Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,163
Likes: 6,382
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Here is my take on aluminum versus steel frames:
There's not much difference, really.
They can both be built to ride stiffly or compliantly. I don't buy the rumors that aluminum bikes are bone-jarring.
Steel frames can be repaired or modified easily.
Aluminum frames can be mass produced more cheaply, giving you a high quality product at a low price. So for a new bike, aluminum frames are a better value overall, especially if you're not concerned about modifying or repairing it. And most people are not, nor should they be.
I collect old bikes and rarely buy new bikes. That's why nearly all of my bikes are steel. There are more old steel bikes than old aluminum bikes.
If I were buying new bikes, I'd be buying aluminum. Reasons: 1. The selection is wider. 2. They ride fine. 3. I don't do modifications often, and I don't repair frames often. I do both, occasionally. 4. The value is better.
So in comparing steel with aluminum, it's important to compare ages. For old bikes, steel is the better value. For new bikes, aluminum is the better value.
A year ago, I bought my first new bike in 29 years. It's a cheapo, generic fixie/free from Nashbar. I paid $304 for the complete bike. It has an aluminum frame. The bike is truly nothing special at all. I just couldn't turn it down, at that price. And I'm very satisfied with it, ESPECIALLY the way it rides and handles. And of course, it's an aluminum frame.
I have no experience with carbon fiber. I expect I'll be speaking about it the same way I speak about aluminum in the future. They'll work out the dangers eventually, and they'll bring down the production costs. Right now, it's just too expensive for me, whether or not it's safe.
I hope this little analysis of mine is based on facts and not emotion and sentimentality. That was my goal.