Aluminum race frames

[john903]

I don't know if anyone has looked on The Pro's Closet in Boulder lately but there are some crazy good deals right now. Their is a Fondreist U107 $369.00, Tomasini $420.00, Derosa $200.00. Most of these frames are from early 2000-2004 era. Oh and on Seattle's craigslist there is a '03 Wilier aluminum frame and fork for $500. It is just crazy and here I am trying to save up for my next frame which I thought I might try aluminum this time from a guy who's name starts with a capital Z. With these great prices I am tempted to pick up that Fondreist and just build it up to see if I like aluminum.

Anyway this is a long way of saying hey check out The Pro's Closet.

Have a great day.

[bfd]

You like aluminum?! Well, one of the hot bikes that the racer types seem to ride around in the SF Bay Area is from Low// Bicycles. I don't know much about them, but there are a lot of guys around here on them. Check it out:

http://lowbicycles.com/frame/mki-road

http://lowbicycles.com/sites/default/files/frames/2016/hero/cropped/cropped-mki-road_0.png

Good Luck!

[dustyrider]

And if you really need to spend the money HIA Velo has something to offer too.

[Ralph]

I ride my CAAD 10 a lot. Love it. CAADS are cheap also. I think frame geo, fork materials...fork geo...fork design, tires, wheel construction, and air pressure make as much difference as frame material. Think my CAAD 10 rides great....if you like riding a pure race bike. Considering what the bike is designed to do....be a cheap race bike.....no complaints at all. I have a friend with a new Parlee....disk brakes, thru axle, Enve carbon wheels, Enve bar and stem, E Dura Ace, etc.....a very expensive impressive super nice machine....I've ridden it.....except for the WOW factor....just as soon ride my CAAD 10 with Campy 10.

Buy an aluminum frame bike....be aware of what it's designed to do.....get right one for your likes, outfit it accordingly. You will like it.

What I mean about getting the one right for you. I knew the HT and ST angles of the CAAD. effective top tube length. Knew the saddle to bar drop I liked. So knew the size to get. I did not want internal routing of shift cables. I did want internal routing of brake cables....one less thing for sweat to get on. I did want braze on FD. Point is....pick out a frame you really like. Maybe material not that important if you do that.

[nooneline]

I don't know much about older aluminum but the best-riding bike I ever had was a CoMotion Ristretto.

And, one of the bikes that's made me the happiest is my Specialized Allez Smartweld. I've ridden and raced it for 3 years now, and while every now and then I wouldn't mind a little bit more comfort (I have nightmares about those huge longitudinal cracks all over the roads in Tucson), it's everything I need it to be - and looks dope too.

And my dream track bike is Alu - but Dave Tiemeyer retired.

[Gummee]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/h3RG5dztrXM

FYI

M

[simonov]

I don't know if anyone has looked on The Pro's Closet in Boulder lately but there are some crazy good deals right now. Their is a Fondreist U107 $369.00, Tomasini $420.00, Derosa $200.00. Most of these frames are from early 2000-2004 era. Oh and on Seattle's craigslist there is a '03 Wilier aluminum frame and fork for $500. It is just crazy and here I am trying to save up for my next frame which I thought I might try aluminum this time from a guy who's name starts with a capital Z. With these great prices I am tempted to pick up that Fondreist and just build it up to see if I like aluminum.

Anyway this is a long way of saying hey check out The Pro's Closet.

Have a great day.

Not all aluminum bikes are the same, so riding a 15 year old NOS Derosa may not tell you much about whether you'd like a bike from that Z guy or any of the other aluminum builders. FWIW, I ride my aluminum bike more than all the others (carbon, ti, steel) combined and it's perfect for a crit or an all day cruise.

[earlfoss]

The LOW looks pretty sweet!

I raced on a CAAD10 for a season and for what you can pick one up for on EBay or wherever, it really is the way to go. You can crash on Saturday and have another beer can to ride on Monday. We are spoiled with such cheap, sweet CAAD10's around. It makes me cringe to see an aluminum frameset priced at ~$2500 when you could build something every bit as good for a fraction of that.

[Climb01742]

A Zank custom alu frame is pretty serious bargain, too.

[adamhell]

peep VYNL bikes in the bay area also. i think a bit cheaper than the LOW, and more creative control perhaps. frank the welder (ex-Spooky) fabs them, i believe.

sike. get a steel bike

[sillverchevy]

With Simonov,
All aluminum is not equal. To go further, I am speaking of older vs newer. I ride/race a Gaulzetti Corsa, which I find simply perfect…for my riding style. Super stiff, efficient, sexy, etc. I simply love it. I also own a Merckx Sc, which is Phenomenal. Super super smooth Not as stiff or nimble as the Gaulzetti (IMHO), more cush I will say. I would not get rid of either. Cannondales are Great as well. Enjoy your search;)

[FlashUNC]

Call Paul Sadoff down in Santa Cruz. Get a Rock Lobster.

He builds a helluva an aluminum bike for not a lot of scratch.

[RedRider]

Those prices for used might seem low until you look around at what some shops are "blowing out" complete new bikes!
Yes. Older aluminum is not the same...

[Zoodles]

I was about to list my caad10 for sale until I checked local prices, the lowest being approx 500 USD for a barely ridden 105 equipped 2013.

The caad10 are not only an unbeatable value but a fine racing machine as well. Over the last three years it's never been the bike or 105 that held me back. As far as comfort, i ride 25s or 28s in the city, gravel and everything in between and have no complaints about buzzy feedback.

[bfd]

Call Paul Sadoff down in Santa Cruz. Get a Rock Lobster.

He builds a helluva an aluminum bike for not a lot of scratch.

Yes, Rock Lobster! You see lots of those around here, they are great!

http://www.bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/easton-rock-lobster-dream-bike-1.jpg

[R3awak3n]

you can't talk bout alum without talking about spooky and frank the welder (who is doing all spookys now)

[ultraman6970]

De Rosa Merak and Planet.

Then you have to add BMC road racer, the orange and green ones, that bike is fantastic aswell.

[mhespenheide]

Race aluminum? CAAD10 (or other recent CAAD), Spooky by FtW. Cervelo Soloist if you want to go a little bit retro. But just a little bit.

[Mackers]

Giant TCR SLR, Giant Propel SLR, Canyon Ultimate AL SLX, Kinesis Aithein......

[cadence90]

http://www.bikyle.com/images/Peg830amBlue4.jpg

[macaroon]

https://bowman-cycles.com/product/palace-r/

[El Chaba]

Older aluminum is not the same?...I was under the impression that Aluminum hit its high point around the turn of the century when it was the material of choice for top level racing bikes...and that not much has moved forward since then...Of course, it was advanced to a high level at that point...

[fignon's barber]

https://bowman-cycles.com/product/palace-r/


That Palace R looks brilliant. :beer:

[Black Dog]

Older aluminum is not the same?...I was under the impression that Aluminum hit its high point around the turn of the century when it was the material of choice for top level racing bikes...and that not much has moved forward since then...Of course, it was advanced to a high level at that point...

Take a look at modern hydro-formed aluminum frames and you will change your view on modern Aluminum frames. Light years beyond 15 year old Al.

[chiasticon]

I have one of those Z bikes. it's incredible. beautiful welds and paint, superb craftsmanship. ultra smooth, super stable ride and responds like mad when you give it the beans.

as everyone else said, CAAD's are the best bang for your buck. Low, VYNL, Spooky... that's where you go if you want something more unique but still stock sized. go Gaulzetti, Zanc or Rock Lobster if you want unique AND custom.

[stephenmarklay]

Take a look at modern hydro-formed aluminum frames and you will change your view on modern Aluminum frames. Light years beyond 15 year old Al.

This article is a little dated but relevant.

http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/trends/aluminum-frames-are-back-and-better-ever

[avalonracing]

Take a look at modern hydro-formed aluminum frames and you will change your view on modern Aluminum frames. Light years beyond 15 year old Al.

Unless it was something ahead of its time like a 15-year-old Klein Quantum Pro.

[stephenmarklay]

https://bowman-cycles.com/product/palace-r/


For sure these look cool. The size jumps make this one a bit harder for fit for me.

[stephenmarklay]

That Palace R looks brilliant. :beer:

Check out the welds on the first gen Palace. They may have been able to get the paint application better but :eek:

http://road.cc/content/review/138478-bowman-palace-frame-and-fork

[nooneline]

I don't know much about older aluminum but the best-riding bike I ever had was a CoMotion Ristretto.

And, one of the bikes that's made me the happiest is my Specialized Allez Smartweld. I've ridden and raced it for 3 years now, and while every now and then I wouldn't mind a little bit more comfort (I have nightmares about those huge longitudinal cracks all over the roads in Tucson), it's everything I need it to be - and looks dope too.

And my dream track bike is Alu - but Dave Tiemeyer retired.

Been super happy with this bike:
http://i.imgur.com/WrjwGB7.png

[redir]

Oi! My back hurts just thinking about it :D

[thegunner]

if you're itching for aluminum, rock lobster and zank would be my go tos.

mike z. builds a dope bike (i've wanted one for a while) and his comms are top notch to boot.

[tommyrod74]

I don't know much about older aluminum but the best-riding bike I ever had was a CoMotion Ristretto.


I have 2 of these, one for training/road racing and one for crits (1x). They are amazing bikes.

[rccardr]

'Luminum? Then you needs one of these:

http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy254/rccardr/89%20Cannondale%20SR%20red%2011%20speed/89%20SR%20red%20right%20side_zpsgakf5lnx.jpg (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/rccardr/media/89%20Cannondale%20SR%20red%2011%20speed/89%20SR%20red%20right%20side_zpsgakf5lnx.jpg.html)
http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy254/rccardr/89%20Cannondale%20SR%20red%2011%20speed/89%20SR%20red%20parts%20B_zpswwnm4yct.jpg (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/rccardr/media/89%20Cannondale%20SR%20red%2011%20speed/89%20SR%20red%20parts%20B_zpswwnm4yct.jpg.html)
http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy254/rccardr/89%20Cannondale%20SR%20red%2011%20speed/89%20SR%20red%20parts%20C_zpsdddmjtzh.jpg (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/rccardr/media/89%20Cannondale%20SR%20red%2011%20speed/89%20SR%20red%20parts%20C_zpsdddmjtzh.jpg.html)

[mktng]

Picked up a 02 Allez Comp recently. Could pass as new. Stock build. Actually quite excited to put good use into it this season. Could possibly be the bike I ride most.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170112/29bec1d0f5202e1fb5892b061d214a67.jpg

I used to have a Cinelli Experience . built on a mix of red/rival with 404's. I have to say...if my memory is correct. It rode stiff, but not back breaking. Responsive..like my Izalco Extreme carbon. But biggest thing, like some have mentioned. You weren't scared to really beat on it. Because after all .. Its just a "beer can"

Next bike will most likely be a Caad12 or something along those lines. The LOW is nice...but darn pricey.

[ceolwulf]

Love my Scott Speedster. I'd also like to check out the Emonda ALR and the BMC ALR01.