Gravel build - which parts you usually DON'T get from China for good reason?

[Changebiker]

Kind of the antidote to my other question, asking for your favourite go-to value-for-money parts from China when building a gravel bike:
https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,5896

Which parts don't you get from China for good reason?
- What's not worth it, What's where you don't find the quality you're looking for, where do you prefer to rely on a trusted brand?

No bashing, really just trying to hear personal opinions. E.g
 On my folding bike, I ride a lot of china parts, though the carbon handlebar is from a trusted brand as I felt safer with it and a failure could easily end up fatal.

Looking forward to hear your decisions and choices!

[c.etzo]

in my gravel build the only parts not from china are Rotors (shimano) and tyres.

[SillyMochi]

Tires. They aren't actually much cheaper (probably due to higher shipping costs for larger/heavier items) and quality is questionable. For an item that heavily impacts your ride I'm not willing to sacrifice quality for a 20€ saving.

[maza]

Chain. Why ride fakes or dubious quality for such an integral part? Genuine chains are not too expensive.

[Serge_K]

+1 on tyres, but also because bicycle rolling resistance hasnt started testing chinese ones. Someone here said good things about the conti GP5000 chinese equivalent, i forgot the name. If it were cheaper, and tested just as well, i'd give it a go.

YBN makes very good chains, but it's the only brand i'd get from Asia (tracevelo has tested a few horrid chinese chains).

I use chinese rotors.

The only thing not chinese on my bikes is the tyres. And we use branded bike computers, mostly garmin, some wahoo. I got a basic bike computer from china for a friend last year, he barely rode, but he isn't too happy with it.

On handlebars, i've used and bought so many for so long, i dont really think about it anymore. If you dont look for the lightest part, or the most improbable / niche design, and if you buy from someone reputable, i dont think you risk too much.

[jonathanf2]

I've tried a few Chinese chains, and they've been so-so in performance. Now I only use KMC and SRAM chains right now.  They handle third party cassettes better and can safely handle the degrease and immersive wax process. I don't like Shimano chains for immersive wax and they seem more prone to rust once degreased. I buy my tires locally because it's cheaper. Other than that most Chineseparts can be used reliably and in some cases are even superior in performance.

[makl]

- I ususally find a better deal on cranks in the german "buy&sell" than on aliexpress.
A pair of Easton EC90 SL can regularly be found for 120 € (slightly used or as new), they weigh 360 g. Chinese cranks (leese, etc.) are a bit heavier and pricier, or a bit lighter but much more expensive (Exception: Short cranks, 165 mm and shorter. They're basically not available in the used market).

- I couldn't find any good pedals on Aliexpress yet.

- Chains

- Computers

That's it

[RDY]

There aren't any good Chinese chain, rotor, brake pad or tire brands AFAIK - echoing others.

KMC and YBN are good obviously, but they're Taiwanese.

[bichler.bua]

Tires, bottle cages and pedals (for the later two, Chiner products are okay but not perfectly smooth)

[Ultramic]

Chinese branded tyres - no way.

Branded OEM tyres - absolutely (eg continental terra trails, continental grand sport). Been using them on both my road and gravel bike and they have been flawless.

[jfcb]

what I don't get from china:

• Tires-> cheaper and more high performance in Europe
• Groupset: shifters, derailleur, crank-> if you want to go one level above 105 or rival you're better of with SRAM/Shimano. Also I'm a big fan of the sram red cranksets (with chinese powermeter of course )
• Chains: YBN might be the best option in china, but with respect to durability it's not even close to Shimano Ultegra or SRAM Force chains
• Pedals: Shimano is still install and forget while the aliexpress variants lack durability.

[Changebiker]

- I ususally find a better deal on cranks in the german "buy&sell" than on aliexpress.
A pair of Easton EC90 SL can regularly be found for 120 € (slightly used or as new), they weigh 360 g. Chinese cranks (leese, etc.) are a bit heavier and pricier, or a bit lighter but much more expensive (Exception: Short cranks, 165 mm and shorter. They're basically not available in the used market).

Someone in the liked thread about vfm go-to recommendations mentioned those, very similar in price and weight
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EHGAnPC