
Using parts from AliExpress & other direct to consumer Chinese brands, I’ve put together what I think is one of the best value carbon road bikes of 2025!!!
Bear in mind some of these are affiliate links. It won’t cost you any extra, but I get a small amount of commission, which really helps out 😊
AliExpress bike parts - (see - 2025 Value Build):
https://linktr.ee/tracevelo
Frame and wheelset - (use code TRACEVELO for 10% off):
https://ogevkinbike.com
I build A LOT of cheap road bikes, mainly using parts that I've sourced from places like AliExpress. So in this episode, I’ve cherry picked some of the best parts from various builds i’ve done this year, and combined them together into what I think is one of the best value road bikes of this year!
It has a full carbon frame, tubeless ready carbon wheels, a 2x11 speed groupset with hydraulic disc brakes, and some other incredibly lightweight parts. Everything has gone through EXTENSIVE testing, and I’ve managed to build it for just over £1,600.
So in this episode I'll discuss the bike in detail, cover each part that I used (while also providing some alternative options), cover the total cost and the total weight, and finally compare it to some other name brand bikes on the market, so you can decide for yourself if my approach is worth it!
OG-Evkin bar issue (starts at 36:37):
https://youtu.be/p9KBaZQh1-o?si=k6AENNWy2-4fp2jZ&t=2197
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:55 – Context
01:30 – Carbon frame
02:54 – Carbon wheelset
04:13 – OG-Evkin partnership
05:13 – 2x11 groupset
06:30 – Lightweight cassette
07:26 – Disc rotors
08:16 – Chain
08:57 – Tyres
09:43 – Saddle
11:05 – Pedals
11:57 – Bottom bracket
12:27 – Crankset
14:11 – Bar tape & bottle cage
14:38 – Weight & cost
15:08 – Comparison to other bikes
16450 – Warranty etc.
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - http://www.go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tracevelo/
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
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!!!
Keywords: best value road bike 2025,budget road bike build,cheap road bike,aliexpress road bike,best budget bike build,lightweight budget road bike,DIY road bike build,carbon road bike,OG Evkin frame,OG Evkin wheels,RYET wheels,LTWOO R9,budget hydraulic groupset,ZTTO cassette,budget carbon wheels,trace velo,luke trace velo,canyon endurace alternative,7.6kg road bike,budget cycling upgrades
Bike part mentions in this video

LTWOO RX / R9 Disc 2x12s / 2x11s Road Hydraulic Disc Brake Groupset, 6 kit, Benchmark R7170 R8170

ZTTO Ultimate 11/12 Speed Road Bike Cassette 11s 12s 11-28/30/32/34/36T ULT Sprocket Freewheel 112g~141g Road Gravel K7 HG

VXM Road Bicycle Center lock Disc Brake Rotor Pads CNC Lighweight Aluminum Alloy MTB Bike Rotors 140mm 160mm Cycling Discs Parts

RideNow Ultralight 19g 24g 36g Bike Inner Tube 700 x 18 25 28 Road MTB Bicycle TPU Material Tire French Valve Super Light

RYET 3D Printed Bicycle Saddle Ultralight Carbon Fiber Hollow Comfortable Breathable MTB Gravel Road bike Cycling Seat Parts

ONIRII PD-06 Road Bike Carbon Lock Pedals Bicycle SPD Self-Locking Steel/Titanium 6 Degree Pedal with Locking Plate for Road NEW

RIRO Carbon Fiber Crank 29MM Road Bike 11/12 Speed 50-34/52-36/53-39T MS Direct Mount/110/130BCD Bicycle Crankset Chainring

RIRO Carbon Fiber Crank Road Bike 11/12 Speed 50-34/53-39T Direct Mount Bicycle Crankset 170mm 46/48/50/52T Chainring Bike Parts

Bicycle Bottle Holder 2PCS Full 3K Carbon Fiber Super Light Road Mountain Bike Cycling Water Bottles Cage Holder Matte18g XXX
LTWOO RX / R9 Disc 2x12s / 2x11s Road Hydraulic Disc Brake Groupset, 6 kit, Benchmark R7170 R8170
Created: September 20, 2024The reviewer states that the LTWOO R9 Disc groupset is a fantastic option for its unrivaled value. They have used it for well over a year and thousands of miles with zero problems, praising its ergonomics, hydraulic disc brakes, and spot-on shifting.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Ergonomics are nice
- Hydraulic disc brakes are great
- Shifting is spot-on
- Has proven durable over thousands of miles and well over a year of use
- Overall build quality is good
Cons
- Not quite as good as mechanical Shimano 105
- Initial concern about the plastic shift lever potentially snapping (though this did not happen)
Key Points
- Mechanical 11-speed
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Price fluctuates but is around £110
- Plastic shift lever held up despite initial concerns
- Requires proper setup to get close to Shimano performance


ZTTO Ultimate 11/12 Speed Road Bike Cassette 11s 12s 11-28/30/32/34/36T ULT Sprocket Freewheel 112g~141g Road Gravel K7 HG
Created: September 12, 2025The reviewer states that the ZTTO SLR Gen 3 cassettes are a great choice, highlighting their low weight, low price, and availability in many colors. They note that durability depends heavily on usage, with lower mileage expected if frequently using the aluminum climbing gears.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight (117g for the model mentioned, compared to 193g for a Shimano Dura-Ace equivalent)
- Great value for money (costs around 60-70 quid)
- Available in loads of different colors
- Uses a two-piece aluminum and steel design
Cons
- Lower durability in the aluminum climbing gears (you'll be lucky to get 2,000 miles out of these if used frequently in mountainous terrain)
Key Points
- Model referenced is the ZTTO SLR Gen 3 cassette
- Uses a two-piece aluminum and steel design
- Weight: 117g (for the specific model compared)
- Price: 60-70 quid
- Durability: 2,000 miles if often in aluminum climbing gears; 3,500-4,000 miles if mostly in steel gears on flat terrain
- 11-speed is noted as the sweet spot for price-to-performance
VXM Road Bicycle Center lock Disc Brake Rotor Pads CNC Lighweight Aluminum Alloy MTB Bike Rotors 140mm 160mm Cycling Discs Parts
Created: July 10, 2025The reviewer recommends VXM centerlock disc rotors as a great budget option, having used them extensively over the year. They praise the design, construction, and performance.
AI-Summary
Pros
- They look really slick with vibrant colors.
- They are solidly made with well-constructed rivets, which is often a weak point on cheaper rotors.
- The bite and brake performance have been fantastic.
- They are very inexpensive, costing less than a tenner (ten pounds) on AliExpress.
Cons
- No cons found in the analysis.
Key Points
- The brand is VXM.
- They are centerlock disc rotors.
- They are available on AliExpress for a very low price.
- The reviewer has been running them 'pretty much all year'.
- Another brand, Maroka, offers an identical design in different colors.



RideNow Ultralight 19g 24g 36g Bike Inner Tube 700 x 18 25 28 Road MTB Bicycle TPU Material Tire French Valve Super Light
Created: April 27, 2023The reviewer briefly mentions the RideNow Ultralight Bike Inner Tube 700 X18 32 Road MTB Bicycle TPU Material Tire 65mm Length French Valve Super Light but does not provide detailed analysis.
AI-Summary







RYET 3D Printed Bicycle Saddle Ultralight Carbon Fiber Hollow Comfortable Breathable MTB Gravel Road bike Cycling Seat Parts
Created: August 19, 2024The reviewer discusses the RYET 3D Printed Bicycle Saddle, noting it is a recent release from the brand RYET (also referred to as 'Riot' in the transcript). They state it is very similar to a more expensive saddle they previously recommended, featuring a carbon base and a 3D printed rubber cushion. They have used it extensively over the year.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Excellent value for money (cost less than half the price of a similar saddle)
- Features a carbon base and 3D printed rubber cushion
Cons
- No cons found in the analysis.
Key Points
- Brand is RYET (also referred to as 'Riot')
- Carbon base including carbon saddle rails
- Top cushion is 3D printed rubber
- Purchased for 36 quid (GBP)
- Used by the reviewer for a full year



ONIRII PD-06 Road Bike Carbon Lock Pedals Bicycle SPD Self-Locking Steel/Titanium 6 Degree Pedal with Locking Plate for Road NEW
Created: September 06, 2024The reviewer states they covered these pedals in a previous video. They report having used them for over a year with positive results, noting they are lightweight, compatible with SPD-SL, and have held up well.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Very low price (40 quid on AliExpress)
- Lightweight (200g per pair)
- SPD-SL compatible
- Wide, stable pedal platform
- Good durability with little visible wear after over a year of use
- Serviceable
Cons
- No explicit rider weight limit found, but a caution that riders over 100kg should consider the steel axle version
Key Points
- Made of carbon composite with titanium axles
- Weighs 200g per pair
- Cost 40 quid on AliExpress
- Used for over a year
- SPD-SL compatible
RIRO Carbon Fiber Crank 29MM Road Bike 11/12 Speed 50-34/52-36/53-39T MS Direct Mount/110/130BCD Bicycle Crankset Chainring
Created: June 23, 2025The reviewer briefly mentions the RIRO Carbon Fiber Crank 29MM Road Bike 11/12 Speed 50-34/52-36/53-39T MS Direct Mount/110/130BCD Bicycle Crankset Chainring but does not provide detailed analysis.
AI-Summary
Key Points
- The reviewer mentions the brand RIRO in relation to wheels and a saddle, but the specific crankset is not discussed in the provided transcript.
RIRO Carbon Fiber Crank Road Bike 11/12 Speed 50-34/53-39T Direct Mount Bicycle Crankset 170mm 46/48/50/52T Chainring Bike Parts
Created: December 01, 2024The reviewer briefly mentions the RIRO Carbon Fiber Crank Road Bike 11/12 Speed 50-34/53-39T Direct Mount Bicycle Crankset 170mm 46/48/50/52T Chainring Bike Parts but does not provide detailed analysis.
AI-Summary



Bicycle Bottle Holder 2PCS Full 3K Carbon Fiber Super Light Road Mountain Bike Cycling Water Bottles Cage Holder Matte18g XXX
Created: June 23, 2025The reviewer briefly mentions the Bicycle Bottle Holder 2PCS Full 3K Carbon Fiber Super Light Road Mountain Bike Cycling Water Bottles Cage Holder Matte18g XXX but does not provide detailed analysis.
AI-Summary
Pros
- They are available for under a tenner (less than £10).
Cons
- No cons found in the analysis.
Key Points
- The reviewer's advice for carbon bottle cages is to just get ones that look like this specific model.
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