I am going to stand up for these modern bikes. Don't care what the frame is made of although I am not a fan of steel.

The old classics do ride well but there is plenty of old Cr*p out there that looks the same but does not ride as good. Plenty of CF-Ally and possible Ti that is the same aswell so disregard the material for the time being.

Bike design and quality of components has changed a lot in the last 20 years--Incidentally the length of time I have been riding. I do have a 19 year old bike still and was a lower end top rate bike in its day and it is steel. Double butted chromoly and it was about this time that Aluminium bikes were coming forward. The double butted quality steel bike is lighter than the Gas pipe- thick tube Aluminium that was trying to replace it. So steel did/has a place in my stable. But those components have changed a lot for the better. Bars are stronger- lighter and ergonomically designged. Group sets have improved no end and My XT equipped Steel bike has some original parts on it as the haven't worn out- but the newer XT is far lighter- smoother and longer lasting than these earlier versions. newer material have come in----C.F seat posts are a dream to ride and good C.F. forks work. And finally the little bits of tweaking done to geometry has improved bikes no end.

So although nostalgia may play a part in riding your old bike--Do get out and test ride a few of these plastic modern things- You know you want to.