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

So it would be better then to buy a used hed 3 than a new blb tri?

yes

Had a siv through eBay but can't seem to find any Carbon chinese thru axle CX wheels... Any one seen any knocking about?

^CN Carbon, just add your choice of hub to their 23mm rims, that's what they advertise as CX wheels with disc hubs.

Not carbon-related but definitely cheap: She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed junked some of my ludicrously expensive team kit by apparently drying it in a blast furnace. So, I have just pressed the button on some really, really genuine Castelli from AliExpress, from two separate shops (to see if they're all the same). £81 got me a thermal jersey and bibtights, two s/s jerseys, two bibshorts, a pair of armwarmers and a pair of lycra overshoes.

I've always maintained that most kit comes from the Far East and this stuff is probably from the same factories, well, I've put my money where my (XL) mouth is. If any of this stuff survives a few months of commuting, I'll be happy as the whole lot cost less than a pair of shorts.....

My Castelli jacket is made in Romania, but it's hit and miss. Jacket is great but their gloves are rubbish.

I bought some Hong Kong bibs off ebay that are the most comfortable I've worn.

Keep us updated Colin, i need to stop commuting in Rapha

Not carbon-related but definitely cheap: She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed junked some of my ludicrously expensive team kit by apparently drying it in a blast furnace. So, I have just pressed the button on some really, really genuine Castelli from AliExpress, from two separate shops (to see if they're all the same). £81 got me a thermal jersey and bibtights, two s/s jerseys, two bibshorts, a pair of armwarmers and a pair of lycra overshoes.

I've always maintained that most kit comes from the Far East and this stuff is probably from the same factories, well, I've put my money where my (XL) mouth is. If any of this stuff survives a few months of commuting, I'll be happy as the whole lot cost less than a pair of shorts.....

I bought a knockoff kit in the summer. The jersey was/is great. The bibs were ridiculous. The over the shoulder bib bit wasn't even slightly stretchy and the pad was in the wrong place.

Much of the Castelli/Sportful stuff is made in Hungary and Romania. Good luck with that you have bought though

Their "New Track" looks better, kind of 596 for paupers as far as I can see

anyone order one of these yet?

anyone order one of these yet?

Why would they? Planet X is cheaper and they have already done the legwork for you.

Dunno about that one.

I've bought this Carbon one. Its not snapped and disappeared up my arse yet, so all good:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hylix-Super-Ultra-light-Carbon-Seatpost-31-6-410MM-178g-Black-/121119587312?pt=US_Seatposts&hash=item1c334a3bf0#ht_2412wt_1424http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&mpt=6050979http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?ff3=2&pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&item=121119587312&mpt=5875701http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&mpt=6050979

That one's sold out. But how about this one?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hylix-Carbon-Seatpost-Road-MTB-27-2-400MM-175g-Zero/271032839316?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.RVI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20205%26meid%3D4922339285811500895%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D9064%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D171242729541http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?ff3=2&pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&item=271032839316&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]

Understated design. And I am intrigued by the sideways fastening mech. It should work on normal saddle rails right? Unless there is something I've misunderstood?

Understated design. And I am intrigued by the sideways fastening mech. It should work on normal saddle rails right? Unless there is something I've misunderstood?

Would probably ONLY fit a standard dia. saddle rail. Any deeper/carbon rails probably not (they may do different fittings.

Looks like an old Specialized post I had, bit of a faff to be honest.

Hello all, got a couple of questions. any help really appreciated.

I want to buy some 88mm crabon clinchers for the glorious summer which is coming. Purely for tarck purposes for the time being. CN*carbon and 2011cycling2011 on ebay seem fine not too worried about using them. (unless anyone has any horror stories?)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/88mm-Clincher-fixed-gear-carbon-wheels-carbon-track-wheelset-/261374733211?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item3cdb25eb9b - CN*carbon

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/88mm-clincher-carbon-track-bike-wheelset-fixed-gear-single-speed-bicycle-wheels-/221264104699?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item33845e4cfb - 2011cycling2011

Wondering about spoke count firstly? The CN*carbon look better with less spokes imo. On the roads of London is it wise to go for the 32/34 count of the other set for stiffness durability etc?

Also, rim width? one is 23mm, the other 20.5mm. I would like to run 23mm tyres. Will both these widths be fine or is 20.5mm better? What's the difference?

Also there are these on ebay as well -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/88mm-Clincher-Carbon-Track-Bike-Wheelsets-Fixed-Gear-Single-Speed-Bicycle-Wheels-/331137849454?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item4d195a986e

V similar shop name as 2011cycling2011 (2013cycling2013), same font/look of the specifics part of the advert, same area of china shipped from, much less but still very good feedback, £100 cheaper???? Super dodge or just the same cats with an offshoot or something?

Thanks for any obscene trollage, and ver ver much thanks for any serious answers. Nice one

Obviously less spokes will give minute aero advantage while pounding brixton hill.

"glorious summer which is coming" LOLs

1996 - Persil Washing Powder [Chariots Of Power] - YouTube

I need a rim- 50x25mm, UD Glossy, 24H, before I go to Farsports has anyone seen anything else I should consider?

This is a clincher as it won't be braked on.

Anyone knows a good fork supplier? Something that won't necessarily disintegrate in the rain

Does anyone have any experience with the Chinese titanium frames from Aliexpress or similar?

I need a rim- 50x25mm, UD Glossy, 24H, before I go to Farsports has anyone seen anything else I should consider?

This is a clincher as it won't be braked on.

I'm building these in 86mm with Mack hubs atm, they seem awesome for the price
http://www.hongfu-bikes.com/html_products/2013-AERO-carbon-wheels-286.html

Any thoughts on this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=121250073880&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

Update on the Chinstelli clothing: everything fitted very well (s/s jerseys bibshorts, lycra overshoes and armwarmers) except the bibtights which seem to assume that if you order 'L' you must have the ankles of a bull elephant..... A few needle and thread minutes sorted that! Materials are fine and so are pads (a bit on the breezeblock side in the bibtights). A few washes later all is good as new.

Suppliers: Official cycling flagship jersey (store 710322), Cycling clothing (store 320157).

If not as good as up-to-date European stuff, certainly as good as it was about 5 years ago!

got a link?