ALUMINIUM BIKE GROUP TEST
As sky-high prices show no sign of coming down, Stefan Abram finds out whether or not sub-£2k aluminium bikes still have what it takes
It was 1998 and under Marco Pantani that an aluminium bike (the Bianchi Mega Pro XL) last won the Tour de France. Since then, carbonfibre has ruled the roost.
But now, after a quarter of a century, we are seeing something of an epochal shift. Several factors have coalesced and the result has been the crystallisation of a new paradigm.
First, and most nebulous, there has been a growing appreciation of the cold ring of metal – it has a certain je nesais quoithat the plastic sandwich of carbon simply lacks. More pressingly, you might not want to associate yourself with the carbon waste that comes with a carbon frame; aluminium, in stark contrast, has been claimed to be the most costeffective material to recycle.
But perhaps most significant, amid a recession you simply might not want to pay the premium for a carbon road bike. Yes, carbon can be imbued with excellent vibration-dampening qualities – but with the shift to wider tyres, the comfort gap bet ween carbon and alloy is now in many cases entirely imperceptible.
Brand response
Ever more brands are responding to this increased consumer interest and giving their aluminium models a bit of care and attention – updating them for the latest developments in welding and construction.
With this as the backdrop, we’ve taken four alloy bikes from Trek, Specialized, Canyon and Scott and pitched them head-to-head. To make the battle more interesting, we’ve chosen the competitive price point of £1, 500 to £2,000 – aiming to stay as close to the centre of that bracket as possible.
Beyond the big hitters of the groupset, wheels and geometry, we’ve taken a deep dive with a whole raft of considerations, including (but not limited to) the tyre clearances, cable routing, welds, bottom bracket standards, mudguard compatibility and the size range – particularly how small they go.
I’ve been putting them to the test on the ‘challenging’ topography of Wales – taking in the full spectrum of brutally steep climbs and roads which with the passing seasons seem to be melting into trails. At the other end, I’ve balanced this with some fast, flat and buttery smooth lanes as well (yes, we do have those too!) Let’s see how they stack up...
Scott Speedster 10 £1,899 | 10.42kg
First up, we have the Scott Speedster 10, boasting a clean aesthetic with its cables tucked neatly inside of its head tube. Together with its colour-matched sidewalls and saddle, I think it’s actually the smartest looking of the bikes on test – though if you’re a stick ler for invis
