Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 105
From: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Bikes: 2017 Salsa Carbon Mukluk frame built with XT, 2018 Kona Rove NRB build with Sram Apex 1,2008 Salsa El Mariachi, 1986 Centurion Ironman
That business about 1st Gen aluminum working out the bugs is goofy. In general, yes, aluminum is a more harsh ride. But that comes with a caveat. The bigger the tire, and the lower the pressure, the less the issue. If you ride 35-38mm tires at 40psi, it's a wash.
Count my vote for the more utilitarian bike, which I would say is the Jamis Coda. I love my roadie--a carbon Orbea Orca I built up from the frame--but if I could have only one bike right now it would be either my Surly Troll everything bike (steel) or my Salsa Mukluk fat bike (aluminum), neither of which has drop bars.