AliExpress Cycling Fails - 5 of the worst!
Рет қаралды 120,018
Күн бұрынAliExpress has some GREAT value bike parts, but there is definitely a lot of trash too. Here are 5 cycling products from AliExpress that failed me!
I think I've shown over the years that if you are a savvy shopper, and know where to look, you can build yourself a fantastic carbon road bike with parts from AliExpress. I have built some bikes that perform really well, and easily rival the big brands like Specialized and Cannondale, but they cost a fraction of the price.
However, there are definitely some cycling products that have caused me problems. In this episode I’ll cover a set of ZRACE garmin mounts that only lasted a few weeks, some cheap carbon handlebars from Toseek that snapped on me, some dangerous tubeless tape, carbon saddles that didn't last, and why you should avoid cheap SPD-SL cleats.
Here are the alternative products I recommended if you are interested:
Carbon Garmin/Computer mount:
amzn.to/3s9iBR8
OG-Evkin HB-1300 carbon handlebars:
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ddc...
Muc-Off tubeless rim tape:
amzn.to/3QFw9hk
Zeuis 3D printed carbon saddle:
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dnc...
Timestamps:
00:00 - Start
00:21 - ZRACE handlebar mounts
01:55 - Cheap carbon handlebars
04:00 - Cheap tubeless tape
05:21 - Cheap carbon saddles
07:10 - Cheap SPD-SL cleats
08:28 - Bonus carbon thru axle
09:07 - Wrap-up
09:49 - 100k subscribers!
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - www.go2dev.co.uk
Instagram: / tracevelo
Email: tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
All products demonstrated in this video have been purchased by me, and I have no affiliation to any of the sellers or vendors shown.
In addition, I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
@JimWattsHereNow 10 ай бұрын
Congratulations on the 100k Luke, well deserved. Love your manner and positivity.
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Thanks so much!
@Crashawsome 10 ай бұрын
it's just a number, and half of that are duplicate or dormant accounts and people that don't watch. Chill out.
@KazuyaST 10 ай бұрын
@@Crashawsomewhat's your point? You are so negative.
@andycreese85 10 ай бұрын
@@Crashawsomewhat a dickish comment. How do you know how many people engage with the channel? 100k is an achievement
@denislitisha7136 10 ай бұрын
@@Crashawsomeanustart
@jimbrittain402 10 ай бұрын
🥖Luke, while your humor is always on point, you do a real service to the affordable-cycling community. Thanks. It's always a good day when there's a new Trace Velo video in my feed.
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Awesome, thanks Jim, really appreciate it!
@Storm958 10 ай бұрын
That thru-axle is terrifying.
@TheMichaelInglis 10 ай бұрын
Yeah, like a failure in most other components might end a ride, but if the axle fails, your ride could end in the back of an ambulance.
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Yeah I'm tempted to try and break it, to see just how strong it is. I have had loads of comments to say that it's probably fine, but for 7g difference over a solid alu one, it's def not worth the added points if failure 😂
@ev-ezaye3580 9 ай бұрын
@@TraceVeloRiddle me this, of all the weight savings you want to gain, why gamble with an axle!?!? Why? An invention as old as time and so critical, this carbon fibre thing is a fad! Nothing will replace a metal axle for me
@rubenvor 10 ай бұрын
I also tried the blue rim tape, it's trash. And for any MTBer reading this, stay away from the Fox 36 forks knock offs, I've cracked 3 of them. Congrats on the 100K!!! 🥖🥖🥖
@georgewatson3166 10 ай бұрын
At the bike shop I work at we tend to do a layer of electrical tape before tubeless tape. Helps with adhesion and sturdiness of the tubeless tape
@philso7872 10 ай бұрын
Congratulations on reaching 100k subscribers, Luke. I love your sense of humour and the thoroughness of your reviews and how-to's. You so entertaining and engaging in how you present your material that I will watch your videos even when you are talking about stuff that I am unlikely to buy or do. Looking forward to you reaching your next milestone.
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Thanks so much!!! Yeah it's been a pretty long road to get here, still can't believe it, pretty bonkers tbh 😂
@jbkltc4469 10 ай бұрын
You can use Kapton tape (aka polyimide tape, used as high temperature tape in electronics) as tubeless tape, if you want to go cheap without the branding. It's pretty strong, also i would always double wrap any tape. Fun Fact: even the DT Swiss tubeless tape is Kapton Tape with black printing on top of it, you can wipe it off with acetone...
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Ohhh interesting, def going to have to give that a go next time! And yeah, time to start double wrapping I think 😂
@jbkltc4469 10 ай бұрын
@@TraceVelo also keep the tension really high when wrapping, so that the tape conforms better to the rim profile to avoid air bubbles
@bjorne46 10 ай бұрын
@@TraceVelo @jbkltc4469 , Yes I can attest to that, though I'm using it on MTB rims with lower pressure. I do wrap twice, but the tape is much thinner than regular rimtape, so no real downsides there.
@tomreingold4024 10 ай бұрын
Cheap carbon fiber handlebars from unknown makers sound like a suicide wish. Thanks for proving my intuition is right. You’ve tried things I would never try.
@dperreno 10 ай бұрын
I appreciate that you are giving some recommendations along with your wave-offs. Thanks!
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
My pleasure!
@Tilemason1 10 ай бұрын
Thank you for your enthusiasm and awesome sampling. I have to admit i have never taken a chance on cheap bars or seatposts. Had an aluminum pair of bars fold in half on the track in the 70s and my friend Cindi Whitehead had her seatpost head break 8 mils into a 50mi point to point. The great flume race. She road the whole thing standing up and won by a couple minutes.
@auerswo 10 ай бұрын
Well deserved for the top notch content you always provide. As for someone who had to take a step back financially since I startet to study, your videos are always a greate source for viable info on tech and stuff from the overseas. Thank you ❤️
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
No problem, glad you like them 😊
@stefanohbellote9948 10 ай бұрын
Congrats on the 100k Luke! Been here since the 1st build and it's nice to see the evolution, of the channel and yours!! About the cleats, another issue is not being inside the dimensions and tolerances, I've tried 2 cheap pairs and none of them worked, really hard to clip in because the dimension was wrong, so not even usable. I'm using some parallel ones but from real brands (not the shimano copies) and I gotta say it's worth, since it got some quality control, and at least here in Brazil the original Shimano is very expensive...
@MaciejWiniarczyk 10 ай бұрын
About the tubeless tape. On road bikes you need to go around the rim with tubeless tape at least twice because of the pressure. With single wrap even branded tapes will fail, I can tell from the experience. Both, Mac-off and Stans No Tube tapes failed me on road bike when single wrapped. Single wrap is OK on mountain bike wheels, where pressures are generally 3 times smaller.
@idkchikiboom 10 ай бұрын
Im probably late but congratulations on 100k subscribers!!! Really happy that ive witnessed one of my favorite bicycle youtube creators hit 100k! Keep it up luke!!
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Thanks a ton! 🎉🎉🎉
@alanleclair1 10 ай бұрын
Congratulations on 100k my friend! Love your show. Keep up the fantastic work! 👏💪🎉
@tatokutalia 10 ай бұрын
wow 100K. congrats!!! been here since the first video. well deserved! Thanks for the awesome content
@mosestrosin 10 ай бұрын
Great content! Congratulations with 100k, well deserved 👏
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Thanks a ton!
@jekyll8004 10 ай бұрын
🥐🥖🥐🥖🥐 Congratulations on the 100,000 subs! Well deserved!! 🥖🥐🥖🥐🥖 Hopefully you enjoy that wonderful South Pacific (British) summer! 😃
@jbhorner 10 ай бұрын
Wow...100K--didn't realize until the end of your video! That's awesome! Congrats!
@marcmilne9228 10 ай бұрын
Congrats on the 100k! Love what you do!
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Thanks so much!!
@slickfast 10 ай бұрын
HOLY CRAP 100k! I'm surprised it's taken this long, I hope you're getting paid enough to sustain yourself all jokes aside! Cheers from the USA! I have the RYET version of that saddle and it's fantastic, by the way. The nose is nice and wide and the central cutout is nice and large, so you can scoot forward and still be pretty comfy. 50 bucks well spent in my opinion. I think you're starting to hone in on what people really want to see... someone sifting through the swamp of aliexpress and digging up all the gems! I very much enjoy this type of content personally, especially on the "cheap gravel frameset" side of things!
@themusette5894 10 ай бұрын
Congratulations Luke! Beenfollowing you for a long time, so happy for you! ☺
@ZizBauer 10 ай бұрын
Congrats on 100k subs Luke! We knew the day would come. My man!
@raybraydh2956 10 ай бұрын
great that you give an informed report on these products wish i had steered clear of Siroko though
@matthewbarnes472 10 ай бұрын
Congrats on 100k! For the Garmin mount, you might be able to add small o rings as washers between the handlebars, may work as a shock absorber
@kool_thing 10 ай бұрын
Congrats on 100k, Luke! Keep up the great job.
@simonalexandercritchley439 10 ай бұрын
Congrats on getting to 100 subs Luke. Greetings from the not tropical south pacific. N.Z winter,cold and showery.
@sandromartini7307 10 ай бұрын
Great content as always and hilarious ending there dude. Congrats and keep it coming
@mike_f 10 ай бұрын
Carbon thru axle is scarier than a Steven King and Clive Barker movie marathon. I literally had a shiver when you held it up.
@Buzzwindrip 10 ай бұрын
100k!! Congratulations! 🎉👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@poudreuse8391 10 ай бұрын
Thanks again for yet another great informative video!
@JayHeartwing 10 ай бұрын
Congratz on the 100k, sir Luke ^^ Great video as alwats
@Pionirish 10 ай бұрын
As always a great video with salient points and spot on editing too!
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Thanks so much! I really take my time with the edit, so glad this is coming across 😊
@keanermitano477 7 ай бұрын
I am thinking about buying the Carbon seatpost rail clamps, then came this video. Thank you so much!
@larrymcgoldrick3471 10 ай бұрын
100k and going higher... Good Luck! Thanks for everything.
@merckxy54 9 ай бұрын
Well done Luke, always great content!
@aemediainc 10 ай бұрын
Good list Luke. Ironically my Ali integrated bar has been amazing over 3 years, but it was the garmin mount that cracked in half very early - and it was the style you preferred 😅.
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Interesting. Yeah it can definitely be hit and miss with alot of this stuff. I have def seen over the last year or so, if you are willing to spend just a little bit extra, it can get you stuff that tends to be the next tier up in terms of quality
@rosskilburn3012 10 ай бұрын
🥖 from a long time fan living in France, your baguettes are delivered! Fun as always!
@n22pdf 10 ай бұрын
Well done on 100k dude awesome channel 😊 Pete
@DerekGreen123 10 ай бұрын
Massive congrats on the 100K subscribers 🥖👍😀 Love your videos, both for the entertainment and the genuinely useful info 🤓
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Thanks so much!
@_NoName... 10 ай бұрын
I have been missing these comical bits on your videos, remember one well made at the begining of the video about a detective (or similar). Congrats on the rising of your channel 🏆
@aaronricks6490 8 ай бұрын
My friend thanks for the heads up I was getting ready to do a bike build from Ali Express.👍👍👍
@ribblevalleycyclist 10 ай бұрын
100k.... Nice one, Luke. Looks like the career plan is working for you. Generally pleased for you mate 🎉👍
@antonwearsakilt5209 10 ай бұрын
A Brooks leather saddle is the best, classic style and great comfort once broken in.
@ThunderStruckMTB 10 ай бұрын
MTBer here that will never ride a road bike, but will never miss an episode. Tons of fun here!
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Haha, thanks ThunderStruck! I'm only joking about the MTB stuff, I love you guys!!!!
@YuPeeJay 10 ай бұрын
Gratz to 100k, and as always, superentertaining! 🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖
@RenghisKhan 10 ай бұрын
Hi Luke, congrats on the 100k, well deserved, watching your vids is as fun as riding a bike with a 4bf tail wind. I bought that Zeius saddle cpl of weeks ago and was surprised how comfortable it is. The SMP Gel saddle on my other bike is maybe a bit more comfy but it does weigh three Zeiuses. Tally-ho towards 200k, bro! May your 🥖🥖 taste French!
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Thanks so much! Yeah glad you liked the saddle, it's definitely impressed me over the last few months!!!
@jbstillman 10 ай бұрын
3M 8896 is your best buy for cheap tape. $15 for 55m of it. I am always excited to find cheap saddles! I have a (not carbon) $10 ali express saddle that is so far my most favorite one to date, even over my more expensive name brand ones. Thanks for these videos! I always enjoy budget parts! Congrats on the 100K!
@Cicadawee 10 ай бұрын
Thank you, luke for your honest review.Always!!!👌
@hockysa 10 ай бұрын
🥖grats on 100k luke! 🥖 glad you're able to do this full time now and love all the content. p.s. waiting for some Siroko x Trace Velo merch to drop
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Thanks so much!!! Yeah I'm taking with Siroko atm, so stay tuned 😊
@strokenumber3 10 ай бұрын
Finally I found a decent cycling channel; Subscribed.
@MiegmaishMenas 10 ай бұрын
Got the Zeuis saddle based on your recommendation. The build quality is exactly as you described, the ride quality is great. Not sure if the shape is perfect for me, but it’s better and more comfortable than the Selle italia series x that came with my bike, so it’s an improvement. So far have some 400km on it, with a 100km ride and a 50km race.
@Questioneverything72 10 ай бұрын
Great channel. Congrats on subs count. Keep it up 👍
@prlato1974 10 ай бұрын
GRATZ ON 100K! More baguettes!!! 🥖🥖 😁 Luke, have you looked at the MIXED 5D, 6D and 7D saddles? I have been riding the 5D for several months and it is great!
@bitchoflivingblah 10 ай бұрын
I'm 3/3 - i'm not counting the carbon thru axle or rim tape as I run rim brakes. 1) My aluminium wahoo mount has lasted no problems - i bought the second version shown at the end of this sequence. Bought another one as it was soo good. 2) Toseek handlebars - bought them yonks ago and still am too wary to fit them to the bike. 3) Yep I've got a carbon saddle and it has yet to grace my bike, it's actually more ornamental than anything else - a lovely thing to look at. Things that have worked out okay: TPU inner tubes, oversized jockey wheels, and the odd bit of clothing. Well done on the 100k subs - well deserved and looking forward to you servicing this community of cheapskates for a long time to come.
@dchan328 10 ай бұрын
Congrats Luke on your 100k plus milestone 👍👍👍
@wiggostheone5424 9 ай бұрын
Great love your videos and has helped me a lot
@TomStringer 10 ай бұрын
loved the MTB'ers will be shot sign - congrats on the 100k - very well deserved Luke.
@hallsimon 10 ай бұрын
Congrats Luke, you deserve it. OGEvkin gear is good stuff. I've got a set of their aero bars, a stem and out front mount. I was glad to see you recommended them too!.
@broadwellelectrics3377 10 ай бұрын
Congrats on 100k! Unlike this trash, you're treasure. The local raccoons told me so.
@TheRocketyaourt 10 ай бұрын
the 100k subs is real !! congrats !
@brockjennings 10 ай бұрын
Congratulations on the 100K subscribers milestone!
@stephenwagner2084 10 ай бұрын
🥖🥖🥖looking good Luke. Glad your channel is growing. Looking forward to future content.
@colinforester6844Niloc 10 ай бұрын
Nice one on the 100k And keep going the videos are great 🎉
@paulmorrison30 10 ай бұрын
Excellent advice as always 🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖
@01FozzyS 10 ай бұрын
Congrats on the 100k,Luke!
@not-a-raccoon 10 ай бұрын
Congratulations on 100k!! It's well deserved! 🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖
@grantnyenes3742 10 ай бұрын
100k subs, well done Luke, I was with you when you had about 5k😂😂
@kangmi26 10 ай бұрын
You need add more content like this.. Some podcast said you're too overlooked chinese brand. But for me, your vid is my research 😂👍
@eatingMagniDezmondsAss 10 ай бұрын
I thought I didn't set the torques right for my Aeronova handlebars since they also feel flimsly, good thing I found this video, might switch back to Aluminum handlebars. Also Congrats on 100k!
@frazhussain2211 10 ай бұрын
Takes a lot to make me laugh. End clip had me in stitches. Bravo on the channels success
@joseph8208 10 ай бұрын
I brought a bafang 750W mid drive e bike kit with a 20Ah battery off Ali express. So far I'm really really impressed by it. I hope it stands the test of time. Reviews seem to be generally good too from other you tubers. Not sure I'd want to mount it to anything carbon though as its a hefty kit with the biggest battery but great for a traditional bike frame. I do recommend Loctite for the battery mounting screws though.
@william3k 10 ай бұрын
Love the outro Luke. Congrats on 100k subs. 🥖🥖🥖
@kevinfrikitona 10 ай бұрын
Congrats on your 100k U deserve it and more 🎉👊
@TheTomilix 10 ай бұрын
Keep at it. Love your videos!
@MFQuinnCyclist 10 ай бұрын
I have three bikes with the RXL SL integrated handlebar and stem. So far so good. I will check them more often now
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Yeah had a few people say their RXL stuff has been fine, might have to give them another chance....
@shambles9 10 ай бұрын
Great tips! thanks !
@michaelmechex 10 ай бұрын
Congrats on the 100k, that's amazing! I gotta admit, I have my own experience with a copuple of these 😅the only one of these that I have found good was the ZTTO blue tubeless tape, it's proper thick and sticky and I rode it at 70psi for months. I haven't doubled it up either.
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Yeah I was honestly a bit surprised myself, never had that happen before. The bike was left in the back of a hot car, so that probably didn't help. I think if Id have double wrapped it, it would have been fine...
@kurtkuehnert 10 ай бұрын
Hi Luke, congrats on the 100k subscribers. Your videos are truly great. I really appreciate the work that you do. Thank you. I would love to see some coverage of RYET/LEXON parts. They seem really affordable and quite good quality (at least in the product photos). I own one of their padded carbon saddles (RYET unox saddle) and it is just awesome. 25 Euros for a 130g saddle, which is extremely comfortable. Maybe you could take a look at their handlebar and wheel offerings as well.
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Yeah I've heard some good things about the Ryet stuff from a few comments. Next time I'm shopping around, I'll pick something up for sure!
@ryanw8987 10 ай бұрын
Congrats on 100k! Definitely well deserved, though it should have happened earlier 🙂. Best cycling gear channel on YT! 🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖
@TraceVelo 10 ай бұрын
Thanks a ton!
@TheImprobableIronman 10 ай бұрын
Congratulations on the 100K subs fella - well deserved.
@GrahamB29 10 ай бұрын
I’ve got 2 copies of a 30-ish quid conventional bar. Bolt it to a uno stem and you’re rolling with 300g of bar + stem and nicely stiff. Not nearly as sexy as an integrated bar, but probably lighter and damn near as aero. It’s an rxl-sl. Similar story for carbon seats... I have one fully padded that weighs 135g and it’s still doing its thing after a year...
@marcbryant8482 10 ай бұрын
Congrats Luke, bet you're still pinching yourself in some way (maybe not the naughty way). Definitely a helpful vid and loved the 100k sub celebration
@KazurinRyuu 10 ай бұрын
I'm using the 3M 8896 as tubeless/rim tape and it is holding up flawlessly. You can usually get a big 55m roll for very cheap.
@peterfuxx8645 10 ай бұрын
as for me, TESA 4289 also did the job quite flawlessly 👍
@stevewilliams5428 10 ай бұрын
Front garmin/light mounts.. I use a cheap one but put a short piece of single sided draught excluder between the mount and the bars and then tighten up. You still get vibration in the mount but it's damped enough to prevent fracture damage.
@boreqyas 10 ай бұрын
Hey Luke I got the "The One Pro" Handlebar and so far a very good feel and nice to set up, clean look as well. It is more pricey, but apparently it stands it's ground. Can you maybe test it and review it? Greetings and congrats to 100k, well deserved
@Astronomater 10 ай бұрын
Happy my budget saddle was a recommended one and not a bust.
@dioright 10 ай бұрын
Nice production quality. Close to Rides of Japan day after day
@eLpELoNdeJaPoN 10 ай бұрын
I'll suggest the possible solutions to the items of your video Luke by recommending my own experience with similar items. 1:20 Toseek TR5500 the Garmin support is strong and not long as the one you show probably the price is higher but the way it's built makes it stronger in that specific area. I saw the video and agreed with the saddle option but please don't risk or trust that much carbon accessories! Specially those used in very important places as the axel
@michawasiljew6620 10 ай бұрын
Tossek saddle rails you can fix using Cyanoacrylate Glue. It's basically a elastic superglue which I used when my saddle has separated from the rails about 2000 miles ago, still going strong.
@c0olcast 10 ай бұрын
WOOHOO! CONGRATS Luke on the 100k subs, well deserved!🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖
@danielquintana8533 10 ай бұрын
I actually have that aero Toseek handlebar (like that one of yours that snapped in two), and well... so far so good, so... fingers crossed🤞🏻😅. As for the 100K subs, pretty much well deserved, Luke! Most our bikes have parts and gizmos we've previously seen on your channel that have made our rides lighter and more comfy.
@george.carlin 10 ай бұрын
congratulations buddy. All the best to you and your family and friends.
@VishnuRajendranAmboo 10 ай бұрын
Lol congrats on the 100kbmate... Well deserved and plenty more to come 🎉🎉
@vicamaral 10 ай бұрын
Awesome 100k subscribers, love your videos, and still buying aliexpress love it mate.
@chrislambert2875 10 ай бұрын
I bought the tooseek handle bars. When I got them, it looked like they got broken in transit. When I put pressure on them the " crack" never opened but just to be sure I put them on my zwift bike 😅
@MrThearijal 10 ай бұрын
After the hillarious "See ya! whoaa..tsaah" and then casual face.. Always make me smile 😊 🥖🥖🥖
@chrisdown2591 10 ай бұрын
CONGRATULATIONS! 100K!
@garethholler6771 10 ай бұрын
Mixed 5d carbon saddle is a winner. Best saddle i have ever ridden and only $40
@aveedub7403 10 ай бұрын
Wey hey, 100k, well done Luke, time to pop the champers with mrs Trace Velo! Excellent achievement and well deserved for all the effort you put in😁😁😁😁🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾
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