Originally Posted by
prathmann
Is there anything about the Univega that you don't like and would like to improve with a new bike? I'd expect either one to last a long time and frame failures tend to be rather rare and unpredictable anyway. Personally I've had a couple steel bikes break but haven't had any problems yet with my aluminum bike that has more miles on it than any of the steel ones ('90 Cannondale with a little over 100 kmiles).
The Univega is fine but I've had a feeling that aluminum is not as refined nor established as steel. It may be biased but I wanted a nice steel bike that I can keep with me for many years. I've also never had a top grade steel bike like a 531, Columbus, or Tange Prestige so it's something I also lusted after.