Goddess-

Who are these people who think you have too many bikes? It's none of their business unless you have asked them to buy the bikes.

I have four bikes myself, and am soon to buy a fifth. I have the original mountain bike, the second mountain bike I just can't part with, the mountain bike I currently ride, the road bike and am thinking about buying a bike friday that I desperately need for vacations.

Re: Steel vs aluminum, most steel frames these days are as light or lighter than aluminum frames, it really just depends on the specific frame you are looking at. I think the longevity of a frame is more a function of the rider, their weight and riding style and the quality of manufacturing that went into the welding process instead of the frame material.