Best and worst overall quality/value components/tools/gear from AliExpress?

[Ludo]

Goldix chainring are a pass for me moving forward

Tried a 0 offset one on my mtb, chain kept on dropping, didn’t even ride it, upgraded to passquest, 0 drops, everything the same.

Si I guess passquest is a recommendation for me and Goldix is a pass.

[jonathanf2]

Goldix chainring are a pass for me moving forward

Tried a 0 offset one on my mtb, chain kept on dropping, didn’t even ride it, upgraded to passquest, 0 drops, everything the same.

Si I guess passquest is a recommendation for me and Goldix is a pass.

Which Goldix chainrings are you using? I'm using 3mm offset Goldix chainrings on my gravel bike with a GRX 812 RD. No drop chain issues whatsoever. Though on my GRX 812 RD I leave the clutch ON and tuned at a low tension setting so shifting remains smooth. I have Pass Quest chainrings as well, but the Goldix chainrings are cheap. I figure I'll run those until they wear out.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807002559111.html

[Ludo]

It’s a cheapo 0 offset to run on 55m chainline. I was having systematic drops when I was on the lowest gear (biggest cog)

[mirphak]

Passquest and stone are solid. You can see in how the teeth are machined, very close to those of SRAM.

[Merry]

How are the Easedon climbing wheelset? Looking at this brand too because I'm building up a lightweight Aethos.

[jonathanf2]

How are the Easedon climbing wheelset? Looking at this brand too because I'm building up a lightweight Aethos.

No complaints. My climbing wheelset was a little over 1100g and that's with 12k glossy. They might come in at less weight if you go with matte. Paired mine with some lightweight Panaracer Agilist 25c tires and a Goldix lightweight cassette. I haven't touched my granny gear since getting them. I'm impressed with out of saddle feedback from the wheels, especially at 30mm. They feel stiff and hold power very well for such a shallow depth.

Easedon also has store coupons you can stack with AliEx sale coupons. The seller responds quickly and it took less than a month for delivery. I took a chance ordering from they because of their pricing, prompt messaging and positive customer feedback.

[coffeebreak]

I also bought Easedon 50mm deep (rim brake) wheelset. Ordered 12th September and received on 10th October. I don't have many miles (90 miles) as it's raining here but can describe my purchase experience etc. I bought them after Jonathan posted about it few days ago.

The price was right, which was my main draw. The communication was okay as it typically goes with Chinese customer service with some funny phrases but can't complain there.

As usual they over promised and told me the wheels will be ready in 10 to 12 business days and you should definitely upgrade to FedEx shipping for $10 which I did. That upgrade is well worth it.

The wheels took almost 3 weeks before they were finally shipped. But once shipped it only took 4 days to reach my doorstep in Seattle. Packaged well. Wheels didn't have any scratches, loose fibers or any such flaws.

 I opted for glossy finish and weight was 1340 grams (they advertised 1330 +/- 30 grams). The glossy finish is excellent and wheels look terrific in the sun. The hubs are Goldiex 180SL and super loud rear freehub (ratchet style).

Out of the box, they are true and straight. No branding on them. On the road they feel fast, and stiff. A definite improvement over Rolf Prima Elans I had earlier. Braking performance is okay, may be I need to change the pads but that may not apply to you.

Overall it was a good experience really. I might order another set from them 11.11.

[00Garza]

Saw this failed Toseek fork on angrybikemechanic on insta. No context given unfortunately.

[Tijoe]

Saw this failed Toseek fork on angrybikemechanic on insta. No context given unfortunately.

Ouch.  If you zoom up onto the failure area, you can see that the failure was not due to crack propagation over time, rather a fast failure that pulled the fibers quickly apart.   Perhaps a large sudden impact.    The fork tube interface to the crown is also the longest moment arm, and the manufacturer should know this and make this interface area more robust.

[00Garza]

Poster messaged me back and confirmed it was impact related.

[jonathanf2]

Look how many stack of spacers this person had on this bike on top of the tall ass head tube. This person must be the size of an NBA basketball forward. I'm guessing this person is on an XL sized bike, but still needed additional spacer height. Either way, it looked like a disaster waiting to happen and probably exceeded what was tolerable for that fork.

[wintermute]

Good to know. I usually stay away from anything scary light on Aliexpress. Those Odin Zeus stems are other item that I am curious but gonna give a pass.

I also bought a pair of these and they were shockingly flexy. So I flexed them in my hands and they shattered.

I have a policy with aliexpress handlebars that I will do this and if they snap out right they go back - I don't care about the morality, they sold a dangerous item.

[St0mpB0x]

When you say you flexed them in your hands and they shattered, what exactly did you do?

[wintermute]

When you say you flexed them in your hands and they shattered, what exactly did you do?

I placed my hands in the position I would be on the drops and pushed my hands together. The bars flexed, then started to make that carbon creak/crack sound, then fractured along the tops pretty rapidly.

I'm not particularly strong - I didn't put them onto something / flex them over a point and put my weight through them (as you might if you were to attach them to your stem and then hit a pothole whilst riding).

[blob]

Best value ever for lights
+ dual color (red/white) lights, incredibly cheap, versatile, tough, easily replaceable when "long-term borrowed"
- micro usb, the bracket favors broader seatposts
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005983330158.html

Favorite front light (Towild BR800)
+ replaceable battery (18650), acts as a charger too, usb-c, garmin mount(s), endurance, much cheaper then big brand names (with coupons and on sale even better)
- does not have the remote control gimmick as the newer model(s) & I paid full price
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002749393930.html

Ok-ish light
+ dual color, light, usb-c, reasonably priced
- plastic feels cheap, bracket is flimsy at best (due to that I lost them on a pretty flat course with few potholes)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006869585772.html

Good light
+ endurance, coverage, great for early winter commuting, now serves as a MTB light
- a bit unwieldy battery, own charger brick
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33006251616.html

All the lights I bough were levels above the performance and endurance of branded ones (Lezyne, which I now consider expensive trash), not to mention that the price and consistency in quality.


Great food pouch
+ cheap, not frivolous, no logo or branding
- nitpicking: does not have a clever system of two cords (one to open and one to close the lid)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006184350073.html

Good bibs
+ good price, cargo pockets, good cushion
- not yet long term experience
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006594256524.html

Ok-ish socks
+ ok price, slick color
- nothing special(dhbs are more comfortable), bit small in the largest version
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006732135832.html

Helpful bottle cage adapter
+ just works
- bit heavy
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005639423614.html

Useful bell
+ small but noisy, can be placed on/in the hoods
- has to be torqued from time to time
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002233002450.html

Ridenow TPU tubes
+ packaged size, weight
- color
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004973646613.html

Decent handlebar bag
+ sturdy, survived 1200+km tour holding wet tent and sometimes saving the content from the rain, reasonable price
- bit flimsy to set up (has a tendency to lean on the side with more weight on)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006588644382.html

Bike carry case
+ reasonable price, fits larger frames without the need to remove the rear wheel
- does not cover the bottom, therefore the shoulder strap has to be connected to the top tube making the whole setup unwieldy
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005037865454.html

Decent Garmin/GoPro mount
+ cheap, aluminum
- strange L form instead of a streamlined direct I form (there are those variants for 3-4x, had noticed them too late), bolts provided are not stainless
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006501431003.html