I rode an aluminum Trek (small bike) for several years before I had a custom steel bike made. It's like night and day, especially on crappy roads.

If you're thinking about OCLV, be sure to ride one quite a distance before you buy. For me, the OCLV was way too squishy in the corners. The ride was definately smoother, but I like to feel a little road. I couldn't get comfortable or feel like I really had control on the OCLV. There are people who love their OCLV's, so different strokes, eh?

Just my $.02.

Kim