Originally Posted by
KonAaron Snake
Slim - The main issue for me is more about tubing diameter...I find most aluminum frames so oversized as to be VERY harsh.
Are you riding the XXL size that the original poster is looking for. As I said, in the large size you want as much stiffness as you can get; in the small size, bikes are usually over-built and too stiff. If you ride small bikes, this complaint simply not relevant to the OP.
All frames can crack, even steel or titanium. I wouldnt worry myself about it.
I think we have lost the OP in a highly technical argument. He needs a bike to ride to work. Almost any big brand bike in aluminium or steel will do the job. For longer commutes you need a variety of comfortable handholds which you can achieve by using drop bars OR
trekking style bars OR aerobars OR barends. For riding on rough shoulders, a wider tyre of about 32mm is about right. If the bike can do all of this, ride it.