Originally Posted by
Gambutrol
False. An entry level steel frame will be at least one pound heavier than the equivalent aluminum frame. The aluminum will also be stiffer, meaning it wont bend around on you when cornering hard- this will give a more precise handling.
Another thing to consider is that steel is a lot more prone to rusting and corroding than aluminum is.
That being said, steel gives a great ride and is often worth the extra weight and additional flexiness. Maybe it's just in my head, but I feel better after a long ride on steel than I do on aluminum.
After I rode your aluminum bike, I decided my next bike will be aluminum. Did you ever figure out if those hubs had a problem though?