Now8's Carbon Flat Pedals and Handlebars - Taipei Cycle Show 2019

 Is this the saddle?

www.aliexpress.com/item/MTB-road-bike-Comfort-MTB-Wide-Bicycle-Seat-Carbon-Fiber-Bike-Saddle-Bicycle-Saddle-Bike-Seat/32766321631.html?spm=2114.search0204.3.18.6adf7b9cRnQSKi&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_6_10065_10068_10130_10547_319_10059_10884_317_10548_10887_10696_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_10618_10307_537_536_10902,searchweb201603_6,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=30c5e17f-7e82-43d9-8201-e2806ffa91da-2&algo_pvid=30c5e17f-7e82-43d9-8201-e2806ffa91da&transAbTest=ae803_4

 While we're at it, why not link to the actual pedal?
www.aliexpress.com/item/ZERAY-D213-Carbon-Fiber-Ultralight-Mountain-Bike-Flat-Pedal-Alloy-Bicycle-Pedal-MTB-Cycling-pedales-bike/32835182770.html

Now8 didn't even bother to request a plug to hide the "ZP-D213" model number. "Zeray Pedal - Model D213". I'm getting tired of people throwing a logo on catalog parts and pretending to be a real company.

 @kathwill: Looks like a specialized toupe

 @R-M-R: but the Pins on the labeled one are red. Thus the pedals are faster.

 @bsavery: Probably the same old mold.

 Good looking out on that companies BS. I'm wondering if they actually have looked any of this stuff up before making these claims.

 @sbrdude1: I'm not saying catalog parts are bad - quite the opposite, sometimes. One of my favourite things is to flip through the catalogs - often over a hundred pages deep - of the myriad Asian vendors and find absolute gems at a fraction of the cost of OE pricing from "name brands".

A top quality catalog component can be among the best available and I have nothing against companies that are transparent about it. If I create a "house brand" part, my goal is for it to be both a little cheaper and a little better than a "name brand" item.

"Name brands" rarely own their own factories, so most products already come from these factories; the difference is whether a company designs their own products and pays for custom tooling. In some cases, "name brands" produce custom components not to get a better product, but to get a cheaper product.

CORRECTION: I just checked out Now8's website: www.cooolsport.com/NOW8/index.php/de

THEY'RE NOT HIDING THE ORIGIN OF THEIR COMPONENTS, SO I'VE PUT AWAY MY TORCH AND PITCHFORK!

From their website (translated):

"Under the brand NOW 8 high end and tuning bicycle parts are presented. Among other things, NOW 8 concentrates on the compilation of top products from various quality manufacturers under one brand, which are improved and optimized according to our ideas.

"Although many producers develop top solutions, they hardly market them because they are busy with the production of merchandise for well-known brands in their day-to-day business. Thus we work on the quality level of the premium brands, which often purchase their products from specialized manufacturers. Often, even the development of these suppliers comes from.

"Under NOW 8 We are constantly looking for these "nuggets" that fit in our product philosophy. These are then modified, improved and thoroughly tested before we launch them. But we also have some ideas of companies, with the corresponding technological "know how", developed for us."

 I run that saddle on my road bike, under the GUB brand. It is really good, better than I ever expected. Mine weights 150gr.

 I just found that saddle dangerous to be honest. Riding steeps I would hang off the back of the bike, then I'd go to move forward only to find my shorts were stuck in that cut-out at the back of the saddle.

 A 30$ carbon saddle from Ali express - what could possibly go wrong? Do they sell colostomy bags with it? you'll need them.

 Been running these nylon pedals for years and they're awesome, lasted longer than any pedals I've had from any of the big brands, so cheap and good that now about 80% of the locals in my area use them too:
www.ebay.com.au/itm/SCUDGOOD-polyamide-Road-MTB-Mountain-Bike-Bearing-Pedals-Platform-Bicycle-Pedal-/272827628026

 @ctd07: I have purchased Superstar El-Plastique pedals around 2012 for 21£. I smashed them into rocks, rode in the skatepark, commuted in snow, salt and rain, bike was often parked outside of the office, haven’t serviced them once. Not a sign of them needing service. On top of that I give them 9/10 in terms of grip, pin durability, platform size and thickness are excellent.

 @WAKIdesigns: yeh nylon pedals definitely seem to not get hooked up on rocks like alloy ones, also the pins dont tear out anywhere near as easily as they're held in with a nut on the other side

 Damn, i'm so weak I just ordered one.

 @ctd07: Sound like a winner. Been running DMR V6 and they’ve been bomb proof. But I remember as a kid the super hard plastic BMX pedals would shatter if you smacked them on a kerb (especially in the cold). I be worried with a stiffer compound like carbon that these pedals wouldn’t last five minutes in a rocky shute or pedal strike.

 @Bustacrimes: PA6 is about the same stuff as cable ties, so i think they should hold up.

 @Muckal: So not carbon then? Thanks for the advice

 @Bustacrimes: the Ali Site says PA6CF30, so PA6 mixed woth 30% short carbon fibers. Not your regular sheets, but small chops, like in PA6GF30, which is filled with glass fiber.

 @Muckal: good call. Short strand random orientation fibers either injection molded or pressed into shape. I wouldn't bet on these to last much longer than plastic pedals.

 @dickT3030: i don't have any personal experience with them but plastic pedals are said to be durable, at least some. For 21 dollars i wouldn't be too concerned.

 @Vulhelm: yep I bought the gun saddle and the points on the back..I didn't have a dropper on that bike got back to drop a set of stairs and ripped the inseam of my favorite hand made cords.

 @R-M-R: Oh wow, haha so funny!

 @R-M-R: I am on board with your thinking and have been trying to convince my buddies that the "no name" stuff often is the same as the big name, just no fancy stickers but made in the same factories.
I've broken everything on a bike(loads of frames too) minus the stem and bars and so I've never understood spending more than $50 on a stem(besides wanting a certain look)
I recently bought a stem for $25...cool looking CNC machined 50mm...looks exact to a few brands out their....so far so good.
I bought a carbon bar for $25 that looks exactly like the Race Face Next bar I have on another bike. I did have a little more trepidation with this but I did a flex test at home by putting my weight on it between two chairs(I'm 6'4, 215), before installation. I was even a little shy with a jumps and drop ins at my local trail but after a bit I loosened up and I've now had a handful of "normal" rides with zero issues.
Once you've broken enough high end name brand stuff you realize there are no guarantees(besides a warranty...hopefully) and a lot of these "cheap" versions are the same things.
When I was getting into painting frames I was buying up frames to paint on Ebay...I bought a hardtail for $35 from a factory...upon looking at it all seemed good quality...I'm pretty sure it was the same frame that was sold as GIANT back then, without stickers.

 Thanks for the tip. I just ordered one.

 @GlassGuy: It's true that expensive, "name brand" items can be crap and cheap parts adorned with broken English can be world class. It's a matter of probability: the former is uncommon and the latter is uncertain.

I won't make something a "house brand" item without sending a few samples to an accredited testing facility and regularly sending a few items for QC to ensure consistency. Erodes the margin, but it's necessary.

Consumers can't do this, though, so it's a gamble. How do you know whether you really are getting a high performance carbon bar for $50 or nice looking piece of junk? Metal products carry a lot higher probability of getting what you think you're getting. There's not much money to be saved with a cheaper alloy, so most parts are 6061 or better. Forging is a cheap process at high volume, so you're unlikely to get a cast part. Even a poorly designed, forged 6061 stem is a lot safer than a terribly made carbon bar.

Some consumers are essentially addicted to gambling and will try every Asian part they can get their hands on. I don't recommend this approach, especially to anyone who has broken some "name brand" items. If something seems too good to be true - i.e. implausibly cheap, even for the Asian marketplace - it usually is.

To go back to the pedals that started the discussion: they look like standard injection molded units, seemingly using a chopped-fiber reinforced resin. Potentially a little better than a plain resin, but reliability is determined by, in order:

1. Design
2. Manufacturing
3. Materials

The importance of each factor decreases tremendously from the prior. Material selection gets a lot of attention for something that is the least important factor in making a reliable component.

 @R-M-R: Where do you get the catalogs? That sounds like fun.

 @R-M-R: you last 2 parapgraphs would save a lot of discussion on most bicycle parts INCLUDING(!) the environmental impact of carbon discussion spawned by Pole. When Manufacturing part is sht, material won't save any fish. Sorry

Great post!

 @WAKIdesigns: I'm flattered my post is the first thing you've ever liked. I'll try to not let it go to my head.

 @humanpowered: Many factories and distributors have material online, it just takes a lot of searching to find them. Trade shows, trading agent recommendations, vendor referrals, factory referrals ...

 @R-M-R: I must say though, that what was insinuated up there: I buy X part from Ali Express because I have no guarantee that Y part from a big brand is any better (or made in some factory as many like to say on the interwebs to rationalize getting "no name" stuff for pennies) is straight forward stupid. Especially when it comes to controls like saddle seat post, stem, handlebars, pedals. That is because most big companies will always try to stay on the safe side, a failure of such componentss which can result in serious injury if not death, would highly likely kill a company. That is all ethics aside. It is just impractical to make horrific rubbish. What responsibility does a little manufacturer from God knows where on Ali Express have? How can you hold them responsible for anything when design, manufacture (incl.QC) and materials all fail? Well, you can't.

I am an optimist though, because as brutal as it may seem, the natural selection is a good thing.

 @R-M-R: Is there a physical catalog to be had? If so, how does one acquire a copy?

 @Shizanester: No, there is no single catalog of all Asian bicycle components. It's not like someone in Shenzhen can ask for a catalog of all non-Asian bicycle components, right?

If such an Asian catalog existed, it would be the size of an old encyclopedia set and take up half of your living room!

 @R-M-R: Any keywords would be appreciated!

 @humanpowered: Sift through the exhibitor lists from bike shows:

www.taichungbikeweek.com
www.taipeicycle.com.tw
www.e-chinacycle.com/en/exlist/en/34

 @R-M-R: Got it. Thanks!

 lmao my thoughts exactly

 And the edge of a platform is a point. The small platform is probably to prevent them from smashing on rocks all the time.

 Haha, I remember seeing an ad in mbaction way back for some kore platforms that were 100x100mm. The page was basically just a scale photo of one and I thought they were stupidly massive an coveted the hell outta them.

 Man the same for the bars, 780max really? I wouldn't go back to sub 780. Even my XC needs that ..

 I've just changed to a set of HT's that are 94 x 85 as the Superstar Nanos at 101 x 110 are too big. They seem to get hooked up way more that the smaller ones. Mind you I am the size of an ant.

 I guess weight. These are 200g where a pair of Chester would be 300g. At only 30 bucks more than cheaters that's actually reasonable bang for buck. Provided they are as durable as nylon pedals. Long term review?

 Carbon reinforced nylon is pretty strong.

 @bsavery: well if, my one up composites blow up, I l'd give these a try

 @freestyIAM: raceface and this company are both bamboozling you. Can find race fave Chester's on Ali Express for $15. Can find these carbon ones too for only slightly more

 It’s normal that this would be a nylon pedal with carbon fiber reinforcement. Same as glass fiber reinforced nylon or polypropylene. It’s most likely carbon reinforced nylon. It’s a good way to do it, but also a common way to do it.

 @ibishreddin: Don't know that finding shit on Ali Express means that legitimate companies are bamboozling you... "Hey, I found free underwear in the park, Hanes is a rip off!"

 @bishopsmike:

 Lololol @bishopsmike:

 Actually, carbon-carbon is old news:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforced_carbon%E2%80%93carbon

 @Konyp: that's not something you want to find out when high on cocaine. There's carbon in carbon on carbon - FK!!! I got to run! I bought too much bike sht, I went too far!

 @WAKIdesigns: does this comment mean your high on cocaine when you post. If so it explains a lot

 ***golf clap***

 exactly my thoughts. I'm going to rebuilt an old Sunn for my daughter in a few weeks and those pedals might pimp the bike for cheap.

 30% carbon fiber and 70% nylon according to the manufacturer.

www.aliexpress.com/item/ZERAY-D213-Carbon-Fiber-Ultralight-Mountain-Bike-Flat-Pedal-Alloy-Bicycle-Pedal-MTB-Cycling-pedales-bike/32835182770.html

 @samsq: Exactly. Probably using carbon waste from frame mfg

 Ya, an "apples to apples" comparison to the Drift pedal isn't accurate.

 That might make your Next crank last some sets of pedals. Like an XT crank does.

 Now8 a minute, there's no need to call them stupid.

 For the record, these are not "carbon" in the way that we all think of a handlebar, frame, or wheels being "carbon." Pinkbike shouldn't be making a direct comparison to the Drift pedals.

 You mean to say the guy has a big hand?

 i don't know why you got a down vote for that. i was thinking the same thing

 The pedals are made from nylon filled with chopped carbon fibers, there are no solid pieces of carbon that could go through your shoe.

 they’re crazy light and crazy cheap for being that light. Adding a ti axle would likely double the price.

 @lognar: it wouldn't double the price if they made the titanium axle out of carbon though surely

 @browner: i promote you to head engineer

 Take it flip it reverse it then you got it