steel vs aluminum: can't tell the difference.

[digraph]

I don't get the difference except from reading what others say. Aluminum is more rigid, steel has some give that makes for a more comfortable ride.

I've had both and couldn't tell any difference, maybe because I'm a light guy or I'm not going over rough terrain? It seems to me that Al 1) doesn't rust and 2) is a lot easier to get on the roof of a car 3) a few dollars more in the budget bikes I'm looking at.

What am I missing?

(I have to add I'm buying a bike for my b'day, mostly to ride 5 mph in the neighborhoods & on trails with my kids, and maybe on 10/20 mile rides for exercise)

[Biz]

If you're rolling budget status, both will ride similarly enough in that they'll both be heavy and dead riding in the name of cost savings and durability. If you're getting something with high-volume tires and/or suspension, it'll make even less of a difference. Where you'll see a difference in ride quality will be on a road bike or your fancier MTB stuff.

[Steveo989]

Yeah, I think there is a huge difference depending on what platform you are riding. My road bikes a ghetto Trek form the late 80s early 90s has a much more comfortable ride then my Cervelo S1.

I think a good comparison is the suspension characteristics of a Formula 1 car to a Chevy cobalt. The Formula 1 car is going to have much less forgiveness, but will handle far better than the cobalt.

Similarly my Cervelo's Aluminum frame inspires confidence while cornering and I feel like I can pretty much lay the bike on its side and it will remain planted. Whereas, my Trek I feel like if I lean it over just a littl e bit too much it will end in disaster.

Lately, I've been riding this, and it handles like a wet noodle when ridden slow, but is alright around 20mph when you can lean it over a bit more than you can while riding at, say, 6 mph.

[SpeedyD]

What price range are you looking in? That will tell us a lot.

[Quattro Krant]

As someone who has a steel winter bike and an aluminum non winter road bike, I find this laughable. My steel bike climbs like I'm towing a boat anchor while my aluminum bike feels like it wants to climb.

[merckx56]

I have all three. Steel, alu, and carbon.

The steel bike (Jericho custom cx) is a swingset, but it's very predictable and stable.

The alu bike is a Salsa Las Cruces CX bike. It's really stiff...almost harsh. Twitchy at higher speeds and doesn't like to be tossed into a turn.

Carbon is a Ridley Helium. Stiffer than both, but uber-stable.

A lot of the handling and comfort issues with bikes have to do with geometry as well. The construction f the bike makes a difference too. Materials and tube orientation affect the ride. My old CAAD9 Cannondale race bike road like a steel bike.

[Biz]

The alu bike is a Salsa Las Cruces CX bike. It's really stiff...almost harsh.

Taint jackhammer. I have one built up as a commuter/bar bike, and it is unbelievably harsh even compared to my Blue Norcross, which has a far larger diameter DT and a tapered HT. I truly hate the Salsa.

[wearyourtruth]

i used to feel the same way, until i rode GOOD steel. aluminum is really really stiff, which can be good on smooth enough pavement, but even my aluminum frame with carbon fork and seat post was rougher than another full steel bike of mine.

[woodrowstar]

I have ridden many different types on this trek, the one thing I noticed it comes down to AIR PRESSURE, in the tires.

[simple]

(I have to add I'm buying a bike for my b'day, mostly to ride 5 mph in the neighborhoods & on trails with my kids, and maybe on 10/20 mile rides for exercise)

If that is your target then yes, an aluminum bike is great for you. Steel is heavier and but responds better to rider and surface forces. Just part of the metal's properties. You can have a nice aluminum bike that doesn't beat you up. As the previous poster mentioned your tire and air pressure choice really will make a difference. Handle bar grips and seat will as well.

[A1an]

I regularly ride both steel and aluminum hardtails offroad. Setting aside the geometry and weight differences the only difference is really my aluminum frame being much stiffer than my steel frame.