Aluminium Dropouts – Nelson Frame

I'm thinking of buying a cheap-ish aluminium frame, like for example the Nelson. It has decent geometry, a horizontal top tube and a paint job that doesn't involve any go faster stripes or whoosh graphics.

It doesn't however have reinforced dropouts. Does anyone know if this is an issue with an alu frame? I read something somewhere that said that tightening and loosening the back wheel a few times creates little ruts on the dropouts which can dictate the future position of the wheel, meaning you can't get a decent alignment.

Has anyone experienced this? Or who has a Nelson Frame? I know someone has, I've seen him belting through Clapton of a morning.

Cheers
Malko

I'm using an ally frame with unprotected dropouts. I don't move my wheel about too much but it's working A-OK for me so far.

I dunno. I'm not 100% sure it would cope so well with skidding/locking the wheel up. I maybe wrong.

I was looking at this frame but have not seen any and am dubious about the build quality at this price. If anyone has seen/used/owns one please can you let us know about that too.

Cheers lads.

err

Dude get an Alf Webb, £99:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BANKRUPT-FIXTIE-TRACK-PISTE-FIXED-BIKE-FRAME-COURIER_W0QQitemZ120381548943QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR?hash=item120381548943&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

Heres mine after a trip to Armourtex,obviously i have changed the forks and dropped a bit of cash on it, great frame and plenty strong, though does have a sloping top tube, made worse by my choice of fork:

Before:

After:

love what you've done with that VV. if Alf Webbs came in more than one size i would get one as a hack. apparently their sloping top tube makes for 'one size fits all' geometry! ha

My Condor alu Pista is over 6 years old, has been through the whole gamut of gearing/track end positions, and is fine.

I use a cheap and [st]nasty[/st] cheerful chain tug on the drive side.

After:

Can you barspin yet tho? :p

The Alf Webb does look great once the psycho tribal dance paint work has been defeated. It's just the sloping top tube, it makes me all giddy, reminds me of my hybrid days.

I read somewhere that the Nelson's are just cheap because they want to clear the stock? At the RRP a Nelson comes in at £350, which drops it at the lower end of decent alu frame price lineup. Which again, strangely makes me worry about the build quality!

I didn't realise the Condor alu Pista didn't have reinforced dropouts? That does give me hope for the Nelson.

What a palaver. Does anyone ride an alu frame, without reinforced dropouts, brakeless? That would be my intention for the Nelson. I'd hate to get one and tear the back end off after a week of heavy skip stopping.

@ VinylVillain. I remember that Alf Webb going for sale, thinking it was absolutely hideous! Haha. Are you still off Munster Road or have you moved? Need to get a pint soon. Are you doing Wests this week?

Was at wests last week and should be again this week - now in Battersea

@ malko: Hey, did you already decided to purchase the Nelson frame? It'd be a nice bargain if quality is ok. Any experiences by now?