It's time again for another "what frame should I buy" thread"! I've been training and racing at Marymoor this summer using their rental Raleigh track bikes and I'm holding out (oh so patiently) to buy a mid-level frame after the season and build it up over the winter to race Cat 4 next year. Questions:

1) Steel vs. Aluminum. I'm an old skool steel devotee and would lean towards getting another, but....what about the difference in stiffness between the two materials? I love all my steel bikes because of their absorption and flex. Are steel track frames that different in their construction? I owned an aluminum road bike ages ago and recall how stiff and responsive it was, which I would imagine is a huge asset on the track. And it seems like 3/4 of the bikes at our track are Pista Concepts or other aluminum space-bikes. There was discussion in another thread advocating steel because aluminum is far too fragile for a track bike. I'm not exactly a delicate flower when it comes to handling my bikes so that is something for me to consider. Other than durability are there other advantages? I want to believe in my steel frames, but there are so many divisive forces....gimme the dirt so I don't stray from my path!

2) Frame Recs. I'd like to spend around $800 for a frame and fork. Business Cylces has a Pinerello aluminum frame for $850. Bill Ron Bikes has an assortment of frames. The DeBernardi Zonal Track is aluminum frame and steel fork. Best of both worlds? Where are all the steel frames in this price range? Hmmmm is there a reason there are so many aluminum frames? Help me see the light!

Thanks!