Do I like my commuter bike better or just the steel?

I am, for all intents and purposes, still a newbie :) I have an entry-level LeMond Women's Tourmalet (aluminum) and my rides usually don't exceed 20 miles. I have gear and everything but so far only ride by myself. I've been thinking of joining a club or something but haven't gotten to it yet. I like riding but I always feel like I'm thinking about my fit, the angle of my elbows, etc.

Anyway, I recently purchased a small mountain bike commuter (Trek 830) which is made of steel. I loooove riding this bike :D I only commute on it so I ride to work (3 miles) and back (3 miles) which hardly compares to 18 straight miles. It's not as fast as my road bike but it seems like a more comfortable ride. I don't know if I like it better because it's a more relaxed riding position, it fits me better or that I might like riding steel better.

Any thoughts?

My pondering may lead me to go test ride a road bike....lol.

Well, what about the ride did you like? Was it smoother? Are you more comfortable with the upright position, etc, etc.?

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Originally Posted by Ana

I don't know if I like it better because it's a more relaxed riding position, it fits me better or that I might like riding steel better.

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Probably some of both. :)

Well, there really is something about steel! I just got a vintage steel Eddy Merckx for my commuter, and the ride is dreamy. I'm finding not only is it fun to ride and comfortable, but I'm doing stuff I thought was scary on my other bike (alu). Steel is fun!

One thing I noticed is you say your new bike in small. That makes me wonder if the Lemond too big? Could fit be your issue?

Well, you could always get a steel road bike, too! I vote for that. You need another bike, maybe something vintage, or maybe a custom Luna (ooooh)!

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

Well, there really is something about steel! I just got a vintage steel Eddy Merckx for my commuter, and the ride is dreamy. I'm finding not only is it fun to ride and comfortable, but I'm doing stuff I thought was scary on my other bike (alu). Steel is fun!

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I certainly found this to be the case. I bought a vintage Trek road bike to single-speed-ify (which didn't work, but that's a whole other story) and found that I REALLY preferred how it rode to my aluminum bike. I would suggest test riding a few high end steel road bikes to confirm your suspicions ;).

p.s. all my bikes are now steel.. and I don't regret it. Maybe one day I will try CF or titanium, but not until I get a real job (I'm a lowly grad student..) and make some money.

Well I have had steel, carbon and aluminum. I can definitely say aluminum is at the bottom of my totem pole even with a carbon fork. The steel was nice on my tush and bad on my shoulders because it had an aluminum fork. Still way better than an aluminum frame. Carbon is nice but I like the durability of steel.

I am still waiting to be able to get a Ti bike. :)

Well, another road bike is out of my budget for a while...although that doesn't stop me from drooling over the threads about titanium Sevens, etc ;)

I think I would have to ride more frequently to justify such an expensive purchase! :p Also, I would only be able to go for recreational rides on a gorgeous steel/ti bike, since I would not feel comfortable leaving it outside/anywhere :p

I can't wait until I have the income to get a really sweet bike :D

I keep thinking I should test ride some good quality NON steel bikes. All I've ridden is my old steel touring bike and my cheap aluminum Target hybrid, and it's no surprise that the Miyata is just way more comfortable and fun and easy to ride. But I don't know if I can blame the material for that. There are so many other reasons to hate the cheapo hybrid!

Sarah