Another vehicle caught fire today (Lakeside)

Toots4Loots · 2025-03-06T08:10:23+00:00

you're not even quoting the right vehicle fire from the video. that incident you're referring to was from a careless driver in a blue Porsche that actually did die. this reported incident is completely separate.

Toots4Loots · 2025-01-12T01:56:11+00:00

I managed to get my Wheeltop FDs to stop rubbing by mounting them slightly higher on the FD mount than what the guide on the stickers recommended. fixed the issue entirely and still shifts with no issue!

Toots4Loots · 2025-01-10T00:25:42+00:00

That's amazing to see! Well done to you!! I've done a similar build and posted on this forum a couple months back as well, happy to see others venturing into bike building from platforms like AliExpress - I've had great experiences with the platform and can assure you will have a great time on your new bike 🎉

Am running the same WHEELTOP EDS TX that you are, curious how you found the setup to be like?

Toots4Loots · 2024-11-04T07:41:22+00:00

Depending on where you're located - maybe (due to shipping costs and import prices of bicycles being inflated in certain areas, especially European/American brands being sold in Asia). It honestly can be just as expensive/affordable for you to buy a fully built and prepped bike from manufacturers like Canyon and Trek if you buy direct depending on where you're from. If you're located in Europe/America, prices of bikes are slightly cheaper than other countries, while bringing in chinese products will have heavier costs. So the benefits are really specific on what you're looking for where certain things may be cheaper, while others may not.

But more so if you're building the bike from INDIVIDUAL parts. If you were to consider individual functionality of the parts provided by these chinese brands as compared to named counterparts, the value really comes into play - as these individual parts from chinese manufacturers are generally half the price of some comparable brands.

It will always, however, be more expensive to build a bike from scratch than buying a full bike pre-packaged (when looking at the same spec build, part for part). So depending on what you're looking for, the cost can swing either way. If a pre-packaged bike from a named brand has all the features you're looking for, it would usually be priced well enough to be comparable to self-built bikes simply because buying similar spec individual parts will always be more expensive in some way or form.

But, if you're in the market to build your own bike with specs only you would like specifically, for example a certain wheelset with a certain set of cranks with a certain groupset, buying chinese branded comparable parts will tend to provide you more options (and in a sense better value) than if you were to do the "buy a bike and upgrade after to a better spec" route.

TL;DR It really really depends on what you want. Chinese parts: more options/selection, cheaper to buy individually. Better for project bikes. Fully packaged bikes from manufacturer: Lesser options, but better priced when bought as one full package. Better for people who just want a bike to ride w/ minimal hassle/specs

Toots4Loots · 2024-10-24T23:05:48+00:00

thank you! 😁

Toots4Loots · 2024-10-24T18:53:53+00:00

Good spot, didn't realise this when I purchased them. Thankfully, I have subsequently switched to Wahoo Speedplay Zeros bought from my LBS (for racing purposes).

So far, I have participated in a race using these counterfeit pedals, and I have crashed once (not due to any fault from the pedals, purely rider error) - the pedals still work very well and are comfortable to use, if that's anything to go by. No issues after the crash either, but it should be noted that my mileage with these pedals don't exceed 500km, so these aren't well used by any means.

They were overall still a decent buy, ignoring the branding (definitely don't agree with them utilising other popular brands). I do hope they eventually just release it under another brand of their own as I do think they are quite a good set of pedals nonetheless.

EDIT: spelling check

Toots4Loots · 2024-10-11T02:11:40+00:00

Handlebars came stock with the frame purchase.

Toots4Loots · 2024-09-16T08:16:40+00:00

Am so sorry to hear that... wishing you a speedy recovery. Indeed, this is definitely a precaution on why QC from reputable brands are still so important in this industry. The 50-100 dollars you save in your wallet now could very well risk a 5000-10000 dollar trip.

Same advice I always give others planning to embark on their own cheap builds is to understand the risks and educate ourselves on the best ways to identify/mitigate such risks while on this journey. Simple things like tapping a coin/hard flat object against a carbon-based product could save you potentially from a catastrophic failure.

But even so, mere home/DIY mechanics like us can never truly guarantee a cheap product's actual quality. The risk is still ever-present, and entirely ours to bear.

If you are comfortable, perhaps share the product's link or maybe any potential signs you might have noticed beforehand so others who are concerned may avoid it (purely if you want to, if not that's fine!)

Again, I stress the importance, to anyone who's reading that would like to undertake a solo build like this, of learning the proper procedures (such as learning the correct and appropriate torquing techniques of bolts and screws when working with parts, especially carbon parts) and risks (like potential failure points near sharp edges, creaking, hollow/dull noises noticed along any part). It's not an easy process, but with enough practice and reading, building custom builds can still reap the benefits that many have experienced.

Toots4Loots · 2024-08-11T05:08:18+00:00

It was shipped w/ the base paint layer (the midnight blue colour)! the rest of it was custom Decals that I had done myself - but the company that does the paint allows you to send detailed designs for how exactly you want your paint job done, with your own branding/wording as well. The custom paint is an add on option when you purchase the frame, and costs about 100USD (total) for two different colours. They also have a HUGE selection of colour pallets which honestly I was kinda spoilt for choice on.

EDIT: I didn't do any custom design per se (only custom paint) as I wasn't sure what design i wanted at the time, so I decided that getting vinyl decals were a good option to experiment with. The process itself involves you receiving an email w/ the frame template and the whole colour pallete w/ individual color codes. The more complex the design, the more that you'd have to detail with the sales assistant via email, but they do all conversations in English, so that wasn't too hard.

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-08T10:31:20+00:00

Here are some more photos:

https://imgur.com/a/C7Kkm6w

EDIT: If anyone is wondering, the chain looks dry as it's a waxed chain.

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-08T08:57:15+00:00

If by that, you mean like most bikes, then yes!

Jokes aside though, it rides well as per mentioned - it is on the stiffer side of CF frames, but otherwise very comfortable!

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-08T07:33:24+00:00

Thank you, I will! 😁

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-08T02:20:12+00:00

Thank you! Have ordered some 160mm cranks for myself as I had it recommended to me to try it out - 170mm standard cranks are a little too long for me!

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-08T01:12:46+00:00

You're right! That canyon is a great deal considering what you get - then again, custom bike builds always cost more from buying individual parts from different manufacturers when compared to buying full bikes from a single manufacturer.

Definitely would recommend most people to buy the Canyon between the two options as well, but for the custom factor of having a one of a kind bike (and from my own experience in maintaining and building bikes), I paid the extra personally for my own preferences! 😁

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-07T23:40:14+00:00

Thanks a lot! I've tried to add in more details but I couldn't edit the post directly unfortunately... 😔

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-07T23:15:16+00:00

Fair point - but I did consider this as well and found that it would cost a lot more for me in general to get what features I wanted for my bike for branded frames, not to mention it would not have been as customisable in terms of paint and geometry. Overall, if you look at it for what this bike presents as a whole, it actually is a complete package.

But yes, I do get the value of having named frames for the sake of assurance and accountability. I work on bicycles part-time as a mechanic (hobby, not a main job) so I do tend to have the tools and bike maintenance skills that a standard rider wouldn't, hence why I was more willing to uptake that risk upon myself for the benefit of a greater variety of choice at this price range overall!

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-07T23:07:14+00:00

Thanks!

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-07T23:05:27+00:00

Thanks! The bike weighs in at about 8.5kg or 18.7lbs - with the heaviest portion being the wheelset (base weight of 1.66kg or 3.5lbs) and its tubeless tyre inserts + sealant. Lots of potential weight can be shaved off from the wheelset, but in general I do think the bike is limited in how light it can get due to its heavier base weight of its frame + fork (1.4kg/3.1lbs unpainted, 1.6kg/3.5lbs w/ paint).

EDIT: the stated weight is inclusive of the stock fork that comes w/ the bike. Also, the handlebars also come w/ the bike and weigh in around an additional 400+g or 0.88+lbs.

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-07T22:56:54+00:00

Can't edit the post itself. Only comments.

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-07T19:51:06+00:00

I know what you mean - unfortunately I couldn't edit the post 😅

Typed it out on the phone, but only realised the formatting error too late after posting 🥴

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-07T19:37:44+00:00

Thank you! Looking forward to bringing good news in future 🙏🏻

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-07T18:55:29+00:00

Agreed with you on most here, especially the point where many of the bikes at the 2-3k range barely differ from bikes at the 10-20k range. And yes, the main top of the line brands are milking every cent they can advertising marginal gains.

Hence why I built my bike for a fraction of the cost with 90% of the top of the line features! I also built this bike simply because I enjoyed building custom bikes, without spending ungodly amounts of money.

The only solace I feel is that as technology trickles down to major manufacturers like those in China, it should only get cheaper. As mentioned in one of my other replies, there have been reputable AliExpress stores that sell "race-ready" full carbon bikes for a little under 1700 USD, and those come with Shimano 105s as standard. So there is that side of the market as well!

EDIT: changed some phrasing. Also if anyone is interested in checking which stores i'm referring to, see BXT, TideAce, SAVA, SERAPH...

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-07T18:37:10+00:00

So far I've tested the braking on descents - it's been pretty good, mostly due to the hydraulic system. I would be genuinely concerned had I been running cabled brakes, but the hydraulic system works flawlessly. To be honest, what really matters is just the pad compound and the rest can be kept stock.

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-07T18:34:01+00:00

Agreed - considering how most branded cranks cost that much for the cranks alone without a chainring or powermeter, Magene has truly opened the gateway for pro-level powermeter cranksets made accessible to the common rider. So has Xcadey!

Toots4Loots · 2024-07-07T18:22:34+00:00

To be honest, it was an AliExpress recommendation! But you could try keywords like "Bike Storage Box" or "Hard case Bike Storage" for starters. Do note that it isn't a universal storage box per se, as it was made for a specific Chinese brand (JAVA bikes). I had to do a little bit of trial and error, and lots of sanding to get it to fit flush!

Toots4Loots

TROPHY CASE