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Re: BXT-Gravel-135
Got it mostly built up. Your bike looks so sick! Congrats on the build! January 08, 2023, 01:22:43 PM |
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Re: Onirii carbon cranks
I was initially looking at those cranks, but opted for the Racework Carbon crankset due to the BSA compatible 24mm spindle size. The Onirii might be sturdier with its 30mm alloy spindle axle vs. the Racework 24mm spindle axle. Though it appears to be slightly heavier.
January 10, 2023, 06:55:15 PM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
Now that I did some research apparently 2x spacers on the drive side and 1x spacer on the non-drive side seem standard for certain crankset setups. Anyways, I think the crankset looks pretty good. Lifting the bike it feels noticeably lighter. Plus the Ultegra SM-BBR60 threaded bottom bracket is only about 76g. I guess I'll ignore the minor ramping pin chain rub in the small/small combo, I rarely ever use that gearing anyways. I'm on the fence if I want to get this crankset for my 2x gravel bike though. That bike sees significant abuse when gravel riding and going fast isn't much a priority. I still need to test out the bike on a real ride. Well I'm going to have to reverse my decision on this crankset. The drive side crank works fine, but the big problem is the 2 bolt clamping setup on the non-drive side crank arm. The design is way too fragile. Even with a low torque setting, I ended up cracking the non-drive side crank arm. This type of design is fine with alloy cranks like Shimano, but I think it would have been better to use some sort of center bolt locking setup that doesn't apply force to the carbon left crank arm. I contacted the seller and they said they're already on vacation for the Chinese New Year until Jan. 28th, but I checked and the holiday doesn't officially start until the 21st! https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/china-public-holiday.htm I ended up submitting a return & refund request under the 15 day no questions asked return warranty. Though a work around would be to use a Shimano style non-drive side alloy crank arm and the weight difference between arms is probably less than 50g, but with a more stable clamping area. January 12, 2023, 12:02:21 PM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
Oh man tough luck. I hope you get the money back. This does look like a serious issue I mean come on, brand new crank and it cracked. Imagine going a heavy load on it while climbing. To be honest when you said there is a minor chain rub even with 2 spacers that kinda turned me off - I am not as diligent as you to watch which chainring/rear cog I am on every time and frequently do cross chaining. Are you back to 105 crankset? Yep I put back my 105 crankset for now. My bike feels heavier! Lol I just received my return shipping label. Thankfully I don't have to ship it directly back to China. It's a return address to a warehouse in Chicago of all places. The design for the drive side crank arm actually seems solid. Though the clamping setup for the non-drive side is way too fragile. They would have been better off just including a lightweight alloy left crank arm with faux carbon fiber that matches the aesthetics of the drive side. It would probably increase weight by less than 50g, but it would be far more durable. Also I think the chain rub is due more to the chainring ramping pins. Perhaps a direct mount chainring from either Senicx or Goldix (WTF gold dicks) would be a better option. January 12, 2023, 12:49:49 PM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
I know RXL has made a few drop bar duds, but I have these bars mounted on two bikes and they've been rock solid. Not the lightest, but not the heaviest though. Coming in around 220-230g depending on the size you get. They're also quite stiff and the top flat section is quite comfortable to hold. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803093583495.html January 12, 2023, 02:56:13 PM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803606384539.html I picked up these bar and brake end protectors from Muqzi for a bit of extra protection. January 14, 2023, 10:27:43 AM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
Thank you for the update and the image of the damaged crank. I think the the crack formed because I was forced to use the spacers to get my 2x chainring aligned properly. It put uneven clamping pressure on the Racework carbon crank arm. Having the 2 bolts on one side was probably the design work around using a carbon crank arm with a 24mm Shimano style spindle design. I don't think it would be an issue on a 1x setup since you don't have to worry about chainring rub. Also my reasoning for going with a 12 speed chain is due to these AliEx chainrings being used across 10/11/12 speed drive trains. My guess is that they opt for aggressive ramping pins to cover the range. 12 speed probably requiring the longest ramping pins due to being the thinnest chain. I think the solution if you need to use the BB spacers is to not use the Racework left crank arm. Leave it in the drawer and stomach the 50g weight penalty using an alloy crank arm in exchange for better durability. Even with this mix-n-match setup, I'm still under 600g for a 2x crankset. Now I'm just waiting for some dry weather to go ride consistently since S. California has been raining all month! January 16, 2023, 10:42:11 AM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
Interesting information... I tried mine on my 105 Di2 / 12 speed setup, but it would not work due to the Sygeyi PM rubbing agains the BB housing of the frame. I'm on a threaded BSA setup on my road bike, so I can use BB spacers that Racework sells. Though I'm thinking I might give these style spacers a try which puts the spacer between the crank arms and BB. This way my BSA BB is fully threaded into the BB shell. These might also work on PF BB. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BB6Z3TND January 16, 2023, 12:13:25 PM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
A couple photos of the mix-n-match Racework crankset with a Shimano Ultegra R8000 crank arm. Also a few shots utilizing the Racework supplied BB and 3 spacers.
January 16, 2023, 01:52:36 PM |
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Re: Groupset News
...and we have Tracevelo at it again.... Funny, I just swapped my LTwoo GR9 mechanical shifters for Sensah Team Pro Shimano compatible shifters on my 1x road bike. There's no problem with the shifting, the problem is that there's no way to tune the brake levers properly. My BR-005 feel way better on Sensah mechanical brakes. Also he's right about the cable routing with the GR9 RD. I even have a frame that has the cable exiting to the side as opposed to the rear and the routing is still convoluted. My opinion now is to stick with Sensah if you want to stay with cable braking. Plus with the Team Pro shifters you can still pair them up with Shimano derailleurs. January 17, 2023, 12:31:49 PM |
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