• Dialled Bikes Prince Albert
• £240 (frame only)
• www.dialledbikes.com
• Third generation stout steel frame
• No reduction in aceness

Vital statistics

All dimensions based on Large/19in frame

It’s over three years since Dialled Bikes’ Prince Albert emerged as part of a flurry of steel frames from new, small brands. At the time it set itself apart by being a somewhat sturdier (and cheaper) proposition than many, and since then it’s built an enviable reputation as the stout-steel-on-a-budget choice. As far as we know, no-one’s managed to bust one yet, and given that several PAs have done multiple guiding seasons in the Alps and other mountainous regions (including, in a slight coals-to-Newcastle scenario, Whistler, BC) that’s no mean feat.

So three years in and here’s the third generation of Prince Albert…

Frame

As befits an already-successful product, there’s more about the Mk3 Prince Albert that’s the same than has changed. It’s still made from Reynolds 520 tubing (a tubeset that’s made under license in the Far East rather than by Reynolds themselves, but they won’t let their stickers appear on any old pipe) in substantial diameters and wall thicknesses, for a start. And the shape is the same, aside from the top tube/seat tube junction being a little lower to increase standover height.

Up front, the distinctive (but largely function-free) extra bracing tube of the original has disappeared, but there are still open-ended gussets on the top and down tubes and reinforcements at the ends of the head tube. Cable routing is all under the top tube, with open cable guides designed for full-length housing and saddle-style disc hose guides.

The most obvious change is at the back, with a pair of notably beefy plate-style dropouts replacing the traditional minimalist ones of PAs [i]passim[/i]. While we’ve cunningly taken a picture of the drive-side one, the key point of the new dropouts is best illustrated by the one on the other side, which has the rear caliper mounts on it. Having the caliper mounts as part of the dropout is a potentially stronger (and easier to build and align) solution to attaching them to the seatstay itself, an approach which also tends to require additional bracing to support the stay. The new dropouts are somewhat industrial-looking, but they rather fit the PA’s character. After all, if Dialled didn’t want it to look a bit industrial they probably wouldn’t have painted it tank grey…

Components

Frame only, blah blah, pick your own parts, blah. You know the story. As is ever the way when a bare frame shows up at BM Global HQ, the PA ended up equipped with a random selection of old favourites, new test gear and stuff rummaged out of the shed that happens to be the right size. You only have to look at a few PAs out in the wild to realise that it’s a versatile beast, with builds covering everything from as close to XC as it’s fashionable to get through to undersized, overforked and ready to tackle the ladder drops. Do with it as you will.

Ride

With the changes to the Mk3 being mostly in the detail, you wouldn’t expect too much difference to the ride. And nor would you want any. The PA is still guaranteed to make you smile, with climbing prowess that belies its weight and brisk reactions in the singletrack. If you subscribe to the “steel is real” camp then you might be able to convince yourself that the PA packs some sort of mythical ferrous qualities, but the overall sensation is one of solidity allied to keenness to change direction. Which is an admirable combination in our book – you get the confidence of knowing that it’s not going to get knocked off line but that it’ll change line in an instant should you want it to.

It’s worth bearing in mind that this is a long frame, and you may well find that you’re more comfortable on a size down from what you expect, especially if your tastes lean towards the chuckable. The slightly lower top tube on the Large frame is certainly a welcome change, though.

The only real downside is that it’s still a bit portly, but it’s strong, and it’s cheap, and as wise men are wont to say, “Strong, light, cheap – pick two”. A bit of extra heft in the frame becomes less significant in a full bike anyway, and the PA’s such good fun to ride that we’re really not bothered about the poundage.

Ups and downs

Positives: Inexpensive, sturdy, versatile and a whole heap of fun

Negatives: Weight weenies need not apply

Verdict

There was never going to be much point in making sweeping changes to the PA. Dialled’s tweaks are worthwhile but most importantly the frivolity of the ride remains intact. We’ve had a lot of fun on PAs over the years – long may it continue.

Ratings

Performance 5/5
Value 5/5
Overall 5/5