Alan racing frame - should I repair?

Skip

Retro Newbie
Hi, I am new to the forums but need some advice. I have a one owner original ALAN frame fitted with campag components. A problem has occured with the down tube which is starting to come away from the bottom bracket. A local framebuilding specialist has advised that as the frame is 25 years old, it needs to be disassembled and re-glued and screwed using aviation standard adhesive. He also mentioned the cost, approx £250... Not sure its worth repairing at that price, is it still saleable?
Thanks. Skip.
 

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A recogizable problem on Alan's. I did have this problem twice, one time on sitting tube and one time on headtube. And due to the lifetime garantee at that time it has been reparaired in Italy then.
But as life goes slow in Italy it took a lot of time when they were returned. But proparly repaired. I'm telling about 1980's.
 
£250 wouldn't buy another bike of similar quality. I would be interested in knowing the details of places that could do it properly. I would love to un-retire my frame ASAP.

dutchie, tell me more of the Alan work you had done please. I was going to attempt a repair myself but would like any sensible alternatives.
 
Iwasgoodonce":3sfb2881 said:
...dutchie, tell me more of the Alan work you had done please. I was going to attempt a repair myself but would like any sensible alternatives.
I had it send by my local dealer at that time for sending it to Italy in order to repair the failures, which are under garantee at that time. It took a few months each time (2 times).
 
If you have an airfield near you the on-site engineering company can do it for you if you can persuade them. A friend did that with his Dynatech - still going strong a decade later.
 
Thanks for all of the above advice. I have emailed ALAN bikes, so will wait to see what they say. I hope they don't want proof of purchase as I bought it 25 years ago! It would be a shame to bin the frame, its very comfortable and, as many have mentioned, the frame does flex which I find gives you some road feel. Although at present its flexing a little too much... Thanks again, I will let you know how I get on. Skip.
 
Ok, I have now had a reply from Alan Bikes in Italy. I guess a lifetime guarantee, like murder, does not actually mean life.... Anyway, here is Mr. Falconi's response:

"Hello,

I'm sorry but we can't help you for that old frame. We are not more able to repair that kind of frames.
regards
Alberto Falconi / Alan bikes"


So, answers on a postcard please; what is the best way of crushing an Alan frame, best answer gets a video on You-Tube...

Thanks, Skip.
 
Poor alberto, i bet he wasn't expecting that email you sent him! i think you should get a cheap flight over and appear there with the bike see his reaction when its face to face...i'm sure he'd find a way to fix it then.
 
I am tempted, but I don't want to wake up with a horses head in my bed or worse still, a pile of disassembled tubing. I may start a scaffolding company instead... Thanks.
 

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