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

TBF we used to race cross on 17mm internal rims, and some of the first 29ers were open pros.

KMC chains on Aliexpress... Buy or avoid?

Avoid, include eBay and Amazon on that list too.

I think my wider friend group is now on man #4 who has snapped an Amazon, eBay or alix chain and has broken a bone as a result. 3 collarbones and 1 humerus, if memory serves, as well as a few ribs and teeth.

No, always Light Bicycle. This purchase was a very specific one based on the fact it's a deep, solid trispoke (they only do a shallower one) and will have limited use (time trialling).

I wouldn't buy a wheel set for everyday abuse unless convinced by some research via Peak Torque maybe. Even then, LB haven't skipped a beat so I CBA to take the risk on something else tbh.

Stone rings. Shift fine/just as well. Nice finish.

48/33 x 11-36. Perfect gravel gearing.

Yes, it’s an Arkose and no I’m not selling it.

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what are the chainring sizes?

Anyone recommend a decent carbon seatpost, 27.2 with a setback?
There are millions on Aliexpress so hard to make a informed choice.

Hylix are reputable. Difficult to adjust angle but okay once you’ve got it right.

48/33

Yes I have some, pedals themselves seem good and very light. I’ve bought ti crankbros axles, single sided wellgo style spd pedals and now the lollipops and quality, finishing and function of all has been pretty good and stood up to a rider on the heavier side. The lollipop cleats are a bit crap, the grub screw adjustment and the cir-clip are a bit wobbly and unsymmetrical, they are really hard to clip into as the pedal body seems to foul on the bottom of the recess within the cleat before engaging . But my first time using speed play type pedals and they may become easier over time.

Any recommendations for a Ti or stainless bottle cage?

King are the classic - I like the iris

If stainless: King cage or @Hulsroy

^^
This is the aliexpress thread

@samrensho whoops. Maybe I shouldn't have 25 tabs open and check where I write 🤦

Looks pretty good too, better than the original Shimano rings.

I have a few Toseek ones, they're strong and light.

Oops! Yes sorry & good point

oh no I’ve become the scold ive always hated :(
this is what happens when you hit your old age (mid twenties)
ITS OVER FOR ME

And lighter

Apologies for the dredge, but how are you finding these a couple of months on?

Any thoughts on the build quality?

I've used them about 80% of the time since I bought them, maybe 2,000kms all-in. Good on commutes and good on long days out. They came with 4 lenses but I've only used the photochromic ones. Dropped them a couple of times and they don't appear to have any major scratches, primarily because the frame protrudes a little bit the whole way around.

Build quality seems fine to me, can't really fault for the price.

Nice one, thank you! Sounds like a winner. It's so hard to justify paying for a big brand when there's stuff like this out there.

Ah cheers, I'd probably run with legit speedplay cleats... not sure I can be arsed though as I already have an old set of zeros that I upgraded with ti axles, bow ties and bolts and they're pretty flipping light already