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

I really hope someone hasnt seen fit to source, and judge the quality of, some mailorder carbon clinchers.

Yet doesnt feel confident enough to fit their own tyres.

Yeah, this ... What the hell is he going to do when he gets a puncture? Walk to the nearest Surrey Evans?

Look at the size of that cassette too! She's a big lass!

I really hope someone hasnt seen fit to source, and judge the quality of, some mailorder carbon clinchers.

Yet doesnt feel confident enough to fit their own tyres.

Deserves rep

We would definitely get a large discount if we ordered a large quantity of frames, wheels e.t.c. If anyone else wants to use the same models it would be much cheaper for everyone involved.

Ride Update:

Ok, took the wheels (24mm Tubs) out for a 30 mile spin this morning (first ride) ...

Very happy with them so far I have to say. They spin up to speed super quick and feel rock solid .. I'm approx 12.5 stone at present and can put some power down but felt no flex, no softening at all.

The rear hub (mine are BITEX) just spins forever, making a very pleasant sounding hummm in the process ... I think maybe all that coasting along this morning must've added 10 minutes to this regular ride... :)

There are no heavy climbs/descents on this route but on the areas where I did get REAL SPEED on downhill (ish) gradients they simply flew ... Braking was fine with the supplied pads although initially I did find myself braking a little earlier as unsure quite what to expect.

This was my first time riding Tubs and so again wasnt too sure what to expect, most advice seemed to suggest an almost heavenly ride ... I didnt get that at all but think this may be down to skimping on my choice of tyres - I was running outta disposable cash so went with these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tufo-s33-pro-tubular-tyre/

I have seen these described as hosepipes due to their hardness ... I'm not sure I'd go quite that far but they're certainly not heavenly .. I rode on approx 120psi and it wasnt a plush ride by anyones standards ... I certainly wouldnt be going any harder than that, the tyre sidewall suggests upto 175 psi!!!, that'd be like riding on steel tyres ... or bare rims.

Who knows they may soften up a little when I've put some miles into them but I guess you gets what you pays for , eh .. By contrast I run Conti Ultrasports on my clinchers and find them far superior .... a much better feel to them, etc

Overall though the wheels are great, superlight (they've made a hell of a difference to the overall weight of my bike) ..... and as they're largely intended for use on Sunday Best and weekends in the hills, etc I couldnt be happier

I'm approx 12.5 stone ...went with these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tufo-s33-pro-tubular-tyre/ .. I rode on approx 120psi

At your weight, drop them down to 90psi, they will feel much better. Still shit compared with good tubs, but much better.

One other thing to point out in my assessment of the TUFO Tyres is that they're a 21mm profile whereas my Conti Ultrasports are a 23mm profile .... I guess this also accounts for some of the difference in ride feel ...

By all opinions i've had, Tufo's seem to be the worst riding tubulars in the entire world!

Oh well, tis done now, brought two to fit and one as a spare to carry.

Pretty sure I asked for advice on these on this forum before buying (may be wrong) and nobody said a word then..

Ho hum, cest la vie and all that.. eh Rodders??

has anyone used carbon stems/handlebars from these suppliers?

why would you?

has anyone used carbon stems/handlebars from these suppliers?

Yep. Still alive too!

Tiswas pulled the bolts straight out of the front of his Chrabon stem, which would concern me enough to steer clear, but that said he is immensely fat, so you might be ok.

I dropped my bike (read- hit a truck) and ripped a couple of the bolts out of my carbon planet x stem. I also bent my bars by about 90 degrees. For that reason I shall never use full carbon bars or stem.

generally i was curious at one of the integrated bar/stems

go for it, assuming you know exactly what length and angle you need, are happy with the shape and angle of the bars and the position they will put your levers in.

^ and if not, sell em for me for 20euros so I can flip & chop them for my beater

generally i was curious at one of the integrated bar/stems

I have some flat MTB bars of this type. They flexed in all the wrong ways so I took them off.

IMHO you gauge a lot of your comfort from how your hands feel. Plus any flex in the front end is always very noticable.

My Easton EC90 SLX bars are rock solid when you pull on them, yet absorb a noticable amount of road buzz.

My cheap integrated carbon flats did the opposite.

They are also horribly heavy.

Looking at buying a Chinese carbon road frame: has anyone any experience/ advice, especially in regard to manufacturers and import duty ? Or has a member got one for sale already in the UK ?

Hmmm, I feel like quite soon someone will say something like UTFS, so UTFS

http://www.lfgss.com/thread61471.html

R Harris? Surely you should be riding a Chopper.

or a kangaroo.

After seeing all the people at the Bexley 10 yesterday I now want a disc rear wheel and 90mm front, with plenty of large decals

has anyone ever tried this sort of stuff:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-Cycling-Bicycle-BIKE-Comfortable-outdoor-Jersey-Shorts-size-M-XXL-/290709407489?pt=UK_Cycling_Clothing&var=&hash=item43afa18701#ht_5456wt_907

http://www.cheapcyclingjersey.com/2012-sky-black-jersey-and-bib-shorts-set.html

?

every rational bone in my body is telling me to steer well clear, but i can't shake the feeling that the only thing stopping me from being on the tour is that i don't own any knock off attire.

^I've got some knock off kit the same as that. The sizing comes up a bit small, the zips feel cheap and don't expect it to last you very long, but the shorts are comfortable and they seem decent quality. I suspect they're the same as Nalini ones.