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

[JohnnyRabbit]

If anyone is looking for an affordable bike light that doesn't blind people coming the other way, this Lumintop B01 is very good:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33046014882.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.55.56af1802xKVibg

It runs on 21700 batteries and you can change the battery.

I live in Canada and German STVZO approved lights are not for sale here and ordering them online gets expensive. 

[coffeebreak]

I like the idea of a bike light where you can switch the batteries. There are operational benefits to it as well as you can just reuse existing batteries that many people have at home from regular EDC flashlights. I had a bunch of 18650 batteries that I collected over time and so started looking up a bike light that used those as well as had Go-Pro mount so it didn't take any real estate on the handlebar.

I found one like that made by Towild and got it delivered a few weeks ago. The experience has been pretty good so far. I was worried about the O-ring not able to hold against rain but it does. I have ridden in the rain and no water entered through the seam where the body splits in two. I don't like the confusing UI (as compared to much simpler XOSS light) but that is just nitpicking. I haven't been able to run the battery dry mid ride so I guess the battery life is good on the default battery they supply.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802488550065.html

Speaking of lights, the XOSS has been the best one yet as far looks and build quality goes. It is hands down the sleekest looking light I have that goes well with full ICR look of my bike. The finishing is excellent too. Only negative? The battery life isn't impressive like the Towild one above but I am okay with the sacrifice for its looks and convenient mount system.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804318675408.html

[bremerradkurier]

Just ordered this brake line tool.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804886945828.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.2b131802T9k5HQ&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US

[Tijoe]

Just ordered this brake line tool.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804886945828.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.2b131802T9k5HQ&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US

Been there, ordered one back in Nov. 2022.   It works well.

[michaeldepeza]

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804776688595.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.912238da1xy98u&mp=1&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US

anyone checked out these forks as yet?...I've been using the previous version Himalo for over 6mths now...just serviced

[jonathanf2]

I found one like that made by Towild and got it delivered a few weeks ago. The experience has been pretty good so far. I was worried about the O-ring not able to hold against rain but it does. I have ridden in the rain and no water entered through the seam where the body splits in two. I don't like the confusing UI (as compared to much simpler XOSS light) but that is just nitpicking. I haven't been able to run the battery dry mid ride so I guess the battery life is good on the default battery they supply.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802488550065.html

I found that same Towild light on Amazon for under $20 with next day shipping, so I ordered there instead. Sometimes I'm just impatient! It weighs about 55g less than my heavier Lumina light at about 95g (vs 150g). The Lumina is better built, but I really don't like mounting it unless I know I'm riding at night due to it's weight. I feel I can leave the Towild light mounted since the weight penalty isn't as bad and it does clean up the cockpit. I still run my lights during the day, because there were 26 bike fatalities in my city alone last year. You don't want to become a white ghost bike memorial!

[coffeebreak]

I run lights all the time too, doesn't matter if its bright sunny 100 degree day or a typical cloudy Seattle freezing day. I actually have lights on the bike and a 2 in 1 light on helmet. Always be safe and do everything to be seen on the road.

As for those Zniino gravel handlebars, they have won me over. The clever design is really...clever. I mounted brake levers on those extensions and shifter is on the drops. Every control just fell right into place and felt natural. Did about 100 miles altogether and I am liking them a lot. I like the fact that in future I can swap my Deore groupset with a GRX without changing the bars.

[Tijoe]

As for those Zniino gravel handlebars, they have won me over. The clever design is really...clever. I mounted brake levers on those extensions and shifter is on the drops. Every control just fell right into place and felt natural. Did about 100 miles altogether and I am liking them a lot. I like the fact that in future I can swap my Deore groupset with a GRX without changing the bars.

I believe that the question several of us have been asking is what brake levers do we need to use that give one the equivalent reach and grip versus road brakes. Mtn bike hydraulic levers are often intended for single finger pull and therefore shorter than road levers.

[s3si1u]

New version of the Elita One carbon seatpost available: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832782375801.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.22.21ef1802I9GlYy&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US

I ordered received one but have yet to install it. I currently use the old version on my 177 and I dig it. Getting carbon saddle rails in there can be kind of finicky, though. This new version seems to have fixed that.
Weather has been pretty crap and won't be better any time soon, probably won't be testing it for about another week but I'm sure it'll feel more or less the same. Highly recommend the Elita One if you're looking for a very lightweight, zero seatback 27.2 seatpost.

[coffeebreak]

I believe that the question several of us have been asking is what brake levers do we need to use that give one the equivalent reach and grip versus road brakes. Mtn bike hydraulic levers are often intended for single finger pull and therefore shorter than road levers.

I'm aware mtb levers are much shorter than road brifters and I am unaware who makes longer levers. The Tektro ones that I have are pretty short but still nice to find the right position when in drops. I have been looking at Shimano M6100 series brakes which from the pictures look like they have longer levers. If I do find a great deal and pull trigger on them, I'll keep you posted. Till then most mtb levers should not be a problem IMHO.

[jonathanf2]

New version of the Elita One carbon seatpost available: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832782375801.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.22.21ef1802I9GlYy&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US

I ordered received one but have yet to install it. I currently use the old version on my 177 and I dig it. Getting carbon saddle rails in there can be kind of finicky, though. This new version seems to have fixed that.
Weather has been pretty crap and won't be better any time soon, probably won't be testing it for about another week but I'm sure it'll feel more or less the same. Highly recommend the Elita One if you're looking for a very lightweight, zero seatback 27.2 seatpost.

I've ordered a few parts from Elita in the past. Carbon quality seems to be good, but sizing seems off. I bought a stem that was slightly longer than advertised and I also bought a seat post that was incredibly tight to fit on my bike. I stopped using it because I was worried it might fuse with the seat tube after a prolonged period of time. Also I recently switched back to alloy mounting hardware on my current carbib seat post. I previously was using a carbon mount clamp, but the top clamp mount eventually cracked. It weighs a bit less, but I think prolonged clamping stress is too much for small carbon components.

[RDY]

Anyone got a good source on Ali for the rim saver strips that you stick to the rim and it stops the valve nut digging into the carbon on the outside?  I'm sure there are some decent ones, but I don't know what search terms to use, and Ali search is bad anyway.

[jonathanf2]

Anyone got a good source on Ali for the rim saver strips that you stick to the rim and it stops the valve nut digging into the carbon on the outside?  I'm sure there are some decent ones, but I don't know what search terms to use, and Ali search is bad anyway.

Some inner tubes come with a small rubber gaskets. I use that on my clincher wheel setups. You could possibly just cut a cross section in a square piece of electrical tape as well.

[carbonazza]

New version of the Elita One carbon seatpost available: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832782375801.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.22.21ef1802I9GlYy&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US...

Wow... Since August 
And by a picture there, apparently the old model is not for 7x9mm oval rails, while all my bikes have them.

[RDY]

Found a couple of interesting flex seatposts, which I don't recall being posted about before.

One appears to be an original design, and looks interesting and is very light.  It appears to be a distinct brand - VFV - Voice For Victory, which I can't find any info on.  Maybe the oracle (StiffWeenies) knows?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003779125812.html

The other is an Ergon/Canyon like construction.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005007764615.html