[Andyrobbins]

Annual question I realise, but for 2018/19, what do you think the best mid range alu road frameset is that can handle 30/32 tyres with mudguards and which is still road like rather than going too ‘gravel’?

Was looking at upgrading a new synapse but it getting a little silly price wise – might as well just build a bike from scratch. Budget is perhaps 1700/1800.

So bowman pilgrim or kenesis 4s are the current favourites but help to identify others very much welcomed…

Topic

[alotronic]

And then Kinesis announced

And then Kinesis announced this today…. https://road.cc/content/tech-news/249029-kinesis-rtd-long-distance-road-bike-launched-ps850-scandium-frame-34mm-tyre

[alotronic]

kil0ran wrote:

kil0ran wrote:

alotronic wrote:

kil0ran wrote:

If you want to look beyond aluminium then the Fairlight Strael is the best option. Go slightly cheaper and you’ve got the Condor Fratello.

If ally is your thing then there’s really only Kinesis or the Pilgrims. I’m certainly happy with my Bowman Layhams. Condor Italia takes 28s, as does the Pinnacle Dolomite but I can’t think of anything that’s available as a frameset that’s not straying into the CX/Gravel side of things. 

All good advice, but the Mason Definition is Aluminium and is ‘cheap’ for a Mason at £1150, also the Bokeh is Alu too, for the same price with more clearance. Probably too rich for a £1700 build though. 

Ah, for some reason I thought the Masons were more expensive. Agreed, good option

The steel one is the most expensive. A good dream frame, with a Strael being a good not quite a dream frame and an equilibirum being something I can actually afford 🙂

[kil0ran]

alotronic wrote:

alotronic wrote:

kil0ran wrote:

If you want to look beyond aluminium then the Fairlight Strael is the best option. Go slightly cheaper and you’ve got the Condor Fratello.

If ally is your thing then there’s really only Kinesis or the Pilgrims. I’m certainly happy with my Bowman Layhams. Condor Italia takes 28s, as does the Pinnacle Dolomite but I can’t think of anything that’s available as a frameset that’s not straying into the CX/Gravel side of things. 

All good advice, but the Mason Definition is Aluminium and is ‘cheap’ for a Mason at £1150, also the Bokeh is Alu too, for the same price with more clearance. Probably too rich for a £1700 build though. 

Ah, for some reason I thought the Masons were more expensive. Agreed, good option

[alotronic]

kil0ran wrote:

If you want to look beyond aluminium then the Fairlight Strael is the best option. Go slightly cheaper and you’ve got the Condor Fratello.

If ally is your thing then there’s really only Kinesis or the Pilgrims. I’m certainly happy with my Bowman Layhams. Condor Italia takes 28s, as does the Pinnacle Dolomite but I can’t think of anything that’s available as a frameset that’s not straying into the CX/Gravel side of things. 

All good advice, but the Mason Definition is Aluminium and is ‘cheap’ for a Mason at £1150, also the Bokeh is Alu too, for the same price with more clearance. 

[kil0ran]

If you want to look beyond

If you want to look beyond aluminium then the Fairlight Strael is the best option. Go slightly cheaper and you’ve got the Condor Fratello.

If ally is your thing then there’s really only Kinesis or the Pilgrims. I’m certainly happy with my Bowman Layhams. Condor Italia takes 28s, as does the Pinnacle Dolomite but I can’t think of anything that’s available as a frameset that’s not straying into the CX/Gravel side of things. 

Oh, actually, one more option – Planet X London Road SL (just launched) – that ships with 35mm tyres on a full build so should be no problem with 32s plus guards. The new Tribans (arriving early October will also have the clearance you need, but won’t be available as a frameset. Not too much of an issue if the whole bike is £600…

[antigee]

possibly a little too gravel

possibly a little too gravel but I have an Alpkit Sonder El Camino Al for touring duties fitted with 32mm Swalbe Marathons and mudguards which I’m quite happy with – good value as a frameset

[Author]

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