Most people still think you can only get junk on Ali. I don't think many things changed in the past year (or 2-3 years). You just have to be careful and do your research, but that was always the case.
I think there are too many good brands to list. It's also a hit and miss, some brands like ZTTO make a ton of quality stuff, but some of their products are junk. I also bought no name stuff from random stores that were great, like a BB tool from "Healthy livings store".
ZTTO is mostly decent, Toopre is usually good as well (they mostly make tools, sometimes it's the same stuff as ZTTO), and i've had good luck with some Meroca pedals. Deckas chainrings are great as well. You can also find certain name brand stuff for dirt cheap.
Just look at the reviews, and look at them carefully. A lot of people write reviews straight after unboxing the product.

 

I wouldn't buy components like derailleurs or such for sure, that sounds like too much of a risk. But there are tons of interesting tools, some of which do look like being well made. I did manage to buy my share of junk in past, and sometimes it's inevitable, because a product might give you all the good impressions according to description and professional quality photos, but you only realize it's made out of chinesium when you unbox it. I guess if you don't spend a lot, you don't risk a lot.
But considering how horribly overpriced say Park Tool is, I guess I am willing to give something a shot to see if the brand in question is worth spending more money on.

 

I bought some "Raceworks" road brakes for next to nothing for my commuter/grocery getter, they're perfectly fine. Also have two ZTTO headsets, they're no worse quality than something like basic FSA, just much cheaper. Also bought some cheap pedals, and they're light years ahead compared to anything "name brand" that you would get for the same price at a bike shop. These are mainly cheap components that I use on "less serious" bikes tho. I'm not sure if I would be comfortable buying something more expensive either.
Although a few years ago I bought some TRP brakes as well from Ali, they were legit and less than half the price compared to EU webshops.
It's also a great place to buy random hardware. While sometimes I feel bad for shipping a €1 part from China, sometimes I just can't find the stuff locally, or shops want to charge €10-15 for shipping a few washers/whatever domestically.

With tools, look at the ratings. Some of the ratings are basically useless, but tools that have hundreds or thousands of good ratings are usually decent.

 

My ZTTO dropper lever cost almost as much as a lower end Shimano one and while it looks like it's good, it's junk. Good luck playing lotto.
(got it from alibabazon)

 

What was your issue with the ZTTO lever?
I have both as well. The ZTTO works great, while the Shimano requires tons of force to actuate with certain droppers, and it doesn't pull enough cable for certain droppers.

The sad part is that you kind of play the lottery as well when you buy expensive, name brand stuff.
I know it's a little different, but it's pretty sad how many quality issues I had to deal with on name brand parts that cost hundreds or thousands of $$$.

 

Had a good look at AliExpress stuff recently. My general impression is that it's basically a giant "Dollar Store". It's full of cheap crap that might work for a little bit, or at least handle light-duty use, but soothes an itch to play with new toys.

Risk brand ads seemed to impress me, marketing wise. ThinkRider had some accessories rivaling RockBros. From appearances, I felt like the general shape/design would work. Just don't know about actual quality.

I see MagicShine is sold on there and at pretty good prices. I'm in the market for a rear light, since my SeeMee 300 went missing (likely swiped while parked). I paid ~50, and Ali has it for under $37.44+tax.

 

Will never understand people who spend thousands of euros on their bike but then buy cheap parts/tools on AliExpress...

 

Some of the things that interested me:

Helmet locking post (combination): https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805863201549.html
- (keyed alternative) https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806577637855.html
Bike Bell: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807244879757.html
Minimalist "fanny" pack: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806919940121.html
Reflective tape: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807099278958.html

 

Wouldn't have shopped Ali if I hadn't had a case where one of my RD jockey bolts went missing. Pulled a bolt off a spare RD, but wanted something to replace it.

I was tempted by a CycPlus battery-powered pump. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806508822627.html
- amusing that there are knock-offs of it: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806823959032.html

I also considered "shapewear", instead of actual base layers, too. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256805878375380.html

 

I also considered "shapewear", instead of actual base layers, too. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256805878375380.html

I play the AE apparel lottery too, but for base layers 32 degrees is pretty darn cheap, performs decently, and the sizes work for American bodies.

 

Bought plenty of bike parts off AE. Complete M7000 drivetrain that's still going strong today, still the same chain, I think it's round or getting close to the 4000km mark, still well within wear limits.
Carbon handlebars, not broken any, carbon seat post, still going strong and I'm getting close to 100kg all geared up. Pedals, seats, cranksets, chain rings, all sorts. About the only disaster I can think of, is the Ingrid knockoff 12 speed derailleur I bought a few months back.
I quite enjoy just playing with fire, seeing how far you can go without getting burnt

 

Oh ok, you woke up my own trauma with Charger 3 Lyrik that came messed up out of the factory which I wasn't aware of, I spent a lot of money on tuning that didn't help either (no **** when the air chamber was messed up), and then I spent weeks arguing with the guy who spoke worse english than Google translate along with SRAM support. Eventually I managed to get it sorted out, sold the damn thing, bough Manitou Mezzer, and have been happy since.

Speaking of SRAM, the X0 Transmission is actually great. But it's also expensive AF. That's why I put X01 on my wife's bike, and if SRAM ever comes up with updates to Transmission, I'll consider it again for her.

 

I'm not so addicted to shopping-delivered dopamine that I have to go to aliexpress to get it. I don't like that lottery. the lottery with name brand products is a very different thing.

I'll buy cheap things for some product categories. but it's usually not for things I want to wait around for delivery via the slow boat. so I'll buy on amazon or ebay from sellers who ship from the US. And I've learned my lesson not to buy bike stuff this way. Nor will I buy apparel this way.

 

I'm guilty of that. I have a package coming in today from 'em:

Got more in my cart from this Nov 11 sale...

Tested this bell, and was like, it isn't very loud, but then it dawned on me that I had my earbuds in, and it sounded as loud as other bells I've used like the Spurcycle and Knog Oi (31.8) with buds in. I was impressed after getting to hear it fully, with buds out. Good buy!

 

Worst AliEx buy I had was a 60t ratchet for my DT swiss 350. Lasted 10kms.



Other than that I have had good experiences.

Senicx 165mm cranks have been mint.

Garbaruk extended cage for sram. Fitted along with a "sunshine" 11-50t cassette. Didn't even need a barrel adjustment. Just worked and is still working flawlessly.

Ztto dropper levers. Mint.

Zrace M1 brake levers. Mint.
Bought 2 sets to run on my main 2 bikes with sram DB8 calipers.

Tmac copies (flat not convex though). Mint.

$90/set ARC MT009 hubs have done 1000kms so far. No issues.

 

I have both the Knog Oi and the Spurcycle bell. the Knog bell plainly sucks. Put it in the parts bin in pretty short order. But I love the Spurcycle bell. I get a bit of a visceral reaction to clanky sounding bells, and the Spurcycle just sounds nice to me.

 

Eventually you learn the hardway why ParkTool (it was mentioned above) is expensive. Pony up, buy once cry once.

I bought this wheel truing stand only to find out it’s crooked. Faces aren’t machined straight, holes don’t line up, etc. Do with your money what you please. Aliexpress is a junk store, some parts you can tolerate them being junk, others just don’t. At the very least, make sure the seller has some sort of buyer protection and you can have free returns if products aren’t okay.

I returned this piece of crap and I haven’t felt the urge to burn cash on Ali anymore.

On the other hand I’ve splurged on some Knipex tools (home improvements) and couldn’t be more pleased.

The cheap parts that are quality parts on Ali are so few and far between, it’s just not worth the gamble and time to pack it for return IMO.

 

Eventually you learn the hardway why ParkTool (it was mentioned above) is expensive. Pony up, buy once cry once.

I usually buy more simple tools from Ali that I will only need occasionally. I haven't been burned yet. For example I bought my first frame with a T47 BB and needed a tool. Bought one from Ali and it works perfectly. The name brand options might be better quality, but they were also 4-5x the price, and i'll use this tool like once a year at best.

I think the Ali tool cost less than if I would have gone to a bike shop to have the BB installed/changed just once, and I don't have to deal with annoying bike mechanics. Win-win!