Originally Posted by
Campag4life
I agree with your post but have the opposite opinion on Al. I believe bang for buck modern Al...the latest model Al road bikes to be the best value. Ride is almost a par to carbon now and lighter than Ti or steel...and cheaper.
All the top brands make an outstanding Al bike...Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, Giant in the geometry of your choice.
What sets Ti and Steel back? Can't hydroform it. A designer can replicate the shape of a carbon bike in Al. That's the difference. Tube shape trumps material.
Only real diff today between an Al bike and a carbon bike is 300g or 1/2 to 3/4 of a lb. All have carbon forks of course.
Seems to be true in my case although putting a 28 on the front softened up things and gel handlebar tapes help a lot. Can't fit a 28 on the back of my alloy race rig but it's not that rough a ride even with 25s and that's after swapping out the CF for an alloy seatpost. I'd like to have Trek Domane's IsoSpeed but on an alloy frame and, I'd rather have an alloy steer tube even if it does raise the weight of the bike a few ounces. The same 'looking' frame in '15 but in CF was $500 more expensive (or, ~30% more at a price point that includes 105 components).