After acquiring a Razesa in Aelle (the plain gauge version) some years ago, I became convinced that it is a fine tubeset. I certainly have appreciably more excess grams on my frame than the difference between the Aelle and SLX and that bike seems much more of a kite than a brick.
Consequently, I am no longer a tubing snob and, as others have noted, some of the continental builders exercised the same care in frame design and joinery on the models that used Aelle. Having a few very nice riding straight gauge Reynolds 531 frames, I am no longer dismissive of straight gauge tubing. Also as noted by others, the performance and durability of Aelle should make one less concerned about the quality of well-made seamed tubing. There have been (and will likely continue to be) some very good deals on bikes made with mid-line and lower tubesets due to some misconceptions out there. Further, if Norris endorses it...well, there you go.
Charlie Young Honey Brook, PA USA
On Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:03:56 -0500, <KvnMuadib@aol.com> wrote:
> hi all. anyone have any experience factor (owned or rode frames built
with)
>
> with aelle straight gauge tubing. i have seen bottecchias ,somecs,
> pinarellos,
> maybe even colnago frames probably others that escape me at the moment,
> built w/aelle tubing.i notice that the tubeset is about 400 gms heavier
> than sl
> though not substantially different from sp,weightwise. i am wondering if
> it
> just a less expensive tubeset to produce an economy frame for
> "amateur"cyclists or are there distinct differences in say durability
> handling etc. etc.
> .just a small diversion from the rhythmic beat of "bar tape,bar tape,bar
> tape"
> kevin ruberg howell nj usa
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