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

[Dan S.]

Have them as well, and I gotta say I don't really like the look – they kinda look (and feel) flimsy, and they barely hold my Elite FlyTex bottles. They're fine on road, but if it get's even a little rough, I wouldn't trust them.

Interesting, I also use the Elite Fly Tex bottles, and they are rock solid.

[jonathanf2]

After having tried several aftermarket chainrings, I think I've settled back on Shimano chainrings. They just shift easily without having to use 2-piece chainring bolts.

Shimano 105 12 speed chainrings are well priced:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809784088240.html

[Merry]

After having tried several aftermarket chainrings, I think I've settled back on Shimano chainrings. They just shift easily without having to use 2-piece chainring bolts.

Shimano 105 12 speed chainrings are well priced:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809784088240.html

Yeah 105 stuff is killer value. I don't know about the economics of it but I've got no clue as to why Ultegra chainrings are substantially more expensive for what they are.

[jonathanf2]

I think Shimano just builds way more 105 equipment compared to Ultegra and Dura Ace. The 105 big chainring is only a few grams heavier than Dura Ace. For the money, those extra grams can be cut elsewhere for much cheaper.

Also 105 Di2 groupsets are starting to appear on AliEx for really good prices. Ltwoo and Wheeltop aren't as compelling with higher pricing unless you really need 13 or 14 speed cassettes.

[debaser]

Shimano groupsets have been all over AliEx an Alibaba for a long time, but i don't really feel the price has differed that much, strictly speaking it has crept up slightly recently. 105 Di2 complete is around 7-800 USD and Ultegra around 2-300 more than that.

[Tijoe]

You guys do realize...

Shimano 105 components are manufactured in these countries:  Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and China.
Shimano Ultegra components are manufactured in these countries: Japan and Singapore, with some small component piece parts being manufactured in Malaysia or China
Scumano Dura Ace components are manufactured only in Japan.

This is likely why 105 is so readily available in China.  Ultegra and Dura Ace groups have to be imported, and this would add cost to their sale prices.