AlAn Build
 

Kurt thought some of you here might like to see these pics of an Alan I recently built up. I'm rather pleased with the way it turned out. What do you guys think of it?

Here's the link to a Flickr slideshow. Thanks for looking.

Slideshow

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/...98e27b0e_b.jpg

I think it's beautiful!

I want one!

I'm joining the club. That looks amazing. I really like the small red details as well. Good job! More details about the bike please :)

I love the lugs. Especially the way the seat stays attach.

I guess you didnt have to respace the rear? I have an Alan too and I assumed I couldnt update it with brifters since the distance of the drops was too small, and it's not good to bend aluminum.

I hope you dont mind. I linked your build picture to my tumblr page :)

The frame has 130mm spacing, which made it possible to go with a Chorus 8 speed group.

What year is it? I think mine is 1980 with 126mm spacing...

Glad you think enough of it for that. Thanks.

I don't know. Given the 130mm spacing I would guess at least as recent as late 80's, but not knowing enough of the history of Alan bikes I'm not qualified to guess its age. Interestingly it has an English BB. I bought it about six months ago and I got around to putting it together now. When I first got it I knew it was in very good shape, but I had a couple of other projects going on and didn't get a chance inspect it in detail. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the frame had never been built up. There were no markings at all on the dropouts and the steerer tube was still uncut.

I ordered a decal set, but I'm torn as to whether to put them on or not. It looks kind of cool and stealthy in bare aluminum.

I agree, I like the bare aluminum. That said, I would put a head badge decal on it though. Nice looking build!

Holy bejesus, that thing looks really nice

Now this is what we need to see more often -- Awsomely beautiful bikes with little tricked out details.

Super nice, very inspiring! Gives us all something to strive for.

Where's the red valve caps?

Kinda makes me want to keep my Alan.







nah

Holiday, what makes you not want to keep it and what size is it?

It's big, like 61cm. It's just too flexy for me, ghost shifts when i stand on the pedals, and I find myself usually choosing my other rides over it. I'll probably sell the frame and transfer the Super Record stuff over to some Italian steel frame that I don't own yet. Here it is:

http://www.brian-payne.com/gallery/m...serialNumber=1

Yes, I can see how at 61cm you wouldn't be happy with it. That size certainly requires a lot more beef. I've heard of similar complaints about the Alans, but at my weight and riding style, and with a 54cm frame I don't get that much flex, at least not enough to cause ghost shifting. In an odd way I kind of like its whippy nature.

It just goes to show that bikes are like shoes, there's no such thing as one size fits all and you have to try as many different ones as you can until you find what fits you the best.

Very nice. It shines very well in the sunlight with its polished lugs. Cool looking, the red detailling.

Working on my Alan Super Record now. It has black cut outs in the lugs, instead of red. Former owner did a good job on polishing the lugs. What I am doing now is repacking the bearings and doing a tune up. I'll have to get pics up soon.

Methinks Kurt will hafta keep an eye on "nine14six" (could be a contender for -Shiny bike champ of the forum ) I eagerly await an escalation of "Blingyness" between these two ! (is Blingyness a word ?)

Hi nine14six,
Top looking AlAn and very well sorted out. The decal situation is always a dilemma - should I or shouldn't I - I always cave-in and put the decals on. But, your AlAn looks so good without them. Holiday's AlAn is also very nice.

Hey Holiday,

Are the decals on your Alan the originals? If so it would be a good reference if I ever decide to put decals on mine. Thanks.

Holiday's looks like an Alan Competition to me, where 9-14-6's is a Super (Record) >> article for reference

If you ever need decals, I know Cyclomondo has them

yes. The frame was never built up when I got it. I was never able to really determine which model it was though. Maybe it is a competition.

Come to think of it , I emailed Alan and they told me it was a record....

Manny has his Merckxs, I have my Paramounts... ;)

-Kurt

Great thread. I picked up an NOS frameset a few months ago (Record I think, not Super). I've always loved the look of the AlAn's (thank you for the proper spelling of Aluminum Anodized) and this one was too good a deal to pass up. I've been debating the best build for it and haven't really come up with anything too inspiring. I was considering building it with SR that's currently on an A-D Ultima SL (to be replaced with a near complete 50th Anniversary group), but given it's close to the same size as Holiday's and SR is finicky anyway, I'm reconsidering; nine14six (Porsche guy I take it) - yours is a spectacular inspiration. Here's my canvas. Any thoughts, suggestions are always appreciated:

http://files.me.com/peterten/9jkee5

Dude, you have some nice machines...and some nice pics of them.


Thanks guys, for the info, pics and comments on AlAns.

The final product with Ksyrium SL's and decals.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/...66b2c2b4_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/...ec13cb2c_b.jpg

You know... I was a fan of the shiny, sleek, silver looking ride you had earlier, but man this looks great!

The decals match up with the red accents and even the wheelset looks like it matches up nicely! Little spots of red, yellow, and black amongst all the shine. Very nice and I actually prefer this updated look. Very well done!

The Ksyrium SL's make all the difference in the world. Beautiful.

Now get that right lever out of Q/R mode :p

-Kurt