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

[andrew]

Saw this today and I'm super tempted... any experience?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806931102562.html

[Confused]

Saw this today and I'm super tempted... any experience?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806931102562.html

In general - Rockbros stuff has been solid, at least anything released in the last couple of years. One of the pictures in the description says the power meter is only included for pictures.  If you want carbon and Dub cranks SRAM FORCE regularly show up under $200 on ebay.

[toxin]

These are straight up just lexon cranks rebadged, which themselves are just cybrei cranks with a small aesthetical change.

Also force cranks are heavy af

[perneto]

On my gravel bike, I have ZERAY ZP-108S pedals. These are 283 g and they've been just OK. One of the screws fell out and one pedal is a little harder to clip in and out of. The bearings have also needed some adjustments. To be fair, they've taken a few hard rock strikes. I also got these from Amazon but there are a few sellers on AliExpress as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Clipless-Compatible-Included-Multi-Great/dp/B083V1K59R
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832669914249.html

I'm using the same Zeray ZP-108S pedals and am pretty happy with them. However, one of the pedals came with too much preload, and therefore doesn't spin as freely as the other.

I've opened its plastic cap (see attachment) but can't figure out how to disassemble it further: the screw head inside doesn't seem to take a hex wrench -- the inside of its head looks round (see other attachment). Could you help?

[TidyDinosaur]

I'm using the same Zeray ZP-108S pedals and am pretty happy with them. However, one of the pedals came with too much preload, and therefore doesn't spin as freely as the other.

I've opened its plastic cap (see attachment) but can't figure out how to disassemble it further: the screw head inside doesn't seem to take a hex wrench -- the inside of its head looks round (see other attachment). Could you help?

Isn't that just a hex nut? A lot of pedals have them in exact that position. Normally you can get them off with the right size of socket. Will probably be 8 or 9 mm

[perneto]

Isn't that just a hex nut? A lot of pedals have them in exact that position. Normally you can get them off with the right size of socket. Will probably be 8 or 9 mm

No, it's very small, something like a 2mm hex. I need to take another look, but so far I couldn't get those small hex keys to hold onto it -- it seemed round. (Maybe it was stripped while assembling at the factory... I'll check the other pedal).

(The black plastic cap on top was indeed a 8mm hex).

[Hmpf]

Which inexpensive saddlebags can you recommend? It should be as light as possible and hold about 10 liters.

[jonathanf2]

Quick visual comparison between the Ryet Aircode 3D printed saddle and the Goldix 3D printed saddle that's available from like $17-25 USD during sales. The Goldix saddle seems to be well built, with a stiff carbon shell and thick rails. The 3D mesh also has a bit more cushion, while the bottom edges of the carbon seem to be more rounded. There's also a 1cm lip that protrudes from the back end of the saddle to give a bit more length.

The two saddles seems similar. I'll report back on the actual ride quality once I put a few km/mi on it.

UPDATE: I just took this saddle for a ride and it felt great! No discomfort, plenty of cushion, stayed cool in the California sunshine and minimal friction when adjusting position. Unfortunately it seems the price has jumped up from it's earlier low price!

[perneto]

No, it's very small, something like a 2mm hex. I need to take another look, but so far I couldn't get those small hex keys to hold onto it -- it seemed round. (Maybe it was stripped while assembling at the factory... I'll check the other pedal).

(The black plastic cap on top was indeed a 8mm hex).

Oh, I understand what you meant now: there's a hex nut around that small axle I was looking at. I'll have to find a very thin socket wrench as there is very little space around the nut. Thanks!

[TidyDinosaur]

Oh, I understand what you meant now: there's a hex nut around that small axle I was looking at. I'll have to find a very thin socket wrench as there is very little space around the nut. Thanks!

Yes, that's what I meant 

[andrew]

Quick visual comparison between the Ryet Aircode 3D printed saddle and the Goldix 3D printed saddle that's available from like $17-25 USD during sales. The Goldix saddle seems to be well built, with a stiff carbon shell and thick rails. The 3D mesh also has a bit more cushion, while the bottom edges of the carbon seem to be more rounded. There's also a 1cm lip that protrudes from the back end of the saddle to give a bit more length.

The two saddles seems similar. I'll report back on the actual ride quality once I put a few km/mi on it.

UPDATE: I just took this saddle for a ride and it felt great! No discomfort, plenty of cushion, stayed cool in the California sunshine and minimal friction when adjusting position. Unfortunately it seems the price has jumped up from it's earlier low price!

I have somewhere around 5k miles on the old RYET Carbon saddle here: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806444717188.html, it looks like they quit selling it on the LEXON store. I bought it because it had very similar measurements as my ERGON SMC4-M saddle that I've loved on my gravel bike. The only noticeable measurement difference is a shorter nose.
I actually like the RYET saddle. My only complaint is that the side front flare corners, indicated by my pointer finger, have almost zero padding and they can feel quite hard on longer rides or when putting down more power.

I am waiting for the one on the bottom of your photo to be delivered now to see if it's any good. It's got quite a different profile than the ones I've been using and I'm curious how well it works out.

[perneto]

Yes, that's what I meant 

I've been looking online for thin-enough socket keys, but I can't find anything. There's really very little space around the nut - less than 1mm I would say. I think it's either 7mm or 8mm, but I can't make sure as there's no space for my calipers. Any pointers?

[Tijoe]

I've been looking online for thin-enough socket keys, but I can't find anything. There's really very little space around the nut - less than 1mm I would say. I think it's either 7mm or 8mm, but I can't make sure as there's no space for my calipers. Any pointers?

Look for a "Socket nut Driver"  similar to the attached image.  I have purchased a few of these that I have ground down the OD in order to get them to slide into very small spaces.  I have one I ground down for a very similar pedal nut.    Since the nut is what is called a "Nylock" it is fairly easy to loosen/tighten.

[jonathanf2]

I have somewhere around 5k miles on the old RYET Carbon saddle here: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806444717188.html, it looks like they quit selling it on the LEXON store. I bought it because it had very similar measurements as my ERGON SMC4-M saddle that I've loved on my gravel bike. The only noticeable measurement difference is a shorter nose.
I actually like the RYET saddle. My only complaint is that the side front flare corners, indicated by my pointer finger, have almost zero padding and they can feel quite hard on longer rides or when putting down more power.

I am waiting for the one on the bottom of your photo to be delivered now to see if it's any good. It's got quite a different profile than the ones I've been using and I'm curious how well it works out.

I also have that RYET saddle you posted and use it on my gravel bike. Between my 2 Ryet saddles and 1 Goldix saddle, I think I'm leaning towards the Goldix design. The 3D mesh has improved cushion with minimal weight. Also when running my fingers on the edges of each saddle, the Goldix saddle has much more rounded edges.

I haven't tried the newer Ryet designs, so they might be improved. Though the Goldix saddle at the time was by far the lowest priced carbon 3D mesh saddle on AliEx.

[vermit25]

Quick visual comparison between the Ryet Aircode 3D printed saddle and the Goldix 3D printed saddle that's available from like $17-25 USD during sales. The Goldix saddle seems to be well built, with a stiff carbon shell and thick rails. The 3D mesh also has a bit more cushion, while the bottom edges of the carbon seem to be more rounded. There's also a 1cm lip that protrudes from the back end of the saddle to give a bit more length.

The two saddles seems similar. I'll report back on the actual ride quality once I put a few km/mi on it.

UPDATE: I just took this saddle for a ride and it felt great! No discomfort, plenty of cushion, stayed cool in the California sunshine and minimal friction when adjusting position. Unfortunately it seems the price has jumped up from it's earlier low price!

Is this the store you bought the saddle from?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006882249016.html?src=google