I'm just wondering how Alan fits into the vintage order of collectability?

Sorry, but what does that even mean?

Alan's are collectable. They are great frames and were used by professional road teams. Apart from their road credentials they were used with quite unbelievable success in Cyclocross winning many world championships. Along with Vitus frames, the Alan's were the Aluminium frames that best represent the 70's and 80's. Alan went on to make carbon fibre frames that are also quite collectable.

The screwing and gluing process that the Alan's employ for frame building does have it's detractors but there are still many very sound frames that do come up for sale.

Their ride is far more compliant that the more modern aluminium frames and do ride more like a steel frame. They are only marginally lighter than a steel frame as the tube walls are quite thick. The top tube is meant to be a little 'flattened-out' vertically if you do have one to look at. I was told that this 'flattening' of the top tube was to make them more comfortable to 'shoulder' for cyclocross riders when they had to carry their bikes when the course became un-ridable. (Believe it or not!)

I absolutely loved my ALAN even though I did end up selling it. The bikes are very light, when compared to most other vintage road bicycles. The handle well, accelerate well but are a wee bit flexible, if you are strong and heavy(like me). That said, the ALAN was much nicer to ride than was my Vitus 979.

If I get another chance at an ALAN, I will grab it in a heart beat. As for being collectible - they are Italian, aren't they. Imminently collectible. The fellow who bought mind in Thailand, paid close to a grand for the bike shipped, and shipping was only $225.00.

Thanks. I have a carbon/aluminum frame made in the early 90's with tri color 600. Rides really nice.

Alans are very nice bikes, specially the "Carbonio" model, that I find more interesting than their all aluminum frames.
Really beautiful detailing on the Carbonios that have moire interesting shaped Al lugs than their counterparts from Vitus. Only thing I find less attractive on the Alans are their frame fittings, like cable guides and stops that seem to be much more fragile than what is used on other bikess. So it's not unusual to come across used Alan frames for sale with cracked, missing or even crushed cable guides and stops. You will also have to find Italian threaded components for it.


Chombi

I know where there is an NOS 58cm ALAN record frame set, in light blue.....PM me for details. I mean NOS with the factory paper work still in the steer tube.

Mike

Thanks Mike!,.....
but a 58CM would be too big for me. I can only go up to a 56CM max. I suspect that it's also an Al frame. I'm on the lookout for a nice Carbonio....I can afford....

Chombi

mass produced aluminum doesn't have the same collectabilty factor as a hand made steel frame, but they age very well (no rust!).

Lots of people looked at mine today at the paris nice ITT

Times change. Alan's have never been particularly popular because of a reputation (undeserved) of frames debonding and flex. I sold my Alan Super Record, with mostly Nuevo Record on it, about 8 or 9 years ago. No bids on ebay, a local guy bought it for 400 bucks. In retrospect I should have kept it, just the parts would be worth more now!

Just watched Tony Martin put in a great TT. Nice bike.

Lots of people looked at mine today at the paris nice ITT

Here is a restored Carbon Valley/ALAN Carbonio. As I understand ALAN provided the lug sets to Carbon Valley, which made the frame. Carbon Valley preceded ALAN in featuring cable routing through the top tube. This bike was assembled in 2015 using a frame that had never been sold or used, and was even unpainted. It has been completed with Campagnolo C-Record with Delta brakes.

A dream to ride.

I sold my Alan Super Record a couple of days ago. They're nice bikes and every bit as fast as modern carbon. Just have to stamp a bit harder on the pedals when it comes to the hills as the 12T-18 block 52T-42 chainrings are not what I'm used to nowadays.