All Reviews

The reviewer purchases the Spcycle R088 carbon road bike frame from AliExpress for his £2,000 bike build project. He selected it because it matched his criteria for a carbon disc brake road frame with a traditional shape, internal cable routing, and was available in his size and a matte white finish for custom painting. He details the ordering, shipping, and unboxing process, noting the frame was well-packaged despite a battered box. Upon inspection, he finds the frame visually appealing with some minor cosmetic flaws. He weighs the frame and components, finding them slightly heavier than claimed. He then custom paints the frame with high-vis yellow accents and a clear coat. Overall, he is pleased with the frame for the price but acknowledges uncertainties about its long-term safety and points out several minor finish imperfections compared to major brands.

The reviewer conducts a detailed unboxing and inspection of the Evolve Chima climbing frame. They are highly impressed with the overall quality, noting its extremely lightweight nature, immaculate internal and external finish, and high-quality components. The packaging is praised for being environmentally friendly with minimal plastic. The frame features full internal routing, a BSA 68mm bottom bracket, disc brakes, and what appears to be a UDH hanger. The reviewer uses a boroscope to examine the internal surfaces and finds them flawless, with no fraying, ripples, or layer shifts. They conclude it is a high-quality piece of gear from a premium Chinese brand.

The reviewer provides a comprehensive review of the Winspace T1600, which is the latest aero frame from Winspace. They built the bike themselves and tested it over 1,000 kilometers. The reviewer states the T1600 is a stiff, fast, and surprisingly comfortable racing frame that feels racier and more aggressive than the Agile or SLC 5. It excels at high speeds (above 35-40 km/h), feels planted and stable in crosswinds and during descents, and is described as an 'absolute joy to ride.' The frame features a striking paint job and signature D-type intakes on the rear, which are said to contribute to lateral stiffness. However, the reviewer encountered several quality control issues during the build process, including a faulty seat post clamp, difficulty routing internal cables, and a problematic bike computer mount. They conclude that while the frame performs excellently, these initial issues should not occur at its price point.

The reviewer provides a detailed analysis of the Evolve Chima frameset throughout the video. They state it is one of, if not the best all-round road bike from China, though not their personal favorite. The reviewer highlights the extensive R&D, attention to detail, and advanced manufacturing behind the frame. They praise its exceptional ride quality, describing it as the most comfortable yet stiff road bike they've ever ridden, with a 'jackal and hide' personality that excels at both comfort and stiffness. The frame is noted for its lightweight construction (650g unpainted), aerodynamic performance that beats a Specialized SL8, and high-quality accessories. However, the reviewer personally prefers the more visceral feel of the Trigon AR01.

The reviewer tests the IIIPRO hydraulic brake converter kit, which converts mechanical shifters to hydraulic disc brakes. They state the kit includes two aluminum converters and dual-piston brake calipers for under £50. The reviewer finds the braking performance impressive, very close to genuine hydraulic systems and far superior to any mechanical disc brakes they've tested. They successfully install the kit on a winter training bike, noting the need for proper orientation and bleeding technique. While not as easy to install as integrated systems, the reviewer is very impressed with the value and performance.

The reviewer provides a comprehensive review of the Think Rider XX Pro turbo trainer, which they received from AliExpress. They are impressed with the solid build quality, heavy construction, and stability during sprints. The turbo uses a brushless motor for resistance and claims to simulate up to 25% gradient and 2500 watts. The reviewer tests power accuracy against a reference power meter and finds it very accurate across various efforts. They note the turbo has an aggressive power smoothing algorithm that can be turned off in the app, and mention a slight whining sound at high flywheel speeds. The reviewer highlights the excellent value, especially with discount codes, making it significantly cheaper than competitors.

The reviewer discusses a set of titanium bottle cages with an oil slick finish. They state that these cages provide a unique look and are a worthwhile upgrade from plain titanium cages. The reviewer mentions that the coloring appears sturdy and holds up well with plastic bottles. They note the cages do not come with bolts, but pair them with matching titanium screws in a separate item review.

The reviewer discusses aluminum bar end plugs as the final item in the video. They state these are a no-brainer upgrade for drop bar bikes, as they look much better than the standard plastic plugs that come with most handlebar tape. The reviewer specifically mentions the brand Meroa (or Moroka) and highlights their sturdy construction and anodized aluminum finish. They are presented as an inexpensive way to customize a bike and eliminate the cheap look of plastic end caps.

The reviewer discusses anodized aluminum headset spacers as a cosmetic upgrade for the handlebar setup. They state these spacers provide a cool pop of color, are available in many different colors, and are made from aluminum with chamfered edges for nice manufacturing quality. The reviewer mentions using a set on their own handlebar.

The reviewer discusses the ThinkRider XX Pro smart bike trainer, which they have been using for about a month. They highlight its unique design without a flywheel, using a DC brushless motor for resistance. They note its light weight (18 kg), compact packaging, quiet operation (~56 dB), and stability during sprints. It is compatible with various apps via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, supports multiple wheel sizes and cassette types (Shimano 8-12 speed, but not XDR), and has a maximum power of 2500W and a 25% simulated gradient. The reviewer purchased it from AliExpress for around $500 AUD, considers it good value, and recommends it based on their positive experience over approximately 500 km of use.

The reviewer builds and tests the Velobuild Aerotrace 368 frame in a size medium. They are impressed with the visual appearance and overall stiffness of the frame, noting it soaks up micro-vibrations well. However, they report several issues: significant seat post slippage requiring higher-than-specified torque, poorly faced disc brake caliper mounts leading to disc rub that required creative fixes with washers, a design flaw where the rear derailleur hits the chainstay in the smallest cog, and a shorter-than-expected effective top tube length which required significant saddle adjustment. The frame is described as intended for fast, flat races and solo efforts, but not ideal for climbers or lighter riders.

The reviewer provides a detailed unboxing and analysis of the Quick Pro GR:ONE gravel bike frameset. They describe it as a 'flagship 3in-1 frame' with versatile, aerodynamic, and comfortable geometry, handbuilt in China. The reviewer praises the premium packaging, the 'marble gloss gray' color with visible spread tow carbon weave, and the true monocoque construction. They note aerodynamic features like a deep head tube, huge down tube with cutout, and dropped seat stays. However, they criticize a major geometry flaw related to the seat post offset and slack seat tube angle, which they believe compromises aerodynamics. They also note limited tire clearance (max 45mm), a potentially short seat post, and some minor manufacturing marks. The frame includes a T47 bottom bracket, integrated cable routing, and comes with various accessories. The reviewer concludes with mixed feelings, stating the bike seems caught between disciplines but is unique and visually striking.

The reviewer discusses the Magicshine SEEMEE 200 Rechargeable Bike Tail Lights, which they refer to as the 'Magic Shine See V3' and 'CE200 V3'. They state it is their favorite rear light and praise its innovative design with outward and downward facing lights, providing 360° visibility. They highlight its 200 lumen brightness, 5-17 hour battery life, motion sensor for brake light functionality, IPX6 waterproof rating, and convenient Garmin-style mini mount. However, they criticize the USB-C port's waterproof flap as a potential design flaw if forgotten after charging. They consider it a good middle ground between quality and price, hitting a 'very good middle ground between good quality and actually doing its job'.

The reviewer discusses two different BUCKLOS light sets. The first is a very cheap set (approximately $5-$8) that is popular on AliExpress with over 4,000 units sold and a 4.8-star rating. They are impressed with the brightness, USB-C charging, and overall value for the price. The second set is slightly more expensive ($15-$25) and offers better waterproofing (IPX6). The reviewer notes both sets are plasticky but perform well for their cost.

The reviewer discusses the Magic Shine Alty 400 and Alty 400 V2 front bike lights extensively. They state the build quality is a significant step up from cheaper lights, featuring an aluminum case that feels premium. The reviewer uses this light most of the time on their road bike, finding 400 lumens bright enough for 90% of their riding and appreciating its small, unobtrusive footprint on the handlebars. They highlight the IPX7 waterproof rating, Garmin-style mount, battery life indicator, and anti-glare features. The reviewer explicitly recommends spending a little more for the Alty 400 over cheaper alternatives, noting the V2 model has slightly better anti-glare and battery life and is the same price as the original.