General Cycling Discussion - Who Makes the Best Aluminum Frames?

Which bicycle manufacturer makes the best aluminum bicycles frames?

So from whatever facts you've experienced, witnessed, read about, or have possibly even heard about, make your decision about the above question, and please vote.

Thank you!

- Slim :)

PS.

Please feel free to leave comments about your reasoning for your vote.

Had a few Aluminium frames and for their use- they have all been good.

The Tandem is a Fat tube Cannondale that is Al- Very stiff Al at that but there is no flex in it whatsoever. The Bianchi Grizzly is stiff but as a Hardtail MTB it needs to be.

Then there are the Generic Frames Like the OCR. Bit on the heavy side- not much flex but this is a road bike. Any "Suspesion comes from the Forks- seatpost and wheels.

Then there are the "Quality" Al Frames. I have a Boreas Ignis which is no longer made. Small European manufacturer that is now defunct and that is one neat frame. Lightweight at 1050grammes- full race geometry and tubes selected for the size of the frame to give the correct "Flex" for the rider. Dare say other manufacturers make the same "Quality" frames if you pay enough. That is where the problem lies-Cost.

But taking the list you have provided-I doubt that any of the frames would be much different to another. But No-one makes quality frames in Al nowadays- it will be carbon fibre. So tick all the boxes above because untill the list is expanded to Cervello- Pinarrelo-BMC- etc---all the frames will be the same quaulity.

Answer: It depends.

For an alu road bike frame it's very difficult to top the Cannondale CAAD9. Extremely stiff, light, beautifully hand made in the USA, very efficient transformer of human energy into forward motion.

All of the above/None of the above: Taiwan

A vague question without more info -
So there is an equally vqgue answer - before Cannondale's move off shore
Probably Cannondale.
Right now the best Al road bike is a Co motion Ristretto.

Taiwan.. they all go there to big contract bike manufacturing companies,
Every one on your list.

the investment capital, went where it offers the lowest cost per unit,
for the features desired ,
at the price point the bike will sell for.

I own a Koga Miyata WTR. it is made in a 7005 aluminum,
hand finishing smoothed the welds most places
the frame received several heat treatment processes,
before painting, in TW then shipped to NL,
where the frame got assembled into a bike.
new they sold for $3600,
but that is as a fully equipped world traveling touring/trekking bike ,
mudguards racks and all that..

Annoying

Imma go with None Of The Above

If I was interested in an aluminum frame I'd be talking to Carl Strong, Craig Gualzetti, or Joe DePaemelaere (Primus Mootry).

Annoying

Oh no...Not you again! :D

SlimRider, I didn't vote because presently most aluminum frames are made somewhere in Asia and differences are slight. At one time the best off the shelf aluminum frames that also happened to be affordable were made by Cannondale, Klein and Trek, IMHO.

After your steel thread I just have to wonder where you're going to steer this thread.

Brad

SlimRider, I didn't vote because presently most aluminum frames are made somewhere in Asia and differences are slight. At one time the best off the shelf aluminum frames that also happened to be affordable were made by Cannondale, Klein and Trek, IMHO.

After your steel thread I just have to wonder where you're going to steer this thread.

Brad

Brad Please!

Don't get the wrong impression of me. I have a truly profound and instinctive appreciation for all bicycles. I happen to like aluminum bikes. I like carbon bikes too. It's just that I have an even deeper admiration for steel-framed bikes. That's it! I happen to own a Trek 7.5FX.

I don't have anything against aluminum bikes within themselves. In fact, I see a Cannondale CAAD 10 5 105 drawing closer to me in the not too distant future.

I think I may be obcessed!

- Slim :)

PS.

I have no ulterior motive for this poll.

I suspect that much of the aluminum bikes are sent out to the tube makers. Those tube makers then process according to the bike manufacturer's specifications. Try the Deda web site and you will see what I mean. Dedacciai is their full Italian name.

http://www.dedacciai.net/eng-frame-cycle-technology/cycle-tubes-frame-home.php

C'Dale probably still the best of the bunch listed. If I was looking for another aluminum bike it would probably be a Spooky, Tsunami, Rock Lobster, or possibly a Salsa. But, I don't see that happening anytime soon as the Santana Stylus I have has been by far the best aluminum bike I have ridden.

I have to vote for Giant because they make their own frames. Many of the Trek and Specialized frames more than likely are made by Giant anyway. Doral may or may not farm their frames out to Giant. Raleigh has their frames built in Asia by Kenisis and A-Pro or so I have read. Not sure who is making the frames for Cannondale now that they moved everything off shore.

I have been spending a lot of time looking for a frame lately so these are just things I am picking up. Giant is the largest frame manufacturer in the world right now I believe. And one of the few that makes their own frames.

It all depends.. on the skill of the welder, material used and quality control of the company that makes it.

Giant, Merida, Kinesis, Pacific, Ideal are the bike builders in Taiwan who make all the major big-name bike brands.
Even Aluminium super-bikes like Principia are manufactured in Taiwan.

China

Whoever make them for Nashbar. Dirt cheap, FTW.

china

yep, pretty much says it all.............

-and-

"Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"

I'm not an engineer and not qualified to make this decision. And I'm not gonna say "the current bike I have" to make myself think it is.

I'm not an engineer and not qualified to make this decision. And I'm not gonna say "the current bike I have" to make myself think it is.

Good answer...........

"Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"

<Sigh> Does your bike have steel wheels (I pity you if it does)? Does your car (most modern cars do)? Have you ever flown in a commercial airliner? All of these are supporting your butt on aluminum parts and some of them are operating far in excess of 30 mph.

And aluminum was first isolated in 1825. A bit more then 100 years of development:rolleyes:

Many of the Trek and Specialized frames more than likely are made by Giant anyway.

Specialized is majority owned by Merida, so I doubt that Giant is making theirs.

<Sigh> Does your bike have steel wheels (I pity you if it does)? Does your car (most modern cars do)? Have you ever flown in a commercial airliner? All of these are supporting your butt on aluminum parts and some of them are operating far in excess of 30 mph.

And aluminum was first isolated in 1825. A bit more then 100 years of development:rolleyes:

Aluminum has it's place but not for bicycle frames...........
http://xnet3.uss.com/auto/steelvsal/basicfacts.htm

Specialized is majority owned by Merida, so I doubt that Giant is making theirs.

Researched this same subject several months ago on the net.

"Specialized - Started in 1974 by Mike Sinyard, Specialized has enjoyed a long-standing reputation for being a leading bicycle design and marketing company.

Several years ago, Merida (a Taiwanese manufacturer) bought a substantial interest in Specialized. Although Specialized is still headquartered in California under the leadership of founder Mike Sinyard, all bikes are made in Asia. Key Asian suppliers are Merida, Ideal, and Giant."

tsunami road bikes
in airizona

tiemeyer cycles in colo.

yep, pretty much says it all.............

-and-

"Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"

by your logic a bicycle frame chiseled out of stone would be the very best because we have so many millenia of experience with stone

Aluminum has it's place but not for bicycle frames...........
http://xnet3.uss.com/auto/steelvsal/basicfacts.htm

By your logic, it has no place in airframes either:rolleyes: It's been used for airplanes since they stopped using wood and canvas. The reason that aluminum can be used for airplanes, car wheels, bicycle frames, etc is called e-n-g-i-n-e-e-r-i-n-g. Now we scientists may not think that engineers are the brightest bulbs in the patch but, since we did all the hard work on the materials, they can do the easy work on how to make the stuff into useful items:rolleyes:

By the way, millions of aluminum frames per year say that you are wrong about aluminum not having a place in bicycle frames. I've been around the block enough times have seen the displacement of steel frames for aluminum ones in nearly all bicycles. Just try and find a major bicycle company that sells as many steel frames as aluminum ones. Try finding a dual suspension steel framed mountain bike that doesn't come from Hellmart:rolleyes: You know, like a real bike not a BSO.

Aluminum has it's place but not for bicycle frames...........
http://xnet3.uss.com/auto/steelvsal/basicfacts.htm

Source for unbiased opinions on aluminum? U.S. Steel!

IMHO, Giant makes the sturdiest aluminum frame. I've got a 2001 Rincon SE mtb that I thought I'd pretty much run into the ground, but when I look over it, it's still flawless and the paint still shines, and the forks, shifters and brakes work perfectly, so I guess I wasn't rough enough with it. But it's too heavy and I will probably sell it, even though it's only worth $100, all original. I upgraded to a used titanium DBR mountain bike which is at least 6-7 lbs lighter and in perfect condition so I don't need the Giant anymore.

Trek seems to make the lightest vintage aluminum road bikes because every time I pick one up in a store they practically float. The used 1100 that I bought was a choice between it and a used Cannondale and although the latter seemed stiffer like they always brag about, it still seemed a pound or two heavier. The 1100 geometry is built like a criterium bike and it makes me feel like a teenager when I ride it, truly magical.

Oh yeah... the Giant is indeed Taiwanese, but the old Trek is bonded aluminum, made in the good ol USA and still going strong. I have hit some ferocious cracks and joint offsets with it and not a bent wheel yet or a peep from the frame...knock on wood.

The reason that aluminum can be used for airplanes, car wheels, bicycle frames, etc is called e-n-g-i-n-e-e-r-i-n-g. Now we scientists may not think that engineers are the brightest bulbs in the patch but, since we did all the hard work on the materials, they can do the easy work on how to make the stuff into useful items:rolleyes:


Thanks for all your theories, mr scientist, now go back to your little lab with your little white lab coat and your sexy little pocket protector and leave the real work of putting theory into practice out here in the real world to myself and my fellow engineers.

:p

Of the list, I think that Cannondale is the only one who's trying to be different with their frames, most recently expressed in the CAAD9, CAAD10, and Synapse. BMC designs radical shapes and has some aluminum frames, yes, but I think they're more about getting the BMC name and style down to a lower price.

Thanks for all your theories, mr scientist, now go back to your little lab with your little white lab coat and your sexy little pocket protector and leave the real work of putting theory into practice out here in the real world to myself and my fellow engineers.

:p

To qoute the great Sheldon Cooper:

"Engineering: where the noble, semi-skilled laborers execute the vision of those who think and dream. Hello, Oompa Loompas of science!" ;)

Hey, how about we get together and develop that stone bicycle for Nightshade? We could make it out of flint. Think of how aerodynamic we could make it with those single atomic layer leading edges. Or we could make it out of hematite since he's such a fan of iron. Or we could make it out of bauxite...oh, wait. He hates aluminum:thumb:

To qoute the great Sheldon Cooper:

"Engineering: where the noble, semi-skilled laborers execute the vision of those who think and dream. Hello, Oompa Loompas of science!" ;)

Hey, how about we get together and develop that stone bicycle for Nightshade? We could make it out of flint. Think of how aerodynamic we could make it with those single atomic layer leading edges. Or we could make it out of hematite since he's such a fan of iron. Or we could make it out of bauxite...oh, wait. He hates aluminum:thumb:

:lol:

:lol:

Geek jokes. It just slays 'em:thumb:

A guy has two poisonous snakes that he is trying to breed with no luck. He asks a herpetologist and a vet for advice, and gets nothing. Finally a mathematician tells him to split a block of wood in half, and put it in with them. Quite quickly, the guy has many baby snakes. He asks the mathematician what the deal is:

The snakes are Adders. To get Adders to multiply, you have to give them log tables.

A guy has two poisonous snakes that he is trying to breed with no luck. He asks a herpetologist and a vet for advice, and gets nothing. Finally a mathematician tells him to split a block of wood in half, and put it in with them. Quite quickly, the guy has many baby snakes. He asks the mathematician what the deal is:

The snakes are Adders. To get Adders to multiply, you have to give them log tables.

You are hereby sentenced to hang by the neck until dead!

- Slim :)

You are hereby sentenced to hang by the neck until dead!

- Slim :)




I would like bacon for breakfast on my last day :twitchy:

Three statisticians go hunting. A quail flies up from the bushes. The first statistician shoots, but misses high; the second shoots and misses low. The third exclaims, "We got 'im!"

Aluminum has it's place but not for bicycle frames...........
:roflmao2:

a guy has two poisonous snakes that he is trying to breed with no luck. He asks a herpetologist and a vet for advice, and gets nothing. Finally a mathematician tells him to split a block of wood in half, and put it in with them. Quite quickly, the guy has many baby snakes. He asks the mathematician what the deal is:

The snakes are adders. To get adders to multiply, you have to give them log tables.


three statisticians go hunting. A quail flies up from the bushes. The first statistician shoots, but misses high; the second shoots and misses low. The third exclaims, "we got 'im!"

roflmao!!!!!

yep, pretty much says it all.............

-and-

"Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"

Horses : a means of transportation for thousands of years
The modern automobile: been around for about 100 yrs. plus

God forbid, but if one of those arteries in your heart ever gets clogged shut and you go to dial 911 what do you want rushing to your house?

Answer: It depends.
it depends on the Contract, written with the sub contracting manufacturing company.
and the Brand name company whose name is painted on the tubes,

if they want a low cost part made, It will be, if they want s high quality part made
specifying better materials, and processes, then they will 'make it so'..

Me would be my guess! LOL. I have made more aluminum custom frames than most people by far. Big factories can do many things I can't but they don't custom fit...

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5300/5434830956_e2a9d2beb3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankthewelder/5434830956/)
5 004 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankthewelder/5434830956/) by frankthewelder (http://www.flickr.com/people/frankthewelder/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/5434217849_ba7085a64f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankthewelder/5434217849/)
5 003 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankthewelder/5434217849/) by frankthewelder (http://www.flickr.com/people/frankthewelder/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5434217579_f9f2306b94.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankthewelder/5434217579/)
5 001 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankthewelder/5434217579/) by frankthewelder (http://www.flickr.com/people/frankthewelder/), on Flickr

Me would be my guess! LOL. I have made more aluminum custom frames than most people by far. Big factories can do many things I can't but they don't custom fit...

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5300/5434830956_e2a9d2beb3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankthewelder/5434830956/)
5 004 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankthewelder/5434830956/) by frankthewelder (http://www.flickr.com/people/frankthewelder/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/5434217849_ba7085a64f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankthewelder/5434217849/)
5 003 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankthewelder/5434217849/) by frankthewelder (http://www.flickr.com/people/frankthewelder/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5434217579_f9f2306b94.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankthewelder/5434217579/)
5 001 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankthewelder/5434217579/) by frankthewelder (http://www.flickr.com/people/frankthewelder/), on Flickr

Hey there Frank!

Just out of curiosity...

What are some of the things that the big companies can do, that you can't do?

- Slim :)

PS.

Obviously, you're an excellent welder!

None of the bikes mentioned have better AL frames then the other, they all come out of the same factory in China, they just have slightly different geometries from each other. Ride all of them for about 5 to 8 miles and decide which you like.

None of the bikes mentioned have better AL frames then the other, they all come out of the same factory in China, they just have slightly different geometries from each other. Ride all of them for about 5 to 8 miles and decide which you like.

Hey there Rekmeyata!

I've often heard that mantra so many times..."They're all made in the same factory in China..."

I really do sincerely wonder just to what extent that's true!

How could we ever verify that as 100% completely factual?

- Slim :)

Hey there Rekmeyata!

I've often heard that mantra so many times..."They're all made in the same factory in China..."

I really do sincerely wonder just to what extent that's true!

How could we ever verify that as 100% completely factual?

- Slim :)

I just always respond that one factory makes them all just to piss people off; in reality there are 5 factories in China that make 80% of all aluminum bikes in the world. And all bikes made of 7005 aluminum are made in China as is all lower end aluminum frames. I would way further trust a frame made in Taiwan then one made in China, Taiwan actually does a very nice job with CF, AL, TI, and steel frames and I would have no problem buying something made out of that country...plus the people and the government like American so the money the country makes isn't being spent to build a military to destroy the USA, and their human rights issues are way better then China.

I just always respond that one factory makes them all just to piss people off; in reality there are 5 factories in China that make 80% of all aluminum bikes in the world. And all bikes made of 7005 aluminum are made in China as is all lower end aluminum frames. I would way further trust a frame made in Taiwan then one made in China, Taiwan actually does a very nice job with CF, AL, TI, and steel frames and I would have no problem buying something made out of that country...plus the people and the government like American so the money the country makes isn't being spent to build a military to destroy the USA, and their human rights issues are way better then China.

Hi there Rekmeyata!

This is a very encouraging and enlightening response...

Thank you!

- Slim :)