Originally Posted by
Trakhak
I have no problem with your preferring polished welds. What you don't get is that it's purely subjective: a matter of taste. Many people, including me, admire the beautifully welded "stack of dimes" look on an aluminum frame. If you don't like the look, fine. But don't write of unpolished aluminum welds as if they're objectively ugly. That's just you, and it's insulting to people who own and take pride in such bikes.
Example: Frank the Welder was at one time a frequent presence on Bike Forums and prided himself on his unpolished aluminum welds. People here spoke of his work with admiration and respect.
Here's Frank's website, and here's an example of his beautiful work:
All in the eye of the beholder.
That image is a good example of what keeps me from shelling out for a modern bicycle.
Grandson got himself a dept store cookie cutter Raleigh "Ridge" with that construction type. It's especially glaring at the conjunction of the rear triangle, and is a very good deterrent for me, along with the "modern" geometry.
-D.S.