Quote Originally Posted by Syndirelah View Post
Thank you! I'm never writing another paper about anything, ever

My LBS was sort of against steel when I suggested the Surly, they seemed to think/say it was somewhat antiquated. Is it heavier than aluminum? I'm going to have to lug this thing up and down stairs, in and out of my car, etc. Also I wasn't sure if cross bikes were really well-suited for long hauls/trips?
Your LBS deals Surly but is anti-steel? I wouldn't say steel is antiquated at all--it's timeless. I've never ridden a Surly, but from what other people say about them (which is almost exclusively good) it sounds like they'd definitely be worth checking out for your situation.

My new-to-me 2009 Jamis Satellite road bike is Reynolds 520 steel and it floats over rough roads, at least relative to my aluminum hybrid. According to the Jamis website, it weighs 21.4 pounds, which is plenty light for me. (I've never weighed it myself, so take that particular number with a grain of salt--they probably weigh the smallest frame and I have one-size-bigger, etc.)

What matters to me is I can easily carry it up and down stairs, and lift it over my head (for putting it on my car's roof rack). Of course, your mileage may vary. Steel bikes definitely come lighter (both from lighter alloys used to build the frame and lighter components on the bike), but that just wasn't a priority for me and the Satellite fit best in my budget.

[I still have 2 more years left in my graduate program--my new bike was just celebrating a measly (ok, prestigious) summer internship. Congrats to you!]