Title says it.  I need a front and rear shock (Fox) remote lockout levers. And a lever for the dropper post. Going to get cluttered.

Fox makes a 2 lever combo that would do one shock and the dropper post, but it's $150.  I'm hope for a cheaper solution.

And I'm pretty sure locking out the front shock does nothing for efficiency, so I'm not opposed to just leaving that open and then I only .need to levers.

Anything out there?

Looks like everything cleared customs without any action from me.  Biggest ticket items were crankset and brakes (just over $100). Lots of other little items in separate shipments that seems to have breezed through.

Wishing I had ordered a gravel frame a month ago.  Not sure I want to risk getting hit with a 30% charge. 

Parts of my small Ali Express order just hit US customs (according to Ali Express tracking.) 

Not sure what happens next. Should I expect a notice from Customs that I need to pay a customs tax?

I'm shaking my head as I don't understand how these tariffs are supposed to help Americans, who largely voted for Trump because of inflation during Biden's term...but I don't understand a lot of what he does.

The important question - if I order today from Aliexpress will it arrive before the tariffs kick in?

Hi All.

I'm new to Chinese bikes.  I was getting overwhelmed looking through Aliexpress and am very glad to have found this forum and the wealth of knowledge here.

I've got a trail bike I'm happy with, but would like to build a modern XC full suspension bike for less technical trails for races.  I'm a back of the pack age grouper but maybe I'll gain a full place by switching to a lighter bike that climbs better.

The catch is that it's not a top tier bike to rival the top of the line UCI race winning bikes.  No, it needs to be a value oriented bike.

I'm looking for that sweet spot where it doesn't make sense to spend any more on a component to save just a little bit of weight.  The 80% (or 90%) solution for half the money (or less, if I'm lucky.)

Here's what I'm thinking so far.

Frame: 100/100mm or maybe the latest 120/120mm.  From threads here I've seen the Spcyle M868, Carbonda CFM 909, some BXT "UDH" frames on Ebay, Light Carbon LCFS918, and more I've missed...Which of these stand out?

Groupset: L-Twoo and Sensah don't seem to have a Deore-killer (like they do for Shimano 105).  Or do they?   I might go with Microshift Advent X for a rear derailleur and do a mix and match of recommended brakes, levers, and crankset.   I'm all ears for any recommendations.

Forks: Initial research didn't turn up any light budget front forks.  Might look for a used Rockshox SID of some sort.  I have a DNM rear shock on my trail bike and have no complaints, so would happily consider them for the rear shock.   

Bars/seatposts/seats, etc: Will look at weight to cost ratio of the popular items on Ali Express.

Wheelset - that's a big one and I haven't started researching too in depth.  Aluminum or carbon?  If carbon, it would have to be a budget one.  Again, can you at least point me in the right direction of what to consider?

For reference, I'm 50+, 175lbs and don't huck it off jumps.

Finally, I've learned a lot from Trace Velo on Youtube, but he only covers road and gravel items.  Is there anyone doing a good job of reviewing Chinese MTB frames and components?

Many, many thanks.