Strong Frames Hyalite

Price Paid:  $1900.00 at Internet - Mail orde

Favorite Ride:
Alpine Loop

Bike Setup:
Dura-Ace 9-speed

Summary:
Your first impression when you pull the new Hyalite Ti frame from its shipping container is Carl’s attention to detail. The frame looks solid with meticulously welded selections of various tube types. The media grit blasted finish adds to the elegance of the final product.

Included are the head tube and bottom bracket cable guides, water bottle cage hardware, and Mylar chain stay protector.

Most importantly, the frame as a whole assembly has incredible stiffness for the climbs and with the short wheelbase, the bike tracked on the descents superbly.
I would highly recommend this frame for serious riders that demand both quality and solid responsiveness from a bicycle.

Unfortunately for Carl, this will probably be the last bike you will ever own.

Strengths:
Carl's attention to detail. Stiffness when you need it most in climbs and out of the saddle.

Weaknesses:
(None)

Similar Products Used:
Custom Della Santa

Price Paid:  $799.00 at Direct

Favorite Ride:
Olney loop

Bike Setup:
DA & Open Pros.

Summary:
I was in the market for a steel frame w/a certain geometry. The Strong hit the market with geometry right for my needs so I bought it almost immediately.

The frame is Zona tubing with a Foco (might be Ultra Foco – email Carl and ask) downtube that is diamond shaped at the headtube and ovalizes at the bottom bracket. The rest of the tubing is small diameter round tubing.

The non-ultralite tubing combined with the oversized and shaped downtube do create a stiff frame. My last frame was a CAAD4 and this one is not that stiff, but is stiff enough. I weight anywhere from 180 to 200 lbs as a point of reference. No noticeable frame flex when I stand to climb or do the rare sprint. As this is steel, I do find that it kills road buzz more efficiently that my CAAD4 and I am fresher at the end of a longer ride. Wheelset and tires selection are the same, so I am comparing apples to apples. The bike rides straight as an arrow no-handed, is stable at speed and really dives into corners well. This bb is lower than my last ride, so that is likely a factor.

The frame arrived with quite a bit of over spray in the headtube that had to be cleaned up. The bb was clean and ready to go however. The frame built up very quickly w/o any issues. I did the build myself.

The powdercoat is beautiful and tough a nails. In one year, I’ve got once scratch/gouge and that was totally my fault. The clearcoat is nice too, but there is some bubbling, mostly around the frame stickers.

Strong recommends certain specs on the fork, so speak with him about that too. I am using the Ouza Comp model (which was recommended).

This bike is a looker. Mine’s got the red powdercoat and mostly black components. Many folks have commented on the fine powdercoat and finish.

I am looking for a full custom in the next year and Strong will be on my very short list of builders. I have no qualms recommending this frame to someone looking for a high quality steel frame for reasonable dollars.

Strengths:
Powdercoat. Nice ride quality.

Weaknesses:
Bubbles in the powdercoat. Nothing major, but there.

Similar Products Used:
Alu frames only