Here's some new reviews of stuff I've bought over the past few months:
VXM 130 BCD 10/11 SPD 1X ChainringURL: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809642663122.htmlReview: 6 out of 10. Super budget 1X ring. It does not have counter-sunk bolt holes for the chainring bolts, which was disappointing. Mounted it to an AceofFix 130 BCD crankset and seems to be OK. Good value for the price (currently less than $10) but don't expect a high-quality item.
SP Cycle Carbon Gravel Fork Max Tire 700x55C or 29x2.1''URL: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806997279423.htmlReview: 7 out of 10. Excellent value for the price ($100 + $80 to ship to USA) and very similar to the State Bicycles "Monster" fork. It comes with a "flip chip" that allows you to change the rake 49mm or 55.5mm. I'm running it on a State Bicycles Titanium All-Road, and I initially set it up with the 55.5mm rake. I didn't like how it handled with that rake (not nimble enough) so I flipped the chip. That also requires adjusting the disc brake caliper, since the wheel & rotor are moving up and backwards a bit. That was easily accomplished by flipping the flat-mount adapter upside down. My only criticism of this fork so far is that a bike shop told me they thought the brake mount wasn't properly chased flat. However, I haven't had any issues with the caliper rubbing the rotor, so it hasn't been a problem.
TOSEEK RS-wrc Carbon Gravel HandlebarURL: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805395551242.htmlReview: 2 out of 10. Handlebars were weirdly out of plane. The right side of the bar was higher than the left. Must have been a manufacturing defect. Toseek refunded my money but I had to ship it back to them, and mailing handlebars is a PITA.
Double Ball Bicycle Pedals Ultra-Light Anti Skid Mountain Bike PedalsURL: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809667322713.htmlReview: 7 out of 10. Decent-looking set of pedals at a sub-$10 price. I think they are made of cast aluminum. Cheapo steel axles, but what do you expect at this price point? Does what they're supposed to do.
Aceoffix 130BCD Retro CranksetURL: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804886503003.htmlReview: 9 out of 10. Handsome and inexpensive copy of the classic Topline crankset. I was impressed with the quality of this crankset. Good quality machining throughout, easy to install. My only criticism is that it uses a proprietary direct-mount system and I could not find any spiders or chainrings with this system. I thought it used the SRAM 3-bolt system but nope; it's a smaller diameter. So, you're stuck with the 130 BCD adapter that comes with it. If that's not a problem then this is a great choice for a vintage or vintage-inspired built.
Knockoff Paul Canti LeversURL: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806401554123.htmlReview: 8 out of 10. I can't remember if I've already reviewed these in the past, but I've been running a set on my daily commuter for the past two years. They are a good buy for the money. I'm sure the actual Paul canti levers have a much higher build quality, but these have never let me down. They do what they are supposed to do, with no issues or incidents in two years. I just bought another set for my wife's commuter bike. Whatever your thoughts are about using knockoff parts, on a purely functional basis, these are a good buy.
【Simmir】Cowhide Suede Genuine Leather Grips 130mmURL: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808417869597.htmlReview: 8 out of 10. These are a copy of the Brooks stacked leather handlebar grips. I haven't installed them yet but opened up the box and visually inspected them. They're not inexpensive (around $40) but are a good copy of this grip style and come in many different colors.
