These IIIPRO brakes seem copies of Juin Tech F1s at less than half the cost or am I missing something. From the photos, the finishing looks better on Juin Tech's listing though.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804554758882.html

Juin Tech F1 for reference : https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255799928780428.html

I just recently started seeing PRO branded gear on AliExpress. They do look a lot like Juin Tech calipers, but with a barrel adjuster built-in similar to the ZRace BR-005. Also I just found these Tanke branded calipers. I'm not sure if they're new. They look similar to the PRO calipers, but the machining is different. I thought they were rebranded BR-005 calipers, but I don't think they are the same:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803170178796.html?

There seems to be new stuff dropping on AliExpress on a monthly basis! Lol

Also with that said I have some elite wheels coming. So we will see.  I hope they make it in one piece. ok 2 pieces.

And to be fair trace velo reviews are at least some what informative. And can give you some idea what to expect with these bike parts. like I got some chinaplay pedals and sensah 2x11 group set. And he got me interested with getting a china bike.

The good thing about Trace Velo is that he shows some of the obscure stuff on AliExpress that no mainstream bike reviewers would even touch. For example I had no clue heat shrink shift/brake cable ends even existed, but on his latest bike build he used them. I ended putting those on all my bikes! Also I find his bike building skills average at best, so I find it amusing he mentions similar build issues I've had to deal with and I end up finding solutions on stuff he's stumped on.

Sub 400 for the frame is impressive. Ali shows me 470 + shipping right now, did you negotiate or you were just seeing a lower price at the time? (Ali also changes offers & prices per geography).

I forgot to mention the included shipping and tax, so it was about $500 USD, plus I ordered a spared derailleur hanger which I highly recommend. I've had no problems with the hanger, but it's mounted with 1 bolt and I've heard other owners complain regarding it's durability (in case your bike falls). Also I would ask if you could swap the seat post with one that uses a different saddle mount. The stock hardware uses a round-style clamp head which needs different hardware depending on the saddle rail shape (oval or round). I opted for an oval saddle clamp, but even with carbon paste applied it kept slipping. So I had to wrap my saddle rails with gaffer tape to keep them from slipping.

This particular TFSA store (I guess there are multiple) has it, but you can look around:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804521444175.html?

Though I've seen the same frame sold lower elsewhere, I would look around at different vendors, read feedback and see how well they communicate.

can I ask why you run these over latex tubes, given you pump up every ride, as latex has lower rolling resistance. is it weight? I'm thinking of buying a couple to carry as a puncture kit because they re so tiny, but i've been very pleased with latex. My stats show i'm faster with GP500 + latex, all else equal.

I still pump my tubeless tires before every ride as well. Also I focus mainly on climbing, so I'm more concerned about weight. Also as a spare, you can pack 2 TPU tubes and they still weigh less than butyl or latex tubes.

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. Sounds like a shipping problem that neither Elite Wheels or AliExpress wanted to take responsibility for. AliExpress does recommend you video record the opening of the box first and foremost when receiving an expensive item. I do that for anything that cost more than $100 bucks fro Ali.

I do own 2 sets of Elite Wheels and they are quite solid. I even use 1 wheelset on my gravel bike, riding very rough trails and they hold up just fine despite not being gravel specific.

I've found all the Risk components to be of good quality, Ive not tried the cables tho

Yeah same here, all the Risk components I'm using are very good including the cables and titanium bolts they sell. I just ordered the brake cable kit. I'll report back once I receive them and have the time to install them. I'll see if they're a viable alternative to Jagwire compressionless.

The Z-Race calipers require a hex key to readjust the pads.
But the advantage is, it is more compact. In my Titan Gravel frame the Juintech F-1 adjustment knobs touch the frame...

For me the Juintech F-1 is a step above the Z-Race BR-005, but with alternative pads the BR-005 comes close.

BR
Chris

I'll be curious how the new Z-Race calipers perform with compressionless housing. Price-wise that would put it close to Juin-Tech calipers, though with the possibility of better brake feel/handling.

I'm thinking about it  but I also want a Seka Exceed.  As much as I like having a gravel bike around, I don't really ride much gravel and it just becomes a fat tire road bike.

It was built up with a Rival 1x groupset with an 11-50 cassette so we're likely not far off in weight, what size is yours?
Here's a quick shot of the frame!
If anyone is looking for an alloy gravel frame, let me know 

Mine is a small (52cm). I keep a gravel bike around because I ride some off-road trails, but I don't feel the need for a MTB. Here's mine built up with GRX 400/600 10/11 speed components + 105 RD.