I bought this Alan in October from a gentleman in Studio City, CA. The ride is classic aluminum - unforgiving, but responsive and the frame dimensions fit my 6' 2" frame very comfortably. It's a 59cm C-C seat tube with a 58cm C-C top tube. About 32.5 stand-over height.
I just added the yellow tires, and was shocked at how ridiculous it looked with them until I put a few miles on them. The road dirt did wonders to help them blend better with the gold frame! Who woulda thunk that a little dirt would make such an aesthetic improvement? Ask a mountain biker or cyclocross racer, I suppose, to get an honest answer on that question.
It's equipped with Shimano 600 derailleurs, brakes and it came with a Sugino Mighty Competition crankset, which I know is a nice crank and sought-after, but it's... well ugly, in my opinion. Replaced that with a first generation Campagnolo Chorus. I might eventually convert this to a single speed, but time will tell. The Shimano Index Shifting works like a charm, so I'll keep the gears for now. No-name seatpost that didn't shine up too well, and minty Suntour Superb Pro pedals from circa 1985 - LOVE those pedals. Mavic wheels with Shimano hubs, TTT stem and bars(?) have to check the bars to make sure they're not Cinelli.
Overall I'm very pleased with this purchase. Makes a nice new member to my stable.
Alan frames are "glued and screwed," that is they are bonded together with industrial bonding cement and screwed into the lugs so they won't work their way out over the miles. Brake bridges and bottom brackets are the first to show signs of loosening in these as well as Vitus frames, so check for play in these areas prior to purchase. Expect to spend about $600 in 2011 dollars for a bike in this condition with similar build components.
Ever ridden on an Alan? Chime on in! :)
* Year is approximate. Can you help me narrow down the year of the frame?
