Originally Posted by
DrIsotope
Anyone who says aluminum frames are "fine,"likely has not ridden any other material. I put many thousands of miles on an aluminum frame, broke it, and replaced it with a steel frame-- of nearly identical geometry. It was a revelation.
So write me in as another who doesn't recommend aluminum.
I have ridden steel and aluminum. I prefer aluminum. Don't assume that everyone who has had your experience has come to the same conclusion.
I have also broken an aluminum frame... granted I was doing 30 miles per hour down a hill in the dark and hit a car exhaust left in the road... but I still want an AL bike. All depends on what motivates you. I need speed, acceleration, responsiveness. Steel frames always feel (to me) like I am dragging an anchor around behind me. Its subjective but it is my ride, so I get to be subjective.
OTOH I would never trust a carbon frame at my weight. So go figure.