Alloy race frames - level TT, threaded BB

[jtbadge]

My main road bike is a Merckx MX Leader with a Shimano 9000/6800 mix. It rides, handles, and descends like nobody's business. I recently added a CAAD10 to try out aluminum on a budget. It's my first foray outside of steel, and at least for a bike that only sees pavement, I am really digging it - easier to climb and pretty damn quick.

I'd like to consolidate my collection and find a frame to replace both of these bikes, to be fit with the 9000/6800 group that's on the Merckx right now. The CAAD is great, but obviously doesn't have the prestige, style, or quality of the Merckx. Merckx is a little big and, at least in it's current build, doesn't really fit the kinds of rides I would be doing on it.

This new frame would need to have:
-alloy frame (aluminum, scandium, other?)
-carbon fork
-race geometry
-threaded BB (so I can use Shimano cranks with no adapters)
-1 1/8" or tapered threadless steerer
-level top tube (because vanity)

I've seen some that I like, such as:
-Zanconato
-Gaulzetti
-Spooky Mulholland
-Merckx Team SC
-Colnago

What options may I have missed?

[oliver1850]

Pinarello Prince? AL Bianchi from Pantani era? Not sure the Bianchi had level top tube. Looks like it may have been level.

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...i&model=XL+EV2

[KidWok]

Custom Co-Motion Ristretto.

Tai

[hollowgram5]

Vinyl? Low? I know they hit most of those boxes, don't remember if they are threaded BB off the top of my head.

[MagicHour]

Bowman Palace R? Except no level top tube, but ticks all your other boxes. It's considered a budget frame, reviews seem very good. I have one on pre-order hopefully coming soon.

[mhespenheide]

Level top tube, 1.125" head tube is going to be hard to find in a modern frame. The Low Mk1 comes close, but not on those two requirements (it does have a threaded bottom bracket).

Frank the Welder and Tsunami are often recommended for custom work in Al.

If it were me, I'd either stick with the CAAD10 or look for a Merckx Team SC on the used market.

[foo_fighter]

Klein Quantum.
Rock Lobster

[rallizes]

What size are you considering if I may ask?

[avalonracing]

Originally Posted by foo_fighter

Klein Quantum.
Rock Lobster

I think it would be a 1" head tube and it is getting hard to find a good 1" fork.

That said, I was riding my 17 year-old Quantum Race with Easton EC90 SLX fork this morning. After almost two decades, tens of thousands of miles and over 100 races it is still my go-to ride.

[jtbadge]

Originally Posted by rallizes

What size are you considering if I may ask?

565-570 eTT would be ideal.

[sandyrs]

I know it's already on your list but the ride of a Merckx Team SC with a newer carbon fork is really hard to beat.

Or you could join the smooth-joint Gaulzetti owners club!

[chiasticon]

Originally Posted by hollowgram5

Vinyl? Low? I know they hit most of those boxes, don't remember if they are threaded BB off the top of my head.

Vynl is definitely threaded BB. made by the same person making Spooky bikes (Frank the Welder). basically the same frame set conceptually, just slightly different geo and tubing. I don't think either has a 100% level TT though, but quite close. the Vynl is more sloped.

fwiw, I love my Spooky Mulholland. simple, solid, stiff, rides like a bike. there's a 56 for sale in the classifieds, if you're that size. also adored the Zanconato alu road bike I had, just wish it'd fit me better. Mike builds incredible bikes and you can for sure get exactly what you're after with him.

[rallizes]

Originally Posted by sandyrs

I know it's already on your list but the ride of a Merckx Team SC with a newer carbon fork is really hard to beat.

Or you could join the smooth-joint Gaulzetti owners club!

https://york.craigslist.org/bik/6142906937.html

Strip it, sell parts, new fork, done

[Look585]

Bianchi San Lorenzo was a very well designed Scandium race frame from the mid 2000s. Most have likely been crashed and dented at this point, but if you found one in your size it would tick all your boxes.

[JimmyTango]

LOW// checks all the boxes besides the level TT (and the 1.125 steerer-- but I took that req to mean "more modern than 1 inch" and not "can't be tapered") and I really cant say enough good things about the ride of my 58cm MKi frame.