Alien Bikes
11-04-07 | 05:09 PM
#52
The Madone is a relatively slack tour-race frame, which is why a lot of the roadies don't recommend it here. I was always confused by that until I learned more about frame geometry.
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11-04-07 | 05:22 PM
#53
fixed or bent
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: 1989 Panasonic Track 4000, 2000 Burley Django (bike show prototype), 1980's Serotta Custom Criterium
A) Racing in the mountains
B) Racing over 65 mile distances on a regular basis, or racing stage races
C) Have a physical defect that requires a plusher ride
If you are doing crits, points races, TT's, and short flat road races, a TDF replica is a waste of money. If you are doing centuries+, stage races, long road races, or supported tours, then it makes some sense. Though I'd still argue that a well made custom steel or ti frame is a much better choice for many people.
11-04-07 | 06:01 PM
#57
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 7
From: SF
Bikes: 1972 Paramount Track, 1972 Paramount P13 Road, 1972 Paramount Tandem, 1986 Paramount Road, Merckx MXL, Gunnar Cross Hairs, Samson Illusion NJS, KHS Aero Track, Titus Racer X 29er, Tom Palermo Custom Touring
11-05-07 | 09:39 AM
#61
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,317
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From: GA
While there are no numbers so this is all just speculation it sounds like they(the idiots at alien) are describing a bike meant to turn with the bars more then the riders weight. Given how ****ed up their opinions on other parts of bike design are it wouldn't surprise me if they built a bike like that which would feel tight and responsive in the hands of a novice rider (or someone use to riding a track bike that doesn't fit) but like **** in the hands of an experienced cyclist.
11-05-07 | 12:25 PM
#63
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,317
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From: GA
11-05-07 | 05:39 PM
#64
Run What 'Ya Brung
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,694
Likes: 5
The most likely scenario is that Alien picked the bike out of a catalog from a major Taiwanese manufacturer, and then pretended that they designed some super sweet track bike for urban riding, or some other such nonsense.
11-05-07 | 06:18 PM
#66
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 111
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Looks like they just updated the info/description on the frameset:
Lugged steel track frame and fork. Double-butted Cro-Mo steel. Forged lugs and dropouts.
Available in standard flat black or any of 15 different powder-coat colors (color chart coming soon) for a $50 upcharge.
Comes in 2cm increments from 51cm to 59cm c-c.
No holes. Round bladed fork. If you want you can drill the fork crown for a brake.
Room for wide-ish tires (25's and some 28's).
Track geometry. Short top-tube for comfy upright riding, steep angles for "swervability", short rake for stability.
I love this geometry. I can ride no hands at a walking pace, and it is dead stable at cruising speed, but swerving is easy at any speed.
This geometry might be odd for a road bike that sees high speeds (50mph) on alpine descents, but for a fixed gear bike that is only ridden in a very narrow speed range, it's the bees' knees!
Price: $399.00 (coming Feb 2008)
Available in standard flat black or any of 15 different powder-coat colors (color chart coming soon) for a $50 upcharge.
Comes in 2cm increments from 51cm to 59cm c-c.
No holes. Round bladed fork. If you want you can drill the fork crown for a brake.
Room for wide-ish tires (25's and some 28's).
Track geometry. Short top-tube for comfy upright riding, steep angles for "swervability", short rake for stability.
I love this geometry. I can ride no hands at a walking pace, and it is dead stable at cruising speed, but swerving is easy at any speed.
This geometry might be odd for a road bike that sees high speeds (50mph) on alpine descents, but for a fixed gear bike that is only ridden in a very narrow speed range, it's the bees' knees!
Price: $399.00 (coming Feb 2008)
11-05-07 | 06:32 PM
#68
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,317
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From: GA
what similar lugged taiwanese bike is there?
11-05-07 | 06:40 PM
#70
THIS SPACE FOR RENT
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,849
Likes: 1
11-05-07 | 06:44 PM
#71
Run What 'Ya Brung
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,694
Likes: 5
https://www.maxway.com.tw/cgi-bin/pro...t.pl?ProdID=98
Also, as Landgolier points out, Soma has lugged steel frames that are, presumably, from Taiwan. Rivendell and Velo Orange have or are introducing lugged steel frames from Taiwan (according to the Velo Orange blog).
Last edited by bonechilling; 11-05-07 at 06:51 PM.
11-05-07 | 07:00 PM
#73
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From: GA
https://www.maxway.com.tw/cgi-bin/pro...t.pl?ProdID=98
Also, as Landgolier points out, Soma has lugged steel frames that are, presumably, from Taiwan. Rivendell and Velo Orange have or are introducing lugged steel frames from Taiwan (according to the Velo Orange blog).
If the question is whether they came up with the geometry or picked it out of a catalog only things that could possibly have the same geometry are relevant.
11-05-07 | 07:02 PM
#74
Run What 'Ya Brung
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,694
Likes: 5
It's true that we don't know the geometry, but my point is that it's quite probable that the Alien bikes people simply pointed to the "track" frame in the Maxway catalog and said "make this with lugs." And this is ignoring the fact that Maxway sells a lugged steel track frame already.
