Originally Posted by winston63

Ride some bikes that fit your budget and are designed for the kind of riding you want to do and go with whatever speaks to you. If it turns out to be a retro-grouch approved steel bike that's fine, but it might also be a modern hydro-formed aluminum bike or even a carbon bike. And that's fine too - the best bike for you is the one that you are going to enjoy riding, that you look forward to taking out.