View Poll Results: Who Makes the Best Aluminum Bicycle Frame?
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Who Makes the Best Aluminum Frames?
09-25-11, 12:29 AM
#1
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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.
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.
Last edited by SlimRider; 09-25-11 at 12:47 AM.
09-25-11, 01:26 AM
#2
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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.
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.
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09-25-11, 02:42 AM
#3
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Answer: It depends.
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09-25-11, 06:11 AM
#4
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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.
09-25-11, 06:38 AM
#6
Senior Member
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.
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.
09-25-11, 09:54 AM
#7
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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..
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..
Last edited by fietsbob; 09-25-11 at 10:04 AM.
09-25-11, 10:04 AM
#9
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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).
If I was interested in an aluminum frame I'd be talking to Carl Strong, Craig Gualzetti, or Joe DePaemelaere (Primus Mootry).
09-25-11, 10:52 AM
#10
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09-25-11, 10:53 AM
#11
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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
After your steel thread I just have to wonder where you're going to steer this thread.
Brad
09-25-11, 12:33 PM
#12
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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
After your steel thread I just have to wonder where you're going to steer this thread.
Brad
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.
Last edited by SlimRider; 09-26-11 at 08:03 AM.
09-25-11, 12:42 PM
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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.
https://www.dedacciai.net/eng-frame-c...frame-home.php
https://www.dedacciai.net/eng-frame-c...frame-home.php
09-25-11, 04:19 PM
#14
Gouge Away
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.
09-25-11, 05:49 PM
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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.
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.
09-26-11, 03:10 AM
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It all depends.. on the skill of the welder, material used and quality control of the company that makes it.
09-26-11, 03:11 AM
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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.
Even Aluminium super-bikes like Principia are manufactured in Taiwan.
09-26-11, 05:38 AM
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In A Word...
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09-26-11, 12:51 PM
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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?"
-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?"
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I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
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?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
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?
09-26-11, 12:54 PM
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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.
09-26-11, 01:05 PM
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Good answer...........
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My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
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?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
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?
09-26-11, 03:42 PM
#23
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And aluminum was first isolated in 1825. A bit more then 100 years of development
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09-26-11, 05:35 PM
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<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
And aluminum was first isolated in 1825. A bit more then 100 years of development
https://xnet3.uss.com/auto/steelvsal/basicfacts.htm
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My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
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?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
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?