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

[jonathanf2]

I even doubt the mount is carbon. I have the same one and it is only carbon-look I think. It is fairly heavy to be real carbon.

I have no problems with it though...

I don't like any of those "carbon" computer mounts. On one of my integrated bars, I just swapped it out for an alloy mount since it was more secure.

[ZacItaly15]

got the 4 piston "hope replica" brake caliper. They use shimano N03A brake pads.

I 'm going to install soon

[jonathanf2]

If anyone is using 3 bolt cranksets and have clearance issues with 2x chainrings and front derailleurs, I'm using this offset Pass Quest spacer. I prefer it over using BB spacers. It doesn't alter my chainring alignment, it only offsets the drive side crank arm to be slightly outboard. It also allows the use of more common torx T25 screws for 6 bolt disc rotors. 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805739050143.html

[Coolh2o2]

Does anyone know if there's a china version of fidlock already? a link would be highly appreciated.

[jonathanf2]

Does anyone know if there's a china version of fidlock already? a link would be highly appreciated.

I use these magnetic water bottles on my gravel bike. Trail grit in my area severely scratches up regular water bottle with standard cages. These magnetic bottles seem to work alright. I only had one instance where the bottle jumped off the frame riding down a staircase. Though I haven't had any issues yet on trail conditions. Fidlocks are probably better, but they should be for the higher cost. Also I'm not sure if the plastic if these bottles are BPA free! 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807191065677.html

[jonathanf2]

Balugoe just released slightly narrower flared gravel bars that go down to 34cm at the hoods and 400mm at the drops. They also have regular 36cm and up sizes as well.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808471762026.html


There are also these Zniino gravel bars with 34cm hoods and 460mm drops. These are the ones I'm currently using. Though the drops are much more shallow.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806404062021.html

[acedeuce802]

Dang, wish Balugoe had those a few months ago!  I got the ones with less flare, 34cm at the hoods and 37cm at the drops, and LOVE the hood position, but wish there was a bit more flare.

[impmonkey]

Anyone have recommendations for proper trail bike lights. Something that might compete with outbound and some of the other really nice lights?

[SillyMochi]

If anyone is using 3 bolt cranksets and have clearance issues with 2x chainrings and front derailleurs, I'm using this offset Pass Quest spacer. I prefer it over using BB spacers. It doesn't alter my chainring alignment, it only offsets the drive side crank arm to be slightly outboard. It also allows the use of more common torx T25 screws for 6 bolt disc rotors. 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805739050143.html

Thanks for the link. Gonna safe that if needed eventually. Ofc they are not shipping to Germany ... Found this offer though that apparently does if anyone else is interested: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005008209604023.html
Did you consider adjusting your drive side cleat to offset the offset?

Regarding handlebars: has anyone seen a similar (gravel) geometry but as a fully integrated one? Narrowest I found were the Lexon at 380mm on the hoods but at a much higher price of ~160€: https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005002658256326.html

[Crash217]

Anyone have recommendations for proper trail bike lights. Something that might compete with outbound and some of the other really nice lights?

I have 3 versions of this light and have been extremely happy with them all over the past 2 years.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804558555808.html

I use the 3 bulb 1800 lumen version on my road/gravel bikes or let my daughter use it around the neighborhood and bike paths.

I have the 5200 and 6000 lumen versions for when I go MTB riding (always nice to have a backup or a buddy light.  I find the 5200 lumen light to be the stronger of the two big lights, its light is more intensely focused.   I highly doubt the lumen claims on any of them; To compare, I have a $500 12" LED light bar for night time dirtbike desert racing that rates at 6200 lumens pulling 54watts and its insane, you can go 70 mph in open terrain before you start to feel like you're outrunning your vision. These are nowhere near that bright, BUT I only feel like I'm close to outrunning my line of sight on really fast downhills.  They are probably in the 2-3000lumen range realistically.   I showed up to Florida MTB night ride about 18 months ago and a couple other people had the same 5200 lumen light as me.  the three of us had a good laugh at our available light compared to the multiple hundred dollar Outbound lights we were casting shadows at and figured the weight penalty was worth it considering the low cost and available light.  I've run mine a couple hours on high before they go dead, which is fine for my use.  If I was doing say an all night event, i'd stage a couple spares on chargers at the pits to swap through.

I have a Trustfire D2R light that bounces back and forth from road/gravel bikes to an MTB helmet.  It is really good too, very light and bright. I haven't run it dead, but its claimed at 6.5 hours and i've run it for 4-5 hours on low before.  I'd venture the 450lumen claim on high is pretty accurate. Road riding is light up plenty. On my MTB as a helmet light it kind of disappears in my big lights pattern but makes things very plain to see around tight turns when my head is pointed somewhere other than where my bars are.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806529223121.html

[jonathanf2]

Thanks for the link. Gonna safe that if needed eventually. Ofc they are not shipping to Germany ... Found this offer though that apparently does if anyone else is interested: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005008209604023.html
Did you consider adjusting your drive side cleat to offset the offset?

Regarding handlebars: has anyone seen a similar (gravel) geometry but as a fully integrated one? Narrowest I found were the Lexon at 380mm on the hoods but at a much higher price of ~160€: https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005002658256326.html

It's only a few mm difference with the offset spacer, it's not much of an issue for my cleat placement. 

SPCycle does an integrated flared gravel bar as well, that's a bit cheaper:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807461482356.html

[Tijoe]

I have 3 versions of this light and have been extremely happy with them all over the past 2 years.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804558555808.html

I purchased one of these a couple of years ago. Mine flickered too much and I didn't like how it mounts too close to the handlebars.  I need and use this area of the handlebars for other cockpit items.

After purchasing most of the lights sold on Aliexpress, I ended up being the happiest with several of the X-Tiger lights.  My QD-1301 doubles as a battery bank. To date, I have purchased these QD-1301, QD-1101, and QD-1401(Least favorite of these 3.) 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255801127497663.html

I have purchased many different light mounts such that I have various ways to mount a light/s away from my handlebars, so this area if free for other usages.

[aeroskiii]

Genuine SRAM chain is cheaper. Amazon.ca has rival at $45 and Force $70 CDN dollars. You are right though as a different option is always nice to see. They will probably get cheaper over time.

the YBN is a lot faster tho

[toxin]

Yeah, but I've never heard of any other chains snapping as much as YBN

[Daviddavieboy]

the YBN is a lot faster tho

 Faster wearing out, couldn't agree more.