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

is there a standard rate for import tax or is it just luck what you get charged?

Both. There's a standard rate, but it's a toss up whether you get charged at all, and if so whether on the value written on the shipping declaration (often way under invoice on goods from China) or the actual value.

with regards to mounts I actually have one of these. I prefer it because you can angle the computer up and down a bit unlike those fixed versions linked above - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07V7KC25N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

shit pic but only one i could find

i had the same concern about spacers as you @alex_s but couldnt find any with a small enough outer diameter to sit neatly next to the stem.. where do you find some?

Worst case is 20% VAT on the full invoice value including shipping, plus just under 5% duty on the full invoice value of the goods, plus £10-£15 handling charge from the carrier. Allow for that, and enjoy the pleasant surprise if you get charged less.

The first I bought came with 2 washers, the second with 4 so I got my 6 in the end!

I’m sure if you have a good hardware shop locally they will have a small parts bin somewhere at the back where they might be able to pull out a couple of pairs which with a bit of luckwill do the job for about 10p a piece!

Are Lightbicycle still the go to for China Crabon road wheels? If there's a great alternative that ships from Europe that would be most excellent...

Hey All!
Chinese Aluminium Disc Road frames - any recommendations?

Chinese Aluminium Disc Road frames - any recommendations?

Giant, Specialized, Trek...

lolz

Taiwan?

For whatever reason whoever makes half-decent aluminium road bike frames doesn't list them on Ali Express. It's all weird junk that's no cheaper than carbon.

There’s little chance an Ali express alu frame from a no name seller will be straight, properly face and in tolerance. Quite a few from Cannondale, Dolan, Kuota etc aren’t.

Ah cool, cheers

Acquaintance of mine out in Taiwan used to sell custom alu race bikes. Doesn't any more. Maybe in the world of cheap carbon there's little room for not-cheap alu.

What about cheap steel frames, the Tsunami frames look ok?

I imagine this has already been covered, but my Bro wants a new bike, was exploring options for him. Finding more reasons not to Surly.

Tsunami dont get as much coverage as they should IMO.
They look good (on paper) and I saw one IRL once and it was great, the owner really rated it.

If you re sticker them they can definitely pass for a surly and probably they are done in the same place

I think Surly frames are Taiwanese.

Surly frames are gaspipe flutes

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000751805013.html?gps-id=pcStoreJustForYou&scm=1007.23125.137358.0&scm_id=1007.23125.137358.0&scm-url=1007.23125.137358.0&pvid=482e6cc9-120e-469d-b370-08cb5bcfec7a&spm=a2g0o.store_home.smartJustForYou_482057950.0

This looks like pretty good value for money. Although I've never used Aliexpress. They used to sell they same frames on eBay too, if I remember rightly.

Cant see on ebay but I use Aliexpress a LOT. Absolutely amazing service.

Tsunami have a website. It’s lolz.

https://tsunamibicycle.com

CEN tested and approved gaspipe flautism though.

They may seem expensive compared to an Ali Express frame but think of it as dental costs front-loaded (and without the distress of injury) ... ummm ... except for Surly’s racks I guess :-|

i dont buy that. What about the asian bros who are riding Tsunami? They seem to have lovely teeth.

Fuck QBP (pricing)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeSZFfaRYP0&ab_channel=KFIXED

Anecdata and survivorship bias.