Originally Posted by kemmer

I would love to meet someone that could tell if a frame was aluminum or steel just by riding it. I mean, cover it somehow so you couldn't see the tube diameter and welds and have them ride it. I would be really impressed if they could tell you what material it was made of. I'm sure there's someone who can do it but I sure as hell couldn't. My Aluminum Miyata, steel Peugeot and steel Maruishi all ride differently, but it can't be attributed to frame material alone.

I think in general though, an aluminum is going to be lighter for the same amount of money so that's a pretty good reason right there.