Old 11-12-08 | 08:31 PM
  #56  
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bigtea
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Originally Posted by dgasmd
In all the years riding, I've never really owned an all aluminum frame. I've had steel, all carbon, and carbon with aluminum. Not for any particular reason, but simply because it just did not happen. All I know about aluminum frames is that they are a bit of a rougher ride, but that is about it.

Can you educate me a little on their inherent properties, benefits, down sides, etc.? Can you name 5-7 top aluminum frames and tell me what makes the "top ones"? I don't need a chemical and mechanical disertation, just some educated opinions.
Generally speaking....generally speaking.....

1. Aluminum bikes tend to transmit more vibration to the rider. You can call it "road feel" or "roughness" or whatever. But what matters is whether you enjoy, accept, or despise that feel.
2. A big benefit of aluminum is that it tends to be cheaper than comparably equipped carbon and titanium frames, especially if you race.
3. The downside of aluminum bikes is that when they are good they are good, but when they are bad they are horrible.
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