
Alex is taking on the challenge of building a complete carbon road bike for just £2,000 using only parts from online marketplaces like AliExpress. In this first episode, the journey begins with the most important component: the frame. After searching through hundreds of listings, he unboxes, inspects, and gives a custom paint job to a surprisingly affordable carbon frame.
⏱️Chapters⏱️
00:00 - The £2,000 AliExpress Bike Challenge
02:22 - What Is My Plan
03:33 - Searching For The Perfect Carbon Frame
06:19 - It's Arrived! The Unboxing
10:07 - First Impressions & Quality Check
11:25 - Weighing The Frame: Claim vs. Reality
14:29 - The Custom Hi-Viz Paint Job!
17:05 - Applying The Clear Coat
19:29 - What's Next? We Need Your Help!
20:48 - But Is An AliExpress Frame Safe?
Useful Links:
GCN Tech Uploader 👉 https://gcn.eu/techuploader
Subscribe so you don’t miss a thing 👉 https://gcntech.co/subscribe
Insurance: Viewers in the USA and UK can explore GCN Insurance products 👉 https://gcn.eu/GCNinsurance
Sign Up To The GCN Newsletter 👉 https://gcn.eu/Newsletter
Visit the GCN Shop 👉 https://gcn.eu/gcnshop
GCN WhatsApp Channel 👉 https://gcn.eu/GCNwhatsapp
GCN Instagram Broadcast Channel 👉 https://gcn.eu/instagrambroadcast
Join the GCN Club on Zwift and ride with us! 👉 https://gcn.eu/GCNClubRides
Watch more on GCN Tech...
📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 https://gcntech.co/EditorsChoice
📹 Watch the latest GCN Tech Show 👉 https://gcntech.co/GCNTechShow
🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
Midnight - STRLGHT
Jungle Love - Usnow
Cell Phone, Take Photos, Quick Shutter Clicks - Epidemic Sound
Keyboard, Razer, Typing, Fast - Epidemic Sound
Hud Zoom In, Zoom Out, Short - Epidemic Sound
Cash Register, Open, Kerrching, Register - Epidemic Sound
when sunlight scatters - Yosep
Dolce Disco - Lukas Got Lucky
Light Rain, Rainfall 02 - Epidemic Sound
Impact, Dark, Cinematic, Snappy Hit - Epidemic Sound
When She Loved Me - Rymdklang Soundtracks
Mouse, Button, Click - Epidemic Sound
Waste of Bass - OTE
Static Between Worlds - Daniel Fridell
Metal Hit, Reverse, Build, Crescendo - Epidemic Sound
Alarms, Buzzer, Wrong Answer, Incorrect, Error, Variations 01 - Epidemic Sound
High Tech - Rocket Jr
Dreamy Waltz - Franz Gordon
Butterfly (Instrumental Version) - Nic Hanson
Nada Ether Chime, Centrifuge Movement Bell Wind Chime - Epidemic Sound
Computer, Futuristic, Data Processing, Loading 13 - Epidemic Sound
Vinyl, Record Scratch, Stop - Epidemic Sound
Metal Hit, Reverse, Build, Crescendo - Epidemic Sound
Video Game, Fight Sword Swoosh, Slide - Epidemic Sound
Alarms, Buzzer, Wrong Answer, Incorrect, Error, Variations 01 - Epidemic Sound
Notification, Mobile, App, General 03 - Epidemic Sound
Mouse, Scrolling - Epidemic Sound
Hud Zoom In, Zoom Out, Short - Epidemic Sound
Anticipation - Laura Platt
Text, Highlight Drag, Marker Highlighter - Epidemic Sound
Bossahia - El Equipo Del Norte
Ticking Wall Clock - Epidemic Sound
Papa Funk - spring gang
Digital - Epidemic Sound
The Weatherman's Affair - Leimoti
Moonshiner's Turn - Martin Landstrom
Shadows - Scientific
Bubble Effect 04 - Epidemic Sound
In a Minute - John Runefelt
Hypnotique - Ryan James Carr
Midnight Sonata - Howard Harper-Barnes
Flowers for Her - Howard Harper-Barnes
#gcntech #gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife #biketech #BikeBuild #AliExpress
📸 Photos - © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sprint Cycling Agency
Thanks to our sponsors:
Canyon Bikes: http://gcn.eu/-Canyon
Orbea Bikes: http://gcn.eu/Orbea
Pinarello Bikes: https://gcn.eu/Pinarello
Topeak Tools: http://gcn.eu/Topeak
CamelBak: https://gcn.eu/Camelbak
Pirelli Tyres: https://gcn.eu/Pirelli
Vision Wheels: http://gcn.eu/Vision
Wahoo Fitness: http://gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness
Park Tool: http://gcn.eu/-parktool
Selle Italia: https://gcn.eu/SelleItalia
Zwift: https://gcn.eu/Zwift
Silca: https://gcn.eu/Silca
MET Helmets: https://gcn.eu/methelmets
Core Body Temperature: https://gcn.eu/corebodytemp
Precision Fuel & Hydration: https://gcn.eu/precisionhydration
Elitewheels: https://gcn.eu/Elitewheels
CeramicSpeed: https://gcn.eu/GCNCeramicSpeed
Watch our sister channels:
Global Cycling Network - https://www.youtube.com/@gcn
GCN Racing - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnracing
Global Triathlon Network - https://www.youtube.com/@gtn
GCN Italia - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnitalia
GCN en Español - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnenespanol
GCN auf Deutsch - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnaufdeutsch
GCN en Français - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnenfrancais
GCN Training - https://www.youtube.com/@GCNTraining
Global Mountain Bike Network - https://youtube.com/@gmbn
GMBN Racing - https://youtube.com/@gmbnracing
GMBN Tech - https://www.youtube.com/@gmbntech
Electric Mountain Bike Network - https://www.youtube.com/@embn
Keywords: GCN,GCN Tech,AliExpress,Aliexpress bike,bike build,custom bike,carbon road bike,carbon frame,cycling,road bike,bike tech,cheap bike,budget bike build,DIY bike build,SP Cycle R088,chinese carbon,unboxing,custom paint,bicycle maintenanceGCN Tech,GCNTech,GCN Cycling,Bike Tech,Cycling Tech,Cycling,Pro Cycling,Road Cycling,cycling tech,tech,road,bike,bicycle,ஔ,5984,sca15,ិ,c1,ꗶ,ፕ15,𑣬,𑫷,𑫫,f3
Bike part mentions in this video
Spcycle 2025 New R088 Carbon Road Bike Frame Disc Brake Full Hidden Cable UDH Hanger Lightweight Road Bicycle Frameset
Created: November 29, 2025The 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.
AI-Summary
Pros
- The geometry matches up with bikes he regularly rides
- It was available in his size (58)
- Available in matte white paint for custom painting
- Well packaged for shipping
- Visually, the frame looks good upon unboxing
- Feels nice to the touch
- Has internal cable routing
- Includes a UDH hanger
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
- For a tenth of the price of a big brand frame, he feels he can live with the minor imperfections
Cons
- The box arrived 'pretty bashed up'
- The derailleur hanger was loose in the packaging
- 'Slightly rough looking bit of carbon' on the fork where the hose routes through internally
- The actual frame weight (888g) was heavier than the claimed weight (780g +/-50g)
- The fork weight (408g) was heavier than the claimed weight (395g)
- The brake mounts may need facing as there is a 'little lip' from the paint
- The bottle cage bolts are 'a little bit rough'
- The rear dropout is 'not looking as neat as I'd hope'
- The guide for the front brake on the steerer is 'not that great'
- Generally, there are 'a few bits and bobs around the frame' that are 'a little bit rough and ready'
- Expresses significant concern about not knowing if the frame is safe due to the lack of brand reputation and history
- Acknowledges you don't have a company's reputation to put your faith in
Key Points
- Brand: SP Cycle
- Model: R088
- Marketed as '2025 New'
- Material: T1000 carbon fiber (claimed)
- Frame weight claimed: 780g +/-50g
- Frame weight actual: 888g
- Fork weight claimed: 395g
- Fork weight actual: 408g
- Seatpost weight claimed: 175g
- Seatpost weight actual: 174g
- Brake type: Flat mount disc brakes
- Bottom bracket: BSA threaded
- Tire clearance: 32 mm
- Features: Internal cable routing, UDH hanger
- Price paid: £483.32
- Paint finish: Matte white (as ordered)
- Warranty: 2-year

MyBike.parts