Originally Posted by
markus aurelius
I own a few bikes and am about to buy another to ride the streets of New York and to do some touring. At the moment I am in doubt about what kind of frame to get.
My previous aluminium Giant Expedition alu 6061 frame was worn out after 6 years touring and riding the streets of Amsterdam. My iron Koga Miyata FM 2 commuter frame lasts already 15 years...
"I own a few bikes and My iron Koga" sounds like you already have what you need.
"to ride the streets of New York", do you mean New York City or the whole state? I've ridden and commuted on many of the streets in New York City, also in many cities in the region such as Albany, Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Rochester, Syracuse, Toronto - I think the city streets are all pretty much the same -crappy. Plus I've toured on many of the streets and roads in New York State, New England and Eastern Canada - every year it seems like roads get rougher and more degraded condition. Steel/Aluminum or Ti, carbon or how about wood ? [is wood the original carbon fiber ?] - not sure it really makes that much difference. All the materials have inherent strengths and weaknesses, they all can fatigue or break.
However N+1 is a good thing.
If you are looking to get a new bike - just do so. Get what fits well and feels good to you.
My preference for riding in an urban environment is a cyclocross style bike with 1x9 gearing. I had a CrossCheck set up that way [which my son now rides] and currently I ride a lugged steel frame with 1x9 - it is a pragmatic and enduring set up.