Temu for cycling goods

[WaynejG]

1 hour ago, Paul Ruinaard said:

Have ordered some of the Bibs and a gillet vest from them plus some other tat base don the reviews on tis site. At the price the shorts are great for the IDT in winter and Zwifting - as long as they are half decent i can get 3 pairs for every one Ciovita .

lets see.

Anyone order the new pocket infkators that seem to be all the rage - much niftier than CO2. if so which ones are the best?

 

Pocket inflator, a gadget I never knew I needed 🤣

[Paul Ruinaard]

12 minutes ago, WaynejG said:

Pocket inflator, a gadget I never knew I needed 🤣

yeah but if you look at the demos it makes a lot of sense rather than CO2 bombs which are always a lottery. I saw a video and as we had some punctures last weekend which were multiple CO2 bombs and pumps etc this would. have solved a ton of issues. Decided to pull the trigger on one.

 

[WaynejG]

2 minutes ago, Paul Ruinaard said:

yeah but if you look at the demos it makes a lot of sense rather than CO2 bombs which are always a lottery. I saw a video and as we had some punctures last weekend which were multiple CO2 bombs and pumps etc this would. have solved a ton of issues. Decided to pull the trigger on one.

 

Which one did you go for? Please provide feedback as this will also work for my dual purpose motorcycle. 

[Paul Ruinaard]

let me review when it comes in - i went

1 minute ago, WaynejG said:

Which one did you go for? Please provide feedback as this will also work for my dual purpose motorcycle. 

Let me check and review when it comes in - i went for one of the small ones for cycling.  

https://www.temu.com/goods.html?_bg_fs=1&goods_id=601099896476953&parent_order_sn=PO-184-20853878820392788&add_order=1&sku_id=17593794346637&top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2Ffancy%2Fb115ce93-785c-4a0a-85b8-9de1bd333690.jpg&_x_sessn_id=wohupxf4k4&refer_page_name=bgt_order_detail&refer_page_id=10045_1745569836096_cx8mz47798&refer_page_sn=10045

there are bigger ones which are better for motorbikes. I have one I used to use on my motorbike which worked fine - needs a bigger battery and more volume as cycling tyres much smaller but it worked okay.

[Paul Ruinaard]

8 minutes ago, Paul Ruinaard said:

let me review when it comes in - i went

Let me check and review when it comes in - i went for one of the small ones for cycling.  

https://www.temu.com/goods.html?_bg_fs=1&goods_id=601099896476953&parent_order_sn=PO-184-20853878820392788&add_order=1&sku_id=17593794346637&top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2Ffancy%2Fb115ce93-785c-4a0a-85b8-9de1bd333690.jpg&_x_sessn_id=wohupxf4k4&refer_page_name=bgt_order_detail&refer_page_id=10045_1745569836096_cx8mz47798&refer_page_sn=10045

there are bigger ones which are better for motorbikes. I have one I used to use on my motorbike which worked fine - needs a bigger battery and more volume as cycling tyres much smaller but it worked okay.

FYI I have one of these for the motorbike - also a LOT more expensive than the temu version:

https://www.amazon.co.za/CYCPLUS-Inflator-Portable-Compressor-Motorcycle/dp/B095YCKBWJ/ref=sr_1_2?adgrpid=163299009970&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6ppbJjg4m_Ks8w_1PDVenriipPyqvJPTmXbs2QOSDvflEGfvpNl_GhvP1_hIEAFGg2hpBuV062qNNVx4WiDzjzCIGcuWaDU1MJyRFx-dzRc.PQrVKVAvLEVCM_cBCN2vG4EaKpkRv91Lz5MvbHJ6SVs&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=715278462878&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9221490&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=2995516062490231912&hvtargid=kwd-2010352768981&hydadcr=28314_2530109&keywords=cycplus%2Btiny%2Bpump&mcid=79124602877c3f38904bb21076829fca&qid=1745570451&sr=8-2&th=1

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

Lumeo has the bigger inflators and I use mine for everything apart from pool floaties (just takes too long). Lumeo pump

Pocket one could be decent but I’d double check the output before buying and buy the one with the best output or it might feel like blowing up a camping mattress. 

[guidodg]

1 hour ago, WaynejG said:

Which one did you go for? Please provide feedback as this will also work for my dual purpose motorcycle. 

https://www.temu.com/goods.html?_bg_fs=1&goods_id=601099565148262&sku_id=17592412944042&_x_sessn_id=k6snvhf2n1&refer_page_name=bgt_order_detail&refer_page_id=10045_1745575162916_dwjskai9q3&refer_page_sn=10045

 

It is really good for the price...comes with a silicon protective case as well

[ChrisF]

3 hours ago, betaboy said:

Mastering your shoelaces was an introductory process for the gateway to primary school! You’ve robbed the PlayStation Generation of this opportunity. I strongly recommend you reverse this decision and make them work harder. My kids can buy their own  BOA’s one day. 🤣🤣🤣 

 

As much as I agree with you .... 

 

I do wonder how it works adding the BOA to a pair of tekkies .... I sure as heck may just go for this .... 

 

Any pictures of these would be nice.

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

This one was done in a hurry and I probably should have done it to the side (like cycling shoes) but it works none the less and saves me much of child drama 

[Vaultboy]

On 4/25/2025 at 1:04 PM, RobynE said:

This one was done in a hurry and I probably should have done it to the side (like cycling shoes) but it works none the less and saves me much of child drama 

 

If you do it on the side, you would need to glue it onto the shoe or thread it through the uppers. I considered glueing a velcro pad to the shoe and the boa, but I reckon that tension would peel the boa off.  

@ChrisF This is what it looks like on a kids shoe. works perfectly, despite the size of the boa.

@betaboy I hear you. I considered that, then realised that as an adult I only tie laces for weddings and funerals nowadays. Otherwise Its all velcro, no-tie tighteners, loafers, neoprene socks, zips etc. and boas for cycling. 

[Zaskar_Carbon]

I've been following this post for the past year and placed my first order with Temu in June 2024.  Since then I have placed a further fourteen orders for a variety of items.  Orders 14 and 15 are due to arrive during the course of this week.

So far everything had been correctly delivered although  I did once change the size of one cycling jersey to a larger size as was an option after placing the original order, but they did not react and I received the former size.  Too bad, but it's still wearable.

As far as bike parts are concerned I bought a bunch of stuff.

Risk titanium alloy bolts in oil-slick finish.  I've read and taken note of the fact that they aren't as strong as steel but I'm not going to be bombing down mountains and jumping over boulders, just riding trails, so will keep an eye on them.  I've changed virtually everything - brake disc bolts, brake caliper bolts, brake lever bolts, stem bolts, bottle cage bolts and valve caps.  They weren't cheap and the total ran into four figures.

Cycling glasses/eyewear.  I've been using a pair of Oakley's for decades, but that pair is now done for.  I couldn't bring myself to pay the current prices.  When researching Oakley's I found that at least half are made in China anyway.  The others are made in the USA.  All cycling eyewear lenses are made of impact-resistant polycarbonate or polyamid (nylon).  Oakley's website says all their eyewear is designed and engineered in the USA and that "some eyewear components and finished products are also manufactured in facilities owned and operated by our parent company, Luxottica Group, or by select 3 supply partners around the world."  I note they are hesitant to name China as a manufacturer but googling Luxottica Group well tell that they have manufacturing facilities in Italy, China and now Thailand.  "Their factories in Italy and China produce Ray-Ban's entire line of eyewear and Luxottica guarantees the quality of the products from its Chinese factories is in no way compromised; the glasses are made from the same materials, with the same machines".  So there you have it.  Also if you think Oakleys lenses won't break in a crash - think again. 'You may find some of Temu's cycling eyewear come from those same factories too (just guessing but I wouldn't be surprised).  Initially I bought a pair of cheap SCVCN cycling glasses for R116 but found them a bit uncomfortable.  They aren't terrible, but you get what you pay for.  Next up I bought a pair of Kapvoe polarized cycling glasses with five interchangeable lenses for R348.  These are much better - pretty much like an Oakley rip-off if you ask me.

Waterproof Silicone Bicycle Seat Post Dust-Proof Cover.  I bought my GT Zaskar Expert full-carbon lightly-used MTB a year ago and noticed moisture had entered the seat tube.  It wasn't wet or anything worrying but opted to get this silicone seat post seal for R27 (now just R16).

 

 

Cycling Clothing This is where things start to get tricky as you can't try things on and returning stuff is a pain in the ass.  I wear size 34 jeans/chinos which translates into an Asian size L or UK34 on Temu.  I wanted same baggy shorts and opted for a size M based on comments and just as well because the M fits fine and an L would have been way too big.  These are not padded and cost R452

As I was more comfortable knowing what size I should order I then ordered another pair of shorts but padded one's this time.  These were even cheaper at R408.

These are also a size M.  They fit fine, but I haven't tried them out on the bike yet - just been too busy.

 

My bike has flat pedals so I just wanted a pair of sneakers to go riding in.  The bike has lime-green accents so I have a preference for lime-green accessories which is not a bad thing as it's one of the more visible colours out there. I wear a UK size 11 and having bought three pairs of shoes on Temu if I stick to size CN46 I'm pretty safe.  Fortunately all three pairs of what I bought fit just fine. The sneakers were R540 and matching socks R56.

I've puchased several T-shirts and a long-sleeve top for cheap (compared to locally).  R500 for a T-Shirt at an LBS and R79 - R89 on Temu.


Accessories  I bought Syncros bottle cages from my LBS but had to get matching Syncros water bottles from a bike store in Germany.  The bottles were cheap, but the shipping, using Aramex Global Shopper wasn't.  If I recall the shipping was around R460 😒


Brake Pads  I don't need brake pads just now, but after discovering sourcing pads locally for my Formula RX brakes wasn't as easy as I thought it was Temu to the rescue. I purchased two sets of the "Dust" semi-metallic brake pads based on several 5-star reviews for just R46 a pair.  When they arrived they were in "Risk" branded packaging.

Helmet  I wasn't going to admit to buying a cheap helmet but what the hell - I did.  It cost R327 but is currently listed at R180.  It is CE certified and yes it can be penetrated by a sharp object.  It's not that I don't value my head, but this was only purchased as a temporary measure as my original Bell helmet is seriously uncomfortable.  I have my eye on an Abus or Trek MIPS helmet but we all know what those cost! 


Tyres  I have purchased Vittoria Mezcals for my Zaskar MTB from a LBS and just purchased Vittoria Corsa Controls for my Cannondale 2.8 road bike.  Also a tube.

I have to say the service I have received from local LBSs has been pretty dire over the past several years,  Almost nothing has been in stock and despite taking my name and number, almost no-one has got back to me about anything.  The only one I can give a shout-out to is Cycle Lab N1 City who got an item for me from a Gauteng branch in record time.  It was ordered on a Friday and they phoned at lunch time on the Monday to say I could collect.

Temu General  I only discovered last week that Temu is actually an American company based in Boston MA.  I always assumed it was Chinese.  The range of products on offer is mind-boggling.  You can find stuff you didn't even know you needed and things you didn't know existed can generally be found there.  The quality for the most part is pretty decent.  My advice is check all the options and the cheapest option is probably not the best.  Read the reviews - not the 5-star reviews - check out the lower scores if they exist.  Those R136 earpods probably are crap.

I've bought quite a few other items as well - replacement wheels and air filters for my silent TradeAir compressor, shower hoses, magnetic bench vice protective strips, strong double-sided tape. several belts, golf caps, MTB tyre sealant injector kit, MTB chain stay protector, kneeling pads which I use for work, underwear, several pairs of shorts, Other items of clothing haven't been top priority as I prefer to try things on.  Most of their shirts are polyester and I am no fan of polyester.  I prefer 100% cotton.

Couriers  While you cannot choose your courier, Buffalo is by far the quickest.  Depending on what day you order, things can be delivered to Cape Town within a week.  FastNet comes a close second.  Skynet perhaps a bit slow by comparison but yes, Easter was thrown into the mix. Now there's a new one Asendia.  I can't comment on them yet.

Duty and VAT.  Temu and Shein have been accused of using a loophole to bypass customs and VAT on consignments under R500 and splitting consignments to take advantage of this. Thank the clothing Industries Federation for this.  I'm not sure what industry they are hoping to protect?  There basically is no local clothing industry.  Go to Woolworths and look where their stuff comes from - jeans made in Mauritius, shirts in Madagascar, dressing gowns, belts and sneakers all made in China.  None of my consignments have been split including one of over R1,800.  Only the latest one has been split but that was due to size considerations where two items have been sent separately. While delivery is free there is a nominal courier fee for pushing things through customs as far as I can tell - it's under R50 and VAT makes up the rest apparently.  That is about to change.  Duty on clothing is 45% which in my opinion is ridiculously high.  What nobody mentions is that there is a 10% surcharge on top of this.  I could have a long rant about this but that's a topic for another day.

Edited April 28 by Zaskar_Carbon

[gerriemtb]

14 hours ago, Zaskar_Carbon said:

 

 

 

 

Are you sure that you have enough green stuff?

[Zaskar_Carbon]

1 minute ago, gerriemtb said:

Are you sure that you have enough green stuff?

No - I've had a custom seat post clamp made and will get that anodized in lime-green too.  I just want to have it electro-polished by De Rust It in Montague Gardens first.

[Vaultboy]

1 hour ago, Zaskar_Carbon said:

No - I've had a custom seat post clamp made and will get that anodized in lime-green too.  I just want to have it electro-polished by De Rust It in Montague Gardens first.

I like these . Have you considered matching jockey wheels and casette? 

[NC_lurker]

Recently placed my first Temu order (bike tools & light mounts). I've just received an email from Temu suggesting I need to pay import duty/tax & providing me with a payment link via SkyNet couriers. 

It all looks legit, can anyone confirm? Thanks 

[Zaskar_Carbon]

3 hours ago, Vaultboy said:

I like these . Have you considered matching jockey wheels and casette? 

I have but haven't come across anything suitable yet.