i was looking at alternatives because shimano was so expansive (why not spend even more and get something exotic), but I was a bit worried that sunrace or other would not be entirely compatible with shimano who claims they have specific profiles on their cogs that works in concert with their chain. Not sure whether this is true or not but when you look at the teeth on a shimano it does look odds and very 3d for some reason.
I'm going to risk suggesting that the consensus view is yes, if you set up a groupset with everything Shimano using the exact models that Shimano recommend, it might work a little more smoothly than a mixture of Shimano and good-quality compatible third-party parts would. Whether that difference matters or is even detectable in real life is another matter. And the third-party parts may give you better longevity or a wider range of options look more shiny.
Nothing wrong with Miche cassettes. Still not as bling as the Sunrace though.
AndyK wrote: 11 Mar 2022, 12:36pm
I'm going to risk suggesting that the consensus view is yes, if you set up a groupset with everything Shimano using the exact models that Shimano recommend, it might work a little more smoothly than a mixture of Shimano and good-quality compatible third-party parts would. Whether that difference matters or is even detectable in real life is another matter. And the third-party parts may give you better longevity or a wider range of options look more shiny.
Nothing wrong with Miche cassettes. Still not as bling as the Sunrace though.
thank for the input, never tried to mix and match but i have the same understanding
pete75 wrote: 11 Mar 2022, 12:10pm
Rose is actually a retailer who sells some own brand bikes made by someone else, just like Halfords. You don't think they've an in house frame building shop etc do you?
You haven't answered my question as to why you think OEM parts are inferior.
Just like every other brands? So trek, spe, pinarello, etc are not manufacturer then?
They produce absolute <i>[inappropriate word removed]</i> bikes, nevertheless they are still considered as product manufacturers, they assemble your bike and its their specifications/design that goes to whatever Chinese factory producing the frame for them.
Apart from time or look I cant think of any other brand who make their own carbon frame ? (and im not even sure for look)
Back in the day Merida used to build for so many supermarket brands and other too
I've never said OEM was inferior, but I want to know BEFORE HAND im getting OEM and i dont want pay the highest price for it (defeat the purpose a bit).
The other you mention are not retailers. Using your logic Tesco, Morrisons etc are manufacturers of bake dbean because they sell them under their own brand names. If OEM isn't inferior why make all this fuss.
'Give me my bike, a bit of sunshine - and a stop-off for a lunchtime pint - and I'm a happy man.' - Reg Baker
It's not my logic, it's fact, these are product (bike) manufacturers, they are registered companies as such. You can try to reinvent the wheel as much as you want... we will just agree to disagree.
For me "genuine" is more of a concern than OEM. And thinking aloud (no evidence) I'd expect a "knock-off" to be beautifully boxed with printed instructions, etc. to make it look much more genuine and identical to retail product.
There seems a lot of knock-off kit floating around. I've been caught before and wasted around £5 (Apple USB charger). It wa sinteresting though because comparing what I got to the genuine Apple product I could not tell the difference. And when I happened t be going to an Apple store I took both genuine and suspected "knock-off" with me and asked Apple to confirm they were genuine and from looking Apple couldn't tell but they tapped them on the edge of a table and immediately identified one as knock-off and I could immediately hear the difference. USB chargers were a worry as cheapo knock-offs had a habit of bursting into flames.
I suspect if there are knock-off Shimano components they'd also be a bit of a worry as they risk letting you down mid-tour ... but I doubt they'd be supplied in a plain brown box.
Now I know how the OP feels. These inner tubes arrived today, just like this. The retailer couldn't even be bothered to put them in the correct boxes - terrible service.
'Give me my bike, a bit of sunshine - and a stop-off for a lunchtime pint - and I'm a happy man.' - Reg Baker
On the other hand.........
If the retailer "couldn't be bothered", I'd say they would have left the tubes IN the boxes and not bothered to take them OUT!
While the tubes in the photo look a mess, my hunch is a package containing Schwalbe inner tube box(es) will not fit through a standard letter box. Folding the boxes flat having removed the inner tube probably means the package will fit through a standard letter box. Keeping it to a standard letter box size probably means cheaper delivery, and also it arrives on you door mat, rather than a card asking you to arrange redelivery.
Getting my wooden spoon out... I find tubes tend to only go back in their boxes correctly if you start the fold (usually near the valve) in exactly the same manner as the factory. So may be the tubes should have come with instructions for correct folding to get them back in their boxes. Oh, I think we have been here before.....!
ChiasseEnSpray wrote: 10 Mar 2022, 4:21pm
Very good point, what they sent me does not correspond at all with what the page shows..nor the picture nor the description
So if we are going this way....
There is no Ultegra R8000 in 11-34. It's a HG-800 11-34 which because it does not have all the "noble" materials as the other ultegra cassettes, plus a weird design that makes it compatible 10-11s (spacer required for 11s) it does not get to be branded as Ultegra like the rest of the smaller ratios. Although, on the spectrum officially I think shimano classifies it as part of the Ultegra series. But to me that's not a problem, I know what I'm buying and I know what they meant by an Ultegra R8000 11-34, although technically it does not exit. Fully aware I would get a HG-800.
By the way, the fact that the cassette is hard to get in these time is complete irrelevant, and certainly not the customer's problem.
Under "Features" on the page on Merlin's site it does say "Note - 11/34 is HG800 (same quality as CS-R8000)"
(link)
FWIW I've always found Merlin to be good to deal with. Although I'm close enough that I'll generally cycle over pick stuff up rather than get it delivered.
Former member of the Cult of the Polystyrene Head Carbuncle.
pete75 wrote: 11 Mar 2022, 4:17pm
Now I know how the OP feels. These inner tubes arrived today, just like this. The retailer couldn't even be bothered to put them in the correct boxes - terrible service.
IMG_20220311_135851.jpg
That is completely disrepectful to their customers, shipping mess like that. They basically selling you some kind of display models or the pair that fell under the icecream machine a year ago or something that has been in 100s different hands. Complete disregard for their customer satisfaction.
But again, if you pay half price that's acceptable, if you paid full RRP it would go straight back to the shop.
RickH wrote: 11 Mar 2022, 4:53pm
Under "Features" on the page on Merlin's site it does say "Note - 11/34 is HG800 (same quality as CS-R8000)"
(link)
FWIW I've always found Merlin to be good to deal with. Although I'm close enough that I'll generally cycle over pick stuff up rather than get it delivered.
Agreed, but again if it was not, would not be a problem to me.
Do people not realise that big retailers buy consumables in bulk? Discounts will be given because they buy un packaged. Unless it is specified that they are boxed I would not be at all surprised or disappointed if they arrived lose as those tubes are. Cheap stuff, I would expect it.
Of course we cannot label OEM as inferior in anyway so the only dispute the OP can have is not box or that ridiculous set of instructions.
Can we keep this thread going for a bit longer please (thanks Pete75 you made me laugh)? I'm really enjoying the entertainment value, I might cancel my Netflix subscription.
To be serious this does remind me of my frustrations when I purchased a chocolate fireguard.
PT1029 wrote: 11 Mar 2022, 4:52pm
On the other hand.........
If the retailer "couldn't be bothered", I'd say they would have left the tubes IN the boxes and not bothered to take them OUT!
While the tubes in the photo look a mess, my hunch is a package containing Schwalbe inner tube box(es) will not fit through a standard letter box. Folding the boxes flat having removed the inner tube probably means the package will fit through a standard letter box. Keeping it to a standard letter box size probably means cheaper delivery, and also it arrives on you door mat, rather than a card asking you to arrange redelivery.
Getting my wooden spoon out... I find tubes tend to only go back in their boxes correctly if you start the fold (usually near the valve) in exactly the same manner as the factory. So may be the tubes should have come with instructions for correct folding to get them back in their boxes. Oh, I think we have been here before.....!
Yes I know that's what happened and why it was done. It was irony re the original post.
'Give me my bike, a bit of sunshine - and a stop-off for a lunchtime pint - and I'm a happy man.' - Reg Baker
pete75 wrote: 11 Mar 2022, 4:17pm
Now I know how the OP feels. These inner tubes arrived today, just like this. The retailer couldn't even be bothered to put them in the correct boxes - terrible service.
IMG_20220311_135851.jpg
Oh do stop moaning, look; you got the tubes, the original box plus a free brown cardboard box!
