Possible new alu bike frame – Storck or Bowman?

Thinking I might get a new “summer” road bike frameset, something a bit racier geo and a tad lighter than my current setup and I’m leaning towards alu rather than carbon. At the moment, my choice was going to be a Bowman Palace, but I noticed the Storck Visioner Alloy for around the same price.

Any pointers on either of those – I realise the Bowman is pretty new so there won’t be much feedback on them. Alternatively, any other suggestions in the same ballpark?

CAAD10

ah yes, hadn’t thought of that – good thinking…

Kineses – love my Racelight 4s which is good for all year use but maybe get an Aithein for summer use.

Canyon Ultimate ? Although on looks alone the CAAD wins (IMO)

Can you get a CAAD10 frame only?

I’d have said Aithein or Bowman (probably Aithein if it’s not an out and out race bike.)

Though I had recently noticed the Storck and also this Condor. Don’t know much about them though.

See I’d say on looks alone the Bowman wins, but I realise this is subjective…

A quick google suggests CAAD10 is available frameset only

The Bowman looks very nice. Got a good review in “Cyclist” if I remember right.

I’m currently in this situation too but can’t make my mind up what I want. I think I’m leaning towards the CAAD10 but I do really like the look of the Aithein but I’m not sure what it’d be like to ride (comfort wise) if I was riding it for say 80 miles.

Interesting dilemma, I also have an odd scratch to itch with a new road frameset too, (wider tyres and non boring black carbon being today’s dislike). So far the Bowman tops the list, but the CAAD is excellent as I’ve a training partner with one, and the Kinesis Aithein is also well rated.

Great to have such a choice.

I’d have said Aithein or Bowman (probably Aithein if it’s not an out and out race bike.)

Neither is the Bowman. Yes a world champion is riding one this season but that doesn’t mean it’s only suitable for racing, I know a few bling carbon owners who are happy using one as their winter bike.
Both the Stork and kinesis have a 31.6 seatpost the Bowman 27.2 so maybe a bit more comfort potential there.

I’ve ridden my Aithein for 70-80 miles and its fine. However, I’m not really one for fussing on comfort either way – road bikes are skinny tyres, rigid, designed for going fast, no??

For the same money as the Bowman, the CAAD10 is the only choice. Race prove geometry, long history of alloy excellence, ride characteristics of the carbon EVO. Must like black 😉 and BB30. But I’d have one in a shot – I steal Teen1’s CAAD8 for the winter instead.

Check pauls cycles for cannondale frames often a bargain to be had.

Check pauls cycles for cannondale frames often a bargain to be had.

I’m not the worlds great Specialized fan but they do a very nice Allez E5 frame at the price point we are all talking about.

This is a friends somewhat multi colour edition:

Love the stealth look.

I can only see the Allez E5 frameset in black?

Ah yes the Allez smartweld one was on sale at Sigma too for around 600 quid. Looked like a good deal (here).

Good link there, but agree the black version is somewhat boring.

Mentioned on a couple of posts now that I rate my Aithein highly. Comfort isnt an issue. Done a 70 mile hilly ride into the NY moors no problem. Stick a good quality carbon post in and not rock hard tyres and jobs a good un.

Posted it before, but here’s mine (any excuse!)….

Shonky picture of mine. Note the reduction of 2 spacers and a flipped stem now 😆

And changed the bottle cages to these. Look loads better

Ooh, with Campagnolo too, nice 8)

Interesting that the red/orange frame has the matching colour graphic on the fork, whilst the green one is white.

Nice that. Like that Allez too, surprising really as I don’t usually much care for big logos and lots of colour.

Interesting that the red/orange frame has the matching colour graphic on the fork, whilst the green one is white.

Often wondered that myself as well.
Speaking of the forks. The front end of these bikes are incredibly agile. Took a couple of hours to get used to it from my previous bike.

I do like those Aithiens and I’d be sticking my existing campag Groupset on it as can’t afford to do a full new build. Agree I do find the black a bit boring which is what’s putting me off the caad10. I much prefer the orange Aithein.

Ok I have a quick question, my current bike has a 68mm British BB but the Aithein has a BB86, will my current BB fit or will I need a new one or an adaptor of some kind?

New pressfit bb required 🙂

Think sigmasport have the aitheins for about £580 at the moment. Paid the full £650 for mine. Which was still a good price for a stunning frame.

Both Merlin and Probikekit are doing 10% off the Aithein. You can also get cash back at both. And you may be able to get an introductory extra 10% off at probikekit.

Oooh, this thread has taken off since I last checked in – have to say I’m leaning most towards the Bowman, though all the options mentioned look pretty comparable. I marginally prefer the look of the Bowman + bottom bracket standard + having something a little more unusual, at least for now…

Aye, nice looking frame that Bowman.
Not insinuating you are a hefty rider but One thing to consider with the Aithein is the designers have a rider weight limit on then. Think its 15 odd stone.

CAAD 10 frame set is available from Qwerty cycles for £700

Bowman and Aithein both have the same BB standard don’t they? Press fit 86?

Yep, CAAD different though. I’m also not keen on the weight limit with the Aithein, although hopefully I shouldn’t be troubling it!

Lots of CAAD inspiration here. Got to be the go to alu bike if it fits you surely 😀

Some of those do look very nice, particularly some of the weights they are achieving! I am set on the Bowman, I think – I’m going to swing by Cycle Lab to check one out… 😀

Got my kinesis down to a good weight. Just under 16lbs.