Road Test/Bike Review (1985) ALAN Carbonio
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Road Test/Bike Review (1985) ALAN Carbonio






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Boy, it would be interesting to see how this compares to a standard aluminum Alan! Weight, stiffness, etc. If the carbon tubes still have aluminum sleeves at the ends, it doesn't seem likely to have dropped too much weight relative to the aluminum models.
Steve in Peoria
Steve in Peoria
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Thnk you very much for posting this article!
It's not often when one comes across such for one's own C&V bike.

Interesting that supposedly only 150 Carbonios were imported into the US??
I'm almost sure there must have been more of these sold in the States.
I wonder if those were numbers for whole bikes or just framesets......

It's not often when one comes across such for one's own C&V bike.

Interesting that supposedly only 150 Carbonios were imported into the US??
I'm almost sure there must have been more of these sold in the States.
I wonder if those were numbers for whole bikes or just framesets......
Last edited by Chombi1; 02-16-22 at 11:45 PM.
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Thnk you very much for posting this article!
It's not often when one comes across such for one's own C&V bike.

Interesting that supposedly only 150 Carbonuos were imported into the US??
I'm almost sure there must have been more of these sold in the States.
I wonder if those were numbers for whole bikes or just framesets......

It's not often when one comes across such for one's own C&V bike.

Interesting that supposedly only 150 Carbonuos were imported into the US??
I'm almost sure there must have been more of these sold in the States.
I wonder if those were numbers for whole bikes or just framesets......

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WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
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Built it up from close to NOS frameset about 5 years ago. Just finished it when I took the pic.
build weight ended up around 18 pounds.
It rides just like described in the article. My best handling bike. Handling can be described as almost "telepathic". It feels like you just think your way into turns without any twitchyness. Always stable at any speed. It does not feel that flexy at all though, maybe because mine is a 56 and they tested a 58....., so maybe just a bit stiffer than the bike tested. But I'm also more into spinning and motoring fast on flats than mashing up big hills......
build weight ended up around 18 pounds.
It rides just like described in the article. My best handling bike. Handling can be described as almost "telepathic". It feels like you just think your way into turns without any twitchyness. Always stable at any speed. It does not feel that flexy at all though, maybe because mine is a 56 and they tested a 58....., so maybe just a bit stiffer than the bike tested. But I'm also more into spinning and motoring fast on flats than mashing up big hills......
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I did not have the Alan but did have a Vitus Carbonne 9 with C Record and all the lightest parts possible, it was just right at 17 pounds. It was a good century road bike, but an unreliable design. The bonding failed but more importantly the aluminum bits used on the seatpost were stupid. But, it was nice while it lasted.
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Boy, it would be interesting to see how this compares to a standard aluminum Alan! Weight, stiffness, etc. If the carbon tubes still have aluminum sleeves at the ends, it doesn't seem likely to have dropped too much weight relative to the aluminum models.
Steve in Peoria
Steve in Peoria
a catalogue from some years later shows models with internal cable handling, a difference from 350 grs.

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I did not have the Alan but did have a Vitus Carbonne 9 with C Record and all the lightest parts possible, it was just right at 17 pounds. It was a good century road bike, but an unreliable design. The bonding failed but more importantly the aluminum bits used on the seatpost were stupid. But, it was nice while it lasted.
I think I can get it below 16 pounds with changing out the BB to Ti and installing my GEL 280 wheelset on it.
It's a totally different bike from the Carbonio, in terms of ride and handling.....Definitely more flexible....

Last edited by Chombi1; 02-17-22 at 02:06 PM.
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Curuous,....Is the fork steerer tube on your Carbonio aluminum?
I heard that they changed it to steel on some of the forks, midway through the production run because of concerns of it possibly failing under stress.
The one on mine is aluminum and so far holding up with no problems.
I heard that they changed it to steel on some of the forks, midway through the production run because of concerns of it possibly failing under stress.
The one on mine is aluminum and so far holding up with no problems.
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#13
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Here's my Vitus Plus Carbone 7. It's my ongoing C&V CF weight weenie experiment at just over 16 pounds......
I think I can get it below 16 pounds with changing out the BB to Ti and installing my GEL 280 wheelset on it.
It's a totally different bike from the Carbonio, in terms of ride and handling.....Definitely more flexible....
I think I can get it below 16 pounds with changing out the BB to Ti and installing my GEL 280 wheelset on it.
It's a totally different bike from the Carbonio, in terms of ride and handling.....Definitely more flexible....
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
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Curuous,....Is the fork steerer tube on your Carbonio aluminum?
I heard that they changed it to steel on some of the forks, midway through the production run because of concerns of it possibly failing under stress.
The one on mine is aluminum and so far holding up with no problems.
I heard that they changed it to steel on some of the forks, midway through the production run because of concerns of it possibly failing under stress.
The one on mine is aluminum and so far holding up with no problems.
If not absolute necessary I keep my hands off the headsets, I try not to change them.