Not CF

mike

mike

iMTB Hooligan
I'm just coming out of a myopic haze, considering frames other than carbonium. A glance around confirms that metal bikes and US metal-bike makers are abundant.

Rumblings about Turner's next Sultan being US-made alum. Knolly, Foes, Guerrilla Gravity, almost Transition...these are not so much boutique shops to my mind, but still aluminum devotees.

The US-made aspect is coming to the fore for me; an aluminum frame would make domestic sourcing possible.

What US companies producing bikes domestically have a handle on modern trail geo and features? There has to be many I'm ignorant of. Not talking custom frame shops – necessarily. Thanks for your insights...
 
Knolly bikes isn't US made. Most frames aren't going to be US made. Are you only asking about US made aluminum frames? I ride a Banshee Spitfire which I love, but it's made overseas as well I believe.
 
I'm not in the market right now, but interested to know. CF has it's place...but I prefer metal outside of racing (I only own one CF bike, all the rest are Al or steel).
 
GG welds their frames right in Denver. One model (Megatrail I think) can do 27.5, 27.5+, and can be short shocked without screwing the geo up, and can run 29. Alot of options on it. When I was in the market I was very interested in it.
 
LOL rossage. Solid info, guys, thanks for feeding my problem. Not surprisingly I've been seeing GG bikes on the trails here. Dave, I see the appeal for sure.
 
I think some Cove frames are still made by DeKerf. On that note, DeKerf still makes its own frames.
 
Ventana.

"From their sexy CNC machined suspension pieces down to their smallest cable stop, every piece, of every Ventana frame, is painstakingly produced by Ventana. While other so called manufacturers market “Hand-Built, American-made bikes” that are actually built by large production houses in Taiwan and China, Ventanas are truly born and manufactured in the same region as the sport itself – Northern California."
 
Cyclotourist said:
Ventana.

"From their sexy CNC machined suspension pieces down to their smallest cable stop, every piece, of every Ventana frame, is painstakingly produced by Ventana. While other so called manufacturers market “Hand-Built, American-made bikes” that are actually built by large production houses in Taiwan and China, Ventanas are truly born and manufactured in the same region as the sport itself – Northern California."
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Did someone say Ventana????

IMG_2817.JPG
 
I just think that you get more value for your dollar with Al.
mike said:
Thanks for more insights, fellers. Much love for Sherwood and Ventana – glad to say I've owned three of his beauties.


I do not know WTF happened today, but somehow I woke up in the kitchen and...

View attachment 31482


Tomorrow could be interesting.
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Interesting indeed! Looks great in it's brushed Al glory. I predict miles of smiles.
 
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Ventana or Ventana-made:


El Bastardo 2009 650b 135mm travel

ElBastardo2-2012.jpg



Fandango with derailleurs

fandangoDC-9.jpg


Fandango with Rohloff

fandangotourista.jpg



The Smash is a demo with a 140 Pike RC. I was hoping the shock would be the coil version; I'll have to imagine. Flip chip is in Plush (vs Crush) mode. The bike is 140mm, specs with 140 to 160 in front. So it's set up on the lighter-duty side of its range. 2.3 in back, 2.5 front.
 
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mike said:
Hehe, aye, David. Hey, the jury is out, that's a demo. But I'm preparing for the worst. :)
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I'm predicting a 100% compatibility index. Prepare to lighten your wallet. :thumbsup:

I have the narrower version of those wheels... XM421 on the Highball, and they are absolutely bomb proof. I used to have the Stan's Arch straightened every 6 months or so. I keep looking at the DT Swiss, hoping to see a wobble. Nope. Those things are crazy good.
 
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