Aluminium Frame Recommendations

gaffmaster

Hi all,

I currently have 2 bikes:

2009 Giant Defy 4 with Shimano 2200 Groupset.
2015 Planet X RT-58 Carbon with Shimano Ultegra/FSA Gossamer mix Groupset.

The gulf between the "summer" and "winter" bikes is quite big. So I've been thinking about upgrading the Defy with a 105 groupset. This would also make my wheels interchangeable. But then I thought, the fork isn't great, and the headset rattles a bit. Maybe I should look at a new frame too? A whole new bike might break the bank and I already have a set of Aksiums I can put on it.

So can anyone recommend an Aluminium frame? Or even a decent website/shop for such frames? Not having much luck browsing the major retailers.
I'm looking for something light and comfortable. If it's got eyes for mudgards all the better but not essential. I'd be a size 52 in old money.

Thanks!

cunavalos

Cannondale CAAD 10 or CAAD12



http://paulscycles.co.uk/m6b0s25p6647/CANNONDALE-CAAD10-FRAME-2015

No eyelets for mudguards though

Eamonnator

gaffmaster wrote: »

Hi all,

I currently have 2 bikes:

2009 Giant Defy 4 with Shimano 2200 Groupset.
2015 Planet X RT-58 Carbon with Shimano Ultegra/FSA Gossamer mix Groupset.

The gulf between the "summer" and "winter" bikes is quite big. So I've been thinking about upgrading the Defy with a 105 groupset. This would also make my wheels interchangeable. But then I thought, the fork isn't great, and the headset rattles a bit. Maybe I should look at a new frame too? A whole new bike might break the bank and I already have a set of Aksiums I can put on it.

So can anyone recommend an Aluminium frame? Or even a decent website/shop for such frames? Not having much luck browsing the major retailers.
I'm looking for something light and comfortable. If it's got eyes for mudgards all the better but not essential. I'd be a size 52 in old money.

Thanks!

Just think about it over the weekend. I'm confident, that you'll come up with a very convincing argument for a complete new bike.
You know deep down , that you need it.

petethedrummer

I presume the Ultegra is 11 speed and the proposed 105 is also 11 Speed.

From a quick search, it seems you just need to remove or use a thinner spacer to get a 105 5800 cassette to sit on a Mavic Aksium hub. So no problems there. Do a bit of research to confirm.

Actually if you bought a cassette remover and chain whip you could put the 2200 cassette plus spacer on to your 11 speed wheels. You could then swap your good wheels between bikes without a new frame or groupset.

Would getting a new headset not be cheaper than a new frame?

Also a 25mm Continental GP4000 tyre at 90PSI on the front should reduce a lot of road buzz that your fork is not eliminating.

The minimum you need is
1 x headset,
1 x 25mm tyre (with soft sidewalls),
1 x chain whip,
1 x cassette removal tool,
1 x spacer,
1 x full service.

Nothing in your post suggests there's anything wrong with your frame!:)

Brian?

petethedrummer wrote: »

I presume the Ultegra is 11 speed and the proposed 105 is also 11 Speed.

From a quick search, it seems you just need to remove or use a thinner spacer to get a 105 5800 cassette to sit on a Mavic Aksium hub. So no problems there. Do a bit of research to confirm.

Actually if you bought a cassette remover and chain whip you could put the 2200 cassette plus spacer on to your 11 speed wheels. You could then swap your good wheels between bikes without a new frame or groupset.

Would getting a new headset not be cheaper than a new frame?

Also a 25mm Continental GP4000 tyre at 90PSI on the front should reduce a lot of road buzz that your fork is not eliminating.

The minimum you need is
1 x headset,
1 x 25mm tyre (with soft sidewalls),
1 x chain whip,
1 x cassette removal tool,
1 x spacer,
1 x full service.

Nothing in your post suggests there's anything wrong with your frame!:)

The OP wants a new frame, isn't that reason enough?

petethedrummer

Brian? wrote: »

The OP wants a new frame, isn't that reason enough?

Well then he has to say it out loud and stop coming up with pretend justifications.

cunavalos

When it comes to aluminium frames typically the Cannondale CAAD 10 (Now replaced with the CAAD 12) and the Canyon Ultimate AL are the most highly regarded.

Both these models are known for stiffness and are slightly race oriented and both Cannondale and Canyon also produce a more comfortable aluminium frames for leisure / endurance rides the Synapse and the Endurace. It can be difficult to source Cannondale framesets but Canyons framesets are freely available albeit often with a production delay.

Dublin2Bikes on Erne Street have a couple of Aluminium Focus Complete Bikes on Sale at <€1000 point and 360cycles in Clontarf have very good offers on Aluminium Meridas

Or if you like the RT 58 Carbon why not get the RT58 alloy version from planet x and you have the exact same geometry

Eamonnator

Here you go. Full Shimano 5800 group set, 7005 Alu. frame.
Less than €1000

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/road-track-bike/ribble-7005-sportive?part=BB14ARIB7005SPORT&sub=conf_BB_ALL&bike=1#Groupset

gaffmaster

Thanks for the replies.

cunavalos wrote: »

When it comes to aluminium frames typically the Cannondale CAAD 10 (Now replaced with the CAAD 12) and the Canyon Ultimate AL are the most highly regarded... why not get the RT58 alloy version from planet x and you have the exact same geometry

They're great suggestions. I'll look into them, thanks.

petethedrummer wrote: »

Well then he has to say it out loud and stop coming up with pretend justifications.

Haha, you nailed it there. Consider this thread an exercise in seeing what upgrades I can afford. Sorry if I wasn't direct. I didn't want to mention budget because I wanted to see what people considered to be a good Aluminium frame, or a good value aluminium frame. If I mention I'm on a tight budget, the suggestions would be different, and I don't want to end up with a frame of the same standard as what I have right now.

Your upgrade suggestions are all valid indeed. In fact I've recently switched to 25mm tyres and they do help a bit. The frame itself still has some shortcomings however. For instance, I can only use one bottle cage due to the tight geometry (it's a size small). If I change the groupset on the bike, that'll be every component upgraded on it since I bought it. It's starting to feel like Trigger's broom! I also need to figure out if a 105 bottom bracket will fit the frame. And what sort of headset I might need.

Brian? wrote: »

The OP wants a new frame, isn't that reason enough?

Eamonnator wrote: »

Just think about it over the weekend. I'm confident, that you'll come up with a very convincing argument for a complete new bike.
You know deep down , that you need it.

You're clearly believers in the N+1 equation! It's a slippery slope...

mp31

gaffmaster wrote: »

2009 Giant Defy 4 with Shimano 2200 Groupset.
2015 Planet X RT-58 Carbon with Shimano Ultegra/FSA Gossamer mix Groupset.

The gulf between the "summer" and "winter" bikes is quite big...

...I'm looking for something light and comfortable

Is the Planet-X really that much more comfortable than the Defy?

More to the point, if the carbon bike is more comfortable than the aluminium bike then is another aluminium bike going to give you that much more comfort than the Defy when the general consensus seems to be that the Defy is already quite a comfortable bike when it comes to aluminium bikes?

coach22

mp31 wrote: »

Is the Planet-X really that much more comfortable than the Defy?

More to the point, if the carbon bike is more comfortable than the aluminium bike then is another aluminium bike going to give you that much more comfort than the Defy when the general consensus seems to be that the Defy is already quite a comfortable bike when it comes to aluminium bikes?

Its say the difference between the group sets is the problem.

If you can afford it OP treat your self to a nice new aluminium road bike with 11 speed 105 or something close. If you shop around you'll get one for under a grand. Stick the Defy on done deal or something and put the money from that towards it. That's what Id do anyway

H.E. Pennypacker

mp31 wrote: »

Is the Planet-X really that much more comfortable than the Defy?

More to the point, if the carbon bike is more comfortable than the aluminium bike then is another aluminium bike going to give you that much more comfort than the Defy when the general consensus seems to be that the Defy is already quite a comfortable bike when it comes to aluminium bikes?

That Defy has a massive 30.9mm aluminium seatpost and aluminium forks - its very good at transmitting road buzz. Later models are a bit more comfy. I had one along with a Canyon Ultimate AL SLX and found the Canyon to be light years ahead in terms of comfort.

gaffmaster

H.E. Pennypacker wrote: »

That Defy has a massive 30.9mm aluminium seatpost and aluminium forks - its very good at transmitting road buzz. Later models are a bit more comfy. I had one along with a Canyon Ultimate AL SLX and found the Canyon to be light years ahead in terms of comfort.

This!

The forks aren't very nice. I've since changed the seat post, but for another one that's equally unforgiving but doesn't let the saddle slide back (which used to drive me mad).

The bars are also a smaller diameter (26mm) which might have an impact; I replaced these too for wider compact drop bars which are more comfortable but show up the lack of depth on the shifters themselves. The result is my hands feel quite squished up. I haven't changed the stem, which could also be part of the problem.

Eamonnator

Come on, you're almost there.

gaffmaster

Eamonnator wrote: »

Come on, you're almost there.

Haha!! Nooooo!!