Buying Cheap Chinese from AliExpress

hawkinspeter wrote:

I bought a cheap helmet from AliExpress and it seems functional (luckily I haven't tested it's ability to absorb bumps).

I got a carbon fibre integrated stem/handlebar and it was absolute rubbish - just got my money back as it cracked when I was installing it.

I've bought lots of electronics through AliExpress as well and they've all been good, though I had an ultrabook pack up after only a year.

The problem with buying direct from China is that you have to be prepared to throw it away if there's any problem with it. Nowadays, I wouldn't buy anything carbon fibre from there as the quality control is lacking with the cheap stuff.

I certainly wouldn't buy any carbon fibre components that weren't from a reputable manufacturer!

As for non vital stuff, lights, mounts, helmets, glasses etc, I'll give it a go :p

Peowpeowpeowlasers wrote:

wellsprop wrote:

I certainly wouldn't buy any carbon fibre components that weren't from a reputable manufacturer! As for non vital stuff, lights, mounts, helmets, glasses etc, I'll give it a go :p

Brilliant, so you'll buy cheapo lights with batteries and electronics designed by heaven knows who.  Electronics that could easily burn your house down.  And you'll buy cheap glasses that may fracture on impact and blind you (good glasses don't do this).

But you won't buy cheap carbon components because that's dodgy.

Comments like yours are why we need regulations and standards.  And laws to protect the stupid from themselves.

I think there's an important distinction to be made between safety critical components (such as wheels and frames and accessories (glasses and lights).

I also forgot to mention I don't actually wear my fake Oakleys on my bike (I wear my Dhb glasses) :p Nor have I bought any cheap lights from China - not saying I wouldn't though (if I wanted a super bright light for mountain biking for example).

Suppose both were sub-standard; the bike wheel failed when hitting a pothole and the bike glasses shattered on impact - both have fairly nasty results. The main difference is, the chance of crashing face first and the glasses breaking is vastly lower than the chance of hitting a pothole causing a wheel failure. So it's understandable a lot of people would take that risk with a pair of glasses (again, I never said I wear fake glasses cycling!).

I must admit, I tend to be ridiculously OTT with charging Lion batteries - I won't leave them (or their chargers) plugged in unattended.

Duncann wrote:

wellsprop wrote:

I must admit, I tend to be ridiculously OTT with charging Lion batteries - I won't leave them (or their chargers) plugged in unattended.

This is shocking. 

I knew Lions could be dangerous but didn't know they had artillery and cavalry horses.

You won't find me charging Lions anytime soon!

That gave me a good laugh!

All things considered, I think I too, would stay clear of weaponised lions.

Li-on.

Chez_worldwide wrote:

 Although it's your head and you can do what you want with it.

Haha, that made me chuckle!

Seeing as it's less than £18, I bought the helmet. I'm more concerned about the build quality rather than the safety aspect (even appropriately tested helmets are only actually tested at 12mph). After all, my main concern when time trialling isn't hitting my head because of a crash, it's being squished by a car/lorry.

In about 4 weeks I should have a helmet to report back about!