Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!

[coffeebreak]

My Shimano 105 R7000 50/34t 175mm crankset weighs in at 745g. The Racework crankset comes in at 543g. So it's about a 202g weight savings.

That is a major chunk off the bike. Lighter than Dura Ace r9000 crankset actually. Fantastic!

[00Garza]

I’m hoping they come out with longer crank arms soon. Definitely interested in this crank for a gravel build.

[jonathanf2]

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.

FYI: Apparently these carbon cranksets will go on sale tomorrow. I'll definitely order another set!
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804855321533.html?

[Tijoe]

If they were 172.5s, I would purchase a set.

[coffeebreak]

Some kind of sale event going on over at Aliex. Found a cheaper alternative to RISK heat shrink cable ends. These are 100 pieces, vs Risk is only 20.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKc1wHc

Also got a tiny under seat storage:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMtfMHk

And a mini pump:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKhwdx8

Feels good to have a queue of orders on Aliex again.

[s3si1u]

Time to share my latest haul 
I have this fork on the way: https://www.ebay.com/itm/303880803441
I've been having some issues with my gravel bike (Poseidon frame with Trek fork) and finding a lower headset bearing that fits juuuust right. I'm guessing it's a replica of the Whisky No. 9 fork? I really like the look of fully external routing on the fork for a gravel bike and this was about the only affordable option I came across.

Also received this AXS carbon cage and pulley set a couple days ago: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124967134234?var=426038846323
It looked interesting so I ordered it for some cheap weight savings. I'm not sure how much (if any) of this I'll install, we'll see.

IGPSPORT IGS520 cycling computer on the way as well: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801395069607.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.7a4e1802tIK8rR&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US
I've been eyeing the Magene C406 for a while now as it's a popular choice, but the IGS520 has navigation capability and is currently about half off so that sealed the deal.

[Tijoe]

I purchased the Igsport iGS630 from Amazon back during their Amazon Prime Days.   I really love this version of the IGSport  bike computer.   

The iGS630 still isn't available on Aliexpress, only the iGS620.

[carbonazza]

I purchased the Igsport iGS630 from Amazon back during their Amazon Prime Days.   I really love this version of the IGSport  bike computer.   

The iGS630 still isn't available on Aliexpress, only the iGS620.

Is it really many hours of autonomy?
This is my only gripe with the Karoo2.

[Tijoe]

Is it really many hours of autonomy?
This is my only gripe with the Karoo2.

I had never heard about Hammerhead Karoo before.   I had to look it up.   
Sure seems like the IGS630 has all the same features.

What do you mean by "hours of autonomy"?

[carbonazza]

I had never heard about Hammerhead Karoo before.   I had to look it up.   
Sure seems like the IGS630 has all the same features.

What do you mean by "hours of autonomy"?

Battery life sorry.
The time it takes for the screens to turn irremediably black, when riding with GPS on, and some metrics 
It looks the Karoo has many more functionality, but its Achilles heel is its battery life.
And the IG630 seems to have more appealing gauges when riding hard in a bunch.

[jonathanf2]

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.

FYI: Apparently these carbon cranksets will go on sale tomorrow. I'll definitely order another set!
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804855321533.html?

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.

[coffeebreak]

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?

[jonathanf2]

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.

[coffeebreak]

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.

That's good to know. Returns on Aliex is a known problem. This gives some hope.

[coffeebreak]

I have been looking at internal cable routing handlebar/stem combo and came across this bar -

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804668521773.html

The weight is scaring me off. Even with a regular alloy stem you are looking at 250gm total.