, 2023, 08:37:17 AM |
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Re: Chinese cycling clothes
The first one you linked. I don't really do rides under 3 hours so I'm skeptical of any "good for short rides only" reviewsFor a little context I split my bibs into short (under 2 hours), medium (2 to 4 hours) and long (4 hour plus) rides. The bibs in question are in the medium group. A short ride is usually 15 minute warm up, 60 to 90 minutes of intervals and 15 minute cool down. A medium ride is usually 60 minutes endurance pace, 60 minutes of bunch (ie trying to rip each others legs off) ride, coffee and 60 minutes home with whatever I have left or 100 minutes at endurance pace, refill bidons, turn round and another 100 minutes at endurance pace home. The bibs in question have be thoroughly tested here. However, if I push beyond that ie did two hours at solid endurance before the bunch ride, the pad did feel uncomfortable for the last 30 minutes of the ride home. Same happened while trying to complete intervals after 3 hours on endurance (but then my whole body hurt). For long rides I tend to stick to bibs I know will work, Rapha Pro Team, Pedal Mafia Pro and even then I tend to get pad discomfort after 6 hours. June 05, 2023, 07:38:38 PM |
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Re: Chinese cycling clothes
I need new cycling jerseys for road biking. What's the latest word on DAREVIE and SPEXCEL?Only other AliExpress brands I would recommend Cheji and YKYWbike (not so much for jerseys), go back a page and read my post for more details http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,3121.msg46516.html#msg46516 I tried a few more, but would not recommend then. As for Darevie never had an issue with them and all the bibs I bought in last 2 years. Spexcel a few years back had problems with stock levels and delays. I have not heard of any recent issues and my last order 15 months ago was fast. June 13, 2023, 02:15:25 AM |
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Re: Chinese cycling clothes
Anybody try the no name aero socks? At $4, that’s hard to beat. And they can’t be any worse than normal cotton socks for aero gains.Yes, even bought a pair with matching aero mitts https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002581862276.html The look aero, they feel aero, they stay up, can't say how many watts they save ;-) and they have not help me win any races, came close though ;-) edit I am size EU42 with shaved legs June 14, 2023, 12:40:17 AM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
and another power meter special, this time crank dual sided Magene P325 CS on Zrace arms https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004037853598.html
June 14, 2023, 01:10:08 AM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
Sensah are doing 11 speed shifters + derailleur/s for under 90USD (including discount) in current sale 11x2 https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805230645531.html 11x1 https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804849204887.html June 14, 2023, 09:16:38 PM |
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Re: disc brake recommendations
Juin tech, zoom, Shimano Tourney TX BR-TX805? I don't have much experience with disc brakes. building a small gravel bike, shimano 105, 32-35c tire sizeAssume you are looking at cable actuated disc brakes using existing 105 shifters. (if you don't have the shifters now, get shifters with hydraulic disc brakes 105, Ltwoo) Money no object: Juin Tech Budget but still want to stop: Zoom HB 108 cable actuated hydraulic disc brake (reports close to the Juin Tech add the right brakes pads and good braking, not quite the level of hydraulic disc brakes) Death wish: regular cable actuated disc brake June 14, 2023, 09:26:25 PM |
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