I don't like to compare materials too much, especially steel and aluminum. Personally, I see steel bikes and aluminum bikes suited for different styles of riding. I had a Volpe a few months ago that I commuted on and made some grocery runs with. A real nice about-town bike. Very comfortable. But because of the weight and flex, I would not be inclined to train or ride for fitness regularly aboard most steel bikes.
That's why I looked at aluminum/carbon frames. I've ridden full carbon fiber too, but I didn't feel my ability or fitness warranted that nice of a frameset. There's simply some great deals to be had with aluminum bikes. However, I had a 2004 EV3 that was full aluminum and it was extremely harsh riding. The fit was there, but the ride quality left me battered and sore after rides.
I had a Wilier Alpe D'Huez recently that had an Easton Ultralite triangle, full carbon fork, and carbon stays. It rode fantastic, but it was a tad too short in the seat tube. When I found the deal on this Giro, I pounced on it.
It rides terrific. Everybody is different, but I feel I've really got the bike I need now. The fit, like the 57cm EV3 before, is spot on. It doesn't flex at the BB when I'm out of the saddle, and I'm a decently hefty fellow at 6' and 210#. It has the solid, connected feel aluminum bikes have while the carbon stays and fork mute the worst of the road noise. It isn't super-duper light. It's about 18# plus or minus a few grams, so it's not weight weenie material, but it's a little lighter than most steel bikes.
I agree re: Bianchi making bikes for all types. Track, cross, mountain, racing, road, townies, steel, aluminum, carbon, titanium. Their offering top to bottom is well-thought out.
FWIW, I sold the 105 parts and Mavic Cosmos wheelsets for $420. Kept the bars, stem, seatpost, and saddle. So $300 for frameset, bars, stem, seatpost, and saddle isn't too bad. Add the Centaur group and Mavic OP wheels I'm using with it that I snagged off of eBay for $550 and Look Keo pedals for $130, and I came up with a Centaur clad, celeste Bianchi for about $1000.
