Best Alu frame?

gtvlusso
gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
edited March 2008 in Workshop
Hi All,

This really is personal preference, but will help me to decide!

So whats the best Aluminium frame out there? Who makes it and why is it the best?

Cheers

G

Comments

  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Bianchi HoC FG Lite Frame Set

    Y6862N_BIG.jpg

    It's a Bianchi, and I believe it was Di Luca's choice a couple of years ago over a Bianchi 928.
    I like bikes...

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  • Pirahna
    Pirahna Posts: 1,315
    Ridley Compact, good enough for the pro's in the spring classics.
  • SDP
    SDP Posts: 665
    TCR ..rough/tough & a classy chassis ..
    www.mjsracing.net
  • Pirahna
    Pirahna Posts: 1,315
    SDP wrote:
    TCR ..rough/tough & a classy chassis ..

    There is brand new medium one on Ebay for £250. Too small for me or I would have bought it.
  • SDP
    SDP Posts: 665
    ring philipsons in leeds ..( google them )

    i had a TCR frame .from them last year ...
    www.mjsracing.net
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    You should probably also consider things like Cannondale CAAD9 and CAAD8 frames. I want a Tommasini Premier Plus though :)

    http://www.tommasini.com/telai/premierplus.html
  • jpembroke
    jpembroke Posts: 2,569
    The Planet X Superlight Team is a very good, cheap alloy frame. The Bianchi that redddragon posted above has to be one of the best though.
    I'm only concerned with looking concerned
  • dbg
    dbg Posts: 846
    cervelo soloist?
  • geoff_ss
    geoff_ss Posts: 1,201
    edited March 2008
    I have very limited experience of aluminium frames but my new Kinesis Racelight TK08 with carbon forks is great - stiff and comfortable. Mine has mudguard clearance and carrier eyes but if you find that a bit down market they do make tight clearance racing frames as well.

    Geoff
    Old cyclists never die; they just fit smaller chainrings ... and pedal faster
  • kevin_stephens
    kevin_stephens Posts: 184
    Pirahna wrote:
    Ridley Compact, good enough for the pro's in the spring classics.

    Seconded, my Ridley Compact is a joy to ride, and at 1.3 kg no heavier and a much better ride than many more expensive bottom end carbon frames
    I want to climb hills so badly;
    and I climb hills so badly
  • top_bhoy
    top_bhoy Posts: 1,424
    Its maybe a bit old in the fashion stakes now but I did love my Specialized S-Works E5 SLX frameset. The media release says its the same model type Cippo used in the 2002 TdF and I can't disagree with his choice. :lol:
    Click here to view Top_Bhoys Pedal Force:
    Click here to view Top_Bhoys RC2:
  • System_1
    System_1 Posts: 513
    Principia are the kings of the aluminium frame. In terms of performance, craftsmanship and attention to detail they can't be beat. They are very expensive unfortunately.

    I didn't have the money for a Principia so settled for a Kinesis Racelight KiC2. I've read reviews from people who liken it to the old scandium Pinarello Prince in terms of handling and comfort but having never ridden a Prince I'm not sure how accurate those are. I'm very happy with mine though. It's comfortable, light, stiff and very very pretty.
  • Lagavulin
    Lagavulin Posts: 1,688
    Top_Bhoy wrote:
    Its maybe a bit old in the fashion stakes now but I did love my Specialized S-Works E5 SLX frameset. The media release says its the same model type Cippo used in the 2002 TdF and I can't disagree with his choice. :lol:
    Its not the S-Works variant but everytime* I end up on Evan's website, I don't know why, but I keep checking to see if they still have their 2006 Allez Expert in 54cm with its E5 Columbus Aerotec frame.
    2010 Cannondale CAAD 9
    2008 Wilier Izoard
  • top_bhoy
    top_bhoy Posts: 1,424
    Lagavulin wrote:
    Top_Bhoy wrote:
    Its maybe a bit old in the fashion stakes now but I did love my Specialized S-Works E5 SLX frameset. The media release says its the same model type Cippo used in the 2002 TdF and I can't disagree with his choice. :lol:
    Its not the S-Works variant but everytime* I end up on Evan's website, I don't know why, but I keep checking to see if they still have their 2006 Allez Expert in 54cm with its E5 Columbus Aerotec frame.

    HaHa. :D ..I'm the same on websites - continually looking for another 2003/2004 s-works model in small or medium. If I had ever saw one at a reasonable price I would snap it up. Sadly they appear to be rare.
    Click here to view Top_Bhoys Pedal Force:
    Click here to view Top_Bhoys RC2:
  • jpembroke
    jpembroke Posts: 2,569
    Nice to see some alloy fans around - a rare breed these days. I really like my Planet X alloy frame. It's light, stiff and cheap to replace if I ever total it.
    I'm only concerned with looking concerned
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    Would any of you guys choose an alloy frame over carbon...given the choice at the same price (in theory?!)

    G
  • jpembroke
    jpembroke Posts: 2,569
    Hmm, tricky. The reason why I like alloy frames is that they are cheap and light (and mine is quite comfortable, too). If I prang my Planet X I can get a new frame and forks for £200. If I was to spend more on a frame I'd probably go for Titanium.
    I'm only concerned with looking concerned
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    gtvlusso wrote:
    Would any of you guys choose an alloy frame over carbon...given the choice at the same price (in theory?!)

    G

    Yes. Although that would be my head talking, rather than my heart. Most carbon frames cost a lot more than Al, but I don't think the gain in performance is proportional.

    I managed to get a carbon frame for £450, but I could easily have got a good Al frame for the same, and I doubt the bike would have been much different. I believe It's just the marketers have led us to think that carbon is better.
    I like bikes...

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  • Spudboy
    Spudboy Posts: 101
    Like most things you get what you pay for. A top quality Alu frame (eg the Bianchi FG Lite) will out perform much of the cheaper carbon frames (and be lighter).

    Last year I had a Bianchi Freccia Celeste built up for me with Record and a nice light pair of handbuilt wheels on the latest Record hubs. This bike is an absolute dream; light, uber-stiff and comfortable. It has a carbon rear end and full carbon forks which damps in all the right places.

    I am a heavy rider and chose this bike on the basis of strength and stiffness and was given great advice by LBS.

    I was all ready to go and purchase the latest full carbon pimp machine but in the end got a bike that was built to my spec and most importantly right for me.

    Different bikes will suit different riders, for me this Bianchi was spot-on but for the (ahem) more svelte rider that Scott Addict SL (or whatever) may be just the ticket.

    Don't discount Alu just because it's not on the latest Pro-Tour team issue. Remember they get their bikes for free. Seem to recall Boonen rode an Alu bike up to quite recently until Specialized sorted him a carbon rig he liked.
  • elaine dey
    elaine dey Posts: 21
    Principia for me too - having owned an RS6 - it was much stiffer than my Isaac carbon frame but not as comfortable. Did think it had a long top tube for being such a small frame. Beautiful dark blue anodised frame and built up only weighed 16lbs. After 5 years of use it was unmarked.
  • pjm-84
    pjm-84 Posts: 819
    Mine.... because it's the only frame I haven't broken in 4 years.
    Paul
  • Morpeth
    Morpeth Posts: 104
    Best alu frame?

    Personally i like the Specialized S-Works E5, i have not ridden one but have read plently that suggests they are great crit bikes.

    Alternatively there are Planet X's offerings with paint matched forks for a couple of hundred quid.

    If it was me though, i'd be lurking on ebay looking for a Klein Quantum Pro. They are just stunning. Good luck with your search.

    klein5.jpg
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    I might go for the alu bike over a carbon one. My suspicion is that an alloy bike makes a better race weapon than anything other than a really nice carbon frame. The kind that I would not race in my series...

    But I race steel, and will probably continue to do so... Brooks, 36 spoke wheels and all!

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