Hi, longtime listener, first time caller here. I have read this entire thread through at least a couple times now and it's been very helpful.
Just to add some more data points here – I ordered my own frame about a week and a half ago and it shipped today. Spcycle was responsive and helpful over Aliexpress messaging. I picked chameleon blue (glossy, size 54cm). First three photos attached here are what they sent me before they shipped (I asked them to share pics before it got packed). The last photo is admittedly not my photo (sorry if not allowed!), but a pic someone else posted of their Spcycle gravel frame in chameleon blue. I was undecided on color until I saw this – damn. All my other bikes are pretty plain and I thought this color looked sexy AF. Admittedly now, in regular light, like in the photos they sent me, I do not like this paint color as much (it leans very purple for me), but oh well. Really, will I ever be 100% satisfied with all my bikes? Lol...not sure. about that.
Anyway, can't wait to receive it. It's my first carbon bike although I have many (too many) others. I plan on building it up with Dura-Ace r9170 and some Tagoola wheels that should also be arriving next week.
One thing I will note – I use Rakuten frequently as an online shopping portal (free to use) and have it linked to my Amex. They happened to be running a 25x points back promo the day I ordered (they do this every now and then and I was waiting for this). I ended up getting enough Amex points from this one purchase to get a domestic air ticket (or whatever). Nice bonus! If you don't use Amex you can also have it convert to cash back.
Will post more pics once I have the frame in hand.