Shout-out to Elavo Carbon store, purveyor of carbon rims of various widths, depths and intended purposes (rim-brake road in my case). Shipping was slow but the rims themselves appear to be well made and are nicely finished. Weight was as listed and especially the price/weight ratio seemed fair to me.

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1103466059

After getting some Superteam carbon wheels I went sampling brake pads as the stock ones were supposed to be awful in the rain.  I got some black prince ones ($$$) and they worked, but left me deaf.  The Superteam brake track is smooth (supposed to be a 'basalt' track), making squeaking problems worse than those that have ridges.  I found two that work pretty well:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806085944095.html

They appear to be similar to the cryo blue ones (cryo blue = $$$).  Only squeak a bit.  I have had them in the rain once and they were ok.  If I had rims with a serrated brake track (like the Elites) I'd try these first.

The other set:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803873623355.html

Really like these.  They don't squeal and have good bite when you dig into the brakes.  These are what I have on the front and feel pretty good about them.  Price is good, too.  I haven't tested these in the rain, so no telling there.  I kept the black princes on the back as they don't make noise back there and I hope help in the rain.  I'm sure it'll happen soon enough - it's a swamp these days in Alabama.

Quote from: raisinberry777 on July 04, 2024, 07:07:52 AM
I've been really satisifed recently with OG-Evkin BT-001 bar tape:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005644956337.html

Price is expensive in the store but I've had it come up in my 'Pick 3 and save' for $7 USD, and for that price it's a steal. It's heavily inspired by Lizardskins DSP tape, but about a quarter of the price. Quality is great - having tried the real Lizardskins it's very similar - though I can't speak for its longevity. Have wrapped a few bikes with it now and it's got a good stretch and is easy to wrap. Looks classy on the bike.

How "squishy" is it?  I'm looking for new tape for my gravel bike where a grippy and cushy more padded tape would be preferred.

I'm searching new brake pads for sram force axs. I like the sram quiet/organic pads, so looking for something similar. Any recommendations? Thanks!

Very nice deal on DT240/350 gravel wheels: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807184147037.html

Quote from: 19ktulu on July 15, 2024, 10:48:12 AM
How "squishy" is it?  I'm looking for new tape for my gravel bike where a grippy and cushy more padded tape would be preferred.

I'd say... mid-level squishy? Not particularly squishy, but not thin either. Probably not as squishy as you're looking for if you're looking for something specifically cushy.

Quote from: s3si1u on July 16, 2024, 03:15:54 AM
Very nice deal on DT240/350 gravel wheels: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807184147037.html

After someone's experience here of finding out that Airwolf supplied fake Novatec hubs I'd view this with suspicion. Thread here:

http://chinertown.com/index.php?topic=4257.0

Quote from: jonathanf2 on November 25, 2023, 11:55:36 AM
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806020104144.html

Has anyone tried this RockBros bike light? It also works as a phone charger.

Hey Jonathan, wondering if you ended up getting this or something else and how you like it.
Thanks.

I ended up not purchasing one of the light/powerbanks from Rockbros.   I wanted/needed more than 150 lumens for my night rides.  I  purchased one of the 2400 lumen 6400MAh lights in the attached listing.  For my needs, the X-tiger lights work really well and this model has a larger powerbank.  (It is more expensive, but I purchases mine during a sale with coupons, and coins for $30.54 USD.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255801127497663.html

Quote from: vermit25 on July 16, 2024, 08:27:57 AM
Hey Jonathan, wondering if you ended up getting this or something else and how you like it.
Thanks.

I have this.  The light isn't really that powerful or worth it if that's what you're looking at it for.  If you have a Garmin with USB-C, though, it's a great battery extender (and a zillion times cheaper than the Garmin one).  I have an older one with micro-USB and have used it with a converter - not quite as elegant, but still not a bad item if you do long rides.

Quote from: Sand101 on July 16, 2024, 07:54:28 PM
I have this.  The light isn't really that powerful or worth it if that's what you're looking at it for.  If you have a Garmin with USB-C, though, it's a great battery extender (and a zillion times cheaper than the Garmin one).  I have an older one with micro-USB and have used it with a converter - not quite as elegant, but still not a bad item if you do long rides.

Thanks for feedback. Do you know if the mounts supplied are compatible with Wahoo computers?

Quote from: Hessu on July 15, 2024, 03:28:44 PM
I'm searching new brake pads for sram force axs. I like the sram quiet/organic pads, so looking for something similar. Any recommendations? Thanks!

I would like to know, of there's a good alternative as well. Somebody with experience on these?

I use Kingstop pads for gravel and MTB, they have a few compounds, I use the ceramic.  They're good all around, bite well, quiet, last ~2000 miles.

RiRo 29mm carbon crankset with micro spline chainring interface now available.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807083590471.html?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807083648548.html

I'm out of shimano shift cables (and will not be visiting my LBS to get them at 14.- a piece  ) and recalled seeing someone mention good experiences with aliexpress cables. What brand were they and what material/coating do I want? Zinc? Stainless steel? Polished? Does it make a difference?

Those gold colored cables by Heppe

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNKHRMU