Steel Vs Aluminum
 

I'm looking to buy a new bike. I want something to commute to work a few times a week and something that I can also ride on weekends. I'm not looking to race but I want to go fast in comfort.

I currently ride a steel single speed and it's good for now but I'm ready for something with gears. I'm a big guy 6' 250lbs and I really would like to go with a frame that will last. Is there a huge difference in ride quality between steel vs aluminum frames?

It really depends on the design of the frame. I've had aluminum that has rode really harsh, and I've had steel that rode really harsh. I've had some aluminum bikes that felt great, and a ton of steel bikes that felt great. I'd just go test a bunch of bikes, and see what you like.

For a big guy, I'd recommend a nice chromoly steel framed bicycle. I've had a Nishiki Sebring for almost thirty years now. It's made of chromoly steel and has been in several accidents, with barely any nicks or scratches to show for it.

Surly, Salsa, Jamis, Raleigh, Marin, and KHS, all make excellent chromoly steel bicycles.

Steel's never done me wrong..

I just got a Surly Disc Trucker yesterday and that bike rides like a Cadillac! It is heavy when you pick it up but not when it gets rolling (granted I have not had the opportunity to hit the hills yet). I also have a Cannondale Synapse that is aluminum, but a really nice riding bike. The Synapse felt smoother than some of the carbon bikes that were within $500 of the price point when I bought it, which might be related to CDale's SAVE system. You just have to ride them. I'm tipping the scales at 235 now FWIW.

Also, I think you are ok at 250# with whatever you choose. If you do think you will be doing longer rides on the weekends, I would go for the lighter bike with the best components. If you go to a good LBS, you should find 2 or 3 bikes at any price point.

Im a big guy too 6'2 235 and Im 50. You know this subject is a can of worms but, I will share my experience and YMMV. There is a trade off with both. I prefer steel by far for ride quality but generally they can feel a bit slower as the frame flex robs power. The stiffness of aluminum is great for acceleration and speed, but the ride can be very harsh especially on longer rides and that is a deal breaker for me. If I had to choose one bike (and thankfully I don't) I'd go with steel hands down.

There's a HUGE difference in comfort, ride quality and durability between an expensive, well made bike and an inexpensive poorly designed bike. Frame material doesn't really determine that. Aluminum frames are actually easier and cheaper to mass produce than any other material. Again - that has nothing to do with quality.

Slim, how nice to see you! Of course, you didn't mention that you also recommend steel to 98 lb females...and everyone in between.

To the OP, don't get hung up on frame material. Test ride a few bikes of various styles and see which ones you like.

What kind of cars do you like -- steel, aluminum, carbon, or fiberglass? It's all about the frame design, and material choice is just one of the decisions made my the designer. The characteristics of the vehicle are not determined by material choice. Ride a bunch of bikes and buy the one that meets your needs.

I agree with everyone. The difference between aluminum and steel on a high quality bike is not that much. I think that in most cases the difference in harshness/softness of a ride is tyre choice and inflation pressure more than frame material. On "The Rig" (a Trek aluminum mountain bike) I have two sets of tyres - a skinny 26 by 1.5 Continental SportContact that I run at 85psi when makes the bike "harsh" but faster and funner, and a set of Geax Evolutions (26 by 2, 60 psi) that soften up the bike a lot and make it comfy for distances.

One thing to consider, though, is that over the loooooong run (we're talkin' decades) steel frames (with proper care) will last longer. But if you live in a rainy area, aluminum doesn't rust. Personally, I think aluminum frames look cooler, which is, of course, the most important thing.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but I'm curious how you came that conclusion. Are you comparing the probability of steel rusting versus aluminum fracturing?

It's a common BF belief, based on theoretical properties of steel, that have little or no meaning when it comes to bike frames being used in the real world.

Rebel, you know me far too well! :D

I kinda get the feeling that commuting forum age demographic is somewhat Gaussian with a skew toward older members who remember that "steel is real."

Another kettle of fish opened .. Go test ride Bikes and form your own Opinion.

Those whippersnappers may think "steel is real", but those of us on the other end of the demographic remember "wood is good." :D
BTW..Happy Thanksgiving.......

You also didn't mention how much you were planning on spending.
The frame material is a red herring; there are steel frames that ride great and steel frames that ride like a loaded cinder block, and the same is true of aluminum. At 250 lbs you don't want to go for any of the ultralight stuff, but you aren't even looking at that anyway. Something solid, of good quality, and intended for carrying the amount of stuff you plan on carrying should be fine. It is, however, worth putting some effort and $$ into getting strong wheels if you are a heavier rider, ride through lots of potholes, or carry lots of weight on the bike. Likewise, you may be happier with tires wider than 23mm. Just about anything will have clearance for 25's, and many will have clearance for wider. And, coincidentally, most bikes that come with wider tire clearance are designed to take something of a beating anyway, whether they be touring bikes, commuting bikes, or cyclocross bikes.
The most important thing about a frame is that it fits you. And there's no substitute for test riding if you care about ride quality.

what...







..jk

Oops... uhh. happy belated Erntedankfest......

Thanks for all your input guys. My budget is $1500. One of my concerns is long term durability because I'm a heavy rider. I've ridden steel road bikes all of my life, that's what I'm used to. I'm open to trying an aluminum bike as long as the bike will last a long time.

Steel has done me wrong. But then so has aluminum. I've managed to break 2 steel frames and 2 aluminum frames. One of the aluminum frames was broken because of my mistake but the other 3 have broken through use.

I am a big guy and ride hard. I catch air on mountain bikes, I ride fast downhill, I climb hard out of the saddle up hills. Currently I have no steel bikes...including a well used loaded touring bike...and probably won't in the future. Aluminum has served me well and steel holds no interest for me.

I am thankful for both.

If you're interested in a bicycle lasting a long time and bicycle frames that routinely render service for decades, then either steel or titanium would be the only way to go...

If your budget is $1500 then I would recommend the following:

Bikes by Surly

1) The Long Haul Trucker

2) The Pacer

3) The Cross Check

4) The Ogre

Bikes by Raleigh

1) The Roper

2) The Clubman

3) The Port Townsend

4) The Grand Prix

5) The Sojourn

Bikes by Salsa

1) The Chili Con Crosso

2) The Vaya 3

3) The Fargo 3

@ Universalcycles.com

Bikes by Jamis

1) The Coda Comp

2) The Coda Elite

3) The Bosanova

4) The Satellite Comp

5) The Aurora

6) Try to bargain the Quest down to $1500

Bikes by Marin

1) The Muirwoods 29er

2) The Muirwoods 26er

Bikes by KHS

1) The TR 101

2) The Urban Xtreme

3) The Urban Xcel

4) The Urban Xpress

5) The Urban Xcape

These are all trusted and true chromoly steel commuters that will render you decades of good service.

The only cyclists that have bad luck with chromoly steel bikes, are those who have sewn the seeds of bad Karma...

:roflmao2:

Steel rusting is not a theory, it's a fact. It's also a real-world fact, not just a "BF Belief". Maybe you're thinking of Stainless Steel, which doesn't rust, but steel as used in bike frames does. On a steel bicycle, especially if the owner is riding in a rainy or wet area, frames can rust and need a little maintenance when/if they do. They can rust when there are scratches or worn spots on a finish that expose the steel to the elements. If the OP (who lives in a "Bay Area") is in a rainy area this may be a consideration in frame material. :)