So, have we given up on aluminum? What with all this talk of expensive titanium, granted it's cheaper than the KH frames then I'd buy an aluminum frame if Ti was too expensive.
The kh frames are mass produced in a country with lower labour costs and lower material costs. They are pretty cheap for what they are. Hand built usa frames are surely never going to be as cheap unless they are made at a loss.
Hand built usa frames are surely never going to be as cheap unless they are made at a loss.
...or knocked up quickly and badly. I agree it would be pretty amazing to be able to produce a small-volume quality frame and compete on price with mass-produced KH stuff. If you can do it though, and to a decent quality, then good on you.
Exotic materials aren't magic. Built badly (cheaply) you'll end up with a frame that's just as likely to be heavy and/or weak as a £20 Nimbus II. Look at all the nasty tank-like cheap aluminium bike frames out there. People like to say they've got an aluminium frame, but a well-made steel frame is lighter, stronger and a much nicer ride (but costs considerably more due to the building skill involved). Flashy materials do not (necessarily) a good frame make.
