'84 ALAN Record frame issues? Help!
02-09-06, 03:38 AM
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#1
fyrtom
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Registered: Dec 2004 Hi, just bought an '84 ALAN Record Aluminum frame. Top tube is flattened along center, horizontally. Well, Seller says that the tube is "ovalized". Anybody have a 50cm ALAN Record frame circa. '84 with an "ovalized" top tube? Just want to justify claim, till I have a chance to build it up and check it out. Thanks mils., Tom. On another thought, I was afraid that maybe a bike stand vise might of flattened it out. Yikes!
fyrtom
Junior Member
Registered: Dec 2004 Hi, just bought an '84 ALAN Record Aluminum frame. Top tube is flattened along center, horizontally. Well, Seller says that the tube is "ovalized". Anybody have a 50cm ALAN Record frame circa. '84 with an "ovalized" top tube? Just want to justify claim, till I have a chance to build it up and check it out. Thanks mils., Tom. On another thought, I was afraid that maybe a bike stand vise might of flattened it out. Yikes!
Last edited by fyrtom; 02-09-06 at 03:52 AM. Reason: On another thought
02-09-06, 07:07 AM
#2
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The seller is correct.
02-09-06, 11:56 AM
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Thanks for jumping in. Could you elaborate? Are there archives proving this? Where could I go to get more info. about the "ovalization" of the top tube in that particular era? Thanks.
02-09-06, 11:59 AM
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02-09-06, 09:55 AM #3
fyrtom
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Registered: Dec 2004 Thanks for jumping in. Could you elaborate? Are there archives proving this? Where could I go to get more info. about the "ovalization" of the top tube in that particular era? Thanks.
fyrtom
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Registered: Dec 2004 Thanks for jumping in. Could you elaborate? Are there archives proving this? Where could I go to get more info. about the "ovalization" of the top tube in that particular era? Thanks.
02-09-06, 09:54 PM
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I saw something on Sheldon Brown's website about ALAN bikes - Italian made (ALuminum ANodized). It didnt mention ovalized tubes. Many bikes have ovalized tubes, usually with the larger dimension in the vertical plane for streamlining purposes. If you are not planning on restoring it to original spec with 6 cogs at the back, you might have trouble with the width between the drop-outs.
02-09-06, 10:17 PM
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Thanks, but Sheldon just E-mailed me this morning. He said that he couldn't help me. He said he primarily focuses on other nations' brands. The ovalization of the top tube also happens to weirdly be: horizontal.
02-10-06, 12:35 AM
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Originally Posted by fyrtom
The ovalization of the top tube also happens to weirdly be: horizontal.
"Ovalized" top tubes generally have their long axis in the horizontal plane. Down tubes typically have their long axis in the vertical plane. Don't know much about that era Alan, but it sounds like it's "squashed" the right way. It does surprise me that Alan was using tubing that wasn't round in cross-section in the mid-1980s.
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Thanks.
Cleave
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Visit my blog at https://cleavesblant.wordpress.com/
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02-10-06, 09:04 PM
#8
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fyrtom, Alans were anodised prior to assembly. You seem to think that the top tube may have been crimped after construction. If so, the top tube ovalisation would produce visible striations in the anodising (try straightening bent Vitus forks). You will almost certainly find that there are no striations on the top tube (usually coloured, occasionally clear). It is possible to wear through the anodising after extensive use (rubbing brake cable, pump or, I imagine, a leg).
02-11-06, 11:11 AM
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Heck! Say no more! I found a picture of this mystery of the flattened top tube. On the Classic Rendezvous website, https://www.classicrendezvous.com/Ita...Alan_cyclX.htm shows a cyclocross version of my frame. I guess it is conceivable that they used a flattened top tube for their cyclocross frame (for purposes of carrying the bike in a cyclo-race over the shoulder for stability?), but on a road frame? Hmmm. How much drag would one expect to reduce in that area? Thank you one and thank you all.
