Anyone ever use knock-off cassettes from Aliexpress - or anything else?

So? Anyone ever use the ol' Aliexpress?

I figure SRAM gets their stuff made in China anyways, why not skip the "middle-man?"

Looks like the real McCoy.

137CAD seems pretty reasonable. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000278112383.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.9.62823aa4IO3HEi

Is there a way to ensure it was made by twelve year old Uighurs?

I imagine they just sell the same products manufactured out the back door....or just a really bad knock off. It's a gamble. Keep seeing these ads for POC riding glasses for $40.00 in my insta feed when the glasses retail for $250.00. sketchy knock offs? Probably.

I bought some of those POC glasses (for $18nz and free shipping).

Never having used the real ones I can't compare, but they came with 4 lenses and I like using them. I was also considerably less nervous about heating and bending the arms to my head shape than if I'd paid more. 

However. 

Any high stress or high failure danger component would have me thinking harder about the decision.

I also remember a guy I worked with who'd bought a 'North Face' down jacket on his travels through Asia. He said it was from the same factory, and the North Face guys just had someone on site doing QC while their order was made. When he left the factory kept sewing...

The fabrics seemed legit, but the seams were a bit shit.

I dunno, but my Chromag needs a whole new drivetrain and I'm broke as fuck...

Do i risk it? I didn't see derailleurs anywhere.

Edit - ok well i found group sets lol

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32516193616.html?pid=808_0000_0101&spm=a2g0n.search-amp.list.32516193616&aff_trace_key=5c879a6271374f19a1a39e9c7677d574-1592787896067-03251-nAeYz7Y&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=7474amp-dYOL4VMbVkATKrxGHDt7_Q1597025943585&browser_id=23de04d070cd427fa3a326adaf091859&is_c=N

I ordered a bearing press and bb removal tool as well as one road outfit so.e grips and some capble end caps.

I'll let you know how it all turns out. 32$ for big shorts and jersey. Its either gonna be Christmas early or the ugliest roadie kit ive ever seen. I figure the tools should be good as they are all made there anyways.

I suspect the shimano and sram stuff is mostly authentic. I went through all the reviews and only bought from ones that had lots of reviews and high marks.

I’d be more stoked to buy a bike that had nothing produced in China. 

Sorta like Paul Ashtons Euro-Trash special a few years ago.

Posted by: velocipedestrian

I bought some of those POC glasses (for $18nz and free shipping).

Never having used the real ones I can't compare, but they came with 4 lenses and I like using them. I was also considerably less nervous about heating and bending the arms to my head shape than if I'd paid more. 

However. 

Any high stress or high failure danger component would have me thinking harder about the decision.

How are the lenses? Any distortion? My next question is are they actually UV protective?

Posted by: velocipedestrian

I also remember a guy I worked with who'd bought a 'North Face' down jacket on his travels through Asia. He said it was from the same factory, and the North Face guys just had someone on site doing QC while their order was made. When he left the factory kept sewing...

The fabrics seemed legit, but the seams were a bit shit.

Things like that "might" have happened in the early days of offshoring, but major brands nowadays mostly succed in ensuring that knock-offs are actually knock-offs. And then there is the stuff which doesn't pass QC at brand factories but gets sold on Ali instead of being thrown away. Technically, that is from the same factory.....

Posted by: Brocklanders

Posted by: velocipedestrian

I bought some of those POC glasses (for $18nz and free shipping).

Never having used the real ones I can't compare, but they came with 4 lenses and I like using them. I was also considerably less nervous about heating and bending the arms to my head shape than if I'd paid more. 

However. 

Any high stress or high failure danger component would have me thinking harder about the decision.

How are the lenses? Any distortion? My next question is are they actually UV protective?

UV protection in glasses comes from the natural UV resistance of the polycarbonite used for the lens. Coatings added do not block UV.

Not me, but I have been using sunrace Cassettes on my Shimano drivetrains with good results. You can often find them on sale.

If I suspect something is a "knock off" I'm not buying it. Discounted products and sales...definitely. In terms of drivetrains I'm putting Shimano 11 speed on my bikes currently so it starts off pretty affordable.

Posted by: Brocklanders

Posted by: velocipedestrian

I bought some of those POC glasses (for $18nz and free shipping).

Never having used the real ones I can't compare, but they came with 4 lenses and I like using them. I was also considerably less nervous about heating and bending the arms to my head shape than if I'd paid more. 

However. 

Any high stress or high failure danger component would have me thinking harder about the decision.

How are the lenses? Any distortion? My next question is are they actually UV protective?

No idea how much UV protection I'm getting, but I haven't noticed any visual distortion in the nearly clear lens I've been mostly using.