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

They did reply last night.

Yes mine had a hole but worth checking with them. I dealt directly with Wing @ Carbonda via sales1@carbonda.com and he was super helpful. Set up an alibaba link for me to purchase through

Anyone doing a LB order? Need to replace a new front rim following an incident with a car.

Got a response via Alibaba finally.

Folks who’ve bought a 696, normal size or size down?

I’m on a ‘normal size’ with a shortish (80-90mm) stem. They have a pretty tall stack height for the reach.

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I'd be interested in getting on a group order.

5' 8" on size 52, 80mm stem.
About the size I would say is normal for me, definitly a tall stack which for me works well.

Interested in doing a group order to reduce shipping cost? I'd like to buy a fork from them.

Quick size comparison between the RideNow ultralight road inner tubes, Vs normal butyl rubber inner tube.

First impressions (without riding)

• super lightweight
  
• very thin, far thinner than latex
  
• don't think I'd class if as supple, it's supple in the same way a plastic bag is, if that makes sense
  
• obviously takes up minimal space, but from the instruction outlines, once inflated, the shape will change permanently
  
  

So far it's freed up a lot of space in my saddle bag, so, a win in that respect.

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don't think I'd class if as supple, it's supple in the same way a plastic bag is

Like polyurethane condoms

once inflated, the shape will change permanently

I've installed one as an emergency tubeless repair then taken it out once back at home and uninflated it back to its original size again so that's definitely doable.

Oh that's good to know. Any comments on how it rode?

Only rode it about 40km home and had pumped it up with a hand pump with who knows how much pressure so nothing really I can say other than it seemed fine

Anyone know what the headset specs are for the Carbonda 696?

I had two tubilto inner tubes over the years as spares. Both failed at some point and had leaks when I went to use them. I’d you’re keeping them in a bag I wouldn’t keep them loose.

I used Hope Top Cup 8 and Bottom Cup J (IS52/40).
I’ve got the headset they sent with it so can probably get the actual bearing types if you’d like.

I think I ordered this one but cross ref with the specs.

Measure measurements would be great, thanks! I’ve heard 41 or 42 on the top.

Upper bearing included with the frame reads: 41.8x6.5x45°
So should be 42? Need to find a ruler to measure the actual topcap itself if that matters :)

And a note on the fork dynamo routing, unlike the brake cable routing it isn't plumbed (?), rather just a hole in the fork top and bottom.

So should be 42?

When people refer to IS42, they mean 41.8mm OD bearings

Good to know :) cheers

Has anyone tried the fake etap batteries? Snapped another one today and loathe to pay £40 if super glue doesn't work again

US $8.90 22%OFF | AXS lon Battery Used With for Sram RED XX1 GX FORCE X01 ETAP Derailleur Eagle AXS RockShox Reverb AXS Battery Protector Cover
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGCdNzd

Just a heads up, that $8.90 price is actually for the daft plastic cover thing that game with gx axs mech!

You need to select the battery and it works out at £18.72 for a single battery.
It's still better than £40 but I've no idea if the are any good.
Tempted to order one now..

edit - tbf the last time i checked a few months back, the axs batteries on alix were £30 so it didn't really seem worth while.
But 2 for £35 is more appealing