Orient Express - Cheap Chinese Rims / Wheels / Forks / Frames / Cranks / Etc

Anybody know Where to get an aero stem? All I’ve seen are integrated bars.

Anybody know Where to get an aero stem?

Anybody know which stems are actually detectably aerodynamically superior to the generic 4-bolt forged aluminium kind?

The going rate for snide 3T Integra stems on AliEx seems to be $36, e.g. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Carbon-Fiber-Bike-Stem-31-8mm-AERONOVA-Road-MTB-Mountain-Bicycle-Bike-Stem-UD-Handlebar-Stem/32796119323.html
The £200 saving compared with a real one doesn't buy much dental insurance.

Bought a pair as well, other AliExpress foakleys I have have been great.

Hi guys I ordered some rims from Lightbycicles for a xmas present but they have to make them and consequently might not get here on time.
They do have what I need in stock but it’s the old rims with plain brake surface (instead of textured).
Question is are textured brake surface worth the wait and risk to not have them on time? Knowing that the wheels will never be used in the wet. (I think I know the answer but just want to double check)
Thanks

Did you get a VCLS 2 style seatpost in the end?
If so do you or anyone else who has got one have any experience/feedback on them?

Not sure it's an area I should skimp on...

Not sure it's an area I should skimp on...

you shouldnt esp if you are thinking long distance cycling, nothing worse than equipment fail

Yeah, obviously you are right.

I went from the latest basalt braking surface to the older plain braking surface and the difference is very noticeable - and really not confidence-inspiring.

Caveat: the first rims weren't Light Bicycle and the second rims were purchased second-hand, so may or may not have been LBs, but I can now see the benefits of textured braking surfaces!

Thanks that’s what i thought. i will get the textured ones.

Have also just placed an order, I've no experience using either new or old but I'd wait. Do they absolutely have to be under the Xmas tree?

Yeah,
You are propably right. To be honest I would just like it to match the looks of my aero frame. I guess the only wattage gain would be if I could tuck in the gear cables somehow. Not sure if it is physically possible with standard steerer tube though.

I rode the We Ride Flanders coble sportive on one and had one on my previous bike as Well. I think you will be fine as long as you don’t over tighten it. Good clamp will help.

Snide aspide arrived. Ordered on the 11th and came today. Seems pretty good quality; going to try it on the turbo and commute before venturing further.

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Deets. Love the genuine hologram.

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genuine hologram

Lacks the genuine paint pen mark showing the weight recorded in final QA 🙂

Ha, I did wonder what that was for. How funny to include that but not the 'handcrafted in italy' bit.

113g on my scales, btw. Positively lardy.

113g on my scales, btw. Positively lardy

Should be 109 and I would expect 5% tolerance so there are probably heavier real ones

funny to include that but not the 'handcrafted in italy' bit

At least you didn't get a Son Macro 🙂

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Mine went after 300km at the point where the rear part of the rail meets the saddle. Hope you have better luck.

I've just stuck it on the turbo bike and given it a good tug and rock - couple of nasty creaks but it seems to have settled. Couple of weeks on the commuter and I'll see about risking it; I've made two calls to my partner after mechanicals recently. I think a third ("I've got an arse full of carbon") might just tip her over the edge.

What's wrong with the 'made in Taiwan' sticker? It took me longer than I'd like to admit to get what's written there

That's so fucking weird. I've only just noticed it's reversed.

What's wrong with the 'made in Taiwan' sticker?

Besides the horrible positioning of the letters, they are actually mirrored (or reversed, like @dglshrn said).

Quite strange.

The bare carbon ones I got creak but haven’t let me down despite me smashing through some big potholes.

Luck of the draw innit. Worth the punt at these prices.

it's reversed

Now you need a stem cap to match

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