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

[jonathanf2]

Not sure if you got the link right(?) Those are just thru axles with a short built-in lever; they won't help with the first two issues you mentioned (because physics). You'd have way more leverage with a full-size hex key (probably even with a foldable multitool). Greased threads also help.

There are however actual qr thru axles with cam mechanism. These could build up decent clamping force.

Okay, meant to say built-in lever thru axles. Yes it did solve my problems with front disc rubbing when out of saddle and also cassette creaks. I'm able to apply a bit more torque on the the thru-axle. Ever since I had an incident with a rounded TA hex, I'm paranoid about applying force to hex-key thru axles (I was using a high quality hex-key wrench).

Also on my gravel bike It was driving me nuts, because I had switched to an XD freehub to use an XD cassette...on one of my wheelsets it would creaked in the small cogs when applying force. I checked and re-greased the freehub, made sure the cassette was torqued properly, etc. It was only when I switch to a lever thru axle, it solved my issue.

BTW - My gravel bike came with an actual QR style thru axle (like the old QR) and I couldn't tighten it enough to stop the creaking using an XD freehub.

[Bigbobby1482]

Ultralight disc brake caliper 160/180mm adapters. Hadn't seen these before. The shape of the front adapter is interesting and so are the colors. I might actually order a set not for the weight saving but for color.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNMdibO

I've ordered the front mount caliper adapter a week ago, in the celestial blue/green colour, I'll report back once it arrives

[Wet Noodle]

rounded TA hex

OK, with bad hex heads that can be an issue as well. I've had no bad luck so far and can torque my DT RWS axles quite a bit harder than with the detachable lever thingy they came with (which is just a 6 mm hex pressed into a short aluminium lever).

As for the cam-style qr thru axles, they can suffer from the same issues as old-school ones (low advantage and/or plastic bushing/washer of doom). I don't even know if you can buy them separately, just got one oem with a fork (I think) ages ago and it was better than I could manage with the same length RWS lever.

[coffeebreak]

I've ordered the front mount caliper adapter a week ago, in the celestial blue/green colour, I'll report back once it arrives

Do attach photos! Things always looks nicer on Aliexpress. I want to see how that color looks in real world.

[Wet Noodle]

Not sure if I should even post this (or if it's an invitation to the er). On a whim, I bought the probably cheapest no-branding brake pads on ali and...I don't know, they do brake.

A set of 4 pairs (8 pieces) is less than 5 bucks. But you can also find them in the bundle-deals section for below 3 bucks, which seems kinda insane.

4Pairs Bike MTB Semi-Metallic Disc Brake Pads ...


Different shapes available (even Magura MT 5/7 double pads as shown above). Br(e)aking them in, took a few days, but now, they are totally OK. Nothing to write home about, but man, the price is soooo low. I hope they don't separate from the backing plate or something, knocking on wood.

[jonathanf2]

Not sure if I should even post this (or if it's an invitation to the er). On a whim, I bought the probably cheapest no-branding brake pads on ali and...I don't know, they do brake.

This is the thread to post such cheap finds! 

I bought these sub $4 USD Kocevlo non-fin pads from Pick 3 and I think I like these better than the finned version. Not only were they cheaper, but I haven't noticed a difference at all in performance.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804855839872.html

I've been thinking of getting these Choice 10 pair of semi-metallic pads once I get through my 12 pairs! 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804559680715.html

[coffeebreak]

Those super cheap no-name brake pads didn't work for me. Never ending howling, poor braking power and I am not sure if they were resin even -
10 pairs for $7

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805035531478.html

I gave up after 3-4 pairs and just got Cooma.

[Bigbobby1482]

The flatmount adapter from chaser arrived today. Super lightweight, but not as green/blue as the ali listing, this is more light blue ish.
Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/Y7yL7du

[coffeebreak]

As expected color variation but they don't look bad! I guess I will order a bunch now.

[jonathanf2]

I'm seriously blown away by these cheap rotors especially in the 180/160mm combo at least for a lightweight gravel setup. I tried them on my other wheelset with center lock hubs using a 6 bolt/CL adapter. On steep downhill descents, there was very little to no brake fade. They work like a champ on either hub format.

For the price and performance I like these over more expensive 2-piece rotors. Highly recommended. Though I found the 180mm rotor needs a bit more alignment adjusting with a rotor tool.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805673187010.html

[Wet Noodle]

I'm seriously blown away by these cheap rotors especially in the 180/160mm combo
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805673187010.html

If you can already tell, how is pad wear?

[jonathanf2]

If you can already tell, how is pad wear?

I just checked. Pads look good with no glazing and wear is fairly minimal. I'm sold on 180mm on the front for gravel especially since these rotors don't weigh that much. I'm now in the habit of lightly sanding new rotors to minimize break-in and I have two different wheelsets properly line-up using these discs. These particular rotors fit well with 6-bolt to CL adapters.

I do like the 2-piece IIIPro rotors as well, but the 180mm weighs more and the 6-bolt mount has a lip surface that gets slightly marred when adapting to center lock.

[toxin]

These are straight up ashima ARO-8 rotors

[jonathanf2]

These are straight up ashima ARO-8 rotors

Then it's based on a proper design! No wonder they work well! 

[lazywalrus]

Anyone tried this Kocevlo stem that's a ripoff of the Deda SMR stems?
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mt866kY

I've had endless trouble with stems on my velobuild. This one is so cheap it seems worth a shot.

Alright, I ordered one of these stems to check it out.
The tolerances seem questionable, there’s a big gap between the alloy stem and the nylon cover/spacer. I feel like this is going to lead to stress concentrations and either slipping or cracking.

It also don’t have the cuts at the back of the spacers that the deda stem has which makes it much less convenient to use.

I don’t think I’ll bother installing.