Steel vs Aluminium

[galaxy1]

Hi!

What do most people here ride ? Are you're bikes Steel framed or aluminium?
I've never had an aluminium bike but I hear they're lighter but don't flex as well as steel so are less comfy
What does every one think?

 

[Nigeyy]

This one has been debated many, many, many times. I'd suggest you search the board or search other forum sites such as bikeforums.net to get a better background.

To give you my tongue in cheek answer: I think the answer depends on whether or not you ride a helmet, or ride Campy or Shimano.

 

[fossyant]

Horses for Courses really.

My bikes are all steel, 'cos I've had them a long time.

Alloy is fine with carbon forks, or all carbon. Steel is the realm of custom made bikes these days !!!

 

[4F]

Only had steel here as well, I love the feel of reynolds 531.

 

[Tynan]

steel fratello with carbon forks and seatpost = £799

lovely, appreciate the steel and carbon after the buzz and bump of an all alu before it

used to it now but I was stunned by how smoother it was initially on the same commute as my decent alu hybrid before it

 

[fossyant]

FFFF you ain't ridden SLX then...oh heck that's good !

 

[Fab Foodie]

I have both.
I've learn't that there are no hard and fast rules over whether steel is better than Alu, particularly with comfort.
For example my circa 1949 PG 531 Holdsworth is a magic carpet of loverlyness. My early 80's 531 MTB will remove your fillings even with superfat tyres, my former Columbus Nivachrome Omega road bike would beat you sensless and show you every grain of sand on the road. My 2004 Alu Giant TCR is a beautiful smooth low-vibe all-day ride....

 

[Mr Pig]

I've just bought a steel mountain bike after riding an aluminium one for nearly a decade. Not had it long enough have meaningful opinion on it but you do feel road shocks less on it. The Rockhopper I also thought about buying was jarring by comparison.

 

[biking_fox]

Alu with Carbon forks. Love it.

Still remember the day I first tried a lightweight alu bike over the steel monster I'd been lugging around, couldn't believe how much more fun it was - although the difference was at least partly due to it generally being a much better bike all round.

 

[gavintc]

Carbon - for best bike
Alu - Winter/commuter.

 

[Disgruntled Goat]

Anyone mention titanium yet?

I have come round to the idea that it is not so much the material as the way it is put together.

My alu S-Works Tricross is comfier than my Ti Lynskey because it has beefy carbon forks, long wheelbase, slacker angles,wishbone stays and 32 spoke wheels.

 

[Joe24]

I have an Alu frame and steel forks on one bike. 531 frame on the other.
531 does feel smoother over bumps, and the alu/steel is a tad harsh, but still gives a nice ride. Wont bother to not ride something because it isnt made from the material i love. But then i dont mind what its made of

 

[Arch]

This one has been debated many, many, many times. I'd suggest you search the board or search other forum sites such as bikeforums.net to get a better background.

To give you my tongue in cheek answer: I think the answer depends on whether or not you ride a helmet, or ride Campy or Shimano.

Ooo-er! That sounds a bit, y'know, rude!

I have both, but probably don't ride enough to notice much difference - since the alu bike has skinnier wheels and higher tyre pressures than the steel ones, I suspect I wouldn't pick up on the difference in the frame alone...

 

[Riding in Circles]

All my trikes are aluminium.

 

[Nigeyy]

Yes, meant to put "with" in there!

Agree with you Arch; assuming a suitable material, I think the factors of material quality, design and other components outweigh trying to apply simplistic generalizations to steel or alu.

Too many other factors -I'd bet quite a few people couldn't tell a difference in a blind test -it's probably more a perception thing and how a bike is setup.

Ooo-er! That sounds a bit, y'know, rude!

I have both, but probably don't ride enough to notice much difference - since the alu bike has skinnier wheels and higher tyre pressures than the steel ones, I suspect I wouldn't pick up on the difference in the frame alone...