Mountain Biking - aluminum v. cromo

On a hardtail mountain bike, what's the difference between aluminum and steel frame? I've narrowed my bike search down to a '00 Fuji Tahoe and a '01 Marin Bear Valley. The major difference between the two is frame material. Their geometry is very similar. Both are very comfortable to ride. Any other input on these bikes would also be appreciated. Thanks

Specs:

Fuji Tahoe '00
Frame 7005 aluminum; Fork Answer Manitou Magnum, 3.0" travel; Brakeset Avid Linear pull, 1.0 brakes, Shimano Deore levers Shift Levers; Shimano Deore Front Derailleur; Shimano Deore; Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore; Crankset TruVativ Firex cold forged, 22/32/44 teeth; Pedals VP-995A; Bottom Bracket Tien Hsin BB-7700, 116mm spindle; Rear Cogs 9-speed, 11 - 32 teeth; Chain Shimano CN-HG72, 1/2 x 3/32"; Seatpost Kalloy

Marin Bear Valley '01
Full Double butted Cromoly with Ovation Edge shaped tubing, Anti-Flex Tri-Burner seat and chain stays • Manitou Magnum Fork • WTB Momentum Comp ST Threadless 1 1/8" Headset
Shimano Deore Shifters • Shimano Deore Front Deraileur • Shimano Deore Rear Deraileur • 9 speed 11-32 Cassette • Shimano Deore, 22/32/44 Crankset • Ovation Comp, Linear Pull Brake Calipers • Ovation Pro, 3 Finger, with Dual Position Leverage Adjustment Brake Levers
WTB SST.X2 Saddle • Marin Comp Alloy Micro Adjust Seat Post • Double Butted Alloy with 1" Rise Handlebar • Cold Forged Threadless with 6 Degree Rise Stem • Dual Density Marin Logo Grips • Composite with alloy cage, toe clip and strap Pedals
Ovation CNC Double Sealed 32 hole Hubs • Ritchey OCR rear, Rock Comp front, 32 hole Rims • DT 15 gauge Black Stainless Spokes • IRC Mythos 26" x 1.95" Tires

Welcome to the Forums Cedarman, always good to see more folks from Deutschland in here. There seems to have been a surge in our numbers just recently. :)

As for the bikes, I cannot advise much, having not ridden either. I have seen Marin and Fuji bikes though. The Fuji's that I have seen have been fullys - Full suspension bikes, while at races and they seem ok. The only difference I can think of would be in terms of stiffness and weight. The alu Fuji should be stiffer and lighter than the Marin, but this is not always the case. Both bikes anyway have fairly low-end parts, so weight shouldn't be a sticking point anyway. Both forks are the same if I read it right, and are quite capable of handling some rough stuff, though we don't know what wheels are on the Fuji.

If you are starting out in mountainbiking, I would advise that you get the best possible frame for your money. Make sure it is made by a decent firm (Marin, Specialized, Trek, etc) with the correct size. The low-end parts can later be upgraded bit-by-bit, so that in the end you will have a decent set-up.

Have you tried looking at some of the German and European bikes yet, such as Steppenwolf, Votec, Bergwerk etc. Focus and Canyon also do decent bikes with good frames for low money.

The guys and girls in this forum should be able to help you more with your choice. Anyway, all the best and keep posting. :)

Hi Cedarman! :)

It's pretty much the eternal question...cro-mo vs aluminium...

I've always found aluminium to give the better ride for my style of riding, but there are many in the forums who prefer the ride quality of steel. Aluminium gives a more dampened ride...cro-mo a springy ride...horses for courses....weight probably foesn't really come into it between these two bikes.

Out of the Marin and Fuji....I've not heard too much about Fuji, but Marin has alot of respect in the cycling community...my mate had a Team Marin (cro-mo) and loved it to bits.

Ride both bikes and see what you prefer....if it was my choice, I'd probably go for the Marin!Good luck with your choice...

Rich

Hmmm... I'd say it could depend on your weight. Personally, I'm quite light (140lb, 5' 11") and much prefer steel. I find steel to be responsive and stiff but somehow not fatiguing. Being so light, I find aluminium too stiff, kind of harsh. I guess if you are heavier the aluminium might suit you; best advice is to try and have a go on both kinds and see how you find them both.

Btw, the Yatesy should be back in the next ten days - so excited :D !!!

I'm 195 lbs 6 ft and I've decided to go with an aluminum frame, but neither of the two I listed above. Actually, I really liked the Diamondback Topanga Comp. Its geometry fit me better.

I'll put in my two cents:

While I must admit that I don't have any real off road experience with steel, I haven't exactly loved my aluminum specialized frame.

First off, while the stiffness of the frame makes it pretty responsive, it beats you up real good. My 225 pounds isn't enough to make the frame feel cushy. This I could live with though.

In seven years it's been off-road maybe a dozen times and I've put maybe 1500 road miles on it (yeah, I know it's pathetic). Last time I was in the shop, somebody noticed SEVERAL CRACKS in the head tube. I was lucky, I was planning to do some trails the next day and would likely have ended up in the hospital. There is no excuse for this kind of failure with this little use.

I have some nice pics. I'll scan them in the next couple of days and post a nice tirade on specialized including all the details.

Well, I ended up buying a Fuji Suncrest. Here are the specs:

Top Tube: Fuji custom butted PowerOval 7005 alloy, 35.1mm; Chain: Shimano CN-HG72, 9-speed
Seat tube: Fuji custom butted 7005 alloy, 31.8mm; Front Hub: Shimano Deore, 32H, HB-M510;
Down tube: Fuji custom butted PowerOval 7005 alloy, 44.5mm; Rear Hub: Shimano Deore freehub, 9-speed, 32H, FH-M510;
Chain stays: 7005 tapered alloy, S-bend; Spokes: Stainless Steel, Black, 14g;
Seat stays: 7005 tapered alloy, S-bend; Rims: Mavic X-221, NBA black, 32H;
Dropouts: forged w/disc mount and replaceable hanger; Tires: WTB Velociraptors, 26 X 2.1";
Fork: Manitou Magnum R, Fireball; Brakeset: Avid Linear pull, 1.0;
Brake Levers :Shimano Deore;
Crankset: Shimano Deore, 22/32/44; Headset: Ritchey Logic, 1 1/8", Threadless, 30mm spacers;
Bottom Bracket: Shimano sealed cartridge, BB-UN40, 110.5mm; Handlebar: Ritchey Logic Comp, Speedblast color, 560mm;
Pedals: Ritchey Logic Comp Clipless; Stem: Ritchey Logic Comp, Threadless, 1 1/8";
Front Derailleur :Shimano Deore, 31.8mm, top pull; Grip: Fuji Dual Density;
Rear Derailleur :Shimano Deore-LX; Saddle: Fuji superlight racing;
Shifters :Shimano Deore, Rapid Fire SL, 9-speed; Seatpost: Ritchey comp, Speedblast color, 350mm;
Cassette: Shimano MegaRange 9-speed, CS-HG50, 11-32T; Seat Clamp: Fuji superlight alloy, 31.8mm, Laser etched

Thank you all for your posts.

Enjoy it. :fun:

When do we get to see the mud encrusted pictures? :)

Richard