Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!

[impmonkey]

Super interested in your thoughts after a couple rides on those cranks

[coffeebreak]

Good looking! How much is the weight savings vs 105 crank?

[jonathanf2]

Super interested in your thoughts after a couple rides on those cranks

I just installed Racework crankset, but won't be able to test them out until tomorrow. I would most definitely order the crankset with the BB even if you don't use it, because on my particular frame I had to use the supplied 3x BB spacers. When in the small chainring while on the small cassette cog, the chain kept rubbing against the ramping pins. When turning the crank it would try shifting into the big ring when hitting the pins. I installed 2 of the bottom bracket spacer on the drive side to alleviate the problem, but even then there's slight rubbing. I didn't feel comfortable running all 3 spacers on the drive side either because it looked like there was barely any space to thread into frame.

I compared the Racework chainring to my Shimano 105 and 2x GRX chainrings. The Shimano ramping pins are much more recessed. So I'm wondering if getting a different direct mount chainring might solve the issue? My other issue is that the pedal screw holes aren't at the same location as my Shimano cranks, so I wasn't able to install my crank rubber protectors. Not the biggest issue, but I would prefer to keep my crank arms protected especially since they're carbon.

Overall though shifting seems smooth and the weight savings is definitely noticeable.

Good looking! How much is the weight savings vs 105 crank?

My Shimano 105 R7000 50/34t 175mm crankset weighs in at 745g. The Racework crankset comes in at 543g. So it's about a 202g weight savings. It got my bike in the high 15 lbs. range or about 7.12kg for a mechanical disc road bike.

[coffeebreak]

My Shimano 105 R7000 50/34t 175mm crankset weighs in at 745g. The Racework crankset comes in at 543g. So it's about a 202g weight savings.

That is a major chunk off the bike. Lighter than Dura Ace r9000 crankset actually. Fantastic!

[00Garza]

I’m hoping they come out with longer crank arms soon. Definitely interested in this crank for a gravel build.

[jonathanf2]

Now that I did some research apparently 2x spacers on the drive side and 1x spacer on the non-drive side seem standard for certain crankset setups. Anyways, I think the crankset looks pretty good. Lifting the bike it feels noticeably lighter. Plus the Ultegra SM-BBR60 threaded bottom bracket is only about 76g. I guess I'll ignore the minor ramping pin chain rub in the small/small combo, I rarely ever use that gearing anyways. I'm on the fence if I want to get this crankset for my 2x gravel bike though. That bike sees significant abuse when gravel riding and going fast isn't much a priority. I still need to test out the bike on a real ride.

FYI: Apparently these carbon cranksets will go on sale tomorrow. I'll definitely order another set!
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804855321533.html?

[Tijoe]

If they were 172.5s, I would purchase a set.

[coffeebreak]

Some kind of sale event going on over at Aliex. Found a cheaper alternative to RISK heat shrink cable ends. These are 100 pieces, vs Risk is only 20.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKc1wHc

Also got a tiny under seat storage:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMtfMHk

And a mini pump:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKhwdx8

Feels good to have a queue of orders on Aliex again.

[s3si1u]

Time to share my latest haul 
I have this fork on the way: https://www.ebay.com/itm/303880803441
I've been having some issues with my gravel bike (Poseidon frame with Trek fork) and finding a lower headset bearing that fits juuuust right. I'm guessing it's a replica of the Whisky No. 9 fork? I really like the look of fully external routing on the fork for a gravel bike and this was about the only affordable option I came across.

Also received this AXS carbon cage and pulley set a couple days ago: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124967134234?var=426038846323
It looked interesting so I ordered it for some cheap weight savings. I'm not sure how much (if any) of this I'll install, we'll see.

IGPSPORT IGS520 cycling computer on the way as well: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801395069607.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.7a4e1802tIK8rR&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US
I've been eyeing the Magene C406 for a while now as it's a popular choice, but the IGS520 has navigation capability and is currently about half off so that sealed the deal.

[Tijoe]

I purchased the Igsport iGS630 from Amazon back during their Amazon Prime Days.   I really love this version of the IGSport  bike computer.   

The iGS630 still isn't available on Aliexpress, only the iGS620.

[carbonazza]

I purchased the Igsport iGS630 from Amazon back during their Amazon Prime Days.   I really love this version of the IGSport  bike computer.   

The iGS630 still isn't available on Aliexpress, only the iGS620.

Is it really many hours of autonomy?
This is my only gripe with the Karoo2.

[Tijoe]

Is it really many hours of autonomy?
This is my only gripe with the Karoo2.

I had never heard about Hammerhead Karoo before.   I had to look it up.   
Sure seems like the IGS630 has all the same features.

What do you mean by "hours of autonomy"?

[carbonazza]

I had never heard about Hammerhead Karoo before.   I had to look it up.   
Sure seems like the IGS630 has all the same features.

What do you mean by "hours of autonomy"?

Battery life sorry.
The time it takes for the screens to turn irremediably black, when riding with GPS on, and some metrics 
It looks the Karoo has many more functionality, but its Achilles heel is its battery life.
And the IG630 seems to have more appealing gauges when riding hard in a bunch.

[jonathanf2]

Now that I did some research apparently 2x spacers on the drive side and 1x spacer on the non-drive side seem standard for certain crankset setups. Anyways, I think the crankset looks pretty good. Lifting the bike it feels noticeably lighter. Plus the Ultegra SM-BBR60 threaded bottom bracket is only about 76g. I guess I'll ignore the minor ramping pin chain rub in the small/small combo, I rarely ever use that gearing anyways. I'm on the fence if I want to get this crankset for my 2x gravel bike though. That bike sees significant abuse when gravel riding and going fast isn't much a priority. I still need to test out the bike on a real ride.

FYI: Apparently these carbon cranksets will go on sale tomorrow. I'll definitely order another set!
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804855321533.html?

Well I'm going to have to reverse my decision on this crankset.

The drive side crank works fine, but the big problem is the 2 bolt clamping setup on the non-drive side crank arm. The design is way too fragile. Even with a low torque setting, I ended up cracking the non-drive side crank arm. This type of design is fine with alloy cranks like Shimano, but I think it would have been better to use some sort of center bolt locking setup that doesn't apply force to the carbon left crank arm.

I contacted the seller and they said they're already on vacation for the Chinese New Year until Jan. 28th, but I checked and the holiday doesn't officially start until the 21st!

https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/china-public-holiday.htm

I ended up submitting a return & refund request under the 15 day no questions asked return warranty. Though a work around would be to use a Shimano style non-drive side alloy crank arm and the weight difference between arms is probably less than 50g, but with a more stable clamping area.

[coffeebreak]

Oh man tough luck. I hope you get the money back. This does look like a serious issue I mean come on, brand new crank and it cracked. Imagine going a heavy load on it while climbing. To be honest when you said there is a minor chain rub even with 2 spacers that kinda turned me off - I am not as diligent as you to watch which chainring/rear cog I am on every time and frequently do cross chaining. Are you back to 105 crankset?