In my 22 years of mountain biking, today was the first time i have ridden an aluminium frame (Specialised Rockhopper) for a decent length of time offroad, and i have to say i really enjoyed the feel and responsiveness of it. So this led me to thinking, in September i get my sharesave from work (£££££££) and this gives me an ideal opportunity to buy an aluminium framed bike. Has i was riding i was thinking Stumpjumper M2, but then thought i would quite fancy something a little more exclusive, so what would you guys say would be the aluminium framed bike to go for?
Aluminium framed bikes
- Thread starter richmog08
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I suppose a ball burnished zaskar would be the posterchild bike for ali.
there are plenty of other options out there that have more exclusivity & possibly more sought after but I think the GT is probably one of the best trade offs of reputation, availability & price.
I still aim to build up a zaskar some day. I always looked longingly at the one in the LBS as a yoof.
there are plenty of other options out there that have more exclusivity & possibly more sought after but I think the GT is probably one of the best trade offs of reputation, availability & price.
I still aim to build up a zaskar some day. I always looked longingly at the one in the LBS as a yoof.
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GT is a good choice indeed for a starter.
Many will also suggest a Klein. They're right if you want to stay with a conventional frame design and normal handling. Expensive as well.
However if you really want something that stands out and has excellent handling, you'll want an e-stay bike (probably an al-mega) , or even an X-frame (Alpinestars T-24, Sbike, etc)
Many will also suggest a Klein. They're right if you want to stay with a conventional frame design and normal handling. Expensive as well.
However if you really want something that stands out and has excellent handling, you'll want an e-stay bike (probably an al-mega) , or even an X-frame (Alpinestars T-24, Sbike, etc)
Monkeeee01
Senior Retro Guru
Kona Kula,
the great roberto
Senior Retro Guru
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I always found zaskars to be a harsh ride. Almost no flex in that rear triangle.Certainly an M2 stumpy has a load for flex, and hence a comfy ride.Although most reckon ali to make harsher riding frmaes that a decent steel.
My Yeti Arc is even nicer IMO.
But all of this can be affected by pumping up the rear tyre too much............
My Yeti Arc is even nicer IMO.
But all of this can be affected by pumping up the rear tyre too much............
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Check for cracks in whatever retro frame you buy.
Early GT Zaskars and other GT aluminium frames shouldnt be lumped together. They are completely different animals!
The only common trait is the triple triangle bit, the rest is about 6,000 miles apart!
Early GT Zaskars and other GT aluminium frames shouldnt be lumped together. They are completely different animals!
The only common trait is the triple triangle bit, the rest is about 6,000 miles apart!
Kona AA or something Orange for me but as LGF said view before you buy as some ally frames will have cracks that the seller does not even know about. I had to point out to one seller that the carbon frame he was selling had weld marks all over the tube joins. It was ally frame but it sold and he had to explain to the buyer that it was not what he described. The buyer did not notice either, which is more worrying?
