A Town Called ALICE

I'm looking to buy an ALICE frameset in 58cm equivalent. If anyone happens to have one for sale?

Thanks - might be a bit tight as I think I may go for 2.0 tyres, something like the Maxxis Re-fuse.

Basically the first version will be a parts box/cheap build, want something that is comfortable for city riding and thst can handle the odd off road jolly. The roads in Edinburgh seem to be developing massive potholes on a daily basis!

Longer term if want to put something like the Continental Race Kings on and use it to explore all the fire roads and dirt tracks that lead out to the dams. Something like the trail out of the back of Kinlochleven to Blackwater Dam. I may also switch to 29er wheels at that point.

@rltlk - is there a photo of your bike?

Ha, you're in Edinburgh as well? So there'll be two fresh blue medium builds rolling around town!

Mine will also be parts bin. I've got two wheelsets (although with unfortunately narrow rims considering ALICE tyre clearances). Need to decide what combo of tyres I want on them - something for the road and something for off-road.

One clearance pic for @2slices - nominal 27.5"×2.85" but real width more like 2.6". Just one or two mm too close for my liking if it's muddy out.

I was hoping to get it back from the shop today (just getting the headset fitted) so I could try a 29er in there but will have to wait a bit longer!

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Are you going to be running it with that carbon fork thats in the photo? I'd be interested to know the clearances on that also if so

Yep. It's about 27.5"×2.1-2.2" or 29"×2". I had a knobbly 29"×2.1" in there and it was uncomfortably tight

tempting... what fork is it?

It's the Pipedream fork!

Thanks for the clearance photos. Do you think you'll stick with 650b or go to 29er wheels? Having seen your comments about the fork I'm glad I went for the steel one - I want all the clearance possible.

Yep I'm over on the western side of Edinburgh. I'll keep an eye out for your bike!

Packed mine up with no place to go. Can’t wait for lockdown to be over to get out!

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You running your with an internal hub or ss? going to have to throw my chunky tires on again after that pic /

Also decided not to go for drops, wanted the stability from wide bars so got the stooge moto.

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I’m running singlespeed at the moment and very much enjoying it. Will be gearing down a bit when I load up the bags and head out though - it’s geared for evening bumbles on road at the moment.

Has anyone used 29er and 27.5 wheels the frame? My initial plan was to go with the smaller wheels purely cause I have a spare set that will fit but long term I wanted to try the larger size.

Yup, mines had 29x2.25 Onza Canis in the back and Magic Mary in the front when I bought it. Will add a picture when I find one.

EDIT Found it: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/335054/

I've been running 1x10 for most of the winter but ordered a SS conversion kit last week and can't wait.

I run 29ers but never had 27.5's in there, never really felt the need too tbh. last tires were 2.25 and still had plenty of room to go bigger. but might be fun with a 2.8 in there....

That’s what I’m running (2.8in front and rear). Pretty tight on the back and it’s on a fairly narrow rim - not sure it’d clear on a suitably wide rim. Front has bags of room even on a wider rim.

Cheers - Thoses pictures are brilliant!

Did you have a preference for a particular wheel size? Guess I'm wondering if the bike actually feels/handles differently with big or small wheels.

Here's mine. There was a bit of a mix up with frames so I ended up with the last mk1 frame and done parts to help with the build.

I initially built it up with drop bars and 9 speed, but after a couple of rides and a very sore back I remembered how badly I get on with drop bars (I hadn't used any for 6+ years and thought I'd give it a go...).

Popped the spare mtb stuff on it - bars, brakes and gears - and I'm much happier with it now.

Still need to trim the hoses and possibly find a more comfortable saddle.

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Looks great! Have you tried the alt bar route, like a Jones or similar? I’d heartily recommend trying if you’re not getting on with drops.

Nice to see that framebag getting some proper use too!

Thanks - pretty please with how it turned out.

I've not tried any of the alt bars, just a variety of risers on the mtb. Are Jones H bars the gold standard or are there others worth looking at?

Frame bags great thanks, predominantly used for carring extra food!

https://bikepacking.com/index/comfort-mtb-handlebars/

Many options, some good budget ones from planetx too

If you can get a pair of On-One Geoffs they’ll get you 95% of the way there for a fraction of the price!

I love them, and have had Jones Loop bars on most of my ‘high mileage’ bikes for a good while now.

Glad you’re liking the bag - I’ve got so used to having one on the Alice permanently that I really miss it when riding other bikes!

Looks nice! I'm running some stooge moto bars on mine which I'd recommend. Long flat middle section for sticking on tribars (controversial) when doing long rides but easy to pop off when you get home and have the daily commute. Still space for bar bags etc etc

Guilty of aerobars on Jones loops here! This was my setup for a silly long ride just after Christmas 2019.

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