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Messages - jcr

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61
Been using the Towild CL600 (they have brighter ones available) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003986553181.html

62
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Sensah Empire issues
« on: April 12, 2023, 12:10:28 PM »
More fun updates….the seller said they can’t order a right shifter…. So I had to open a dispute to get partial refund and bought a right shifter from “Sensah store” and has shipped out already. I guess no more ordering from third party even though Sensah store is not official store but they carry after sale service.

63
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Sensah Empire issues
« on: April 07, 2023, 12:05:33 AM »
A little update:
I couldn't fix it and didn't want to go any deeper as of yet (doesn't make I might not take it apart later).

Sent a video recording showing the right shifter cannot do 11 speed as spec to both Sensah store and the sell I got it from. Here are some conclusions I got:
  • Sensah directly, responded fairly fast and communication via English wasn't too bad.
  • Looked at the video and said it was a problem and it needs to be replaced.
  • However I did not purchase from Sensah, they were not able to provide me with after service.

Dealing with the seller:
  • Communication definitely wasn't a good but did eventually get through that the right shifter was defective.
  • Took a little going back and forth with them to agree to send me a replacement part


At the end, it looks like there is some after sales support for Sensah products (or I got lucky with the seller). In both cases, in order to get  it processed I need to put in this $0.01 order + shipping, the seller had a free shipping option but very slow so I ended up paying $3 for faster shipping.  Also in both cases they did not ask me to return the defective part (good: did not cost me to ship it, bad: how would they know this will not be a future quality issue?).



64
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Sensah Empire issues
« on: April 05, 2023, 07:26:19 AM »
Had the same stupid issue recently (Shimano though) and this checklist fixed it for me:
Do you get 6 clicks when the shifter doesn't have a cable?
Flash a light through the cable slot and check if there isn't dust or debris
Make sure the cable is under proper tension when you shift - Firmly grip it between your fingers

It had a cable in it when I tried it, and also under tension and wasn't able to fix it. Even tried it on the bike with the rear derailleur, the pull ratio seems off too.

65
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Sensah Empire issues
« on: April 04, 2023, 11:26:34 PM »
fixed the cable and that did not fix the issue.

66
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Sensah Empire issues
« on: April 04, 2023, 09:55:36 PM »
No I didn’t but still going to ask the store and Sensah for a replacement. Both seems promising but we’ll see if I get a tracking number from them

67
Component Deals & Selection / Sensah Empire issues
« on: April 04, 2023, 05:22:55 PM »
Just wondering if anyone have issues with their Sensah empire groupset recently? I am going through my 4th build with them (for me and friends), and this latest one I have received has issues right out of the box. This is the new one that has the new tighter hood cover.

The issue:
  • Right shifter is supposed to be 11speed, so that means I should get 11 clicks.... but I was only able to get 6
  • Gear cable is routed incorrectly, when I pull back the hoods, the head of the cable is going through the big hole when it should go through the small hole.


Anyone else having odd issues? Wondering if Sensah will replace this defective one for me...

68
Component Deals & Selection / Re: LTWOO RX hydro sets
« on: April 02, 2023, 07:56:12 PM »
Quoting from 318Bike https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005385673438.html

Quote
In order to avoid SHIMANO's patent, LTWOO's Hydraulic Disc Brake Caliper uses a 70mm spacing mounting seat, and then installs it through an adapter, so that not only the Caliper is heavy, but the adapter is also very heavy, and the most important thing is that for some frames It is still not compatible, so we replaced the Flat Mount Caliper of ZRACE XG, so that the whole set can reduce weight 120g! and can be compatible with all flat mount frames and Forks.

Prices is definitely dropping.... 11s https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005385754066.html

69
Component Deals & Selection / Re: LTWOO RX hydro sets
« on: April 02, 2023, 05:10:19 PM »
This seller has started to sell the groupsets with the Zrace XG brakes instead of the Lt-woo ones. It's interesting that the seller call themselves the Lt-woo official store, however.

One could have a pretty light groupo for cheap..

Prices are also dropping. Not only that, but the shipping has as well, at least in Canada. Used to be around 50 CAD, now it's free.

Here's the link. Kinda long but I'm not sure how to shorten it. Sorry.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005385555775.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000014.8.22e1d7dfrfkZ3R&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40050.281175.0&scm_id=1007.40050.281175.0&scm-url=1007.40050.281175.0&pvid=1bf7f486-3de1-4d6f-9a7f-d2579f33918a&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40050.281175.0,pvid:1bf7f486-3de1-4d6f-9a7f-d2579f33918a,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238110%231995&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000032839479096%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%2230050%22%7D&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21CAD%21617.98%21432.58%21%21%21%21%21%40210312cc16804722848118866e46d0%2112000032839479096%21rec%21CA%214261068451

The shorten link is https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005385555775.html

Is the XG a true flat mount brake? I have read the LTwoo caliper bolt spacing isn't a true flat mount and hence the bag of brackets?

70
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Water bottle cage
« on: March 26, 2023, 12:28:05 AM »
I went cheap, light and non-carbon and these seems to work fairly well on the road. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002309399133.html

72
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Velobuild VB-R-177
« on: March 23, 2023, 07:51:35 PM »
Probably a good time to follow up with my thoughts on the 177. Anecdotal of course, so take with a grain of salt.

1. By and large I think the 177 is the better frame versus the 168. It's lighter, much stiffer, and I've found it to be more responsive of a riding experience. EPS molding if that's important to you. The geometry is more forgiving as well.

2. I've tested both the 168 and 177 with a variety of wheels: Winspace Hypers, Farports EVO, Elite Drive, and VeloBuild's own 38mm depth road wheels. This is where the differences in the frames became most apparent. The 177 comes alive with quality wheels. Despite most of the aforementioned wheels being stiff race wheels they felt somewhat soft under load with the 168. Marginal but noticeable. While the 168 is an aero frame (and arguably looks faster), you can easily slap some aero wheels on the 177 as well as optimize your on-bike position.

3. Velobuild's 38mm depth road wheels - Yes they're heavy but retail is only $339 USD. 1778g for what is suppose to be climbing wheels. Very noticeable on bad pavement and upon acceleration. Steel spokes and Novatec's cheapest generic hubs. For an ULTIMATE budget build where weight isn't a priority they are probably fine. Overall system weight is still more important. Sidenote...Novatec's top-tier hubs on the other hand are fantastic and I run them on my gravel wheels.

4. Front derailleur cable port - If you're running mechanical shift cables, routing and setting up the FD will most likely account for half of the entire time you spend on the bike build itself. The 177, 168, and CX-002 all use this style of cable port. Just be patient...

5. Separate Stem Combo - We can all agree the supplied stem which comes with the separate bar/stem combo is flawed in its design. VB updated the supplied metal C-ring/clip and removed the metal tabs, however you may still find difficulty removing all the headset slack/play. A fool-proof alternative is to opt for the integrated handlebars, use FSA's ACR system, or my favorite which is the FSA no.69 headset if you need to run your own stem. Hoping one day VB offers a separate stem with internal routing capabilities but with a tradition round top-cap design.

So for $500+shipping you get a classic looking frame resembling an S-Works SL6, a non-proprietary seatpost, and a frameset that comes in well under 1000g without paint and hardware. Solid if you ask me. Sadly I had disassemble my 177 (for a 2nd time) to donor the components for another build.

I'm running SRAM eTap on my VB CX-002 frame and the setup/experience is so awesome...I'm most likely gonna rebuild my 177 yet again but also use eTap. Make it my travel/climbing/holiday bike. Won't have to worry about FD routing issues either. THIS IS THE WAY.

Great information I was looking at the 177. Regarding FSA No. 69, would it be similar to getting the headset cover like this? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004647390416.html

73
wow that sounds nasty. Good thing you've recovered.

My dropout looks the same (shallow). I do check my skewers and retighten them every so often (on the Velobuild and also brand name bikes). Also in my case, I think it would be harder for the wheel to roll out from under, my derailleur (Sensah Empire) angle position seems to make it hard for me to remove the wheel so any loosening my tires will probably rub the chain stay (25C tires).

Just curious, what skewers are on those wheels? I've read those super lightweight skewers don't clamp as well so I ended up with the stock heavy ones from my wheels.

74
If someone is looking for a cheap Sensah Empire 11s shift kit (brifter and derailleur) the sale has it going for $100USD with free shipping https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005063051998.html

Good for a budget build, upgrade or trainer bike (which I am doing). 

75
I'm hesitant to pull the trigger on Think Rider. Keep us updated on SRED cassette. Which one did you get?

You mean SRoad?

First impression... 11-28T... very light at 185g feels odd holding 11s cassette at that weight. The lockring is alloy but feels like cheese (stripped mine) and I had to buy a new one (another alloy one) that seems to be ok.

Took a while to tune it but I might have messed up my tuning at the beginning or maybe it required a very specific B-limit setting to get it smooth but now it seems smooth but weather is still too bad to ride outdoors.

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