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Messages - nickobec

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1
Anyone got recommendations for a cheap crankset 165mm?
I don't really care about chainring size i'm just going to use it on my trainer 110 bcd
Not the cheapest, but inexpensive FOVNO 216 aka Tunder. 24mm steel spindle,  direct mount chain ring so a extra few $ for a 110 spid, er. Bought a few different cranksets to play with crank length. By far the best quality and only one that I did not have to "clean up" to fit my Sigeyi 3 bolt power meter.
Close to 5000km on them and no issues

2
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Cheji Clothing
« on: July 04, 2024, 07:50:07 AM »
I own 7 Cheji bibs, 2 skinsuits and 2 jerseys (one short sleeve, one long sleeve). 

I am 184cm 80kg 95cm chest, everything I own is L and they all fit me well, with a race fit.

The jerseys and a couple of the bibs I own are no longer available from the Cheji Offical store.

The skinsuit and my favourite Cheji bibs (4 of  the same model  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001939822272.html ) have the red pad and it works for me. I have no issues riding 40km, doing a 20km TT and riding home 40km in the skinsuit (also do similar distances in those bibs).
 
The pockets in the skinsuit and jerseys are in the right position for me (and i do have minor shoulder mobility issues).

The bibs with the green pad don't work for me, and I limit my rides to less than 2 hours. Note these bibs https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002191228440.html the leg gripper is just doubled over lycra, so not recommended.

Warning the prices at the Cheji Offical store, I found vary dramatically, I seen my favourite bibs priced anywhere from 35AUD to over 80AUD over a few weeks.

3
Metal Frames / Re: Aluminium frames
« on: June 24, 2024, 08:53:44 AM »
Does somebody know where Adris, rose bikes (pro sl 105) or trek emonda Alr come from ?
Probably Merida they have a reputation for good quality aluminum frames like Specialized Allez

Would be careful with budget alloy frame, remember the Bowman Palace:R first iteration stunning alloy frame, then changed supplier,  frames were poor quality, lots of cracking welds, end of company.

5
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Magene L508 Radar bike light
« on: May 27, 2024, 08:25:14 PM »
Just received my light, I unfortunately cannot connect to it with the Magene Utility app, how do I update the firmware then?

Anybody else with this issue?

"This device is not compatible with the current app. Please use the corresponding app."

My app version is v1.7.1
That is the current version of the app, looks exactly the same but it connects to my L508 without that message.

I would contact Magene support.

There was rumour of two different versions of the L508, one built just for the Chinese market and the other for the International market. If you bought your L508 from AliExpress you might of got the Chinese version.

I did buy my from the "offical" Magene store on AliExpress, but that was 18 months ago.

6
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Magene l508 vs garmin radars
« on: April 17, 2024, 03:20:00 AM »
I own both a Garmin Varia RTL510 and Magene L508 with current firmware.

I bought the Varia first, had a minor issue with the micro USB cover bouncing loose on a gravel ride and it had to go back to Garmin for warranty (to replace the cover). I bought the Magene as a temporary replacement as I feel much safer riding with a radar on the rural roads around here with radar.

I have had one false negative from both the Magene and the Garmin in about a thousand hours of riding.  In both cases I could blame how I mounted the radar on that one bike, below a seat roll, without a full unobstructed view.

False positives are common from both units and they occur when vehicles pass in the opposite direction (about 1 in 100), they are very brief.

Differences
The Garmin has micro USB port and will hold the signal of a vehicle that approaches you and then matches your speed for a few seconds longer than the Magene
The Magene is USB C, has a spot for a lanyard and acts as a smart tail light aka brake light. You decelerate it goes brighter.

I have lent the Garmin to three friends I ride with and they have all bought the Magene, after being convinced of the need of a radar and all are satisfied with the Magene.

Never fully tested battery life, my max ride is usual 6 hours and I recharge my devices after that.

How's the magene in group rides? Does it go crazy?
No, it will pick up bicycles as vehicles and if a bike is approaching  with a speed differential (best guess is 8kph or so)  it will issue an alert. So it is quiet during a bunch ride. However, I do use it during races on closed circuits with the light turned  off. It will give me an alert if I am riding on (or close to) the front and somebody is launching an attack from the back.

7
XOSS X2 Pro heart rate sensor

Bought after recommendation from Chris Miller on YouTube

Cost less than 30AUD shipped, last sale

It is a sealed unit with rechargeable battery, so no possible sweat ingress.

Smaller and lighter than my Garmin or Wahoo sensors.

been wearing it for a couple of weeks without issue, both running and riding, paired to Garmin watch and Wahoo headunit.

favourite feature it beeps when first connected or disconnected.

8
To sum it all up: Does anyone of you know a rim brake frame that accomodates 28mm tires?
(even better when it has threaded BB, endurance geometry, round seatpost, common headset measurements [eg IS42/28.6 | IS52/40], but that's for another time)
2017 Giant Propel SL fits  28mm tyres (well Conti GP5000 TR S on 23mm internal width rims) just, thanks to its mini V brakes. But fails on every other requirement.

All my other frames an I have a few, don't fit 28mm tyres (GP4000s on  17mm internal rims), and the most common issue is rubbing against the brakes. The one exception is a 2008 KHS flite800 which is made from Reynolds 853 steel and fits all your requirements.

What I am trying to say, is look careful on the second hand market, you might find something suitable. Be it a 2017 Gaint Defy (you might need to check tyre clearance) or a mid 2000s high end steel frame. Rim brake frames/bikes are cheap and plentiful on the second hand market.


9
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Aliexpress insoles?
« on: March 08, 2024, 07:00:56 AM »
I have 2 pairs of these G8 knockoffs, have mine cut to 42 (26cm) but it's pretty much the limit. You can even cut more, but then I believe the arch will be too much ahead even on the limit of positioning
I have a set of medium (size 40 to 43) G8 and the heel and arch are almost the same size  and same position as the copies.

So you should get away if you feet are size 40 or 41

That said, I (size 42.5) have the arches slammed all the way back, because that is what works for me.

10
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Aliexpress insoles?
« on: March 07, 2024, 05:50:05 AM »
Something like these g8 knockoffs ( they don't come in my size   >:( )
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005790948377.html
What size are you?

The "size 39" insoles are really size 46 (best guest look like they are based on large sized G8) and you  trim down to  your  size.

I cut my ones down to size 42.5

11
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Chinese cycling clothes
« on: February 29, 2024, 07:06:35 AM »
my logic to buying clothes from Ali is to stick to known brands and known stores, with dozens/hundreds of sales and feedback.
Otherwise, it's just risk-taking. I'm then accepting the risk that could be money lost when a product without any quality is delivered...
Same here, I have taken risks a few times, knowing it was a risk and been disappointed almost every time.

12
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Chinese cycling clothes
« on: February 27, 2024, 02:03:10 AM »
The photo of the “thick silica gel pad” is a EI pad, I’m hoping it’s legit
The only review on AliExpress of CGBIG skin/trisuits is one star no comment https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006244804848.html

I would wait for a few more sales and reviews

ps as a lot of the photos used in that store are not their own, ie taken from other websites or sellers, I would be suspicious about it having a EI pad

13
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Chinese cycling clothes
« on: February 25, 2024, 07:03:46 AM »
Found a new skinsuit
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005203097272.html
Not a skinsuit I would choose
The 9D Gel (thick pad) is one of the worst  pads I have ever ridden in: thick, bulky and uncomfortable.

14
looking for a saddle bag, for small tools and tube, anything to recommend?
I prefer a saddle roll, for example
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005005037834823.html
there are plenty of others

been using two of them (tubed and tubeless have there own rolls) for 3 years

15
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: TT/Tri groupset options?
« on: January 27, 2024, 07:49:11 AM »
Microshift do a range  of bar end shifters from 9 to 12 speed. The 12 speed are only compatible with either Shimano or SRAM  MTB RDs. You can get 9,10 and 11  speed shifters compatible with Shimano Road (which means Shimano, Microshift and some Sensah RDs).

10 years ago when I raced TTs, my  TT bike need repairs, instead of stripping the 10 speed DA  group set off it, I used a 2x10 Microshift groupset on a spare road frame, and raced that for a season. The Microshift groupset was a light as DA and I found as reliable to use.

So as long as you are happy with mechanical shifting, you can get a cheap, reliable and light shifting set up.

Brakes, hydraulic TRPs TT HD-T910 will set you back 600AUD or so. Rim brakes are far cheaper, lighter and more aero and would be my choice depending on frame options.

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