Famous AliExpress parts!

[Jocon99]

Does anyone have any experience with the elves orome aeropro cockpit? Price is so competitive and they have the UK workshop now so adds to the piece of mind. Keen to hear any thoughts on it structurally etc

[EddyTwerckx]

Are there any 3D printed saddles with round rails? All I'm really finding is carbon oval rails.

[ediryppah]

Are there any 3D printed saddles with round rails? All I'm really finding is carbon oval rails.

At least the Ryet one (Aircode or whatever they call it) comes with normal round rails. Just look for plastic base version.

[Kubackjeee]

Are there any 3D printed saddles with round rails? All I'm really finding is carbon oval rails.

west biking

[Miller]

Wanting to try out the 3D saddle thing without going to vast expense, I've just bought a Ryet 3D printed saddle, version RT06A. I think this design is based on the Specialized Power Mirror? It's certainly a bit shorter and wider than I'm used to. I haven't ridden it yet so no comments about that however at first glance it seems well made. Weight of this copy is 216g, rails are oval, and it cost me £50 delivered in UK.

[joebusby]

The problem with all of the ali 3d carbon saddles is they are copies of last generation saddles - PRO Stealths or Specialized Powers, with their lack of early taper they make it hard to rotate the hips effectively. Similarly, lots of the 3d designs have the tendency to tear bibs up.

If I'm mistaken and one of them has released something in the last six months that is a Flite, or Nago R4, or even Scratch PAS copy - T shaped, flat, relatively broad nose with a cutout - i'd love to hear.

[alanyu]

Ryet has Scratch copy, but Scratch is not flat.

[OtterSpace]

I'm really happy with some titanium hex keys I bought from Ali under the "Oak Tools" store. I got these to try and lessen tool engagement wear to Ti & Al bolt heads compared to using steel tools. However, I would never use a Ti tool on steel bolts. They also are lighter than steel and more corrosion/rust resistant if used as a field tool due to inherent material properties of Ti vs "stainless" steel.

Very expensive compared to even very high quality steel hex keys like PBSwiss but a good deal for Ti keys if you want them.

[joebusby]

Ryet has Scratch copy, but Scratch is not flat.

So far I've found a scratch copy, a stealth copy, several power copies including the bucklos, I think the goldix is another scratch, an SLR copy of two with some mean small noses.

I don't mind a bit of curve, but it's more about having a broad enough nose to get into an aero position, a cutout for the soft tissue, and a rapid taper to not catch your thighs. Maybe I'll try the scratch copy.

[BigBoyND]

The point of 3D is the ability to tune the material and densities. Are we really thinking that some Ali brands are doing R&D instead of just copying a look? It's adding weight compared to traditional padding in these cases for no benefit.

[jo.k]

I tend to agree. I bought one of the 3D printed PRO Stealth clones (Ryet Aircode?) out of curiousity and it was fine - well made and as comfortable for me as the original. But the 3D mesh really can't be compared to the expensive ones with different densities, it's just the same mesh everywhere. Works fine enough, but meh.

OTOH the normal Ryet saddles are light and very well made. I have the Aeolus clone on a couple of bikes and it has been great.

[pushpush]

I have been using a Ryet 3D "honeycomb" saddle with oval carbon rails for about 3months. It isn't going to replace my s-works mirror saddle on the bike I do 5hr+ rides on, but for the shorter 2-3hr rides it works just fine. I think I bought it on sale for about $30. It is a quality saddle and for the money it seems unbeatable. It just isn't quite as good as the "real thing." -- even so, I strongly recommend it. $30 for a saddle this good is a crazy good deal.

[ckspark]

I have purchased two different Ryet 3D printed carbon saddles and had to return both due the poor quality control moulding of the rails.
The first was the 158g version with 7x9 carbon rails, the rails actually measured 7x10 and wouldn't fit Specialized side clamping seat clamp although it probably would have worked on a top and bottom clamping post.
The second and most recent was the 135g version with 7x7 carbon rails, one rail measured 7x 6.7 and the other measured 7x6.3. I wasn't going to even chance sitting on that. It's a shame because otherwise the seating part looked great, the weights were good and I really want to try one.

[SixThirteen]

Can anyone recommend a lizard skin-like bar tape from AE?

I believe OG Evkin do one that's very similar in feel. It does however have their brand name embossed along the tape.

based on this - thanks! - I bought OG-EVKIN tape from AE and I can confirm very similar to Lizard Skins 3.0mm. Nice feel under the hands. Seems to only come in black per Henry Ford.

The finishing tape is a bit meh, but that's a very minor nit

[Roadrocket]

The problem with all of the ali 3d carbon saddles is they are copies of last generation saddles - PRO Stealths or Specialized Powers, with their lack of early taper they make it hard to rotate the hips effectively. Similarly, lots of the 3d designs have the tendency to tear bibs up.

If I'm mistaken and one of them has released something in the last six months that is a Flite, or Nago R4, or even Scratch PAS copy - T shaped, flat, relatively broad nose with a cutout - i'd love to hear.

I agree with you, I tried genuine S-Works Romin Mirror saddle and it started to tear my bib shorts just after one 100km ride.
It also wasn't comfortable for me so I sold it.
Funny thing is that I ride non-mirror S-Works Romin and it is one of the most comfortable saddles for me, I am back on it now.