...as in all things, personal experience is the best teacher. Try one in your size, set up correctly.

It cannot be just "steel", it has to be something a little higher end, and with components similar
to what you are used to using, and with similar tires and gearing, etc.

Most people who do this quickly realize that much of the debate over frame material is spurious at best, insanity at worst.


A good combination of designer/maker can make a pretty good bicycle out of just about anything.
The reason you experience aluminum as "stiff" is not the material, but usually the tubing diameters.

The reason you are happy on cabron fiber is that it was a huge step up from your original bike.

The reason I am happy with my many steel framed bikes is that they work well for what I want to do on a bicycle.