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Re: Chinese cycling clothes
This is a review of all the clothing I've gotten from AliExpress. All prices are USD and I am located in USA. Racmmer Overall: Fast shipping, would buy again for fun things to wear on toot-about rides. Well-organized seller page on Ali. 1) I ordered a basic-level matching bibs+jersey set for $30, both in size Large. The screen printing is low quality and the material isn't so great, but for the price it's OK, plus the patterns are the best on AliExpress IMO. The sizing is a bit off from normal. Jersey runs large, but bibs run small. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32866597694.html 2) Jersey in the "Pro" range for $17, size Large. Jersey does not run large in the Pro range, material is slightly higher quality, screen printing same low quality. Again, fun colors however. Would buy another. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001504835729.html 3) Winter thermal fleece overshoe for $15, size XL. Didn't get to use them last winter, but I got them so I could double layer this fleece overshoe underneath a windbreaking overshoe (Wisconsin winters are no joke). https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32726518090.html 4) Why do they use two m's in their name? That's the biggest question. Zhuiyan & Socks Store Overall: Holy jeebus I LOVE their socks. And for the price too  ! I will be ordering more socks to give as gifts to cycling friends. Downside: slooooow shipping, but this is expected by the Cainiao shipping method. 1) These "Team Aero" Socks. They have silicon grippers at the top. One-size-fits-all suggests size from 39 to 45. At size 42, I do well with these, but they stretch enough I bet 47 would fit too. Silicon gripper is very nice and works well. Fun patterns. I bought 3x and all are great. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001046132853.html 2) These regular cloth socks are the best cycling socks I've ever worn. Nice stretch and don't stick to my feet when trying to slip them on. Normal drying rate during rides. Super cozy and comfy, I wear them around the house. Damnit now I want to order more pairs. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001127032897.html X-Tiger Overall: fast shipping, well-organized seller page on Ali (always a plus in my book!) would buy again. 1) These bib shorts, which were only available for a short time it seems. Nice material, good bib, but a bit expensive at $39. Size Large runs a bit large. Wouldn't buy them if I saw them in a store at this price, but I'm happy with this purchase. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001221450936.html 2) This cap doesn't breathe very well. Cheap little item. Would be good if I ever had a short haircut in the winter and wanted some protection through my breathable helmet. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000179327438.html 3) These gloves in the thick grey for $12. They're OK, size M is a bit tight, not really good below 3 degrees. Not super breathable. To be fair, gloves are very hard to get right, especially for me. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32947162199.html 4) These Shoe covers, size XL (44-47). These run true to size. I sized up so they could act as overshoes to my other Raccmer fleece overshoe. Good material, waterproof, nice velcro and zippers, strong construction. I really like these. I would buy them again in the right size for when I don't want to double layer overshoes. A real bargain. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000269961357.html ROCKBROS Overall: they make some good shit. They're like the ZTTO of apparel and accessories and bags. Good for the price, not quite the best however. 1) These autumn/spring gloves, which are actually perfect for anything over 12 degrees C. Really good fit for me, comfy padding that isn't so thick and large that you can't reach your brakes in the drops anymore (looking at you, literally every western bike brand I've tried gloves from...) Would definitely order again and I would buy these for friends. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000830490651.html 2) Photochromic tint-shifting glasses. The fit and finish is very good. As good as any Oakley BS that's for sure. Will order pairs for friends as gifts. As some reviewers noted about the Photochromic version, the tint doesn't get super dark. At first I agreed, however with use I find these are perfect for cloudy day riding, because they don't get too dark. Also good for late afternoon rides when the sun goes down but you still want eye protection. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000955468830.html Spexcel Overall: Would NOT order from them again. First Order Ordered 2 short sleeve jerseys, 1 long sleeve jersey, 2 bibshorts. Only 2 items were sent with the first order, had to wrestle with them over seller chat and pay a $5 something or other so they could generate another purchase order in the AliExpress system... Gah I don't even know, that left a sour taste. Kit is good, runs true to size, plenty of other reviewers have talked about them already so I'll pass on the details Second Order Ordered 4 more items, got a fake tracking number. Went to chat with the seller on Ali, they played games with me. Said fuckit and asked for a refund through AliExpress which was granted. I think Spexcel is super slammed with orders because of their popularity and they can't keep up, so they do the fake tracking numbers at times. Oh well. Looking forward to trying Santic and Rion after the positive things from this thread! EDIT: Are you having problems with your clothing zippers? Some sellers use good YKK zippers (or at least they are branded as such...). Some use no-name zips. Really sucks when a zipper comes apart on your jersey mid-ride. A tip from me is to pinch one side of the zipper slider slightly (very very slightly) closed with some pliers. See "Tightening a Zipper Slider" on this REI page https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/how-to-fix-a-jacket-zipper.html March 22, 2021, 11:25:42 PM |
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Re: LCFS911 full suspension
Just did the final shakedown. Very happy with the feel and power delivery.I've got this frame now! 1950detroit sold me the frame, fork, shock, handlebars, stem (I swapped to 80mm Syncros stem instead of his 120mm stem), seatpost, and saddle. I had most of the parts laying around, just had to buy a crank, chain, and a few little parts. Specs: Fox shock (Trek Top Fuel Takeoff) SRAM XO GXP crankset (started it's life as a 2x, swapped on a 32t ring) 11-speed GX derailleur, XX1 shifter, X01 cassette, XX1 chain Formula Cura 2 brakes Amazon $20 disc rotors Speedsafe rims, ZTTO 54t hubs, Pillar Wing 20 spokes, Sapim brass spokes (I built them) Vittoria Mezcal XC 29x2.25 (I'm curious to try a Barzo front) Following parts from Scott Spark takeoff: Rockshox Sid 100mm fork Boost Syncros Carbon Seatpost, Bars, stem, saddle, grips Bontrager comp pedals Build ended up at 23.2 lbs with pedals, and 23.6 with dual bottle cage. I 3d printed the bracket to hold both cages at the perfect angle, could maybe make an aluminum version that's lighter, but I'm not worried about it, the bracket itself is around 100g and the ABS part seems plenty strong. First ride was a success, the bike was really fast, it's about 1 lb lighter than my hardtail so having a lighter bike with the sting taken off the rear end was nice. I only felt any noticeable bob when standing and pedaling hard, and it's nothing major. The noise I heard was the topping out of the DPS shock, but I think I need to add rebound damping and soften the air spring. I added McMaster neoprene foam around the cables so those are silent, which is really nice! I'm hoping this bike will be the perfect XC and long distance bike. My favorite ride is a 57 miler with 18 miles of very rooty old-school singletrack, 21 miles of flow trail, and the rest is gravel to get in between. My hardtail makes my joints ache by the end and my trail bike is just so heavy. The goal of this bike is to cut the difference. I think my biggest surprise was how nimble the bike was. My hardtail is a Transition Vanquish, which is 67 HTA (which should match the 911 HTA once sagged), 75 STA, short chainstays, but the LCFS911 feels SO much more nimble around tight turns.  
March 28, 2021, 11:01:42 AM |
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Re: Carbonda fm936 Thoughts
Here is my bling build ! The weather isn't very nice here, so only two ~70km rides so far. But I loved every instant of them, a smile from one ear to the other, even once when I crashed it  Not sure if it is the geometry, the full suspension, the seatpost or the electronic shifting in particular, but this has little in common with my past hardtail riding. It is a size M SL. OG-Evkin bar Ligthbicyle XC925 wheelset with DT-Swiss EXP 240. XX1 AXS derailleur + Blipbox + Multiclics SID Ultimate 120mm and SIDLuxe shock 42.5mm Piccola brakes Reverb AXS 2.35 tires. And 10,1kg The commands are, left click easier gear, right click harder gear. Click on both for the seatpost. I was hoping for a more greenish blue, than this reddish one, but I start to get used to it  I'm still testing different 3D printed mounts for the blips for different positions. For now the cables are taped below the bar, my plan was to make them go through the bar end and exit through one of the mount holes. But there was some sun, and I preferred to go ride than work more on it. Maybe later. April 12, 2021, 05:55:25 AM |
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Re: Carbonda fm936 Thoughts
My DIY Chainstay Protector. Bouncy balls and Mastik Tape April 20, 2021, 11:15:22 AM |
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Softail titanium MTB 29/27.5+ (all mountain - bikepacking)
Hello, Who I am : Just over 30 yo MTB rider, 177cm tall, 65 kg, I live in the French Alps. I practiced XC, trial and dirt as a kid. I did practice pure enduro around 25 yo, but now I don't want to ride that hard anymore I mostly ride all mountain and bikepacking MTB trips. I want to climb hard, enjoy views/landscapes, have fun while downhill Few weeks ago, I had a Specialized Enduro + Orbea Alma + NS Bikes Eccentric + road bike + pumptrack bike + a titanium custom hardtail MTB with Pinion gearbox (commute / travel). The project Sell all my bikes except the Pinion bike, and build a new all mountain / bikepacking MTB. I wanted :
I thought that a "down country" bike would be a solution. Carbonda FM936.  Then i changed my mind for a pure all mountain FM1001. Then I hesitated for a 160mm FS947. Then an AM831 (SC hightower like). Every of them have pros and cons and the cons won every time... Then I thought a custom titanium hartdail with 180mm front fork (based on Chromag Doctahawk), would probably be amazing. But still no rear travel... I finally make a decision and decided to order a custom softail titanium bike. Asked walty, xacd and titan products. Titan is the one I chose. Geometry Here is the geometry. 160mm fork, 80mm rear travel. Massive 505mm reach and 77° STA 63° HTA 430 chainstay (63° seems crazy but it is almost a hardtail, HTA should be around 64,5 once sagged). 20mm stem (integrated bar) Compatible max 29x2.5 and 27.5x3.0.  Parts Here is the detail bike check (almost everything is already at home) Goal : 11,5 kg maximum. Fingers crossed...  Frame pictures The frame just left the factory for shipping.     Next steps : wait, mount and test-ride 
April 22, 2021, 07:46:35 AM |
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Re: Dengfu R12 name brand model? and experience?
If you feel every pebble, then your tire pressure is probably too high. A bike frame doesn't actually flex that much. Most of the comfort comes from the tires, seat post, and saddle flex.
May 04, 2021, 11:51:14 PM |
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Re: My Waltly Ti frame #2 (29er)
So I took her out to some bikepacking trips.
May 09, 2021, 01:08:28 AM |
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Re: My OG-Evkin CF-052 (FM699) build w/ 60% AliExpress parts
Took some pictures today. The OG-Evkin handlebar is also ordered now, along with some new grips. Ordered the handlebar from China, it's back in the spanish warehouse, but shipping is 33€ now. And I bought a Deore M6100 iSpec shifter for 15€ shipped on Ebay.       
May 13, 2021, 12:50:27 PM |
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Re: Softail titanium MTB 29/27.5+ (all mountain - bikepacking)
Frame received. 2 483g with sliding dropouts. +150g than I expected but it is a detail.  With 6mm titanium plate, it is flexy and should be strong enough. Let's see it in video : https://streamable.com/8b3jam Let's the build start ! 
May 17, 2021, 03:04:50 AM |
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Re: Carbonda Cfr 1056
Finished my build of the Carbonda FM 1056 a few weeks ago.     May 25, 2021, 01:42:21 PM |
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