Aluminum vs Steel?

[VeganBikeChick]

Looking for some guidance...

As I've previously stated, I got my first road bike, not based on testing it out at my LBS, but because it was cheap and I wanted to ride. And it was pre-finding-TE, too.

I just saw the Salsa Casseroll online and it's a beautiful bike! It seems as if it would fit my needs, too - commuting, errands, light touring.

However, I am concerned about its weight compared to my aluminum frame. Is it really going to be that much more difficult to ride up hills? My work commute is very hilly and I don't want a heavy bike weighing me down. I know the more I ride the better I'll be, but I honestly don't want to pedal something heavy up a hill.

I would absolutely try it and a few others before committing to one specific bike this time, just looking for some points of view.

[Biciclista]

how much heavier IS the bike? Steel absorbs road vibration and lasts longer than aluminum.
Salsa makes great bikes! I ride up and down hills on a steel bike myself.
Maybe you should tell us what your other bike is.

[VeganBikeChick]

It's the REI Brand Novara, aluminum frame. States on the website that it's 22.6 lbs. Shimano Sora components.

[Caddy]

From the Salsa website: Frameset weight with uncut steerer: 51cm = 6 lbs 4 oz, 53cm = 6 lbs 5 oz, 54.5cm = 6 lbs 8 oz, 58cm = 6 lbs 14 oz

That really is not very heavy, the components you choose will play a great role in the overall weight too. Most people have a misconception that steel is heavy, but of course there are different quality tubes for both steel and aluminum that will result in a very light or very heavy frame.

Edit: Case in point - Novara uses heavier aluminum. I'm willing to bet the Salsa will be around the same, maybe lighter.

[VeganBikeChick]

Thanks. I'll definitely have to try one out. It seems like all the LBS I've perused online have the Salsa's as made to order. Makes for a hard test ride....

[Velocivixen]

Gearing ratios will be more important for riding up hills than weight in my opinion (unless you're comparing your bike to a 45 pound Dutch style bike or something). My first recent bike was a 2011 Trek 7.3 FX WSD 19" with a triple up front and it's aluminum. I recently bought a 2011 52 Surly Cross Check with a compact double which is steel (Chro-moly), and it feels lighter than the aluminum Trek. As I considered various bike models I made gear ratio graph to compare. I wanted to be able to climb hills at least as easily as I was able to on my Trek. With my steel bike I lost my two easiest gears however I never used those anyway so it didn't matter. The steel of today is not as heavy as the steel used 30 years ago. Given that I would be more focused on the gearing. The Salsa website will tell you how many teeth are on the chainrings and sprockets on the rear cassette and Sheldon Brown has a gear ratio converter on his site. Or just go test ride a Casseroll and shift to the easiest gears and ride up a hill. That will tell you soon enough.

[KnottedYet]

My aluminum bike was heavier than my steel bike.

To get strength, aluminum tubes tend to have thicker walls and be larger diameter; which means they have to use more metal.

Generally they seem to pretty much even out steel vs aluminum, and I'd pay more attention to the components for weight.

Some people really have a preference as far as frame material, some can't tell the difference.

Frame material probably doesn't matter much in the great scheme of the universe, as long as you get on ride, ride, ride!