Ti or aluminium (GT or Kona)

[markwashington]

Yes and no: viewtopic.php?t=142851

 

[SEANSTEPHENS]

Yes and no: viewtopic.php?t=142851

So to help answer chris's question the dropouts must be stronger than they look then? As its just the headtube thats been reinforced on the score and king kahuna

 

[maroon113]

i'd pick ti over alum any/every day if all else equal and you have the extra $$$. also from what i know, you need more alum material to match the same strength of titanium, hence the more "burly" drop-outs on the alum GT vs ti Kona. just my 2cents/pence.

Drop your tires 3 PSI and that is most of the difference between Aluminum and Ti. In comfort. Aluminum doesn't flex like Titanium and accelerates better, it feels better in hard turns because it doesn't flex. Zaskars are better sprinters than Xizangs. Not as comfortable sure. I'm not on a couch, this is a sport.

The Zaskar has more "burly" dropouts because it is a more Burly Bike than the other two. They are built like 1990 Mercedes Benz sedans. Solid. Who would win in a 3-way street fight between the three? My money is on the Zaskar.

So much ridicule on Aluminum frames, alot of it connected with (cough) bike-snobbery (cough) and such. Aluminum can make excellent frames. And most of the bike industry agreed. Hence, the mass popularity and production. Schwinn Homegrown, Yeti Arc, Specialized Stumpjumper, GT Zaskar, to name a few..

Personally they are different beasts. For longer, 3+ hour rides, the Hei Hei would be a better choice than the Zaskar. However, for shorter, more intense rides the Zaskar would be better. Furthermore if one is older in years and/or with recurring injuries in the neck/back, that would be another influence in frame decision.

 

[Tommylurve]

Get a Xizang, if you can find one

 

[Canuck]

If you want a Ti bike that you can properly thrash, why not go for this: viewtopic.php?f=39&t=280314 all the benefits of the Hei Hei and the Zaskar rolled into one. Plus it's rarer than hens breaking their teeth on dried rocking horse s**t.

Its basically just a little hei hei with a headtube gusset :?

...no.

 

[Member 10502]

Re:

Well i got more to go on now thanks. Might end up going modern, retro bike parts are a pain in the arse to find

 

[Muddy paw]

Re: Re:

Well i got more to go on now thanks. Might end up going modern, retro bike parts are a pain in the arse to find

The cranksets are the biggest pain when it comes to going retro so maybe go modern with that but retro on everything else mate ..

 

[Member 10502]

Re:

Cheers. Which of the dropouts is strongest still remains unanswered but hey ho. Which aluminium frames come close to the zaskar in strength or are as strong or stronger?? The orange evo frames look pretty strong also :?

Chris

 

[T'boo Ted]

You're going to have to buy both and then see which one breaks first... only then will you know.

 

[Tommylurve]

Re:

You're going to have to buy both and then see which one breaks first... only then will you know.

+1

They are both strong frames. Unless you are going to being using it as a jump bike Im sure both will be more than adequate. You are talking about 2 of the best bike frames out there!
The only way to find out is to hit them both with a hammer and see which breaks first
Good luck