Update:
I filed for a return on AliExpress and uploaded some pictures, got a return label generated automatically without needing seller approval, which was nice.

A bit later, the seller reached out, and we went back and forth for a while. I explained the issue clearly, but they just kept brushing it off, saying that as long as the drive side spoke tension is fine, everything’s fine and dandy. I shared multiple references and manufacturer specs with them, and I couldn't find a single example of anyone allowing more than a 20% variance on either side, most aim for less than 10%. So the fact that they’re calling a 44% variance on the non-drive side “normal” is pretty wild. That’s not “fine,” that’s a broken spoke or a high-speed wobble waiting to happen.



I ended up spending about an hour re-tuning the wheel myself. Managed to bring the variance down and kept the wheel true. So for now, I’m going to ride it and see how it holds up. If it stays straight and solid after some miles, I’ll keep it, but I’m definitely disappointed with Go-Zone’s customer service. They flat-out refused to acknowledge there was any problem, even when presented with clear info.

Reminder for anyone buying carbon wheels from AliExpress: Get yourself a spoke tension meter. These wheels looked totally fine during a visual inspection, but tension was way off. I’ve bought a couple wheelsets from Elite in the past and they’ve always been within spec, under 10% variance on both sides. Pricing for Go-Zone is pretty much the same, so after this experience, I can’t recommend them. There are better options out there at the same price point.

I placed an order for a light carbon frame mid March, I ordered a new model that is yet to be released and I was told it would be shipped the first week of May, at that time I wasn't expecting all this tariff nonsense to escalate to this point. The frame hasn't shipped yet, I'm in the US, how screwed am I? would the fact that the invoice shows as paid in March be of any use to avoid tariffs? Should I try to cancel the order?

As the title says, I have lower back pain issues and I do better on a more relaxed geometry, most gravel frames out there favor a more aggressive geometry, so far I found a Lexon frame that has the numbers that I'm looking for (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804806533463.html), but the few Lexon reviews I could find make me want to stay away, any similar frames out there from more reputable factories?

I'm working on a new endurnace bike build and I'm looking for an endurance wheelset that can handle a bit of everything and is wide to run up to 35mm tires. I really like the look of the campagnolo shamal carbon c21 wheels, the price tag is not terrible for being campagnolo but wondering if there's anything out there that might be a better value and has a similar spoke pattern

Hi all,
I'm planning on ordering a frame and I'd like to do a custom paint job myself, I've messaged the vendor to see if I could get the frame raw without any paint and they said it was possible, but I'm a bit confused if there would be any advantage getting the raw frame without primer vs getting the black matte finish.
I'm going for an opaque paint job so as far as I understand the first layer on the frame would be a black primer, so I'm wondering if I can just get the black matte finish instead to avoid having to do the primer layer, or does the matte finish come with clear coat and would require sanding down before I can apply paint, in which case I assume I'm better off ordering the raw finish frame?