Absolutely agree. No one frame material alone will make any noticeable difference, but when coupled with how much flex is in your fork, bars, wheels, seat post, cranks - you will feel a difference on how the bike rides over bumps or in a hard sprint. Light rims with low rotational mass will spin up fast, and will accelerate faster than heavy deep v rims.

Even though aluminum is lighter than steel, my AL bike is built with very stiff components and heavier wheels. If feels stiff, like every ounce of effort is transferred directly to the wheels. 2 different bikes, different feel.

I'm still just as slow on either, but still favor my steel bike.

Another thing to note is two frames made with the same tubing will have completely different feels. Yet another reason why tubing choice alone has little to do with the overall performance of a completed bike.

well of course, but that same person might be a little bit faster when riding a lighter bike...

Tubing only matters so much. IMO, butting is more important than the tubes themselves.

I would add tubing shape and wall thickness is as equally important as butting.

Unless we're talking a custom frame, I'd worry a lot more about geometry than material.

I have two bikes with identical geometry and components: one of them has bottom-of-the-line Chrome Moly tubing; and, the other has the best TIG-weldable tubing available, comparable or superior to 853.

Do I feel a difference?

Yes, the high end tubing feels more alive and resilient; but perhaps not to someone not looking for the differences between the two tubings (all in your mind, y'know).

Weight difference: not commensurate with price difference.

Price difference: significant.

In my humble opinion, Reynolds 631 represents the best tubing for the dollar.

If you have too many dollars and don't know what to do with them, go with either Reynolds 853 or True Temper Ox Platinum.

I prefer True Temper.

I haz 631 and lubs it.

This bike is perfect...wow.

I had an 853/carbon Fuji that I loved to pieces:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/CIMG1335.jpg

It was too big though so I traded it for an aluminum frame that fits. Would rather ride 853 again. Is anyone commuting going to notice the difference between 853 and 531? Well, if you carry your bike a lot, sure.

I cyclocross to work.

Thanks blickblocks.
avner - do you have a cyclocross too? I'm looking to replace my pista w a cyclocross, need a bike for winter commute on ice and snow. Trails in VA stay covered in snow and ice and take forever to melt. Going to look at a motobecane fantom uno off CL.

no I don't that was facetious :p