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

I think specifically the X2 suffers from more cracked face plates than is acceptable, which is not a surprise when you look at the design.
Milling from billet is inherently inferior to the near-net-shape forging which the shape of stems allows for, and which is used by most serious makers.

I googled after I asked you and found quite a few instances of the faceplate failure. Hadn’t heard about this until now.

Interesting about the manufacturing process. I wonder what their reasoning behind it is. Seems like near-net-shape forging would cost less that milling entirely from billet?