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I can get framesets at more or less the same price
[url=alan] http://www.alanbike.net/index.php?alan=Cross?Mercurial [/url]
[url=dolan://] http://www.dolan-bikes.com/cyclo-cross/frame-sets-cyclo-cross [/url]
I know of people who rave about the Alan frames but no one who rides the Dolan.
The idea is... an off road trainer for this winter followed by racing next season. I'll never be in the top 75% (probably) but that's not the point.
Brakes and chainrings aside, are normal road groupsets ok for a cross bike?
Could i Use a short cage mtb rear mech and mtb front mech for e.g. ? (Money saving idea.... I ave got loads of mtb spares but no road stuff.)
Had dolan for a yea and found it very comfy to ride, used it mainlty for commuting and the 3 peaks. I found the rack and guad mounts useful, not ridden the alan but prefer the look of it. I sold mine as a frames set, i have a cheap set of sti levers 10 spd, tektro cantis and a shallow drop bar stillin the garage if yuo are intersted email inprofile
ta
The Alan is a proper racing frame, the Dolan is a modified road frame with canti bosses. I'd have the Alan (I owned a Dolan for a while) if you want to race, but if you need to put bottle cages or any other stuff on it, you might be better with the Dolan.
The Alan will be better quality tubing and more nicely made, I can guarantee that 🙂
MTB rear mech will be fine, front mechs don't like road-size chainrings and can be made to work, but less than optimally. A road groupset will work with no problems.
There were at least 5 or 6 of those Dolan frames out at Stanmer Park on Sunday. I know a couple of riders with them - they seem happy.
That Alan frame is a bit of porker isn't it?
I'm not a whippet and have a tendency to break frames (well I haven't for the last few years) so strength is important to me. The Alan is supposed to be built for "the heavier or stronger rider" and while I think I fall into the latter category, the former is more appropriate (15stone).
It'll still be lighter than the Dolan. Also, if you're tall, the bigger Dolans have a steep (74 deg) seat angle the same as the small ones, rather than getting slacker as the size increases.
Edit - just spotted that the Alan has a 74 deg seat angle as well, so scratch that point!
Can't open the links.
I'd say race day you'll wish you had the Alan, and on training rides the Dolan.
aP I was interested in your comment about handling diferences between the Argon and the BMC.
my Pearson which is basically s Zepnat is a good handler but sluggish. So I've worked out on paper and $$$$ that a Schils might be ideal.