Aluminium framed bikes

[Rampage]

No-ones mentioned Klein yet?!

I've owned a few Aluminium bikes, Alpinestars Al-Mega, Klein, Merlin. And I'd never go back to one, too stiff and awfull to ride. I realised this after returning to a steel bike from riding aluminium for years.
For me the only place for aluminium is on full-suspension bikes and race bikes.
I would only ever buy steel or titanium now.

Components are fine, it's just frameseinstein aluminium I mean. Also just to note, I don't like hardtails, and wouldn't use one regularly, they just don't feel right. I have forks that I can put on rigid bikes (last years Paks ride for example) but only feel right riding rigid or full-suspension!

 

[development_cycle]

No-ones mentioned Klein yet?!

'fraid they have

GT is a good choice indeed for a starter.
Many will also suggest a Klein.

God I'm really being Mr Picky today!

 

[richmog08]

Thanks for the feedback guys, has ever it comes down to personal preference. I've ridden alu bikes on the road for a number of years, but has i said never offroad. After doing the 30 miles yesterday i realised how responsive the alu frame was, but at the expense of my a*@e. I'm presently riding an alu winter road frame and have a Salsa, made from Scandium, for the summer and its remarkable the difference in the ride. So, another question, who makes a good retro scandium frame? Did Kona make one, or is that just my imagination?

 

[konacarl]

Zaskar love

+1 for the Zaskar. It might be in my mind but its made me a better climber! :shock:

 

[mikee]

another zaskar fan here , but i'd say go for the later ones 98 on
the kinesis or easton tubed ones
the lower alloy gts are good too avalanche /pantera backwoods etc

you could try some of cannondales models too

i'm glad anthony said "I did up a 1999 Stumpjumper M2 for somebody and I didn't like that at all, it felt completely dead and quite slow compared to my other bikes. "
thats how i feel about all specializeds alloy frames ,tho lots seem to like them ,takes all kinds :roll:

 

[FST4RD]

another zaskar fan here , but i'd say go for the later ones 98 on
the kinesis or easton tubed ones
the lower alloy gts are good too avalanche /pantera backwoods etc

you could try some of cannondales models too

i'm glad anthony said "I did up a 1999 Stumpjumper M2 for somebody and I didn't like that at all, it felt completely dead and quite slow compared to my other bikes. "
thats how i feel about all specializeds alloy frames ,tho lots seem to like them ,takes all kinds :roll:

I have a 1st gen GT Pantera AL. Awesome bike but so so seriously stiff! If your going to ride off road you need to have either front suspension of a flex stem. I used to jar my wrists everytime I went off road on mine!

 

[vinnya77]

X2 for a Orange.

That could be a misleading recommendation

Personally for me one that many have not mentioned is Marin. I had a 1994 Indian Fire Trail and I have to say it rode fantastically, served me for over 14 years and then sold on here to be refurbished by another member which has probably given it at least another 10 years of life from now. I'm not sure but I think there was a lower model that shared the same frame so could be worth looking into if you want a frame based build with your own choice of bits. Not expensive either second hand. As for cracks, never suffered at all, but maybe watch the later ones with the cnc rear end.

The lower model that year that shared the frame was Rocky Ridge. BITD I had the Rocky Ridge, then changed up to IFT with the CNC rear end. Both great rides, and currently re-building 2 of them with the CNC rears. Plus they're finished in just polished ally with lacquer which always looks nice!

 

[petitpal]

Re: Zaskar love

+1 for the Zaskar. It might be in my mind but its made me a better climber! :shock:

Funny you should say that - first thing I noticed swapping from my steel Saracen to my Zaskar (when I first bought it in '96) was how much better it climbed. Someone else I've spoken to on here, relatively recently, has had the same experience too.

Personally - I'd say try a Zaskar, they're really not as uncomfy as everyone says (or maybe I have a highly absorbent backside) and they ride beautifully. Hence I've not bought another bike yet...

 

[minor_LEGEND]

Cannondale M series frame gets my vote. With Pepperoni's.

 

[magicmistertea]

Any of the old Cannondales... Beast of the East, Delta V, M series etc...

Cannondale M series frame gets my vote. With Pepperoni's.

yep get a nice dale.... quality bikes and are very affordable...
but i also love a nice pace.

if you want to go modern then my current favorite bike makes are high end.... scott.... whyte.... pace
beeeeautifuullll