Custom Bike Build From AliExpress! | Worth The Risk?

[@gmbntech]

Have you ever bought any bike components from AliExpress? How was the experience?

[@davidpottage6402]

Quite a lot of parts over the years, and while some have turned out to be junk, most has been good quality and reliable: * Shimano Deore brakes - about half UK RRP - OEM in a plastic bag but genuine Shimano and not fake. * Shimano Deore drivetrain (With an off-brand cassette), also much cheaper than UK RRP and works nicely. * ZOTTO wheelset, very good quality with nice hubs, rims, bladed spokes and a 54T star ratchet, all for about £150 +VAT * Numerous lights, computers etc * Lots of aluminium stems, bottle cages etc. My bad experiences mostly come from very cheap plastic items like bells and computer mounts costing under £2, and a carbon bar that cracked when I over torqued my stem when mounting it.

[@UPMTB]

I haven’t shopped from Ali express but have had issues with counterfeit Shimano chains off Amazon. Counterfeits everywhere. Interesting video mate. I enjoyed it much

[@rasmusvedel]

Multiple shimano groupsets. Deore 10s and now CUES. A few sets of MT200 brakes that I run on the daily. Chainrings. Chainring bolts. Stems. Seatposts. Loads of stuff. I like my stuff without logos and sometimes Ali has been the only solution.

[@dylan-5287]

I got some cranks off Ali express, shimano 24mm axle but with sram 3 bolt chain ring mount lol. They work great. For parts I mostly stick to "real" brands. But I've got a bunch of tools, headset press and a remover, derailleur hanger adjuster, a 3d printed gizmo you can attach onto your frame to true rims for $2. About to buy a set of bearing presses next. Tons of cool stuff on there.

[@youarevictoria4981]

I have two full-AliExpress bikes now and they have both been fine. Chains and zz bottom bracket bearings are the only parts that have been a problem.

[@animxix]

Finally! we've been asking for this videos for YEARS! As someone living in the Asian World, we do get some parts from aliexpress in the daily, here's some thoughts: I agree with Owen about ordeing stuff in Ali, you'll just have to make EXTRA sure you order the right parts, if in doubt, sellers are willing to help you, but the answers they'll give are hit and miss, regarding the language barrier, but for most questions they can answer them well enough. Suspension: Just don't. They will work on a few rides, but British weather is hard on suspension. So I'd stick with brands we actually know. "Bolany" is infamous of dying cartridges and snapping down the dropouts, stanchions... actually it just breaks pretty easily if you ride it hard. Rear suspension is meh, there a higher possibility of exploding, that's what I can say about it. Brakes: Actually, some brands do hold up, the Pro E4's are a great substitute if you can't afford shimano's 4 Pot, some riders buy the calipers then use shimano levers to get 4 pot for cheap. But if you're actually considering buying this because of the price, I'd just recommend saving up and getting Shimano's MT420's. But if you got money to burn and are curious, why not? Groupsets: Most sellers do sell genuine Shimano parts (I'd be wary anything lower than Deore though) but some would opt to get 3rd party parts, namely the chain and casette to get a lower price, but some do sell complete Shimano groups, but for a lot more. So if you're on a budget, these group combos are great bang for buck. Crank: Quite a meme we got here "1Dev" we call it because they can't afford the other 4. There has no news about it breaking but it just a matter of time. Frames: Some frames are hit and miss, but around 400-800 USD mark is the budget range for aluminum frames, the recent ones do look great, but the routing is a bit of a faff as Owen pointed out, tolerances are a bit eh, Geometry as well can be a headache, but like cmon what do you expect? For brands "Sodace", "Fastwork", or "Speedone" are pretty accurate with their geo claims. Cockpit: Stems are a fine pick, but bars? hell no. "Wake" are in my opinion C tier parts if you're a rider who rides aggressively, but for something to cruise around on? Not a bad choice. Deemount are surprisingly good grips for cheap. Pedals, eh hit and miss, just get proper ones. Saddles are also hit and miss, the 3D printed ones are a bit of a novelty though at this price range. Exaform is a great budget dropper, most of my mates have it in different lengths. Its cheap enough that we really don't care what happens, if it breaks, we just get a new one. Wheelsets: ZTTO is a well respected brand, they're more know in the tools segment but they do make pretty good bike parts and rimsets. But Id recommend tensioning them after a ride. They're quite loose. CST of course is just lower end Maxxis, good brand.

[@superlazy3355]

I got some bucklos riser bars just to see if they suit me... The bends on the stem aren't perfect, but they're cheap and haven't had any issues so far!

[@blusta24]

Now… take it down the mountain and through the forests!

[@fundidoarrojo269]

They will. In another episode...

[@saviocardoz9580]

It'd be great to get updates on this bike every couple of months, while its being ridden. Would show the durability of these parts.

[@mooska1]

I would also like to see this, but I don't think anybody is going to ride it

[@gunklejay]

@@mooska1 Blake would send it. Better yet, call Sam Pilgrim.

[@MTB_Rider_96]

I've built 6 bikes using Chinese frames and all high-end components. My goal was to build a bike for significantly less $$$$$$ than I can buy from the big-name brands, and I succeeded every time! I buy Chinese frame with the geometry I want and that buy a drive train like SRAM XX1 or Shimano XTR, and a high-end fork. I find deals all over the world and build high-end bike for 1/2 the cost.

[@LukeRichardson1981]

With the exception of my road bike's custom Ti frame that I bought directly from Waltly, both of my bikes were built exclusively from parts that I bought from Taobao (the Chinese domestic version of AliExpress). I have put around 10,000km on both bikes since building them up, and overall they've been great. I've had some dud parts (had some issues with off-brand SPD pedals, aluminum wheels, cable actuated hydraulic brakes, and cranksets) but overall given how much I use both of my bikes (that 10,000km on each bike was all done in the last 18 months) I think they've held up pretty darned well.

[@UPMTB]

Is that ohlins or just made from old rims…..only time will tell .. stay tuned !

[@DanWebb8080]

Ive got a feeling that chain is out of spec and may chew up the cassette great video

[@mrmurder75]

Give it to Sam pilgrim see how it holds up

[@TimSwinson86]

Bought an entire deore 11s groupset + slx 4 piston brakes (all genuine) for about half the price they would have cost me retail here in Australia. I suspect a lot of the Shimano stuff on there is OEM, hence why they can source it so cheaply compared to retail parts.

[@burningpentagram666]

For about the same money I bought myself a 2009 Kona Coilair off Ebay. New Old Stock , used probably once as I found 3 grains of sand in the steerer tube.

[@cipriansimion1388]

2 years ago I made a very similar bike, the difference being that I bought like half of it from Aliexpress, apart from the drivetrain, tires and brakes, which were purchased locally from Shimano and Schwalbe. The wheels were the same, from ZTTO with P3 hubs, the dropper also from Exa Form. It came equipped with a Himalo front air fork with 160mm travel and the one on the back - I don't remember at the moment from which company, but it is on simple air, without a spring. Everything worked perfectly, I had no compatibility problems, I was very carefully with the ordering. What can I say, the bike is very good, it even survived a fall at 42kmph with only scratches, although I wasn't that lucky :). Problems i have: I could only switch to tubeless on one wheel ( the rim of the rear wheel was not properly sealed), the bearings on the front wheel were changed, one had compressed balls (possibly from the accident), the bushing bolt from the lower part of rear shock was like 1-2mm longer then it should be and have a slight movement, but i file it and now it fits perfectly. All in all I am very satisfied with it, I use it for mountain bikepacking and bikeparks. The final cost was like 2K euros, i wasn't aim for the cheapest parts and mostly came from the local stores.

[@Alfthecyclist]

I bought a 2021 Trek Marlin 5 as an off-road commuter, that would run in all weathers nd generally get abused. Best £450 I've ever spent. I bring this up because you mention the loose fitting tyres. The Bontrager XR2 Comp tyres that came with my Trek are the loosest fitting tyres I've ever had. I can repair a puncture on them without using tyre levers!

[@mooska1]

Interesting video. Cheap components aside, I would definitely watch more bike build videos.

[@tsw123456789]

Id like to see a carbon fibre full suspension XC build, including carbon rims. But I really enjoyed this. love watching Owen (Moss the IT crowd) go full geek

[@milesfinch]

Defo follow up on this build, it will make a decent little series on fettling the parts to achieve a working bike.

[@DirtlovR]

"Big MTB corporations don't want you to know this simple trick!"

[@Watchshowroom]

Test it in a trail!!!!

[@LittleTones1]

Great Video Owen. You weren't cringing quite as much as I was throughout. There is a place for Chinese parts but as there's copies of copies of copies the whole sourcing is a minefield. If you can get the best quality appropriate parts I'm sure you can get quite a reasonable build, but that's something you probably need to build up experience on to do so.

[@fudganuld]

I've bought a few ZTTO items and have had no issues what so ever with them.....Ha!

[@snokefilmmedia]

I've used that bootleg Evosid shock, and it's really quite good. It uses Rockshox-sized springs. Bummer that it didn't fit the frame. I also use those brakes on all my bikes. They are simply amazing for the price.

[@bobbybecker80]

Great review and cautionary tale. I doubt that fork will last a dozen rides.

[@twilliamrc4wd]

Looks like somebody forgot to take off the 2 mm spacer from the cassette

[@noelius4481]

Before you ride this. Replace that handlebar. Tried that brand and it broke where the stem clamped it and yes I did follow the torque spec. Also yes it's a painful otb.

[@NaZ-rs1dd]

In a twisted way im glad that the Chinese isn't scared to label there products with twisted names They stand out and if the products good you definitely won't forget the price tag along with that twisted name

[@RaulCojocariu]

Watch that saddle my produce some mutations down there 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣! Great looking bike, really like the color combo.

[@Ghost12561]

These are the factories that build our western brands frames and parts etc but we just put 6-10x times the price because it is a western brand hahaha

[@gajavin563]

Next build, Hardtail.

[@ralphcrosby4051]

Thanks for the vid buying on line is a bite sketchy don't believe what you see

[@not-a-raccoon]

So you've seen how successful trace velo has been and you want in, huh?

[@ArtisVeidemanis]

Cheap AliEx has really questionable quality, but "premium" Ali parts are similar price as some used, good quality brand parts. I always go for used brand parts to save some money. People sometimes sell things almost perfect condition, low price!

[@twilliamrc4wd]

Does wheels are tubeless ready I have a that saying real sad and they work really well with Continental X King tubeless tires when you order any tires with steel wire they don't fit on the tires as well

[@cattamer7326]

i have the same stem from aliexpress ther make a great job and its coast only 22 euros

[@gmbntech]

How has it been?

[@SquaredCircle777]

AliExpress parts are a minefield, but there are some amazing deals to be had on high quality stuff (maybe not after tarriffs...). You really need to know what brands to look for though, only shop reputable stores, and use common sense (ie don't use $5 bars, stems, pedals, suspension, etc.) Also, I would be more weary of a Chinese aluminum frame than a carbon one. China has excellent carbon manufacturing. You'd have been better off with a carbon frame and brand name suspension and cockpit.

[@EllzDoingStuff]

i just built my one last week same colour rides mint,frame was only £350 did wait 3 months tho

[@steven7169]

If it was me I'd face it, is it not you doing the work then?

[@markgolding8946]

my last bike was an aliexpress frame, wheels, seat post and cranks , Had a few problems that led to an Aliexpress dispute which ruled in my favor so I got a substantial refund on the frame. I managed to sort out the problems with the frame and I have been riding the bike for the last three years without any issues , I still order aliexpress parts but you have to be careful what you order, Those 5dev cranks are so bad they are dangerous , replace them before you try and ride that bike

[@DanWebb8080]

I dont understand that chainring i thaught all chains are 1/2 inch pitch ive had loads of cheap chinese chainrings never ran into that problem

[@d.Lightman79]

The problem is not the pitch, it's the thickness of the teeths that are too big for a 12s chain

[@DanWebb8080]

@d.Lightman79 not true from 9 speed up the inner inner width is the same its only the outer width that gets thinner

[@roik.6694]

Let Sam Pilgrim have a go

[@Bananamojo78]

Plenty of KZbin channels that do build and ride bikes from AliExpress and test them for hundreds of miles. Some people need to stop looking down on budget builds. You don’t need to spend £8k to have a good bike and stop making out like everything is built in the UK and that Chinese manufacture is sub standard

[@roik.6694]

For normal use it will be okay, but I would be afraid to go to a bike park or going fast …

[@twilliamrc4wd]

I thought you were a mechanic you act like you never ever worked on a bike before

[@MikeZak101]

so the short answer is no, you can't

[@Mike22313]

1) first mistake - buy full suspension frame without research 2) budget too low for enduro 3) noname shock - your mistake. You can buy any big brand shock, but for cheap, i recommend X-Fusion. 4) bolony is ok, for cheap fork, but its need some modification to work properly 5) you probably need to check bandl. Somtime seller set some cheaper bundle with sunshine casset and sumc chain. Its wtrited, but non in main foto. Trap as its is. Not realy new on western marketplace 6) for cranks you need to go prowheel, not cowboy some fakes In the end, more reserch, befor you buy. But dont buy full suspension frame for cheap. Buy hardtail.

[@DZig]

Complete garbage. Only someone as skilled as yourself could put parts like that together to make a bicycle shaped object.

[@JFz-07]

Yeah if you dont have the money just buy a second hand bike

[@andyrogers747]

Video was great but it is showcasing and legitimizing products which potentially/likely violate copyright law 😬

[@rongaistudios]

copy of a copy...😂

[@artube3747]

Can u give it away this bike I would be able topick it up From FOD ?

[@fudganuld]

It don't arf look good though eh !!!...Ha!

[@Guerrillapicnic]

First

[@pepeanza6187]

I been buying a lot of parts and accesories shorts gloves jerseys etc no problem the price is so cheap makes you wonder why regular stuff of brandy cost so much, i just dont buy a frame yet maybe next

[@komoonkh]

Tires- legit. Wake bars -legit (I wouldnt race enduro with them but they are ok for xc), seatpost is legit brand. Pedals are ok, seen them last. Cranks are not very trustworthy imho, would go for proven IXF crankset. The frame? Not for me, I would rather buy an used legit one. Same with forks.

[@twilliamrc4wd]

Does wheels are tubeless ready I have a that saying real sad and they work really well with Continental X King tubeless tires when you order any tires with steel wire they don't fit on the tires as well