Identifying the ALAN

[TyrannosaurusALAN]

Hello everyone,

Im new here and am posting in the hope that someone here will be able to say one way or another, just which model and date my Alan frame is.

I've posted on a good few forums and trawled them all senseless, reading lots of bits of contradicting information all over the shop. I've even emailed the ALAN contact but to no avail...

It's the second ALAN I've owned in the past 5 years and I've bought it to replace the last as it was simply incredible to ride. And a real head turner too!

My intentions for her future are somewhat unsure at the moment. I have been bitten by the Mavic SSC bug and have a NOS rear derailleur in hand and a Stronglight 105 ter chainset too (drilled black) which will definitely be used. Front der and shifters are still yet to be decided/sourced; suggestions are welcome!

Anyway, onto the bike.

Specifically I'm hoping to learn of a period-correct bottom bracket and the year of manufacture. What significance are the Gitane decals?
Any further info or pointers in the right direction would be golden.

Thank you all!


(Ignore the tester seatpost btw)

Thanks again folks.

 

[paininthe]

Welcome to the site,


here in the site archive. A good place to start looking.

 

[TyrannosaurusALAN]

Welcome to the site,


here in the site archive. A good place to start looking.

Great link, thank you very much

I had suspected it was the Competition but the cable guides had thrown me, especially as my previous bike did not have them. I have now learned they were an option. Cool!

I've read about being able to date the frames using the size stamps etc but my seat tube/lug has no stamp what-so-ever. The size stamp as you can see is on the bb shell its-self. The serial is 440015.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks again folks!

 

[bobbinogs]

You could try doing what I did and write an email to the chap in Italy who is the AL in ALAN (Alberto Falconi at Alan bikes). He confirmed the approx age of my bike. I have posted the address in one of these threads, give me a shout if you cannot find it.

 

[TyrannosaurusALAN]

You could try doing what I did and write an email to the chap in Italy who is the AL in ALAN (Alberto Falconi at Alan bikes). He confirmed the approx age of my bike. I have posted the address in one of these threads, give me a shout if you cannot find it.

I have indeed tried, but received no response what-so-ever. Tbh, I didn't expect one, but if you're saying you had better luck, perhaps it's worth trying again.

Would you mind sharing the contact details?

Many thanks

 

[Old Ned]

Regarding the Gitane markings, Alan frames were sold under many brand headings (including Colnago) before these other manufacturers decided whether or not aluminium frames were a 'good idea'. Not seen a Gitane version though and presume it must be factory stamped to identify its ultimate destination during production. Are any more 'other brand' ones similarly stamped?

Don't the fancy engravings identify it as an early'ish one?

Also this document - which shows the engraved head lugs.

 

[bobbinogs]

You could try doing what I did and write an email to the chap in Italy who is the AL in ALAN (Alberto Falconi at Alan bikes). He confirmed the approx age of my bike. I have posted the address in one of these threads, give me a shout if you cannot find it.

I have indeed tried, but received no response what-so-ever. Tbh, I didn't expect one, but if you're saying you had better luck, perhaps it's worth trying again.

Would you mind sharing the contact details?

Many thanks

I emailed Alberto at alfa@alanbike.net

I translated into Italian using a translation tool since I figured it was the least I could do. Perhaps that was the trick to getting a response.

 

[TyrannosaurusALAN]

Good call, thanks

 

[David B]

Surprised to see a 68mm BB shell on an Italian frame of that vintage. Was ALAN an early convert to BSC shells before a lot of other Italian makers (e.g. Bianchi) followed suit rather later?

David

 

[rusty bodie]

yup, we never sold the alan frames but saw a lot of them in the road races and club runs back in the 80s. they came in blue, red and black if i remember rightly. i reckon that this frame is dated around 1985/86 possibly slightly earlier by a year or two. nice frames but not if you have a belly or are over 5' 6"!!!! with mavic ssc it would have been one of the lightest bikes of the era - a hill climb special!

nice find!