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

[mrpercussive]

This kit to convert mechanical/rim brake shifters to hydraulic disc brake system seems interesting at $55 give or take.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_msAUu7Z

Reminds me of something Giant used to do

[coffeebreak]

You are right. Giant with their Connect stem that housed the hydraulics.

[Tijoe]

This kit to convert mechanical/rim brake shifters to hydraulic disc brake system seems interesting at $55 give or take.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_msAUu7Z

I saw these a while back and didn't think they were worth considering.  Here is why.   If you purchase a modern road/gravel/cross frame that has provisions for mounting disc brakes, this says to me you will be building a new generation bike.  Why the heck would you put on older generation STI/integrated cable shift/brake levers instead of purchasing modern integrated hydraulic shift/brake levers, or go with electronic shifting and hydraulic brake levers?

Overall this is a false economy. 

(Yes I understand that there are a lot of older generation bikes out there that have cable driven disc brake calipers that these would work with.  I just wouldn't want the hydraulic reservoir to cable module mounted on my handle bars.)

[jonathanf2]

I have a friend who's a real penny pincher when it comes to bikes. He'd probably get something like this so he wouldn't need to buy new hydraulic shift levers! lol

[00Garza]

Those people that buy entry level gravel bikes like State, Poseidon, or Ozark trail can use this relatively cheap option to see what better braking is like before committing to full hydraulic.   

[Ludo]

I doubt they are the ones looking for stuff here or aliexpress, or they would just build better from scratch, no?

[amacal1]

I doubt they are the ones looking for stuff here or aliexpress, or they would just build better from scratch, no?

Yes. If they're Alexpress shoppers, they should get an eGR for $300 or less. That $300 includes the calipers, hoses, barbs/fittings, and levers. Oh, yeah, and an electronic derailleur. I literally put that on my Poseidon. Foolish not to, if you want to spend money upgrading a bike like that, do it properly.

[abedfo]

Got one of the new "popcorn saddles" from West Biking. It came in a nice box (though i think it had a knife fight with customs somewhere along the line) and seems high quality. Let's see how the white goes with cx mud lol.

[jonathanf2]

Not AliExpress, but for those in the US affected by tariffs, this might be the next best thing for groupset upgrades on the cheap. Shimano announced their drop bar shifters for Cues:

https://bikepacking.com/news/shimano-drop-bar-cues/

[coffeebreak]

Don't forget Essa which also has drop bar shifters now.
The CUES 11s shifters look rebrands of 105 R7000 which is not a bad thing.

[00Garza]

Not AliExpress, but for those in the US affected by tariffs, this might be the next best thing for groupset upgrades on the cheap. Shimano announced their drop bar shifters for Cues:

https://bikepacking.com/news/shimano-drop-bar-cues/

$900 doesn’t really come across as a budget group set.

[TidyDinosaur]

$900 doesn’t really come across as a budget group set.

Why would you pay 900 if you can get 2x11 Ulterga and 105 for a lot cheaper? Or even 2x12 105?

[00Garza]

Why would you pay 900 if you can get 2x11 Ulterga and 105 for a lot cheaper? Or even 2x12 105?

Merlincycles has GRX 1x12 for less than $600.
Not sure what Shimano is trying to do with Cues priced that high.

[amacal1]

Merlincycles has GRX 1x12 for less than $600.
Not sure what Shimano is trying to do with Cues priced that high.

... raise the price of GRX, 105, Ultegr, and maybe Tiagra while they're at it. When this is the 'budget' group, I'm guessing their refreshed versions will be MUCH higher.

[coffeebreak]

Prices mentioned in the article as published by Shimano are never translated 1:1 in real life. That CUES groupset will be available for $400 or less just like the 105 R7000 in no time. In fact, R7100 is also down to $450 ish on so no reason for CUES to be $900 despite what Shimano prices it at.