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Re: Flyxii FE-02 Build
Yeah, I'm already eyeing some alu bars as back ups just in case. For the stem, just use a torque wrench and apply the proper NM and you should be fine. i find the shifters harder to torque though due the bolt placement, I usually just do those using a regular hex wrench, but I tighten them carefully. February 16, 2023, 05:33:53 PM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803455977621.html? I decided to give this hollowed out alloy crankset a try on my gravel bike (I ordered without logo). It's the lightest alloy crankset I've found at a reasonable price. It weighs more than the Racework carbon crankset, but it probably can take more abuse on the trail. I plan to pair it with a 40t chainring. This seller also has the 1x chainrings similar to the Racework/Zeroing chainrings if you want to order in one set. Though I opted to order elsewhere under the Racework name, because I can't take the Goldix brand name seriously! https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805026974642.html February 17, 2023, 01:23:23 PM |
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Re: STATE bicycles Undefeated carbon frame - any guesses on the origin?
I saw a State bike recently and it had State branded shifters and drivetrain. They just rebrand Sensah stuff? Yes, all rebranded Sensah components. It's somewhat of an open secret. February 23, 2023, 02:21:48 PM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
I found one like that made by Towild and got it delivered a few weeks ago. The experience has been pretty good so far. I was worried about the O-ring not able to hold against rain but it does. I have ridden in the rain and no water entered through the seam where the body splits in two. I don't like the confusing UI (as compared to much simpler XOSS light) but that is just nitpicking. I haven't been able to run the battery dry mid ride so I guess the battery life is good on the default battery they supply. I found that same Towild light on Amazon for under $20 with next day shipping, so I ordered there instead. Sometimes I'm just impatient! It weighs about 55g less than my heavier Lumina light at about 95g (vs 150g). The Lumina is better built, but I really don't like mounting it unless I know I'm riding at night due to it's weight. I feel I can leave the Towild light mounted since the weight penalty isn't as bad and it does clean up the cockpit. I still run my lights during the day, because there were 26 bike fatalities in my city alone last year. You don't want to become a white ghost bike memorial! February 24, 2023, 10:57:49 AM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
New version of the Elita One carbon seatpost available: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832782375801.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.22.21ef1802I9GlYy&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US I've ordered a few parts from Elita in the past. Carbon quality seems to be good, but sizing seems off. I bought a stem that was slightly longer than advertised and I also bought a seat post that was incredibly tight to fit on my bike. I stopped using it because I was worried it might fuse with the seat tube after a prolonged period of time. Also I recently switched back to alloy mounting hardware on my current carbib seat post. I previously was using a carbon mount clamp, but the top clamp mount eventually cracked. It weighs a bit less, but I think prolonged clamping stress is too much for small carbon components. February 25, 2023, 11:36:19 AM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
Anyone got a good source on Ali for the rim saver strips that you stick to the rim and it stops the valve nut digging into the carbon on the outside? I'm sure there are some decent ones, but I don't know what search terms to use, and Ali search is bad anyway. Some inner tubes come with a small rubber gaskets. I use that on my clincher wheel setups. You could possibly just cut a cross section in a square piece of electrical tape as well. February 25, 2023, 03:04:31 PM |
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Re: Racework carbon fiber crankset feedback thread
I'll post my general impressions first! I actually bought two Racework CF cranksets for my 2x road bike and my 1x gravel bike. My positive impressions first: The build quality at least for the drive side crank seems well-built. The axle despite being alloy seems fairly sturdy and the left crank arm is lightweight coming in at around 150g. The Racework 2x and 1x chainrings are actually quite nice and the 2x chainring is also lightweight compared to the other direct mount chainrings selling on AliEx. Shifting with the 2x chainring is actually really smooth on my Ultegra R8000 FD. The Racework 1x chainring also looks quite good and the teeth allow adequate engagement on the chain. It's also worth noting that the Racework crankset can mount Shimano left crank arms. Now the cons: There is zero documentation regarding torque specs or mounting the Racework crankset. In fact I had to do quite a bit of exploration myself to figure it out. First problems with the 2x setup: I ended up having to use 3 spacers that came with the supplied BB. My original 105 R7000 crankset worked fine with no spacers. I hadn't intended using the cheap AliEx BB, but there was definitely ramping pin rub when in the small 2x chainring when using no spacers. I ended up putting 2 spacers on the drive side and 1 spacer on the non drive side in order to make room for my cadence sensor. Yet in doing so this caused another problem. I ended up cracking my non-drive side crank arm when I was tightening the bolts. For my 2x setup, I ended up replacing the non-drive side crank arm with an Ultegra crank arm which ended up working quite well. The difference in weight is about 50g, but using a Shimano left crank arm is definitely more sturdier. Though if using the Racework carbon crank arm, I'd probably not mount any spacers on the non drive side. My high and low screws on the FD had to be readjusted as well. Once everything was sorted it, it does work well and you can really feel the weight reduction. The Racework Store I purchased the crankset from, promised to send me a replacement crank arm, but unfortunately I haven't seen or heard back anything from them. Now the cons for the 1x setup. I first tried the 1x crankset on my press fit bike and I didn't use any spacers. Unfortunately this setup probably requires 1 PF compatible spacer between the PF BB and crankset either on the drive or non-drive side because there was noticeable creaking and I believe there must have been slight play. I eventually removed the 1x Racework crankset from that bike and placed it on my threaded BSA gravel bike and put 1 spacer on the non-drive side threaded BB cup in order to allow more room for my cadence sensor. With this setup, there was no creaking and I was able to use the left crank arm with no issue. Regarding torque specs I've settled on 8nm for for the direct mount chainring bolts (which seems to be what SRAM recommends) and 8nm for the carbon crank arm. I'm hesitant to push Shimano's 12-14nm torque specs on the left crank arm bolts for fear of cracking my remaining carbon left crank arm. My overall feedback is that you may or may not have issues depending on your BB type (PF or threaded) and also if you're running 1x or 2x. I think this crank probably works best on a thread BSA setup and most definitely in the 1x configuration. Chain line is very finicky when running 2x and takes a bit of tuning since it isn't a plug-n-play type affair. The biggest drawback for me is the crappy implementation of the left crank arm. The bolts are smaller than the Shimano left crank bolts and overall quite fragile. If you have a 170mm 105/Ultegra/Dura-Ace crank laying around, I'd just use that instead and remove 50g (150g vs 200g) elsewhere on the bike. You'll have peace of mind that your left crank arm won't break and you'll still benefit from the weight reduction of the entire setup. BTW - I'm about 150 lbs./68kg and 174cm tall. I do mostly hill climbing and quite a bit of out of saddle riding, so far no issues regarding the alloy axle, though I'm keeping an eye on it. February 27, 2023, 08:10:23 PM |
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Re: Racework carbon fiber crankset feedback thread
Thanks for the info! I've been looking at these because my Sram rival 1 crank is very heavy. Sounds like a 1x with BSA threaded BB would be a safe option, so great writeup! Once the crankset is dialed in, it works quite well. I did some heavy duty trail climbing yesterday on my 1x gravel bike and the crankset worked with no creaking and it was spinning smoothly. Also my 2x crank is properly setup and it's been working quite well. I believe the Racework 2x chainring is a ROTOR knock-off, but I actually like it. The flat chainring profile minimizes scratches and there's an outer chain catcher pin in case you get a chain drop. The back of the chainring has aero type ducts similar to Shimano 2x cranksets. I am curious as to how production works with these AliEx components. For example, the alloy 7075 axle is the same one used on the direct mount Goldix cranksets. Also the Racework chainrings are sold under the Goldix and Zeroing brands. Though the Racework CF crankset so far appears to be exclusive to Racework. Also I did apply Wolftooth crank decals for extra protection. February 27, 2023, 09:56:20 PM |
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Re: Standert Bicycles (Berlin Brand) - Who Makes Them? Any Alternatives?
https://tsunamibicycle.com/product/cr05-road-frameset-700c-disc-brake-thru-axle-ti-polish/ Looks really similar to a Tsunami Seaboard steel TA road frameset. February 28, 2023, 09:30:46 AM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
I am joining the club and went ahead and ordered one of these dropper bars to try out on a 29er hardtail build I am building. I was surprised when I saw OldShovel on Youtube ordering that same bar from AliEx. That guy mainly restores older bikes and many of these bike YT'ers are hesitant to deviate from the name brand equipment. March 01, 2023, 11:37:51 AM |
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