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

Thanks. I think the clamps on those look a bit industrial.

Has anyone used something similar to the below? I can’t work out how that clamp works.

Why does Aliexpress always bring up the Spanish site when I try to use it on my phone?

https://m.es.aliexpress.com/item/1005001720228091.html?trace=wwwdetail2mobilesitedetail&spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.324c4ca6fCWgE8&algo_pvid=b4416d53-9233-4b9d-ba1b-6e45274caa82&algo_expid=b4416d53-9233-4b9d-ba1b-6e45274caa82-7&btsid=0b86d80216150387210573391eacec&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

I got an hylix that works like that. Both sides are slightly conical and clamp on the seatpost, as you tighten the crossing bolt everything clamps into place.
Setting the tilt on these is ass, took me a while to stop mine moving, but others may have better experiences.

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I've got 500km on this without any slipping/creaking etc issues. The clamp doesn't look too bad in real life and it is very light c. 130g for 27.2 x 350. Also works well with oval rails.

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32940085919.html?trace=wwwdetail2mobilesitedetail&spm=a2g0s.12269583.0.0.137942c435exqI

Looks like they've nicked the mechanism from a Thomson? Seems a good option

this is super light and the clamp is the same as thomsom https://bit.ly/3sU7E0T

Have to say, after everyone recommending the elita post, the carbon cradle doesn't fill me with confidence, and I weight less than 70 kilos

You’d be fine. I’m under 70 kilos and have ridden several posts with carbon cradles on road and gravel.
On Chinese and legit Tune seatposts

Pray share?

Thanks all but I’ve worked out the bike I’ve bought has a seatpost that can be changed between 25mm and zero layback. I had no idea such a thing existed.

https://road.cc/content/review/246895-3t-zero25-pro-seat-post

I cracked my cradle at recommended max 5Nm torque. Elita One did send me a replacement. Also the seatpost did get some indentation marks at 5Nm. Maybe my torque key is out of spec, but these Elita Ones are so light that you have to be careful not to over tighten.

Has anyone got experience with AliExpress aftershokz alternatives?

Thinking of pulling the trigger on either of these, they’re dirt cheap but just in case anyone knows of better alternatives?

Second pair might be easier to skip song on the go which is good. Plus they are “as light as half an egg”.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001232883204.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.17067f3aTrMgH2&algo_pvid=d8305b26-fc79-4a57-aadd-53ca8b519d4d&algo_expid=d8305b26-fc79-4a57-aadd-53ca8b519d4d-0&btsid=2100bdde16151438974551480e42de&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001364543125.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.17067f3aTrMgH2&algo_pvid=d8305b26-fc79-4a57-aadd-53ca8b519d4d&algo_expid=d8305b26-fc79-4a57-aadd-53ca8b519d4d-29&btsid=2100bdde16151438974551480e42de&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

Bought some cheap SPD-SL cleats in full Shimano retail packaging from a UK seller on Ebay and the toe part of one has just snapped off after two weeks of use.

I've been looking at these too – let me know how they are if you do buy some

Probably too late for this reply to be of relevance. A lot depends on how heavy your device is. I've used similar mounts for mobile phones with the appropriate bracket but often found the mount has broken - but then smartphones are larger than bike computers

Hi all. I'm wanting to order an LB rim brake wheelset – preferably the AR46 – but have some concerns re. tyre clearance on my '04 Merckx Team SC frame.

I currently have 25mm GP5000's mounted on Cero AR30's (17.9mm inner/22mm outer) measuring at 27.5mm width. This leaves me ~8mm clearance either side at the brake track and ~4mm clearance from the tyre to chainstay.

The AR46 rim is 21mm inner/28mm outer. According to the LB 'Actual Widths' chart GP5000's will actually come up smaller than my current wheels at 26.54mm.

Whilst the clearance from the braketrack to the chainstay will reduce from 8mm to 4mm the clearance from the tyre to the chainstay should actually increase to ~5mm clearance.

This should be fine, right?

Do your brake calipers open up wide enough whilst having the quick release closed for the wider wheel too?

Good point. I've got R8000 calipers which are compatible for 28mm outer rim width so that shouldn't be an issue. Do you think the tyre clearance will be ok?

The alternative is the R45 rim – 17.9/25mm. Whilst I prefer the profile of the AR46 it might be a safer bet than waiting 6 weeks for a wheelset that might be too tight?

Do you think the tyre clearance will be ok?

The official safety regulation is 4mm all round

Perfect. That means I should be fine with the AR46: 4mm clearance at braketrack and 5mm at tyre.

Since you brought this back I should also point out - do double up on washers. The first one I've ordered came with only two washers. This meant that where there wasn't one to spread the load, the bolts ate into the gap they sit in and while cruising on the cobbles in Wapping it snapped and I found myself with my bars flopping about.

I should stress that I should have paid more attention when installing it and there were some signs of the bolt eating in and I'd planned to replace the whole thing soon by that point. It also often had both a GoPro and a Light attached under the Wahoo, so not the lightest setup.

I've since replaced it with the same thing again, but this time putting 3 pairs of washers (bolt head/mount - mount/spacer - spacer/stem) and it's been looking solid. Checked the torque after a few rides to see it the alu might have given in a bit under the pressure but was still clicking at 5nM, so all good there.

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Will do - since there doesn't seem to be intel on these on the forum I might just bite the bullet. Not that worried about potentially wasting £13, but I'd rather not buy something that is garbage and will end up being waste, but the reviews do seem good and I'm not expecting great sound quality, just enough to hum along a tune on a country lane or listen to a podcast while doing laps and the like so I'm quietly optimistic... 🤞

i'm in a similar mood. weald is imo the best option out there for these requirements.

Very generally looking at a Carbonda CFR696 - is there a standard rate for import tax or is it just luck what you get charged? Any opinions on the frame?

i have actually chosen to just to get a full fairlight cycles strael 2.0 build through green commute initiative. save a few quid given how expensive groupsets are atm