Originally Posted by
seeker333
You need larger, lower pressure tires for the rough surfaces - not a new frame. I'm assuming you were riding an aluminum-framed bike on the chipseal, and you think steel has some magical vibration-dampening properties. It doesn't - at least not anywhere near the extent you're hoping for.
Why don't you try new tires before you shell out for a whole new bike?
+100 - bigger lower pressure tires will solve the vibration problem better than a steel frame. Of course depending on what you ride you may not be able to fit such tires as they are not popular for most styles of bikes. You may end up with a LHT simply because that's one of teh few touring bikes sold in North America that can easily fit wider rubber. A nice steel frame and more importantly a well designed steel fork will certainly help out on rough roads, but tires are the fastest easiest way to address the problem.
If you buy a LHT and put narrow-ish tires pumped up to max pressure on it you'll still have a rough uncomfortable ride on chip seal. Steel may be real, but it isn't magically able to solve problems.