Alumin-Love <3 2018
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Alumin-Love <3 2018
I was getting a little jealous of all the real steel lovers on here, so I thought I'd see if there were any aluminium-lovers lurking somewhere on here.
A couple pictures of the bikes I wish I owned: CAAD 12 Disc Dura Ace and the Felt TK3.
Last edited by Bang0Bang00; 06-02-18 at 04:50 PM.
#2
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Fun fact: Before 1854, aluminum was the most precious metal in the world by weight, even more valuable than gold.
I love my old reliable '07 Cannondale F4. Thousands of miles and the frame shows no signs of quitting any time soon. Brushed aluminum with a clearcoat looks awesome in person. She's my around-town bike these days.
I love my old reliable '07 Cannondale F4. Thousands of miles and the frame shows no signs of quitting any time soon. Brushed aluminum with a clearcoat looks awesome in person. She's my around-town bike these days.
Last edited by General Geoff; 06-03-18 at 09:31 PM.
#3
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Count me in. My first proper bike was the 1992 Cannondale R400. A beautiful rocket. Those were the days when Cannondale's welding was so smooth it looked like they poured molten aluminum into a frame mold. These days, you're lucky if you get good-looking welds at the head tube and the top of the seat tube. I'm still a fan.
#4
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Not sure why there isn't way more love here for the Allez. $1800 for this 105 bike:
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Those felts are a nightmare on the road. I've tried it - way way too stiff.
They belong on the track. They are kinda fun on the road if you don't mind getting beat up...
You are right though - Aluminum is under appreciated. I love how responsive and light it is, without being as expensive or fragile as carbon.
They belong on the track. They are kinda fun on the road if you don't mind getting beat up...
You are right though - Aluminum is under appreciated. I love how responsive and light it is, without being as expensive or fragile as carbon.
Last edited by chas58; 06-04-18 at 02:18 PM.
#6
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After a decade and change on Carbon, I'm back on Aluminum and couldn't be happier.
#7
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First off, sick rides! Thanks for sharing!
Considering how much we use aluminum in modern society, it doesn't surprise me AL was the gold of it's day. Interesting to learn!
It's nice to know I'm not alone!
On a different topic:
Can we talk about this?
How long did you ride it for?
What kind of roads are we talking about, cobblestone?
What are you comparing to?
I feel like this is the #1 misconception about aluminum.
Considering how much we use aluminum in modern society, it doesn't surprise me AL was the gold of it's day. Interesting to learn!
It's nice to know I'm not alone!
On a different topic:
How long did you ride it for?
What kind of roads are we talking about, cobblestone?
What are you comparing to?
I feel like this is the #1 misconception about aluminum.
Last edited by Bang0Bang00; 06-05-18 at 12:28 AM.
#8
C*pt*i* Obvious
Frame construction > frame material.
That Felt looks really stiff, based on the construction.
Reinforced seatube, toptube, downtube and rear triangle.
That Felt looks really stiff, based on the construction.
Reinforced seatube, toptube, downtube and rear triangle.
Last edited by SHBR; 06-05-18 at 12:56 AM.
#9
always rides with luggage
I gave up on my steel singlespeed CX bike after 4.5 years in a hilly town for an old Trek SU100. Aluminum, rigid, 26" tires, 3x7 drivetrain (which should be 3x8). Love it.
My first commuter was a 2000 Trek 4500, also aluminum.
My first commuter was a 2000 Trek 4500, also aluminum.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
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Stiff track bikes are fun though. I like playing with them on the road. If you don’t mind riding the stiffest bike available, they can be a hoot – certainly different than you typical road bike. They are responsive, super short wheelbase, high center of gravity.
(My bike must be about 10 years old now. It is fast – I have to be careful not to spin the wheels when accelerating hard from 23 to 33mph on a smooth surface).
I have steel, aluminum, carbon. I love my Aluminum bikes for their responsiveness, lightness, and reasonable cost. As manufacturers start to form and mold aluminum into something other than a basic tube, the ride is getting better and better too. Salsa claims their V3 Aluminum warbird is more compliant than their V2 Titanium Warbird!
This answer:
Last edited by chas58; 06-06-18 at 08:22 AM.
#11
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Good points. I learned something.
I guess I like the stiff and responsive rides.
Sorry for the side track, back to pretty pictures.
I guess I like the stiff and responsive rides.
Sorry for the side track, back to pretty pictures.
Last edited by Bang0Bang00; 06-10-18 at 09:00 PM.
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+1. That is my ride (albeit in silver). Got one when my mountain bike derailer exploded on a commute and I didn't like to be off the trails while I fixed it.
With Fixed Gear, there is pretty much nothing to break. $600 new for a 19lb bike, that is stiff and fast. What is there not to love (for flatland commuting?)
With Fixed Gear, there is pretty much nothing to break. $600 new for a 19lb bike, that is stiff and fast. What is there not to love (for flatland commuting?)