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

I didn’t in the end. Had a few quid set aside for various bike expenses including this, then I accidentally used it to insure my new car for a year 😄

Should maybe ask more generally, has anyone bought a complete groupset recently? I’m after an r8000 rim brake variety if anyone can give a seller recommendation?

Ah fair enough, bit rubbish when real life expenses get in the way of cycle related grand schemes.

I bought this recently https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005002099522925.html? all the shimano parts are original but without boxes, they where in bags. it arrived in less then a 20 days. i think the same seller have some road groupset as well. If the price is right it's a thumbs up from me.

https://es.aliexpress.com/store/group/Bicicleta-de-carretera-de-grupo/3685083_515045070.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.100008.5.14b87ed7xkEBdW this is another seller i used before and the experience is basically the same as the other

Have you put some miles on one of these? They hold the saddle secure long-term?

get thomson

I’ve lived by this.

But …

I have loads of (oem, alloy) seatpost showing on my comfybeik and wonder if carbon = compliance

I can’t say I ever noticed a difference between carbon and a nice alloy post in the past.

I used for a bit and never had a problem but I can't say I put it through a hard life. It hold the saddle fine but it doesn't seem the most heavy duty seat post available. Let's say that I would not esitate to use it on the street but off road there probably better option.

I have one of these on the road bike. Doesn't inspire a lot of confidence with the carbon cradle but it's crazy light and so far it's still holding the saddle with no creaks. Clamping system it's a lot better than the new ones with the round thing pressing in laterally, easy to adjust and never moves.
Comfort wise I always felt like my alloy road bike was less jarring than the alloy fixed. All else being similar I guess it was the sloping frame with a massive carbon post Vs traditional with a stiff Thomson. Don't think it will make much for people running short posts.

Ok, good to know. I’m pretty light so actually want a post with some flex. I just want a solid cradle/clamp too.

I think I’ll give it a try.

@Netakure with another bike (also with a load of post showing ... it's a TCR) I didn't notice any difference going from a heavy carbon OEM to a Thomson but probably wasn't paying attention TBH. I only ride that bike when deliberately hurting parts of my body by pushing the pedals too hard.

I'm close to pulling the trigger on these cranks https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10050025­76966535.html I'm wondering if anyone has ordered these or similar before and knows if the logos will rub of with acetone.

1 Attachment

Found the reason behind a leaky piston.

Anyone had luck with a replacement Shimano piston (I know these aren't supposed to be owner serviceable)?
I can only find metal or ABS replacement pistons on Alix rather than ceramic.

1 Attachment

I bought mine in the uk while I was in Belgium so returning and warranty was a pita so I just bought a new one. AFAIK shimano knows there is a fault somewhere (I had the same shit as you) so should replace it under warranty.

Now that I think of it, I might have one spare old one lying around :') Don't know about postage to the uk though and if it's worth it.

Funny you say this, in the UK but bought abroad so couldn't warranty. Shimano/Madison really are a pain!

If you manage to find the spare I'm keen to buy and give it a go, feels like such a waste to throw it in the bin.

haha :D I'll check my spare box tomorrow!

Whelp, sorry mate, took longer than expected. One was toast, other one still looks ok?

3 Attachments

Oooo, amazing. Will drop you a DM

80/180 mm quill stem. Measures 21.9 mm diameter instead of 22.2... With a beer can shim it can work, but the wall thickness is also a bit dodgy, rather thin. Wouldn't recommend it for heavy use.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33008634785.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.67d94c4dVfpgUL

You only had to scroll down and you would have known
User pics from the review section, comparison stem is an old Sakae-Ringyo

2 Attachments

Was looking at LB rims for CX, tubeless hooked. Anyone got a strong recommendation? I was eyeing up the AR36 (would have to email them about rims only), any first hand experience?

Not with LB but Far Sports came up pretty good and cheap... Only problem was one of the valve holes had a tiny blockage inside and needed some convincing before the valve could fully go in. Came with updated DT hubs as well, so I was able to dodge the recent DT EXP issue. There's even a $100-off coupon from tracevelo (which is "TRACEVELO100" apparently...) and they also have a long standing 5%-off coupon (support can help you there as it gets updated from time to time)

60+ page thread on weightweenies as well.

I have an AR36 wheel set and it is lovely - the rims do seem tough to get tyres on, but not sure how much worse than other tubeless wheels. I run them on my all purpose wheel set with a Son dynamo and they work for summer or winter and feel fast.

I do actually have another spare set of AR36 rims which were built up but never ridden and that i need to shift, if you wanted to skip the wait time… they are the 3k version and have a braking surface but it’s never been braked on, so would work for a rim brake or disc brake wheelset…

I do actually have another spare set of AR36 rims which were built up but never ridden and that i need to shift, if you wanted to skip the wait time… they are the 3k version and have a braking surface but it’s never been braked on, so would work for a rim brake or disc brake wheelset…

That sounds appealing, will DM

How are the silly bottle cages? Tempted by some of these.

Does anyone have a set of Novatec hub carbon clinchers they'd like to sell on? Not keen to wait 2 months for delivery.