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:
I know who Frank the Welder is and he was a frame builder at Yeti and one of the very few who skilfully mastered the art of welding Easton aluminium. The Specialized S Works M2 and M4 as well as the Univega Boralyn, the GT Edge used by the Team Lotto, the first gen of Giant TCR, the 2003 Trek 2300 and 2500 had unpolished welds but it isn't an issue for me on these frames. Where as on an Italian brand, I expect something much more refined. Cinnelli also made an ultra lightweight bike frame called the starlight made of Columbus StarshipCinnelli Starlight but at 1549,99$ as a sticker price tag
Cinnelli Starlight , I have much higher expectations regarding the finish of the frame. To each their own