Aluminum frames?

[ilima]

I was just giving my opinion. I really didn't realize how harsh the alu ride was until I rode Ti.

Now that I'm used to the buttery ride of Ti, I notice that the ride of my steel LeMond (same wheels+handlebars) just isn't quite as smooth.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Good point, Lisa - I was over generalizing. But really, the geometry and key components are critical to how the bike feels and can make more difference than the materials, depending on the bike.

Well I certainly can agree with that!
No matter what the frame material is, if the bike geometry is wrong for a particular person, that bike will never feel good to them.

[TxDoc]

My current bike is a classic steel. It fits great--I'm really comfortable on it. But it weighs 24 pounds, has old-style gearing (42/52 up front and seven cogs on the back), and it isn't exactly zippy. So I've started wondering if it's time to upgrade.

My problem is that here in Chile, the options are aluminum or carbon. That's not what I would choose if I lived in the States. I've always had a bad impression of aluminum, and carbon is really expensive. I looked at the Madone 5.1 (14% over MSR) and 5.2 (20% over), but they seem like a lot of bike for someone who does maybe 5,000 kilometers a year and has very few options for organized rides (although it sure is tempting). The other carbon option I found is Fuji--I wasn't impressed, and they were 30–50% over MSR!

So, I'm wondering if aluminum is worth considering, despite my bias against it. I suppose I'd be getting something in a comparable range to what I have now (in terms of quality at the time of purchase), only with modern components. Is it worth it? Will I hate the ride compared to steel? Or will the lighter weight have me zipping up hills? Any thoughts?

Hi, not to be the devil's advocate, we always tell people to buy a new bike here, but maybe you could just upgrade?
First of all, let me write my usual disclaimer: I am no expert at all!!! These are just my two cents from the very litle I know about bikes, so don;t quote me too much
What frame do you have, and what kind of steel? The reason I ask is that from your description yes the complete bike is heavy - but the components sound quite old, and so I'm guessing that group, wheelset, fork, bars, seatpost, stem, etc may actually contribute a lot of that weight. You could try to determine is what percentage of those 24lbs come from the frame, and how much from the components. And if the most weight does come from the frame, then yes, it is time to test-ride new bikes until you find the one that is right for you. But if it ends up that the frame per se is not awfully heavy (some manufacturers like Luna bikes etc make really light steel frames) - maybe you could save money by changing components. Components can change everything: for example I swapped out most components on a steel bike, got rid of all that was stock and replaced it with lightweight carbon parts, and now the complete bicycle is like 6lbs lighter. Now that is a difference that you would notice on the hills
So if you like your bike and it is a good fit, try to find out if it's the frame that is really too heavy - or if maybe you can just make some changes.
If in the end the frame is heavy and you go looking for a new bike - I would suggest to let go of aluminum, and save money for either titanium or carbon or a Ti-carbon. Considering that you describe your roads as tough - I would place titanium as the best option. But either way, follow everyone's advice and ride, ride, ride: the moe bikes you test-ride - the closer you get to the one that is right for you!
Good luck!

[Chile Pepper]

Well, I finally had a real conversation about this with my husband. He really doesn't think my steel frame is worth upgrading. And he doesn't think it makes sense to make a parallel move to a bike of similar quality but with more modern components. He seems to think the best option is the Madone. I'm so glad I married this guy! But, strangely, as soon as I started asking about when we could go into Santiago together to look at it more seriously, his schedule got really full. To be continued...

[Chile Pepper]

And now a silly question: does Madone rhyme with drone or is it pronounced more like Madonna?

[SouthernBelle]

Rhymes with drone

[MauiRockHopper]

Well, I finally had a real conversation about this with my husband. He really doesn't think my steel frame is worth upgrading. And he doesn't think it makes sense to make a parallel move to a bike of similar quality but with more modern components. He seems to think the best option is the Madone. I'm so glad I married this guy! But, strangely, as soon as I started asking about when we could go into Santiago together to look at it more seriously, his schedule got really full. To be continued...

Any update on what you tested and/or bought? I'm in the same position in Hawaii as far as no WSD bikes in the LBS to test out. Most are all special order. It's so stupid that the bike shops never seem to have any in stock and they say when they get them in stock they sell right away. Duh. Meanwhile their racks are full of men's bikes that aren't selling...Maybe I should open up a WSD shop with full time fitters, it would be slamming!

[celerystalksme]

So...I'm jumping in this thread a little late...and it sounds like you want the Madone. and that's all very well and good...i think carbon is my favorite frame material.

BUT...if you want to get aluminum...realize that all aluminum is not created equal. Easton scandium is the preferred aluminum for those want aluminum that feels as close to steel as possible.

[Mr. Bloom]

I just went up from an Aluminum Lemond Reno to a Madone 5.5. I love them both, but I'm faster on the Madone.

I really still love the Reno. Don't write aluminum off.

[Chile Pepper]

Any update on what you tested and/or bought? I'm in the same position in Hawaii as far as no WSD bikes in the LBS to test out. Most are all special order. It's so stupid that the bike shops never seem to have any in stock and they say when they get them in stock they sell right away. Duh. Meanwhile their racks are full of men's bikes that aren't selling...Maybe I should open up a WSD shop with full time fitters, it would be slamming!

I wound up getting the men's Madone 5.1.I posted pics here:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=26224

They had a 2007 WSD, but it was a lot more expensive (DA components). I've always ridden men's bikes and been comfortable on them, so I didn't feel like the WSD was necessarily a better choice--and I didn't really get a chance to test ride much to really feel the difference. It was a lot flashier than the one I bought, and I prefer subtle.

Anyway, I'm loving my Madone. It's a 52 cm frame with a compact double. The WSD was a 51 cm with a triple. Sometimes when I'm running out of gears I start thinking I should have spent the extra $2k for the triple, but I'm getting used to the compact and starting to use my gears more efficiently. I'm also just getting started again after a slow winter, so I think it'll just keep getting better as the season progresses. One thing that did surprise me is that the bike does not pedal itself up the hills. I mean, for that price...

[Jiffer]

My husband doesn't like triples at all and always tells me not to let anyone convince me otherwise. He says they have more shifting problems, i.e. don't shift as smoothly and/or chain comes off ... much more often than a double or compact double. We have a triple on our tandem and always have problems, and it's a nice triple. But his opinion isn't only based on our tandem.

So, maybe that will make you feel better about your compact double. I know there are a lot of people that feel otherwise, but those are his two cents.

I have an aluminum frame, by the way. Cannondale CAAD9 with carbon fork and seat posts. Love it. But if I were riding on bumpy roads as often as you, I might want a comfier ride. Mine's built for speed and I need all the help I can get in that area!!!

On a side note, there are different grades of carbon, making for a different feel for every carbon frame made.

Congrats on the new bike! Now ... GO RIDE IT!!!!!!

[Chile Pepper]

My husband doesn't like triples at all and always tells me not to let anyone convince me otherwise. He says they have more shifting problems, i.e. don't shift as smoothly and/or chain comes off ... much more often than a double or compact double.

Has he been talking to my husband? Mine doesn't like them either.

As to the different levels of carbon, my 5.1 is Trek's white OCLV. It is really, really nice on these bumpy roads. So much gentler than my steel bike.