aluminum frames
05-11-08, 05:13 PM
#1
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aluminum frames
recently ive seen a lot of aluminum framed bikes around town. when i lifted them they were all lighter than steel bikes and pretty weight comparable to carbon fiber. but what do you think about them?
05-11-08, 05:41 PM
#2
Senior Member
The aluminum bikes you have seen are probably lighter because they are newer on average than the average steel bikes you see, since steel bikes have been around much much longer. Modern steel frames may be a little heavier than modern aluminum frames, but not by much. People will argue that aluminum has a harsher ride quality...but there's a lot that goes into the design of a frame in addition to material that determines ride quality.
05-11-08, 05:42 PM
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Great for someone who's middle to little income like myself. Just got a new CAAD 9, and I love it. I suggest taking some test rides at your LBS. You should also search the other forums for comparisons between materials.
05-11-08, 05:50 PM
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They are in fact lighter than steel frames, and often cheaper to produce. That's why they are so common.
05-11-08, 05:58 PM
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I love my aluminum bike more than any carbon frame I've ridden.
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05-11-08, 08:29 PM
#8
Jet Jockey
EFBe frame fatigue test.
All the steel frames failed. Every one.
Cannondale CAAD, Principia RSL (Alu) and Trek OCLV did not.
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05-11-08, 08:33 PM
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I rode a Cannondale for a number of years and always thought that for the dollars, it was the best value out there relative to weight to stiffness to strength. Sure, there are/were nicer bikes, better riding qualities, stiffer, etc, than the aluminum frame but again for the dollar amount that they cost, they are hard to beat. What I don't get are the very expensive aluminum frames that cost well into the middle $1500 and up range. Anyway, what do I ride now? A Merlin for 8 years. I got it for a great deal at closeout and found it to be a very nice ride, much more comfortable for longer rides and just a little bit heavier than aluminum.
05-11-08, 08:35 PM
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I'm changing my opinion on this. A lot depends on construction.
EFBe frame fatigue test.
All the steel frames failed. Every one.
Cannondale CAAD, Principia RSL (Alu) and Trek OCLV did not.
EFBe frame fatigue test.
All the steel frames failed. Every one.
Cannondale CAAD, Principia RSL (Alu) and Trek OCLV did not.
05-11-08, 08:39 PM
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That is sweet. Love the wheels. I also love my all aluminum CAAD9, great riding bike and very comfy.
Here is mine:
Here is mine:
05-11-08, 08:42 PM
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The answer to the question is: CAAD9
Why does mine looks like a rainbow?
Why does mine looks like a rainbow?
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Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
05-11-08, 09:52 PM
#14
Aluminium Crusader :-)
the Efbe testing has its critics:
https://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/opi...rame-test.html
https://www.anvilbikes.com/?news_ID=9&catID=3
Here are more Efbe resutls:
https://www.efbe.de/testergebnisse/rennwiege/enindex.php
https://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/opi...rame-test.html
https://www.anvilbikes.com/?news_ID=9&catID=3
Here are more Efbe resutls:
https://www.efbe.de/testergebnisse/rennwiege/enindex.php
05-11-08, 11:28 PM
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the Efbe testing has its critics:
https://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/opi...rame-test.html
https://www.anvilbikes.com/?news_ID=9&catID=3
Here are more Efbe resutls:
https://www.efbe.de/testergebnisse/rennwiege/enindex.php
https://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/opi...rame-test.html
https://www.anvilbikes.com/?news_ID=9&catID=3
Here are more Efbe resutls:
https://www.efbe.de/testergebnisse/rennwiege/enindex.php
05-12-08, 07:21 AM
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I loe my aluminum frame Trek 1500, a lot of the riders in my club said that aluminum felt really slow to them, I say nay when I pass them at the line
05-12-08, 07:25 AM
#17
Senior Member
I'm changing my opinion on this. A lot depends on construction.
EFBe frame fatigue test.
All the steel frames failed. Every one.
Cannondale CAAD, Principia RSL (Alu) and Trek OCLV did not.
EFBe frame fatigue test.
All the steel frames failed. Every one.
Cannondale CAAD, Principia RSL (Alu) and Trek OCLV did not.
05-12-08, 09:05 AM
#18
Jet Jockey
Quite true. I'm not saying that all opinions on frame material durability should be based on one dated test with a limited sample size. I am saying that it was certainly very interesting, and I think worth adding to one's pool of overall knowledge.
A lot has changed, particularly in Al and CF frames. Of note, lugged steel construction probably hasn't changed as dramatically since that particular test, and all of those frames failed.
I just found it interesting, as it challenged my assumptions of the durability of steel over Al and CF.
A lot has changed, particularly in Al and CF frames. Of note, lugged steel construction probably hasn't changed as dramatically since that particular test, and all of those frames failed.
I just found it interesting, as it challenged my assumptions of the durability of steel over Al and CF.
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05-12-08, 09:19 AM
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draw line at carbon forks
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I love aluminum, but like a lot of the fans on here I'm talking just about Cannondales. They're a great value, especially on used ones because everyone assumes your frame will shatter after two years.
05-12-08, 09:22 AM
#21
Jet Jockey
How do they get those beautiful seamless welds on the C'dales? Those are just pretty frames.
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05-12-08, 09:27 AM
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Comfort is subjective.
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"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
05-12-08, 09:29 AM
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05-12-08, 09:35 AM
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I recently switched back to steel and you couldn't give me another AL bike, since they are without a doubt the harshest ride imaginable. I think a steel frame with a carbon fiber fork and seat post is about as good as it gets and I commute long distances to work, so I've had to learn this from experience. I also like CF frames, but still like the combination of both. In short, I think it's better to drop five pounds around the belly than chase after a lighter AL ride.
05-12-08, 09:44 AM
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Geometry and how a frame is constructed has more to do with ride characteristics than anything else. I have CF, Ti, Steel and and older and inexpensive Performance housr brand Al. However I test rode may Al bikes, including Cannondale, and know a well built Al like Cannondale, with the same geometry as a Steel or any other material, will give you close to a similar ride. Wheels and tires have much more difference.