Quote from: ZenCarbonBike on October 26, 2026, 05:05:56 AMZEN Carbon Bike – New Wider Road / All-Road / Gravel Rim Profile

Good day everyone,

We have another wider carbon rim profile that we thought would be interesting to share, particularly with the continued move towards wider tyres for road, all-road and gravel riding.

This profile is more suited towards the newer 34mm and 35mm road tyres, as well as wider all-road and gravel applications.

Rim specifications:

Internal width: 28mm
External width at the tyre bead: 38mm
Maximum external width: 41.2mm
Proposed depths: 44 / 49 / 54 / 59 / 64mm
Different carbon layup and weight options available

With the 28mm internal width and considerably wider 38–41.2mm external profile, this gives us another option for riders moving towards wider road tyres and for all-road/gravel applications.

Final availability is currently TBC.

We've attached the 64mm-deep profile drawing as an example of the rim shape and dimensions.

We'd be interested to hear everyone's thoughts. Would you consider a profile like this for 34–35mm road tyres, or do you see it more as an all-road/gravel option?

That would finally be a good Chinese option for the GP5000s in 35 mm!
I would have preferred an IW of 27, but I'm fine with 28.
If the price is decent, I will definitely get a set in the 64 mm depth. Pls make it fast!

Nice build, man!
I almost gave up on this frame for an 80/20 road/gravel build because of the 46T limit, but your post gives me hope.
Could you maybe check the gap between your 48T ring and the chainstay (e.g. which size Allen key fits through)? Or post a picture of the space thats left?

I'd love to know if a 50T or even 52T would really clear it, or if anyone else has tried running one on this frame?

Quote from: johnnyboy4711 on July 04, 2026, 03:44:43 PM
Can anyone share on how to repair a punctured tpu
I have two ridenow patch kits with hobson rubber cement ??

So far, I've only tried patching RideNow TPU tubes. If the TPU tube is really old or has a dodgy valve, I wouldn't bother trying to patch it.

But what worked for me: Cut out a small patch from an old tube and glue it on with 'CAMPLAST - Cement' glue (pretty cheap and strong stuff) and put a heavy book on top of it. After letting it dry for a bit, I put some more glue around the edges of the patch. Don't know if this is the best method, but it doesn't take a lot of work, and I haven't had a problem with those tubes so far.

Quote from: Pistonbroke on May 26, 2026, 07:21:08 AM
Thanks.
Yup, 316
Asked for the road forks as an extra, so do have a pair of the gravel forks too.

Nice build!
Also interested in those bars. In the WW thread, you said those are WX-R Aluminium Track Bars.
In some pictures, they look as if they have a very long reach if mounted like this. Could you maybe post a top view of those handlebars and measure the effective reach from the top of the hoods to where your forearms rest on the tops?
Always looking for cheapish handlebars with long reach.

Recently tried three different cheap AliX Saddles for my "somewhat modern progressive forward fit" bike. Each about 40 Euros.

Two 3D Printed Selle-SMP Copies:
Elita One - 255x140mm-3DEX
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005007562819812.html
GOLDIX PS-GLAXY 3D
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005010502409176.html

And the 3D BALUGOE TT (non carbon version). Dont know which saddle this is a clone of.
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005009584370300.html

Really liked both SMP copies a lot! About as comfy as my old original Selle SMP. But not quite as ugly and way lighter. Ended up keeping the Goldix version as it has a bit wider front an nicer middle channel. Recommend both!

The TT-Saddle copy was very weird at first and is very short!. After tilting it quite a bit and pushing it very far forward it was pretty good in a aero position, but not nearly as nice in any other position.

I recently tried three different cheap AliX Saddles for my "somewhat modern progressive forward fit" bike. Each about 40 Euros.
One of them might be right for you...

Two 3D Printed Selle-SMP Copies:
Elita One - 255x140mm-3DEX
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005007562819812.html
GOLDIX PS-GLAXY 3D
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005010502409176.html

And the BALUGOE TT (non carbon version). Dont know which saddle this is a clone of.
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005009584370300.html

I really liked both SMP copies a lot. About as comfy as my old original Selle SMP. But not quite as ugly and way lighter. Ended up keeping the Goldix version as it has a bit wider front an nicer middle channel. Recommend both!

The TT-Saddle copy was very weird at first and is very short!. After tilting it quite a bit and pushing it very far forward it was pretty good in a aero position, but not nearly as nice in any other position. So I would rather go for the SMP Copies which allowed me to roll and open my hips way better.

So far, I've tried patching two RideNow TPU tubes. I didn't ride them too long, and each had just one small puncture hole. If the TPU tube is somewhat old or has a dodgy valve, I wouldn't bother trying to patch it.

I cut out a small patch from an old tube and glued it on with 'CAMPLAST - Cement' glue (pretty cheap and strong stuff). After letting it dry, I put some more glue around the edges of the patch. Don't know if this is the best method, but it doesn't take a lot of work, and I haven't had a problem with those tubes so far.

Also interested in trying the 'melting method' from the video above.

Tideacebike

Love the chonky fork and deep tubes!
And please dont forget us tall boys. Keep making those 60+ Frames!

Quote from: Dlloyd15 on August 26, 2025, 04:24:56 PM
Are these gloves actually waterproof as well?

They are somewhat water-resistant, but not completely waterproof.

Here is a little review of all the items I bought since the start of the year.
I am 193cm and around 90kg with a somewhat muscular upper body (at least for a cyclist).
The Rating is always in relation to the price:

INBIKE Winter Thermal Bib - XL
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005007723940936.html
- 33 €. Really nice and warm and fits well. Pad ist decent. But not warm enough for riding below freezing.
- 4/5

Spexcell Rsantce Winter Thermal Fleece Jersey - XL & XXL
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005006761702729.html
- 16 €. XXL was to big, XL fits well and is somewhat aero
- Nice and warm up to around +-5 Degrees with a baselayer
- 4.5/5

Rsantce Mesh Shirt - XXL
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005991028411.html
- 4 €. Absolutely love this thing when it is coldish as it is warm and really comfortably but not baggy. But no way this helps in the heat.
- 5/5

Winter Cycling Gloves - XL
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005006367785448.html
- 6 €. Finger length is a bit weird. Or maybe my fingers are weird, idk. But suprisingly warm up to zero degrees.
- 4/5

Fake Maap Vest  - L
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005990967495.html
- 8 €. Fits well and quite tight
- But not very practical for me as it doesnt have pockets and I rather wear a baselayer. Havent used it much.
- 3/5

RRSKIT Aero Sleeves - L/XL
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005008832538139.html
- 8 €. Absolute Garbage Quality. Wouldnt even keep as a gift
- 1/5

DAREVIE Aero Sleeves - XL
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005008798239050.html
- 12 €. Good quality and nice aero ribbons. But the seams at the elbows are a bit annoying.
- 4/5

DAREVIE Aero Overshoes - XL
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005007871327150.html
- 15 €. Very aero and thight fitting. "Socks" are pretty long. But so far suprisingly durable and actually quite warm.
- 5/5

DAREVIE Aero Socks
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005007875327625.html
- 8 €. Great aero ribbons. Best cheap aero socks I own.
- only 4.5/5 because they are not THAT much better than the 3 Euro Aero Socks.

DAREVIE Aero Bra/Baselayer
- 15 €. Quality is good and it is comfortable but I doubt it helps much undless you have extremely tight fitting sleeves.
- 3.5/5

ROCKBROS Thermal Fleece Cap
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005003533501719.html
- 8 €. Was skeptical but suprisingly nice to wear. Looks a bit shit, but this is probably unavoidable with a hat like that.
- 4.5/5

DAREVIE Aero Race Fit Jersey - XL & XXL
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005008223586609.html
- 26 € on a Discount. Nice an racy fit in XL. XXL was fine but a bit to loose.
- Aero Ribbons are ok, but not great. Havent found a good short sleeved aero jersey with nice aero ribbons compared to expensive western brands.
- 4/5 if on a discount

CHEJI Skinsuit, Size L
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004436474128.html
- 40 €. My best fitting and favorite Skinsuit. Pad is nice and comfy even for long rides.
- No aero sleeves, but long and tight enough.
- 5/5 for 40 Euros

ZRSE Cycling Bib Shorts - XL
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004962411304.html
- 17 €. Pad is very thick and comfy + goes really far forward as a good dick and ball-cushion. Should have bought L as XL is a bit to large.
- 4.5/5

DAREVIE Seamless Bib - 2XL
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005057467316.html
- 22 €. Pretty comfortably and good looking. Pad is not the thickest.
- 4/5

YKYWBIKE  Gloves - L
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005134561233.html
- 10 €. Best gloves I tried and already my third pair thanks to crashes. Tight fitting and no anoying/weird padding. Use it more for my sweaty hands than cushion.
- 4.5/5

DAREVIE  Gloves - XXL
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005138943293.html
- 6 €, Good gloves for the price if you like padding, but XXL was to big for me.
- 4/5

West Biking Gloves - XL
- https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005006908134221.html
- 12 €. Not a good deal for the price, but were also a bit too big for me.
- 2/5

Little handlebar review:

BALUGOE Carbon Handlebar 360mm Hoods/ 420mm Drops - 13° Flare (cheaper one)

Link: https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005008658076778.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.11.6bdd5c5frhaJLH&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu#nav-specification

As a bigger rider (over 90kg with a pretty high power output), I was a bit scared to try a carbon handlebar but finally took the plunge this spring.

First Impressions & Performance
Out of the box, the bar felt nice and light at around 270g. Gave it a good squeeze and flex test before mounting, and it felt solid enough. After about 2,500km of riding, it was stiff enough for me but not super stiff. Also showing no signs of flex or creaking even during hard sprints. It even survived a crash with no visible damage or structural issues. So no issues regarding the durability.

The Problem
The problem for me wasn't the quality, but the shape. Despite the official 77mm reach, the curve/bend from the tops to the hoods is so early that the effective reach is tiny. I could barely get my hands comfortably on the hoods. Also not nearly as much forearm support in the aero position as I would have liked. Another issue was the lack of clamping space next to the stem. It was impossible to fit a standard Garmin mount, so I had to buy a specific out-front mount to make it work.

For the price (around 45 Euros), it's not a bad handlebar if the geometry works for you. If you have smaller hands and are specifically looking for a very short-reach bar, this could be a bargain.

Shikra R-Flyer 360mm Hoods/ 430mm Drops - 16° Flare (Aluminum)

Link: https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005007927147225.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.6bdd5c5frhaJLH&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu#nav-specification

After the Balugoe, I tried the dirt cheap Shikra Handlebar (15-20 Euos), and I've been very happy with this one.

Ride Impressions
It's about 100g heavier than the carbon bar, but for a fat 90kg+ rider, that's a total non-issue. It's also less "aero" and completely lacks internal routing, but I love the shape. The top is slightly flattened and aeroish, but the key difference is the bend. Despite an official reach of 80mm, the curve is much later, giving it an effective reach closer to 100mm. This makes it way more comfortable in an aero position, and I can hold it for much longer. It is also extremely stiff, which I like.

I've been very happy with this bar and run it on two of my bikes, with several thousand kilometers on each. They've been great.
So if you don't need internal cable routing, this bar is an absolute winner. It's stiff, comfortable for someone wanting a longer effective reach, and incredibly cheap.

Does anybody know if there are plans to release this frame in a larger size?
Unfortunately, the 58 is a bit too small for me.

Tideacebike