You’re not wrong honestly. Bibs are way easier to get right (same OEM pads, simpler construction), but jerseys are where the real gap still is — mostly in the fabrics.

Most Ali summer jerseys use pretty basic polyester, so yeah: they feel stretchy, hold sweat and lose shape. That’s exactly why they don’t compare to MAAP/Attaquer.
That said, if you try the higher-end lines like Spexcel Pro https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005004645622830.html, they’re noticeably better — still not quite there, but much closer than the basic stuff.

So yeah… you’re not crazy, just haven’t hit the better ones yet.

Haha, happy to hear I’m not alone..
Which ones are the better ones though? I’ve tried a few and yet to find any truly good (summer) ones.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_ExVCjAo
Low quality fabric, super stretchy (in a bad way). Drapes horribly and pockets stretch.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EIdrCaM
Main torso fabric again too stretchy and saggy and it keeps sliding around. The arms are a bit short but the fabric on the arms is actually quite nice. But the overall fit makes it quite unusable.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EHfcq4g
The fabric on this is a bit better. Not as stretchy, the torso and arm fit is quite nice, but the pockets suffer from horrible sag and are way too big, to the point that I don’t trust it to carry anything valuable because I’m afraid it will bounce out!?

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EunGrPS
This one is actually a jersey I ride quite a lot. It fits fine, fabric is quite ok and it drapes well. Pockets are good and don’t sag. Arms are a bit short again (I’m also very tall) but overall quite nice. Just not short sleeve which I am looking for as temperatures are creeping up!

I also have one that seems to be discontinued (the link is dead), ”Spexcel all new explore pro thermal fleece” which is a really good spring/fall thicker jersey.

I would love to find a better short sleeve one. This one looks a bit more promising, but some of the review photos are hard to judge. Anyone tried this?

I just found this on AliExpress:  | SPEXCEL 2025 New SPPC men's summer Light short Sleeve Cycling Jerseys aero Fit Quick Dry and Breathable fabric
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EyfKN5W

Thanks

I have recently decided to try out heat training, but I wanted to avoid paying an absolute fortune for the CORE body temperature sensor. I instead decided to give this a go:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007923415002.html

It is IP22 certified against water and dust, but I can also certify it against heavy sweating, at least after a few sessions. The app that is promoted with the product requires creating an account, and for some reason syncs everything to the cloud; I instead recommend using the Tempal app.

The only problem I currently have is figuring out how to securely attach it to my armpit. I am using the heart rate monitor strap for now, but it only works as long as I am not moving too much. I also just ordered an elastic hand band (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32833627238.html), which is going to take some time to arrive, but I think it should work much better. In the meantime, do you have any DIY ideas for how to attach the thermometer securely to my armpit?

The Core is unfortunately a bit all over the place in terms of measurements. It is consistently inconsistent, which makes it extremely unreliable. I work in a team where we have tested many units on some really high profile athletes, and the core simply doesn’t deliver what it promises. Which is far from ideal when you are dealing with an extremely stressful and potentially harmful stressor (at least if you get too hot). While I can’t say for sure, I really don’t see the armpit unit being much reliable.

The gold standard is of course ingestible telemetric temperature pills but they are far from budget friendly. The second best is probably a rectal thermometer… not very convenient but hey, what don’t you do for science… 

Finished this build a few weeks ago and I’ve been riding it a lot since.

Components:
• Size XL (I’m 200 cm with very long legs, haha)
• 90×400 integrated cockpit with flair (from VB)
• SRAM Rival cranks, shifters, and brakes
• Alugear 44t chainring
• SRAM DUB BB
• GX Eagle Transmission rear derailleur
• GX Eagle Transmission 10–52 cassette
• GX Eagle Transmission chain
• Light Bicycle WG55 wheels
• Galfer Wave rotors
• Vittoria Terreno 45 mm tubeless

That’s basically it. I do have a full spreadsheet with every little bit and bolt if anyone wants it. Total cost came in just under 3000 €, which still feels kind of insane. I got lucky with some second-hand parts and Black Friday deals.

The ordering process was super smooth. I had a few questions that were answered quickly, and when I asked to buy extra spacers they were included free of charge — a small but very appreciated gesture from Chris. I also ordered the flared cockpit (available if you email them) and an extra seatpost with setback.

The frame arrived in about 2 weeks and was very well packed. The paint job is more than fine. I was a bit worried because of earlier comments, but either they’ve improved it or my standards are low . Either way, it looks great, has a nice sparkle, and seems to be holding up well.

The build itself was mostly very smooth. The only real annoyance was the tolerances on the cockpit spacers. The largest ones (15 mm, I think) had a tiny mismatch, which made mounting them extremely fiddly. If you were even slightly off, they’d snap out of place and end up on the floor. It took four hands and a good 20 minutes to get them on. On the plus side, they definitely aren’t going anywhere now. Personally, I prefer plastic spacers with a bit more leeway and compression than aluminum.

Other than that, I’m very impressed.

The bike rides extremely well. I’ve ridden rocky Spanish gravel, singletrack, sand, asphalt, and now wintery Scandinavia, and it handles everything confidently. It is on the stiff side and not the most “comfortable” if that’s what you’re after. I actually like feeling the ride, but I can see how that could be a downside for some.

Planning to do quite a few gravel races next year, so I’m looking forward to putting many more kilometers on it.

oh actually that red pad you linked is similar to the black pad i was referring to. interestingly, this red pad variant is more expensive than the other one and i'm curious to know the difference with the black one!

On the other hand, this is the red pad I have
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008628157484.html

Aha! It seems that the more expensive one has a Elastic Interface chamois whereas the other two are their own? I’ll try one and see..

What’s the sizing like? Did the size guide work well for you?

Are there bibs that have chamois’ as comfortable as Assos or other premium brands? I’ve bought assos before but they are now almost or over 300€ per pair which is ridiculous…

I wouldn’t mind paying a bit, any recs?

Thanks

Fellow 200 cm tall man here. I used the three spacers that standard came with the frame, there was not much of the fork left to cut! I can measure when I get home - think I have the piece I cut off still laying around.

I'm no bike build expert, but as I see it you can't leave extra fork. At least not with the handlebar and spacers I got along with it.

What are you riding normally? I don't think it's low compared to what I've else tried. It's close to the same as my Merida Reacto and higher then the Giant TCR I had before.

That’s good to hear! My road bike is a BMC roadmachine, which is a bit taller and not as long. But of course no huge differences but it’s about 25mm lower in stack. But of course depending a bit on stem, handlebar etc too. I think it’ll be fine but probably not slammed stem haha.

Thanks a lot.

Yes the Sram dub t47 bb does work, i thought the same and was going to get the rotor one which specifies 85.5 and 86.5 but the local mechanic said it was not an issue.

I have the SRAM one fitted with the sram wide crankset and it works great.

Thanks for confirming, then I’ll put in the order for that!

My frame arrived yesterday and I'm pretty happy with it so far. It looks almost like a Ridley ASTR.

Two Things to keep in mind:
1. The frame has a lot of bolts (bottle cages, mud guards etc.) Those bolts look cheap on a black frame. So I ordered black bolts for the hole frame from Amazon.

2. (and that is my fault - but VB takes here a dumb route): the rear axle has a 1.5 thread and is not compatible with a sram axs transmission. A transmission RD needs an axle with 1.0 thread. So I had to order that as well...

Looking forward to finish the build and post some pictures. (FYI: 50mm Conti Terra Hardpack on 30mm inner width rim has enough clearance).

Hi,
I’m planning to building this frame out with transmission RD as well (12sp GX Eagle Transmission). Does this one require 1.0 axle as well? Where did you order yours? Straight from Velobuild?

Thanks