Cannondale used to make aluminum frame touring bikes with steel forks. I think that was done to reduce the harsh ride of the aluminum frame. We have a Cannondale T800 and a T2 in our bike inventory, bothe with Aluminum frames. Since my wife got her Co-Motion she does not use hers T800 for tour much anymore. I will occasionally use the T2 for a tour, but prefer one of my other touring bikes, LHT or Bianchi Volpe. I can tell you from experience that the aluminum frames dent much easier than our steel touring bikes. I've also broken a derailleur hanger on my Aluminum frame bike when the chain broke causing the rear derailleur to go into the spokes. I had to replace the hanger and the rear derailleur. The hanger did what it was designed to do. I'm pretty sure that much damage would not have happened with a steel frame. Straightening a bent derailleur hanger on a steel frame is pretty easy to do.
Last edited by Doug64; 06-26-20 at 05:36 PM.