Al comeback, featuring Gaulzetti

[mvrider]

Not sure if this had been posted before, but a search failed to turn it up:
http://www.bicycling.com/print/72938

Call It a Comeback
No longer synonymous with a rough ride, aluminum is back in demand—and the frames are smoother than ever

http://www.bicycling.com/sites/default/files/images/gaulzetti-aluminum-bike-frame.jpg

[majorpat]

Some of us never left!

[Ryun]

I don't know why anyone would pay 3k for that
Nashbar had an aluminum frame for $99 and all al is the same
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/

[cfox]

I don't know why anyone would pay 3k for that
Nashbar had an aluminum frame for $99 and all al is the same
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/

this is true, and they are all welded by Bob Nashbar himself

[firerescuefin]

this is true, and they are all welded by Bob Nashbar himself

Bob "brings it" ...good thing he likes Chinese food and culture so much.

[rugbysecondrow]

I have a Cyfac which is AL...it is a nice bike with a great ride.

[Louis]

Nashbar had an aluminum frame for $99 and all al is the same

My daily driver is a $125 Nashbar AL Frame' and I love it.

I've sure there are better AL frames out there, but I doubt there are better values.

[bluesea]

I hate my CAAD 10 so much that I will only ride it exclusively till July.

[danielpack22@ma]

Some of us never left!

+1

I love my Cervelo Soloist.

[rice rocket]

I have 32mm tires on my Al bike, so it was never rough for me. It also helps that it's a CAAD.

[pdmtong]

I don't know why anyone would pay 3k for that
Nashbar had an aluminum frame for $99 and all al is the same
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/

exactly my thoughts. way overpriced. clearly marketed towards poseurs.

[Louis]

exactly my thoughts. way overpriced. clearly marketed towards poseurs.

Haven't we had this discussion already? :(

[akelman]

We've had every discussion already, haven't we? That said, I'm pretty sure Paul, like Ryun, was just kidding.

[false_Aest]

So what ya'll saying are

Serotta = Dentist Bike
Gaulzetti = poseur
Vanilla = too much time on your hands
Canyon = summer in Europe
Winter = non-ironic facial hair
Sachs = taste
Nashbar = awesome



I too am kidding.... kind've

[vav]

http://awesomegifs.com/wp-content/uploads/dead-horse.gif

[thirdgenbird]

Give it a few years and the allez will be the same price.

[Uncle Jam's Army]

Give it a few years and the allez will be the same price.

Give it a few years and an Allez bike will cost $7K.

[Louis]

We've had every discussion already, haven't we?

So what are you saying, Ari? That we're a bunch of old toothless geezers sitting around the country store whittling sticks and flapping our gums? ;)

[akelman]

I have excellent oral hygiene, Louis, though I am getting on in years.

[beeatnik]

Doesn't that dude Gaulzetti make the best cargo bikes? Oh wait...

[Uncle Jam's Army]

So what are you saying, Ari? That we're a bunch of old toothless geezers sitting around the country store whittling sticks and flapping our gums? ;)

Get off my lawn you punks!!!

[Louis]

As you can tell from my tan lines, I don't always ride with this kit:

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQR3GkgQYEIzucwAL-8svUhjufvaBU5XQveRmg_RC829UoyRX32Bw

[Chris]

I've been racing a Bianchi Impulso this year and love it. The geometry works for me and it's a great riding bike. And I'm not going to instantly burst into tears like I would if I crashed and destroyed my Speedvagen.

[54ny77]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq-gYOrU8bA

[AgilisMerlin]

Give it a few years and an Allez bike will cost $7K.

i am guessing next year, markets on the rebound.

[pdmtong]

That said, I'm pretty sure Paul, like Ryun, was just kidding.

door prize for Ari!!

[blessthismess]

I have never ridden aluminum before but I do like the idea of a cheap(ish) bike for racing that lacks some of the setimental value of my other bikes. I remember hearing that aluminum has a pretty short fatigue life? Like 5 or 6 years?

[CSTRider]

Give it a few years and an Allez bike will cost $7K.

Did you miss this discussion (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=127731)?

There already is a $7K Allez model. (Apologies if you were being ironic.)

[Louis]

I remember hearing that aluminum has a pretty short fatigue life? Like 5 or 6 years?

There's nothing inherent in the material (or any other, for that matter) that limits it to a specific expiration date. The life depends on 1) the original design and 2) your weight and usage of the frame. My AL frame that has seen the most usage is over ten years old and is still going strong.

If the frame was built to be "disposable" then, yes, it won't live terribly long, but that's true about any material.

[shovelhd]

Where did Al go? I hope he is OK.

[Joachim]

Everyone knows that you can't build a modern race bike out of alooooominum.

[54ny77]

Al's doing pretty good.

http://celebrityweightlossreporter.com/ocs-images/306/al-roker-before-and-after.jpg

[oldpotatoe]

I don't know why anyone would pay 3k for that
Nashbar had an aluminum frame for $99 and all al is the same
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/

Just built one for a customer. His other 2 bicycles are a steel serotta, 853(just repaired) and a Colnago C-50...he prefers the ride of the Gaulzetti.

Sold some aluminum Merckxs in the past, before the company(not Eddy) sold their soul to Asian carbon. More than a few said the aluminum Merckx's were the best riding bicycles they ever rode.

so....YMMV. Aluminum, like steel, is a viable material.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-new-Road-Bike-carbon-frame-Road-Bicycle-full-carbon-frame-54cm-3k-matte-red-/261190825738

How much are some of those US made carbon frames? Here's a $700 carbon frame and fork...blah, blah, blah...I don't know why anybody would pay north of $8000 for ________, blah, blah.

[Joachim]

We need more smiley faces... you guys do realize that a few of these posts are tongue-in-cheek?

[ergott]

I remember hearing that aluminum has a pretty short fatigue life? Like 5 or 6 years?

The airline industry thinks otherwise;)

[azrider]

Everyone knows that you can't build a modern race bike out of alooooominum.

no WAY you can turn Aluminum bike into race bike. If that were case more pro's would be doing it.

[William]

Al's doing pretty good.

http://celebrityweightlossreporter.com/ocs-images/306/al-roker-before-and-after.jpg

Al, U looking quite minum!:rolleyes::crap:







William

[blessthismess]

There's nothing inherent in the material (or any other, for that matter) that limits it to a specific expiration date. The life depends on 1) the original design and 2) your weight and usage of the frame. My AL frame that has seen the most usage is over ten years old and is still going strong.

If the frame was built to be "disposable" then, yes, it won't live terribly long, but that's true about any material.

Right on. I suppose I should't make such a general statement about something that has such varied aplications.

The airline industry thinks otherwise;)

Touche' ;)

[bluesea]

The airline industry thinks otherwise;)


Yes, but alu is rigid and unyielding.



http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/9660/0640853.jpg

[reggiebaseball]

Just built one for a customer. His other 2 bicycles are a steel serotta, 853(just repaired) and a Colnago C-50...he prefers the ride of the Gaulzetti.


He should have tried a CAAD10 or a Primus Mootry, he probably would like those better than his C50 too.

[Ryun]

I guess i had a few too many at augusta and my post wasnt obivous as sarcasm. Mostly meant as a preemptive comment as a handful of people seem to have a visceral reaction to anything that mentions Zetti

I love the corsa. I have had one since 09 while going through many many other bikes. Currently built with campy eps.
Fantastic riding bike; dont really care what it is made of.

[bluesea]

I guess i had a few too many at augusta and my post wasnt obivous as sarcasm. Mostly meant as a preemptive comment as a handful of people seem to have a visceral reaction to anything that mentions Zetti

I love the corsa. I have had one since 09 while going through many many other bikes. Currently built with campy eps.
Fantastic riding bike; dont really care what it is made of.


Isn't he old enough to take care of himself?

[jlwdm]

Isn't he old enough to take care of himself?

He is old enough. But Ryun's first post was smoke, was mentioned as a joke but then was responded to like it was not a joke

Jeff

[thirdgenbird]

He should have tried a CAAD10 or a Primus Mootry, he probably would like those better than his C50 too.

A quartz watch keeps better time than a mechanical watch at a much lower cost as well. Sometimes the heart just wants what the heart wants.

This heart want a vintage heuer monaco and a SR equipped Gaulzetti Corsa. I can't justify either at this stage in life, but they both tug at me in unexplainable ways. Fortunatly, I feel fortunate that I am content with what I have but I don't blame others for buying what they want. Amazing country this is.

[bluesea]

He is old enough. But Ryun's first post was smoke, was mentioned as a joke but then was responded to like it was not a joke

Jeff


Must have missed it. I thought everyone was joking along and didn't see any negativity towards Gaulzetti, But since my tbi I'm obviously not all too bright either.

[spaced_ghost]

have an AL cross frame right now, my first AL bike, and to be honest, I don't love it. but it is a race-oriented frame and is stiff as hell and will probably be great to race in the fall. also, i'm not sure it's the AL that's the problem. would like to try a gaulzetti some day.

[e-RICHIE]

I own and ride a Gaulzetti. It doesn't feel like an Al bicycle, it feels like a Gaulzetti.

What Do Custom Builders Ride? (http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/bikes-and-gear-features/what-do-custom-builders-ride)

.

[Ryun]

Must have missed it. I thought everyone was joking along and didn't see any negativity towards Gaulzetti, But since my tbi I'm obviously not all too bright either.

Yes I was just screwing around trying to be funny and most of the responses ran with the joke.

[chengher87]

How has the "quality" of aluminum improved? I'm riding a Specialized Allez Elite from 2004 and the bike is lighter and the ride is smoother than a lot of the aluminum I've ridden recently (Orbea Aquas, Trek 1.1 and Fuji Roubaix, my local shops don't carry much). The only reason I choose aluminum over carbon fiber is the relative ease of re-painting my bike once in a while to liven things up in the budoir (and by budoir I mean on the open road for everyone to see)/

[Nags&Ducs]

I own and ride a Gaulzetti. It doesn't feel like an Al bicycle, it feels like a Gaulzetti.

What Do Custom Builders Ride? (http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/bikes-and-gear-features/what-do-custom-builders-ride)

.

Richie, just curious, but what else do ride? Do you ave a collection of bikes from other builders? Do you prefer a certain material or builder for different applications of the cycling spectrum? TIA.

[e-RICHIE]

Richie, just curious, but what else do ride? Do you ave a collection of bikes from other builders? Do you prefer a certain material or builder for different applications of the cycling spectrum? TIA.

I own 2 identical RS CX bicycles and the Gaulzetti for the road atmo. It's not a material issue.
I ordered the bicycle from Craig because I knew it would be a good road bicycle NOT a good
Al road bicycle.