Best frame material for commuter?
 

During my surf of these great threads I have noticed some differing but strong opinions about what type of frame to buy for a commuter. I have an aluminum framed MTB and have liked the light weight and geometry for city riding, both commuting and for excersize. I can't afford, nor think I need, Carbon Fiber frames and components (I don't need to get to work that fast!). What do you all think?

A lot of folks will take a stand and say "steel!" Characteristics such as durability, ride quality, and etc. are named as reasons for such. Durability and ride quality, particularly the latter, are effected just as much by frame design and geometry as the material, considerably more so in the case of the ride. So, while I am a big fan of steel, I would say that you're pretty safe with both aluminum and steel. Both materials can be used to make high quality, relatively inexpensive bicycles. Carbon fiber is less practical for a number of reasons, and titanium, while it has some highly desirable characteristics for a commuter (strong, high resistance to corrosion, etc) is pretty darn expensive. That said, there are folks here who commute on both of these materials, and love it. I'd say, go with the bike you like. If you like your MTB, definitely use it as a commuter! It's a great choice.

Steel isn't necessarily heavy either. A steel frame bike probably won't weigh more than 2 or 3 pounds more than an aluminum frame (unless you get an old 70's 10-speed out of a dumpster). 3 pounds on a commuter isn't even worth talking about, especially if it gets you a better ride.

Some commutes are like long training rides with safe storage at each end. Others involve hacking around the urban jungle, hauling groceries and locking the bike up in a public place. These are two very different styles of riding.
Steel and Al are both suitable materials. My steel commuter road/touring bike weighs the same as an mid-level Al hybrid.
The alleged "harshness" of al frames is not relevant to shorter journeys and they all seem to be strong enough.
Ti is generally too expensive and stealable for a utiltiy bike although every other characteristic makes it ideal.
Carbon lacks the surface toughness so it can be damaged by careless handling and the daily dings that a commuter bike has to accept.
The design of the bike is far more important.

Vintage Steel. Nice ride, versatile, tough, repairable and not prone to get stolen. If it does get stolen or damaged beyond repair, its not expensive to replace

T.J.

I love steel. Having said that, looks like I'm going to buy the Specialized Tricross, made of aluminum. The best material is what you have on hand and what you're willing to pedal around... :) YMMV

I'm a strong advocate of aluminum; I always put my two bits in in the aluminum vs. steel debate...

I think aluminum gets a bad rap on the durability and ride quality fronts - I believe that aluminum bikes that are well-designed can be more durable than their steel counterparts, and that ride quality is dominated by the tires and seat, rather than the frame material.

Lighter never hurts, even if you're not racing.

Aluminum won't rust, if you have to store the bike outside, or if you ride in the rain.

A major benefit of steel is that you can have braze-ons added for fenders, racks, etc. And the bikes that come/came stock with those braze-ons are typically steel anyway. Also, if you have to resort to clamping stuff on, steel frames may be able to take more clamping force without damage, and are more likely to have standard tube sizes.

A 1980's touring frame (naturally, these are steel) would be my pick for a good commuter bike... my commute is long, though, and I need an efficient bike.

If you're looking for opinions, I vote for chromoly steel. Steel is rugged and gives a good ride. That said, aluminum, carbon and Ti bikes are good for weight savings. Carbon and Titanium are expensive and more attractive to thieves.

I think the best commuter is the reliable bike that you aren't in love with. You're going to expose it to thieves, heavy mileage and the elements. Don't bring your main ride.

Another vote for steel. I like steel for commuters or bikes in general. For commuting I think a steel cross or touring bike is almost the ideal bike. For XC mountainbiking I like steel hardtails. Is not that alloy does nto work but the ride is gentler on steel.

+1. I'd vote Al for the cheapness, lightness and resistance to damage from the elements. My primary commuter is steel, and I can't imagine riding that thing for more than 10 km at a time. I have a secure lockup at work, so I will eventually ride my new CF bike downtown. It's so freaking comfy. I also plan to build up an easy-riding steel SS/FG this spring, which I hope will be more pleasant than my current ride.

I just learned that my new Redline 925 s/s commuter bike is 22lbs of cromoly (steel.)

It rides and feels GREAT!

titainium... one day i'll get a custom TI commuter frame. best material ever, comfy, durable, rustproof.

till then steel is good enough for me. people ***** about steel rusting but you know what? if my bike rusts in half i'll just have an excuse to buy a new bike.... but i see SUPER old steel roadies out there dailey so i can't imagine rust being such a huge issue with a steel frame.

has anyone seen the new stainless steel supposedly being used to build frames now?
http://bikemag.com/news/newsarchive/110305_dain/
sure it will be as if not more $$$ than TI but then you can still say your steel frame "is real" and it will last forever, or till you get into an accident... :(

I rock 28lbs of Schwinn touring steel. All that heft means that I know she can take a beatin'.

there are many options for frame materials. I have a 531 steel commuter and a alu bianchi racer. I think steel has a better ride and is definately heavier, but is very durable and fun. + thieves dont really go out of their way to steal a bike with lugs and so on. The bad part is that no matter what talk there is about fatigue or this and that about steel v. alu, steel WILL RUST. I had another 531 frame rust out on me (literally) and I am wary of that. but steel is usually cheap and is very well built (pre 90s) in most cases. To be honest modern alu is cheaper than modern steal, which is regarded as somewhat boutique. so i dont know, make you choices given the options.

In good weather I commute on Carbon, My second choice would be Steel.

A beautiful lugged steel frame. Strong, not that heavy and rides nice. It just looks beautiful.

Lugged steel. Here today, here 20 years from now.

47 years in my case. I regularly commute on a '59 Raleigh.

People fail to mention that not all steel is created equally. I have a nice steel roadbike that rides very smooth, and I have a 70's schwinn traveler that beats the hell out of me. Steel frame, steel fork, steel seatpost, steel rims for gods sake. Fairly cushy 27x1 1/4" tires and it transfers every single bump in the road straight to my hands.

I'd like a titanium bike with titanium shifters, stem, seat post, steel fork, disc wheels, titanium derailleur with a stainless steel drive train, matte carbon fiber fenders, and stainless security bolts on all the hardware. Then paint it gray w/ spots of rust coloring so its discrete.

I'll build you one for an Ariel Atom. :)

slvoid, SOunds like you've thought about this for awhile. Are you describing the dream bike or do you already possess it? By the way, I think you are the guy who made me laugh my a** off when you told me about your funny mishap with your Chrome bag. Was that you?! If it wasn't you then I would like to thank whomever it was. Because of that story I ninja deeked someone trying to push the button on mine the other day!

I'm thinking of buying a new commuter. After reading all these posts, I'm not sure which way to go. Are recumbents also made of different materials?

oilfree- recumbents are like uprights in that you can buy them made of steel, aluminum, titanium, or carbon fiber.

One of the great things about steel (in my opinion) is that even if your bike's stolen, you haven't lost very much of an investment. It's also cheaper to buy and thieves can't get as much money for it. Those are my reasons for saying steel's the way to go... but aluminum is fine in that regard, too.

That's going too far.. I'll give you a supernova HID light if you build me one.