Which alu frame??

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ryan0380
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2014 3:27 pm

by ryan0380

I am planning an alu frame build but I am trying to decide on a frame. CAAD10, Rose xenon, Storck visioner, canyon ultimate Al are on the short list. If I could get my hands on a spooky frame in a 58cm it would make the shortlist too. If will be mainly used as a training bike but will be occasionally raced too. I would prefer stiff and responsive to comfort. Any thoughts on the above frames or any other suggestions welcome.
Thanks in advance

by Weenie


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spdntrxi
Posts: 5782
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 6:11 pm

by spdntrxi

Allez Smartweld... I'm going to build a race bike as well...
2024 BMC TeamMachine R Building
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2002 Moots Compact-SL- getting aero look makeover
2019 Parlee Z0XD - "classified"
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greentimgreen
Posts: 224
Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2014 8:36 am

by greentimgreen

I'm also in the market for an alu frame, something for the wet UK winter weather. I have a similar shortlist, but I have to say that the Bowman Palace is the current front runner. Has great reviews, but I'd like to give one a go first...not sure that'll be possible with such a small and new company...
2014 Parlee Z-Zero DADi2 & ENVE (6.2kg)
2015 Colnago C60 RSWH Campag Chorus & Mavic SLR (c.7kg)

ryan0380
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2014 3:27 pm

by ryan0380

I was never really a fan of the curved toptube on the specialised hence why it didn't make the shortlist. I have heard the allez is excellent though.

I wasn't aware of Bowman cycles. Thanks for the tip greentimgreen. the palace looks exciting. I have just read through most of their web page. The colour is the only thing that would put me off as I plan to build this bike with sram yellow.

upside
Posts: 654
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:26 am
Location: USA

by upside

I have built a Di2 Allez Smartweld and am very impressed with this bike. I have only one ride outdoors because of winter, but the ride I had was as good as any other bike I have owned or possibly better. I have had the new Madones, Evo's, Caad10's, TCR Advanced SL, Felt F1 and find this Allez a crazy fun bike and I don't have a ton of cash into it.

tinozee
Posts: 764
Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:53 am

by tinozee

A recent Tour mag had a round up of aluminum frames. I think the Caad10 is the gold standard, or the Allez or Canyon. I love the look of this one too -

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Also like the Gaulzetti corsa but it's crazy expensive/custom for a crit bike.
Last edited by tinozee on Fri Jan 02, 2015 1:33 am, edited 1 time in total.

spdntrxi
Posts: 5782
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 6:11 pm

by spdntrxi

I want to do ui2 on my allez..
2024 BMC TeamMachine R Building
2018 BMC TImeMachine Road
2002 Moots Compact-SL- getting aero look makeover
2019 Parlee Z0XD - "classified"
2023 Pivot E-Vault - completed project, full Xplr package

jrmynthn
Posts: 109
Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2014 3:27 pm

by jrmynthn

I have the Storck Vision Light which is the predicessor to the Visioner.... and absolutely love it. This is my training bike. In terms of ride, the Storck is fast, stiff, and light for an alu frame from my experience.

From what I can gather as a difference between them is that the Visioner is in line with the same geometry as all their carbon frames rather than a different spec. So it does and will have a race fit feel and with the steeper headtube angle will be quickly responsive.

jrmynthn
Posts: 109
Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2014 3:27 pm

by jrmynthn

Couple of pics of what my Storck looks like built up

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Stolichnaya
Posts: 2621
Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2004 6:55 pm
Location: Vienna, AUT

by Stolichnaya

Those Storck's are nice frames.
Not sure what your ultimate budget is, but Gaulzetti and Pegoretti also make extremely nice alu frames.
The Gaulzetti definately fits the stiff and responsive requirements you have.
The new design for the DeRosa Team is also intriguing - but the choices in your original post probably trump that one.

Monkeyboy3333
Posts: 632
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:41 pm

by Monkeyboy3333

I've just about to pickup a Kinesis TK3 which quite a few guys use locally to race on, they also do an Aithein ( sorry prob wrong spelling ) that gets good feedback too. I've gone for the tk3 as I wanted something to guard up properly for the winter though.

duvivr6
Posts: 218
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 2:28 pm
Location: PR

by duvivr6

A lot of people in Europe ride the Canyon Alu frames and they look mighty sweet, there are many great reviews.
CAAD 10 as everyone knows rocks.

I looked at Rose bikes for a while also, sadly one can only have so many bikes....
I have seen a few around though not as many as Canyon and I live in Germany so both are local brands.

ryan0380
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2014 3:27 pm

by ryan0380

Thanks for all the replies. Max budget would be around €800 which is exactly what the canyon would cost but it's not due to be available in my size until April 2015 :( The storck visioner was top of my list until I discover it has rear facing dropouts, this wouldn't bother me normally as I have a fenomalist but I intend using this frame on my elite turbo muin and I wouldn't trust rear facing dropouts on this turbo. So I think I'm realistically looking at a caad10 if I can find one in budget or the Rose xeon( i found one second hand for sale in my size last night, hopefully I can work out a deal)
Thanks again for all replies

lvhdds
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2014 4:21 pm

by lvhdds

I bought a Canyon AL frame nearly one year ago. Still happy.

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Only some tyre and saddle tuning was necessary.

ryan0380
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2014 3:27 pm

by ryan0380

The only thing putting me off a canyon ultimate Al is the WAIT, it might make me appreciate it more!!!
Ivhdds, your bike and the canyon with gum walls in the bikes section aren't making my decision easy

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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