Rapha RCC x Allied Able - available again

[RobJ]

Looks like they are doing another run of the Rapha x Allied collaboration frames.

https://alliedcycleworks.com/collect...-x-allied-able

Tempting - if someone wanted to buy a new steel Zanconato

[jkbrwn]

Originally Posted by RobJ

Tempting - if someone wanted to buy a new steel Zanconato

No way!? That Zank is 100x cooler.

[jpw]

Originally Posted by robj

looks like they are doing another run of the rapha x allied collaboration frames.

https://alliedcycleworks.com/collect...-x-allied-able

tempting - if someone wanted to buy a new steel zanconato

1+1≠2 in bicycle industry brand collaboration marketing. Apart from the paint is there anything different about this Able?

[RKW]

Originally Posted by jpw

1+1≠2 in bicycle industry brand collaboration marketing. Apart from the paint is there anything different about this Able?

No

[makoti]

I'm sorry. I can't get over the level of laziness in that bike company name. There's an "Allied" in every business, it seems. If that much thought went into the name, how much goes into the bike?

[livesadventure]

Originally Posted by RobJ

Tempting - if someone wanted to buy a new steel Zanconato

Now I’m tempted! But you should enjoy your unique bike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mistermo]

Originally Posted by makoti

I'm sorry. I can't get over the level of laziness in that bike company name. There's an "Allied" in every business, it seems. If that much thought went into the name, how much goes into the bike?

As an Able owner, if the name Allied suggests laziness, they applied their spared effort into a unique and supremely capAble gravel bike.

How is the uber cool Rapha paint any different than the 'limited edition' paint jobs EVERY other company rolls out? Open Cycles did a Rapha collaboration paint job years ago that wasn't half this nice.

[jpritchet74]

Totally dig the paint, but just not a fan of those chainstays.

[eippo1]

Dunno, seems like Lauf has a lot more going on for less $$. Even a similarly built Stigmata is $2k less.

[jkbrwn]

Originally Posted by eippo1

Dunno, seems like Lauf has a lot more going on for less $$. Even a similarly built Stigmata is $2k less.

Apples to oranges. I don't particularly like it, but aren't Allied manufactured and painted in the U.S.?

[dbnm]

Yes, made and painted in Arkansas.

[eippo1]

Originally Posted by jkbrwn

Apples to oranges. I don't particularly like it, but aren't Allied manufactured and painted in the U.S.?

Yup, didn't know they had US manufacturing. I retract my statement as this is a different animal. Impressive.

https://alliedcycleworks.com/pages/made-here

[mistermo]

Originally Posted by pritchet74

Totally dig the paint, but just not a fan of those chainstays.

Fair comment. However the design works and I know of no other that uses a short 42cm chainstay yet fits a 43mm tire with room to spare. OPEN, with their dropped stay, is also 42cm, but limits to 40mm. Personally, I think 40mm is plenty, and I really enjoyed the OPEN I rode (with 650b, by the way), but I'm enjoying 43mm because I can. For sure, the OPEN can fit bigger than 40 if needed and the Able can fit bigger than 43 too. Nearly everyone else is longer than 42cm. This, along with the steeper seat tube angle, definitely affects the handling of the bike. It handles more like a road bike than I'd expected. If you want a bike for trekking, there's likely better choices. If you want to ride fast on gravel/mix, this is for you. The threaded BB was another nice touch not found on [some] others.

[jpw]

Originally Posted by pritchet74

Totally dig the paint, but just not a fan of those chainstays.

I get the reason for the elevated stay, but it's not a thing of beauty, especially that short piece forward of the rear axle. A single sweeping curved stay would be nicer, but is it possible? I thought carbon was a wonder material. Perhaps 3D printed in titanium would work. Who knows? Not i.

I like the Able name. Not flashy or pretentious.

[Pegoready]

Originally Posted by pritchet74

Totally dig the paint, but just not a fan of those chainstays.

I'm a fan and here's why:

I think a gravel bike these days needs either an elevated or dropped chainstay. One or the other to get the damn chainstay out of the way of the tires and chainrings, which are like two large people fighting for space inside a phone booth.

I like the look of the dropped chainstay more, but based on some horror stories seen here with the Open UP and chainsuck issues with certain drivetrains, the elevated chainstay makes a lot more sense, assuming equal BB stiffness and support. Plus, if you get really gnarly and plow over some rocks just right, you can damage a dropped carbon chainstay that dips below the chainring.