Originally Posted by
AzTallRider
The three bikes I've purchased since I started riding three years ago, were, in order: Aluminnum, Custom Steel, and off the shelf CF. The aluminum was very harsh, and I can't think of a reason to buy aluminum these days. The steel is a sweet ride, but heavy, slow handling and with some lateral flex. The CF is a stiff racing bike, but still rides smooth, and it's responsive in all regards. It's a bit noisier, due mostly to what I believe is cable slapping over bumps that I've never taken the time to sort out.
My experience is close to yours. I started with steel, did a frame change to aluminum and am now on carbon....all recumbents...all in the last year.
The carbon is the team-kind of bike and the difference in speed is astounding. The last 12 rides on the aluminum averaged around 16.3 mph. The first 12 on the carbon version was 19 mph. All 12 had a similar mix except there was the Chandler century which knocked down the average just a bit.
The steel was comfortable - cold steel is still the best deal - but the CF ride is very comfortable too. I may attempt a
300-km brevet on 2/4 - we'll see if I still feel the same way after this ride is done...notice I didn't say completed.
