mountainwalker

While Chromoly steel bike frames offer a smoother ride, steel rusts. Given the choice for an around-town errand bike and light commuter, and all other things being equal, like price, which would you prefer?

Retro Grouch 

I'd pick whichever one came in the color I liked better.

Darth Lefty 

Having a low-end modern aluminum bike and a high-end obsolete steel one, I think ride quality is first a matter of tires, and as far as the frame matters, it's probably more how well-designed it is, rather than what it's made of.

Rust is why humans invented paint.

linnefaulk

+1

i cannot find any rust of my 24 year old bike.

chaadster

+1

I have a rust free 38 year old bike.

Rowan

The rust issues are overstated, unless you are a complete idiot and leave your bike outside for the entire decade. There might be issues with salted roads in winter, but most people who live in those parts don't ride that often then, anyway. There are other components on any bike -- including aluminium and CF ones -- that are likely to corrode/rust before the frame, with the most exposed being the chain, then the cogs on the rear, and various bolts unless they are stainless steel (which mostly they aren't).

The only way to determine if a bike has a good ride is to test ride it over the same sorts of surfaces you intend to ride normally. Personally, aluminium doesn't do that much for me -- my one road bike made of that material left me feeling quite beaten up after a century, and my steel ones haven't. But then I don't dismiss aluminium as a future option, especially if I was looking for a bike to go racing with (because aluminium frames generally are cheaper).

How long a frame lasts also is a non-issue with most modern bikes these days. Aluminium frames and the materials (alloys) generally are designed to ensure they will last pretty well the lifetime of the user (yes, always exceptions, but not that many).

OldsCOOL

My choice...for me....if I commuted on bike...aluminum. Responsive and light. Tires would be another subject...for me.

martianone

For a while, I had both an AL frame and steel frame road bike. They both had 25 mm tires, but different wheel sets, the steel bike was custom fit. AL was quite comfortable, steel frame is more so. However not sure if the comfort is due tires, bike fit, frame material or geometry.
Have ridden steel frame bike year around in all sorts of weather, not concerned about them rusting. However, after riding in the rain or wet weather, when done - I raise the front wheel up so bike is perpendicular to ground to let water run out of the frame limber holes. I also might hang bike up by it's front wheel.

NormanF

They're both good tubing materials that will last. Properly taken care of, both a steel and an alloy bike will outlast you.

nfmisso

I like chrome-moly and 531.

WrightVanCleve

I commuted for years in all weather on a steel frame. Still have the frame, still not rusted. Only thing I didn't like was it was noodly when cornering hard, otherwise the ride was very comfortable and I felt I could go forever on that thing.

tcarl

You are asking about an around-town errand bike and light commuter. Since I'd think most people would tend to buy a less expensive bike, rather than spend thousands of dollars on a bike for this purpose, I'd recommend aluminum. (If you're planning on spending big dollars, ignore everything else I say.) In lower price ranges, you'll have a much greater selection of bikes to choose from in aluminum. Also, higher end, and even mid-range steel bikes ride nicely and usually to rarely to never have rust issues, lower end steel will be (very) heavy, not ride as well, and be (more) prone to rust. I have a $200.00 aluminum frame which is very comfortable.

bikeguyinvenice

Aluminum = Lighter faster better.

delcrossv

Not necessarily. A low grade aluminum frame could easily be heavier than a hi grade steel one. Heavier, slower, worse.

Tundra_Man 

After we've exhausted this topic, we'll move on to discuss which political party is the best.

mountainwalker

Which grades of steel should you look for in steel bikes, and which types/grades of aluminum in aluminum bikes?

RPK79

Buy both. Then bash them together until one bends. Return the bent one.

BlazingPedals

Yes, slushy salted roads are the big issue for a steel bike. My old Trek Sierra started rusting out after only 2-3 years, all around the BB area. I guess I should have applied rust-proofing to the inside when it was new. Chains would get destroyed in a matter of weeks during the late winter/early spring; I could oil the chain heavily, ride to work, and by the time I got home it would be rinsed clean and red. The requirements for its replacement included aluminum frame and top-routed cables. If not for salt, I think I'd prefer the steel as being stronger and less susceptible to fatigue.

Retro Grouch 

I'm betting that most buyers are looking at the wrong end of the equation.

The purpose of using a stronger alloy isn't to produce a stronger bike frame. If the base line frame is strong enough, making it even stronger would be pointless. Manufacturers use stronger alloys so they can make a bike frame that is equally strong but weighs less.

fietsbob

Both metals Oxidize, it's called Corrosion in everything But steel and Iron .. only then the corrosion is called Rust.

ksisler

'Pedals; The rust out at the bottom bracket (assuming you don't have a frame with cutouts in the bottom bracket) indicates that there is a leak somewhere such that salted water from the road is getting into the inside of the frame. Most likely spots are the little slot at the top of the seat post where the clamp is, the top of the headset around the stem entrance, and around the crank spindle at the cups. All of these areas should have had some axle grease applied to them during assembly to seal the gaps and keep water out. A second causal factor can also be not fitting a set of fenders for winter riding. Without fenders, the water from the road has a lot of opportunities to get sloshed onto the above mentioned areas. With these areas attended to, you should be able to ride a full month between major cleanups. Of course putting FrameSaver into the frame during initial build has a lot of long term merit also.

Regarding the chain; I am reasoned to guess that you need to do more than apply some oil to it. If it is washing off in a single day's commute, then the oil being used is not worth a damn for that purpose. Pick something more viable and see if it improves it. Might look for products specifically intended for bicycle chains.

Hope that helps (and apologize in advance if the above sounds preachy or condescending as its not so intended)

/K

delcrossv

Yep. Hence the drive for double (or triple) butted tubing. Stong enough, but lighter.

delcrossv

Only part of the answer (see above). There's a bunch of tubing manufacturers- Reynolds, Columbus etc. and a bunch of different aluminum alloys and heat treatments.

For a start: Reynolds 531 for steel and 6065 for aluminum. Either is strong enough to be made into a light ,stiff frame.

Wilfred Laurier

however
the oxide layer on aluminum
protects the metal underneath from oxidising
unless it is rubbed off

while our orange friend rust
continues eating the iron even after the first layer has been converted

Wilfred Laurier

great advice for anyone buying a bike in 1975

or anyone ordering custom drawn tubing not normally made into bike frames