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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
If anyone is running 1x, I highly recommend looking into using a 105 R7000 crankset + Deckas chainring. It comes in cheaper than using some of the 1x cranksets on AliEx, but Shimano quality and a steel axle spindle. I was able to run my gravel bike up to 42t without using bottom bracket spacers, though it's much easier to do so with a threaded BSA if you need more clearance. Weight-wise, the crankset + chainring clocks in at 583g (500g 175mm crankset + 83g chainring). I prefer the 105 R7000 crank over Ultegra, because it's hollow forged as opposed to hollow bonded, which has a higher chance of de-bonding. Shimano actually increased weight on all their 12 speed Di2 cranksets, even 105 Di2. Another perk I found is that you can replace chainrings without removing the crankset, my direct mount cranksets don't have that option. I found the Deckas chainrings to be of decent quality, I don't see much difference between my other 1x chainrings from Racework and Shimano. Lastly, if you're not running wide gravel tires, the chain line is much more straight on the low gear big cog, the GRX chain line is more extreme with a 2.5mm offset meant to clear wide chainstays. This seller seems to be selling the combo already, though I put mine together with a take off R7000 crankset I had and the chainrings purchased from Amazon: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804151418847.html? January 26, 2023, 10:52:41 AM |
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Re: Best and worst overall quality/value components/tools/gear from AliExpress?
These are my two best: Kalloy Uno Ultralight 7050AL Stems: $17.50 https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255799842115476.html These are very light and generally a quality component. Barely heavier than the Darimo AL stems and less than 1/10th the price. Ridenow TPU Tubes: $6-$8 each for the 24g versions: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805247862356.html Light and good quality TPU tube. They make a lighter version, but I have yet to try them. Worst: Any pulley wheels or ospw stuff. Total junk bearings. Most use the 689 size. If you want to play with fancy bearings in your RD, look for people reselling Kogel ones that they picked up for free during their sales. October 13, 2023, 03:43:49 PM |
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Re: Best and worst overall quality/value components/tools/gear from AliExpress?
I want to throw out that TPU tubes have one major downside - they are NOT patchable long-term. Despite meticulous cleaning and application, every glueless TPU patch has failed on me after a few days or weeks at best. Ridenow and Cyclami TPU tubes are still good value, but if you puncture, treat patches a temporary fix to get home and be prepared to throw the tubes out eventually. I'm cheap and don't like being wasteful, so I switched back to butyl tubes for training rides which I can patch over and over again. I still use TPU tubes for racing and as a spare. Other Aliexpress items I can definitely recommend: - $18 2x Carbon bottle cages (Bontrager XXX knockoffs) - $24 Elita One carbon saddle (the Specialized Power knockoff one) - $425 Elitewheels carbon rim brake wheels with Powerway R13 hubs and Pillar Wing 20 spokes, 47mm deep and 27mm wide, 1500g. Used for ~3800 miles and no issues except having to retrue each wheel once. No issues braking even on 3000ft+ descents. - $20 Magene H303 heart rate monitor with chest strap - $8 2x CYCPLUS Cadence/Speed dual sensors. Yes I got two of them for $8. - $20-30 Spexcel Jerseys and Bibs Steer clear from these: - Kactus Titanium QR skewers. I don't know what Trace Velo was thinking, these are awful. Lots of friction, loose rattling fit on the threads for the nut, extremely sharp edges on the lever that make it impossible to close the lever with any force. Just completely unusable. - Cheap unbranded stems. The one I got had paint overspray in the clamping areas and screw holes which was a pain to get rid of. The screw holes faces on the faceplate weren't flat and could cause a stress raiser if I torqued the bolts up, so I had to use a faceplate from a different stem I had. Not worth cutting every dollar for an important part of your bike - stick to Kalloy/UNO alloy stems with lots of reviews or western brands. October 15, 2023, 03:42:08 PM |
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Re: Spcycle New Mold G068 Carbon Gravel Frame
With spcycles handlebar.
July 24, 2024, 02:32:25 AM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
Anyone tried one of these Lexon "vibration" seatposts? https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005006955238530.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.25.38235bdfhAdSzO&algo_pvid=7a229dd6-8fbe-4a52-98e9-33d4ef2af26b&algo_exp_id=7a229dd6-8fbe-4a52-98e9-33d4ef2af26b-12&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21GBP%2183.72%2141.09%21%21%21751.53%21368.89%21%40210388c917300515583185959ea012%2112000038861049758%21sea%21UK%21902618211%21X&curPageLogUid=JZwn5CA0Q6eK&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A October 27, 2024, 12:54:59 PM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
Anyone tried one of these Lexon "vibration" seatposts? I have one enroute today. Going to try it on an endurance build I have. Will update when I get a chance put a few miles on it. October 31, 2024, 07:13:12 AM |
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Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
Are there any super lightweight SPD pedals? Best I've found is a chonky 360g. Xpedo/Xpedo clones, but they tend to not have very good bearings. ETA-these claim 281g for the pair. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832704454946.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.73.4920PB9uPB9uYC&algo_pvid=3810e18c-c933-44dd-b38d-7c7b3d7fc249&algo_exp_id=3810e18c-c933-44dd-b38d-7c7b3d7fc249-36&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2127.49%2127.49%21%21%2127.49%2127.49%21%40211b813c17332647769434269e3f43%2165735573355%21sea%21US%211699911272%21X&curPageLogUid=PFlI0wyd4c3L&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A December 03, 2024, 04:25:38 PM |
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Re: Magene P505 PES Base Spider Powermeter
Thanks to this thread I was able to fix a problem with my second pair of Magene 505 PES. The first crank PM set is in use since April 2024 without issues exept for the crank getting loose on two occasions, using strong Loctite fixed the issue permanently. I bought the second PES set some time ago but built up my new bike just recently. After acivation and Firmware update I found that I could connect to the PM with my Garmin Edge and also Fenix watch but no Power or Cadence data is displayed when pedaling. Checking the Magene App it would calibrate but the Pedal balance would show 100% on the left Pedal. After reading this thread I found the trick connecting power and then using a Magnet over the red LED to perform a reset, which magially fixed my issue and power and cadence is now displayed… Thanks to all contributors BR Chris December 08, 2024, 01:39:47 PM |
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Re: Magene L508 Radar bike light
Sorry if I'm missing it but I can't find anywhere if there is a mode to "disable" the light and only flash once it detects a vehicle. It has that feature, its called single radar mode, under the light settings. Then theres a subsetting in that mode which will flash the lights on detection of a car. March 20, 2025, 01:25:34 AM |
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Re: Chinese cycling clothes
where can I get the gravel flannel jersey or jacket? for the new gravel riding fashion style? thx Riding in a flannel is peak lame for me. Like "look at me I'm w gravel hipster i Wear w flannel while doing sports so I'm swesting at". Wear normal cycling clothes, but if you really want something more casual/loose just buy something like this I just found this https://a.aliexpress.com/_EvhNg56 October 29, 2025, 09:04:52 AM |
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