Used aluminum Rock Lobster as gravel bike?

[proletariandan]

Hey y'all,

I've got an opportunity to get a good deal on a Rock Lobster but am not sure how concerned I should be about the lifespan if I want to use it for gravel/trail riding, which in the Bay Area can be pretty rough and rocky. If it is already a few years old can I confidently expect to get a few more years out of it? Never ridden an aluminum frame for any meaningful period of time.

Thanks!
Dan

[Pinned]

Aluminum is plenty durable, I don't think you'll have any issue. Rode aluminum DH bikes for years, didn't break any of them.

[mhespenheide]

You'll need to inspect the frame yourself, but I'd fall along @Pinned's thoughts. Plus, I don't see Paul Sadoff sending something out that's stupid-light. But if there's no serious dings or dents, you should be in good shape.

[mtechnica]

After what I've put my conquest pro through, I wouldn't hesitate to use an aluminum bike for ANY purpose.

[Blue Jays]

Paul Sadoff at Rock Lobster builds superb and well-engineered bicycle frames.
If the previous owner was not hucking it off of 4-foot jumps, you will be fine.

[fogrider]

I have 2 Lobsters, a road and dirt...both are still in the rotation and I just rode my road lobster today.

[fignon's barber]

I've had at least one aluminum bike in my garage since 1995. A well made aluminum frame can last a long, long time. But, I would never buy an aluminum frame with any kind of dent. So if you inspect it carefully and it passes, go for it.

[Tandem Rider]

I think the aluminum problems got sorted out by the early '90s. I have an aluminum gravel bike from 2004 that I have beat the snot out of and it's going great. I've worn out a 105 drivetrain and an Ultegra drivetrain, on it's 3rd one now. The frame is still going strong after 15 years and I usually manage to break the frames I train on.