Originally Posted by
Dean V
I am wondering what the magical properties of steel are that the OP refers to?
I have ridden a number of quality steel bikes and not come across one that does anything better than carbon.
If you like the look of them or want something a bit less common, go for it.
But not if performance is your main priority.
I don't subscribe to the theory that any frame material has "magical" qualities. My main road bikes are steel (Guru Sidero) and AL (CAAD 12). I've ridden CF, a mid-grade Bianchi borrowed from a friend who was a Bianchi rep. My CAAD 12 is nimble, quick and pretty comfortable. My Guru is a bit more nimble, as quick and more comfortable. My only gripe with the Bianchi was that it resonated every noise the bike made. That's the best I can describe it. Oh, I do have a second gripe. A decent CF frame will cost you more than a comparable AL frame but that's not about the material itself.