Odd aluminum frameset shootout

[olebole]

Hi!
I'm looking for a new frame to race and train on, and with a small budget I've been having aluminum in mind.

At first, I was totally into getting the new Specialized Allez E5 but then I got inspired by the lovely pro-lite cuneo build here on WW. So now I'm also thinking of getting a quantec race sl and combine it with an enve 2.0 fork, wich will cost about the same as the allez.

What are your thoughts about this? I really dig the classic geo of the quantec and the fact that I probably won't see another setup like that around. But will it perform as the specialized?

I'm putting a record/chorus groupset on it so I won't get the benefits of the osbb on the allez.


Any input regarding this matter would be highly appreciated!

/Ola

Ps. I dont want a canyon or a rose

[Leviathan]

nm didnt read your question right.

[olebole]

Sorry if the question got caught up in the middle

Should I get the Specialized Allez or the generic frame/enve fork?

[mgordon]

CAAD10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stefano]

Hi,

I don't think that you should base your decision on the fork, the specialized full carbon fork is IMO just as good as the enve, and the E5 is a great frame too. It might not fit the same as a pro lite though, having a taller HT. GO for the one that fits the best/ handles like you want it to. Just aesthetically, I think that the specialized has better paint jobs, but I can't get over the curved TT, while the pro lite's bare frame looks better, but the paint job doesn't look that good. All personal opinion:)

Stefano

[Zachariah]

Cannondale System Six hybrid alu/carbon mix frame offers the best-bang-for-your-buck, and there are many on eBay selling CHEAP right now. Sys6 is one sublime, stiff, rocket ship...I won't even be surprised you will end up racing it too.

[olebole]

Stefano: That's kind of what I've been thinking as well. The fact that the allez(tarmac) fork is tapered might make it a stiffer option than the enve.
My first post was kind of confusing though. I was not planning on getting the pro-lite, that was just inspiration for my plans of a generic-ish alu frame with the enve fork.
The frame I've been looking at is this one: http://www.bike24.net/p12712.html

Actually if the specialized was offered in any other color than white I would't even have to think about it



As for the Cannondale shout outs: I'm keeping an eye on ebay but they seem to always end up costing more than my other options...

[kulivontot]

It doesn't matter. Whatever frame you buy today is going to get replaced in a year when you catch the weight weenie bug anyway. So skip the middle man and jump straight to a Tarmac.
+1 for fit

[Leviathan]

If the question is which generic alu frame, not just a Quantec vs Spesh tradeoff, I got a planet x Alu team, weight about 1250 in size L, great frame, about 220 Euros, and Ive been really happy with it - dont buy their fork, however as its too flexy!
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRP ... _frame_mk2

[olebole]

Thanks for all the input!

I ended up buying a used bb30 caad9 frameset after all... Now I just have to find a hollowgram crankset

[Zachariah]

Thanks for all the input!

I ended up buying a used bb30 caad9 frameset after all... Now I just have to find a hollowgram crankset

Absolutely. The price is high....but the BB30 Hollowgram completes the CAAD9. Worth every penny!

[jesse00swords]

FWIW, I love my Allez Evo, which is the only complete bike in the Allez range with the full carbon fork.

It's nice and stiff, it handles great, and I think it actually rides smoother than my previous bike which was a Scott CR1 Team (pre-plushbike redesign). It's not the lightest, but 17.1lbs (without pedals, 52cm) straight out of the box isn't too bad.

[yeaitsdave]

Good call on the CAAD9, best bang for the buck you can find.

[dummey]

If you have weird proportions, Tsunami is a great custom aluminum frame.