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

Probably the wrong type of road.

BLB will sort it out..

Weight doesn't concern me, as I said I just like the wiggly fork/stays

One pic shouldn't be (and isn't) enough alone to change my mind - there are plenty of accounts of people building bikes from Chinese frames and having wholly enjoyable experiences with them

Thanks tho

FWIW I think here is either the origin of, or at least an explanation for, those pictures (and an extra blood one as well)

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=781952#p781952

Got more

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e45/henrypvasquez/Photo0298.jpg?t=1300363860

http://p.twimg.com/Aw4d7f_CQAAO4xx.jpg

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/wickedwheels1/Bicycle%20Playground/Chinarello/IMG_20130718_221613_450_zps50f5ce8f.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bgh5KMmIMAExDqJ.jpg

take a look at Axman, they manufacture bikes for Boardman et al
The quality should be better than other unknown far east manufacturers, price should be higher too though

Actually got a hit on the tracking number today. Hopefully it is imminent.

Throw a quick review up when you get them?

Is it a Chinese newspaper

Throw a quick review up when you get them?

Sure. See some of my earlier posts on here for reviews of some "castelli" stuff

Received the bibs today. Seem decent but the pad is a bit odd - will wear them out tomorrow and do a full review. Hoping to get the jersey soon.

Isnt that stuff Kevlar Flax? has the same yellow colour. You see it used in loads of carbon fiber parts for good reason.

Anyway. I would personally steer Clear of Companies that have 'looks a lot like that high end frame' as a sale Pitch. Theres a lot of knowledge and ability in the east. With a little Research you can find something very Nice at a very Nice price.

This guide is a bit old. But most of the brands are still out there.

http://range.wordpress.com/2009/09/03/oem-taiwanese-carbon-fiber-bike-companies/

The links dont work. But Google is Your friend.

Sure. See some of my earlier posts on here for reviews of some "castelli" stuff

Received the bibs today. Seem decent but the pad is a bit odd - will wear them out tomorrow and do a full review. Hoping to get the jersey soon.

The pictures on their page look like they straight from raphas website, so it would be good to hear someone's experience with them first...

Isnt that stuff Kevlar Flax? has the same yellow colour. You see it used in loads of carbon fiber parts for good reason.

If it's the picture I'm thinking of it's the remains of the inflatable bladder they use to consolidate the layup inside the mould. Not newspaper.

If it's the picture I'm thinking of it's the remains of the inflatable bladder they use to consolidate the layup inside the mould. Not newspaper.

I would have thought a steerer tube would be formed around a mandrel. Just a guess.

My Cannondale forks had bags down either leg, accessible only from inside the steerer, if that makes sense?

i.e. the bottom of the steerer is closed, so yes- likely the steerer was formed around a mandrel, possible that the picture shows the bladders that were used to form the legs?

The pictures on their page look like they straight from raphas website, so it would be good to hear someone's experience with them first...

Got the jersey too now, so I can do a full review:

(all items from April International on aliexpress - no affiliations)

Bibs seem really decent. The fit is really nice. The chamois was actually painful for the first mile or so but softened up pretty nicely, pretty fast and turned out to be pretty comfy overall. Compared to the knock off Castelli bibs I got, they are a bit of an upgrade, but at a significantly higher price. I would probably just buy the Castelli bibs to be honest.

Jersey. Really well made, decent material choices including nice thin panels under the arm to let the heat escape. The zip was total crap, mind and the sizing was all wrong. I got a Medium and it could easily suit someone who is XL. It is a knock-off version of the Supercross jersey from last year, and unfortunately - you can tell. Overall, would buy the good Castelli again that I listed above somewhere - better price and better quality overall.

Further, all the stuff took ages to come - almost two months in total. In future I will probably steer away from chinese knock off clothing.

just my 2p.

Got the jersey too now, so I can do a full review:

(all items from April International on aliexpress - no affiliations)

Bibs seem really decent. The fit is really nice. The chamois was actually painful for the first mile or so but softened up pretty nicely, pretty fast and turned out to be pretty comfy overall. Compared to the knock off Castelli bibs I got, they are a bit of an upgrade, but at a significantly higher price. I would probably just buy the Castelli bibs to be honest.

Jersey. Really well made, decent material choices including nice thin panels under the arm to let the heat escape. The zip was total crap, mind and the sizing was all wrong. I got a Medium and it could easily suit someone who is XL. It is a knock-off version of the Supercross jersey from last year, and unfortunately - you can tell. Overall, would buy the good Castelli again that I listed above somewhere - better price and better quality overall.

Further, all the stuff took ages to come - almost two months in total. In future I will probably steer away from chinese knock off clothing.

just my 2p.

Cheers man! Did you get the castelli from April international?

Nope. The good ones were from Pro Team Cycling Wear (513563). See my words on page 55 if you fancy.

Thanks!!!

The knock off branded kit I have bought in the past has generally been good, comfy padding and decent enough cut. The only downsides are the sizing can be hard to work out and the shorts wear out fairly quick.

I still have some castelli stuff which they used to sell on dx, been riding in it for over a year now and really impressed! my only quarrel is with the stitching on the rear pockets, it didn't last long with a small bidon in there.

anyone up for goin halves on a pair of 88mm crabby clincher rims?

Are these likely to be any good, or likely to explode in a shower of spiky carbon shards?

Tommm, Fancy going halves on postage (customs if appicable) if I can order a single 88mm rim with your order?

Yeah I'd be up for that, I won't be ordering them unless my current wheelset sale goes through, but if it does I'll let you know.

ohh, assuming people don't think they will die in a shower of carbon shards, I might be tempted by these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/23mm-Wide-700C-38mm-Carbon-Fiber-Road-Racing-Bike-Clincher-Rims-Bicycle-Rims-/321348658944?tfrom=321179626422&tpos=right&ttype=price&talgo=undefined