853 Prince Albert

Overview Chat Bike Members News Women

This topic has 54 replies, 29 voices, and was last updated 12 years ago by accu.

Viewing 40 posts - 1 through 40 (of 55 total)

1 2 →

853 Prince Albert
kane10255
Free Member

20 more pre orders needed to see this happen check out http://www.dialledbikes.com
Come on I want one of these lets make it happen.

Posted 12 years ago

RichieBoy
Free Member

I emailed yesterday about what deposit is required…. no answer yet…

Posted 12 years ago

soobalias
Free Member

anyone got any pics handy of the original colour sets, red, black, grey, blue?

Dont imagine this is gonna happen quickly, so why wait for the 853 rather than have a 725 version now?

Posted 12 years ago

Fresh Goods Friday 700 - The censored edition

richc
Free Member

The blue looked like this:

Personally I am hanging on for the Ti Alpine ……

Posted 12 years ago

mike-at-dialledbikes
Free Member

Kane, less than 20 more orders needed as of today (need to check the list, but it’s probably more like 10 now).

Richie Boy, if I haven’t replied to you yet, I may not have received your email, so please re-send, as I answered all my e-mail backlog yesterday evening.

Posted 12 years ago

LoCo
Free Member

I sold my Mk1 4130 powder blue Albert to help fund the business setup and have regretted it since as it was one of best bikes I’ve ever had, got hold of a mk 2 520 frame, having seen this thread though I really fancy an 853 in powder 😀

Posted 12 years ago

RichieBoy
Free Member

Thanks Mike, YGM 🙂

Posted 12 years ago

soobalias
Free Member

would be nice to track down your Mk1, it deserves a special place in history

failing that order an 853 #l’oreal

Posted 12 years ago

nedrapier
Full Member

very tempted by one of these. doing the dekerf up (much needed respray, decals, disc mount + assorted tidying of guides and bosses) will come to a slice more than one of these.

What are they like as an all day xc bike? are they build a bit too tuff to be comfy and lithe?

What sort of weights do people build them into? With, say, STW standard issue reba’s, thomson, pro II and crests, 2 x 10?

Ta!

Posted 12 years ago

freeridenick
Free Member

ned – they are good all day bikes, certainly for around surrey.

I ride a Kobe at the mo, but have a Mk1 frame in the garage.
Kobe better jumping etc – but gets your back on longer rides.
PA – more stretched out and longer stays so easier on the body!

30lbs build up.

Posted 12 years ago

kane10255
Free Member

freeridenick good to hear of your experiences of the bike as an all day comfortable bike which judging by the other comments from the forumers it can also handle the rough stuff with ease, just the ticket for me, cheers.

Posted 12 years ago

nedrapier
Full Member

just found more here:

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/bfe-or-prince-albert

Good to hear it’s going to be lighter, I was a slightly put off by this review of the original 853 on bike magic:

The thing to remember about 853 is that it’s not actually less dense than regular chromoly, but it is considerably stronger, so you can use less of it, either by speccing smaller-diameter tubes or ones with thinner walls, or both.

The PA, though, has hung on to its generously-proportioned tubes. That has two effects. First, you don’t get the weight saving that you’d expect. But second, you get a ludicrously strong frame. 5.5lb of 853 goes a long way…

Mike, do you have likely weights for the new 17″er?

Posted 12 years ago

freeridenick
Free Member

Yep – its also capable with a decent 20mm fork – but slightly long for jumping IMO.

Posted 12 years ago

Gordymac
Free Member

I’m hovering over the buy button at the moment.

Just have to flog a few things to fund it 🙂

Posted 12 years ago

ojom
Free Member

To those in our neck of the woods, we are taking in a pile of them from Mike so you can come see and fondle etc

Posted 12 years ago

yunki
Free Member

SWMBO says no… 🙁

Posted 12 years ago

simon_g
Full Member

I’m still undecided. Mostly because I already have a nice orange PA already and it seems a bit silly to spend £295 to replace it with basically the same thing. But still… 853… hmmm.

Posted 12 years ago

rOcKeTdOg
Full Member

Only £295? Thats a bargain for an 853 PA!

Posted 12 years ago

diawl2
Free Member

Aaaargh….already have a grey 725, which I love to bits. I don’t need an 853 but really really want one….in Kwacker green. Might pay to go down a size too. Truth be told, I want a Holeshot and an Alpine too!

Posted 12 years ago

soobalias
Free Member

ned, Mike said on another thread recently (IIRC) that he doesnt know frame exact weights
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/dialled-prince-albert-2

ive always thought that if you are concerned about weight, then steel isnt the frame material for you.

EDIT: i thought the 725s only came in orange/green is your grey one a custom spray job? (pics?) far as i can tell the 853s are not going to be done in kwaka…..

Posted 12 years ago

honourablegeorge
Full Member

soobalias – Member

ive always thought that if you are concerned about weight, then steel isnt the frame material for you.

If you’re wondering whether an 853 frame is worth the premium over the standard one, then it’s pretty relevant.

Posted 12 years ago

diawl2
Free Member

DOH! Mine’s a 520. Even more reason. Matt black appeals.

Posted 12 years ago

soobalias
Free Member

on a £ for lb basis, yeah i guess its relevant.

personally, half a pound either way isnt worth thinking about – that shows in my current bikes and general attitude to riding.

no price premium here tho, pre-ordered PAs at the same price as the current 725 versions.

Posted 12 years ago

mike-at-dialledbikes
Free Member

Ned, typical 725 builds are around the 27-28lb mark for a sensible thrashable build.

The 853 frames will be lighter than the 725 frames as all the main tubes are thinner walled. That weight difference will only be a matter of ounces though. People know the Prince Albert and its reputation, and if they’re seriously considering it, they won’t base their decision on whether it weighs 5lbs or 5.25lbs.

If someone already has a current model 725 frame and they’re happy with it, my honest advice is stick with that unless the 853 tubing and engraved head tube (and a few less ounces) really float your boat. The 725 Prince Alberts are still a perfectly good frame design and material. Once this limited run of 853 Prince Albert Classics are sold out, Prince Alberts will go back to being made in 725 again anyway.

Posted 12 years ago

letmetalktomark
Full Member

Hmmm …… Been after a MK1 for ages.

£295 seems to get you a lot of bike.

Hmmm …… Don’t NEED another HT especially a 26” one but ……..

Bugger.

Posted 12 years ago

diawl2
Free Member

Gone and done it now. Does that make only 9 more needed?

Posted 12 years ago

honourablegeorge
Full Member

soobalias – Member

no price premium here tho, pre-ordered PAs at the same price as the current 725 versions.

Ah – I didn’t realise that.

Shit. I REALLY don’t need one.

Posted 12 years ago

soobalias
Free Member

heh, whats that ‘need’ word you used there mean?

Posted 12 years ago

batfink
Free Member

Ordered one in Grey…. the good news is that I’ve got several months for the “want vs need” guilt to abate 😀

The parts-bin is virtually empty at the moment too – so I see lots of freshly purchased, anodised, cnc’d loveliness in my future

Posted 12 years ago

honourablegeorge
Full Member

soobalias – Member
heh, whats that ‘need’ word you used there mean?

4 bikes in the shed, including a 140mm 853 hardtail that I bought a few months ago. No physical space for any more.

Minor issues, really.

Posted 12 years ago

RichieBoy
Free Member

Ordered one in Grey…. the good news is that I’ve got several months for the “want vs need” guilt to abate

The parts-bin is virtually empty at the moment too – so I see lots of freshly purchased, anodised, cnc’d loveliness in my future

I went for grey too…. the only colour that will go with all my components!

Posted 12 years ago

soobalias
Free Member

george you are looking at this all wrong.

far as i can see you need a bigger shed 😉

Posted 12 years ago

HermanShake
Free Member

I foresee an influx of 520 and 720 frames on the classifieds in a few months!

Posted 12 years ago

Crell
Free Member

Personally I am hanging on for the Ti Alpine ……

^This

Posted 12 years ago

Gordymac
Free Member

Does that make only 9 more needed?

Must be less than 9 now, I stopped dithering and ordered a Sky blue one 😛

Posted 12 years ago

diawl2
Free Member

Torn between a 15″ and a 17″. Anyone ridden both and can provide some feedback? I’m 5’7″ with a 29″ inside leg and currently ride a 17″ PA.

Posted 12 years ago

mike-at-dialledbikes
Free Member

diawl2, my recommendation is go for a 15″ to replace your 17″ and swap your current 50mm stem for a 60-70mm stem.

Posted 12 years ago

LoCo
Free Member

Just decided I’ll order one, at that price I can’t resist 😀

Posted 12 years ago

jambalaya
Free Member

Me too . The power of “social networks”

Posted 12 years ago

souldrummer
Free Member

I am so tempted but I have an Alpine which I love and a Soul which is fun and an old Kona Explosif, so can I justify another (4th) 853 hardtail frame?? The price doesn’t help as it is such a good deal. I wish I could make a decision….

Posted 12 years ago