The Crit Series Cannondales, which, in terms of geometry, were essentially track bikes with brakes and gears added, were as "harsh" riding as any of the Italian steel bikes with the same geometry. (My mid-'80's Bianchi Specialissima was unmerciful. I'd be reluctant to even attempt to maneuver on a Rigi, let alone ride one for more than a couple of blocks.)

Once the short-lived fad for ultra-short-wheelbase criterium-geometry bikes had passed, the aluminum Cannondale road bikes and the Italian steel bikes reverted to more conventional geometry. Lively, but not uncomfortably so.

Edit: good point about the limited tire clearance. Cannondale aluminum road bikes weren't the only bikes with limited clearance back then, of course. Now that it's become axiomatic that wider tires are better for almost every rider under almost any conditions, probably best to avoid buying any of the older road bikes with tight clearances, regardless of frame material.