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

[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

[Tijoe]

(LOL) In the past, I have purchased all of the items you listed, except these 4:  Bike carrying bag, water bottle cage adapter, socks, and and that version of handlebar bag

[Fat Larry]

Any suggestions for rim brake pads?

[Fat Larry]

Noticed there was some new style lights on peoples bikes around town and went looking on ali to find one as they're super bright and attention drawing, more so than typical bright but small led style lights.


*edit, cob lights..

Anyway yep, they're great but the one i got was DOA and won't stay on.

https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005006882660737.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.134.284c1802W4Y7Cj&gatewayAdapt=glo2vnm

Keen to find a better version.

[Fat Larry]

This Lightpro chain ring has been on my commuter for about three years now. It's seen two replacement chains and shows no sign of wear so far. Solid.

https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005004716519553.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2vnm

[douglasseattle]

I buy constantly from Aliexpress.  I have actually have had good look with direct mount cranksets.  I have not purchased those that are extremely light that have broken (Shimano has had theirs break too).  What I like is being able to get shorter cranks without spending an arm and a leg.  My latest is a 160mm for my sister's bike from Cruz bike.  I am not sure how that will be but it seems quite ordinary.  I recommend them often for those who wish to try shorter cranks to see if they work out for them instead of laying out bigger dollars for Shimano.   

I love their bike computers.  I pay what I need to and previously had been using Garmins but I have had great luck with Igsports computers.  They work the same as Garmin from what I can see.

The TPU tubes are my favorite buys.  I buy extras for friends as they are a very cheap performance item and they pack so small.

The Continental Gransports are my go to tires now.  They ride like Grand Prixs but are much cheaper.  I am not racing now, so the tiny perfromance beneift is not worth it to me. 

I use the better lines of their handlebar tape.  It has been excellent.   I even bought Fizik from them (I know it is genuine)

Pick up some of the mini hex key wrenches.  They are as good as the Specialized but for a fraction of the cost

The bike clothing is OK as long as you buy the somewhat more expensive items.  I have lots of Castelli and Pearlizumi which I like better, but for winter when I do not ride more than once a week,  I love the tights as they are warm.   The fit is OK,  They work

I have purchased the aluminum and steel cassettes which I like when I am not doing a lot of climbing.  If used for mostly flat rides they are a great deal. 

I am a lap swimmer too, so I find swimming briefs and boxers have been nearly as good as Speedo or TYR. 


I love reading posts on here.    I hope my post is useful for others

[BeeMC]

Any suggestions for rim brake pads?

I like these, lots of grips, and good looking:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrEubWj