Originally Posted by
SlimRider
Back in 1973, an MIT student by the name of Gary Klein got the idea that bicycles could be made successfully out of aluminum. In 1994 Klein Bicycles launched the first Quantum Pro mass produced aluminum bicycle. Of course, it had its flaws, as many other trail-blazing aluminum framed bicycles that followed suit had, as well. In 1996 Trek purchased Klein Bicycles and both pursued and elevated aluminum bicycle technology. Soon afterwards, other bicycle companies began their own aluminum bicycle frame material research ..
Well...... not exactly. Gary invented the "oversize tubed aluminum bike", though Cannondale would argue the point. Gary had the oversized tubed and mass produced (as in - non custom) Quantum in the mid to late 80's, the 1994 Quantum Pro was different in using an integrated headset design. Trek was using a smaller tubed material as was Vitus in France in the mid 80's. Vitus was typically a bonded tube to a lug (late 70's actually), as were many Treks, with the Trek 2000 appearing in 1985. Many other frame manufacturers used aluminum from the mid 80's onward, some bonded, some welded. The oversize tube design was a better choice for welding, which from a manufacturers standpoint is a lot less expensive to mass produce, due to no lugs being required.