Originally Posted by
Ediblestarfish
What job is the bike doing? If it's racing, then heck, I'd get the carbon. If it was commuting and general use, aluminum or steel; metal takes scratches and nicks without much detriment.
Actually, quite a few racers I know (myself included) have gone the other way. A top of the line Al frame (Cannondale CAAD#, Cervelo Soloist/S1, Spooky, Salsa Podio, Cinelli Xperience, just to name a few), are stiff and light and much less expensive than carbon.