Aluminum frames?

[Chile Pepper]

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?

[divingbiker]

Can you combine the two, and get an aluminum bike with a carbon fork and seat stays? That's what I've got (Specialized Sequoia) and it's pretty comfortable.

[Thorn]

How much of the weight on your current bike is the frame? Given the mark-up you're seeing on complete bikes, would you be better served upgrading components and wheels? A lighter set of wheels and a lighter bottom bracket/drive train might shed a few pounds and make your comfy bike soar up those hills.

I've ridden steel and I've ridden aluminum. I like my steel. But you can get a harsh ride with steel and a smooth ride with aluminum....it all depends on how it is crafted.

[amy]

I have the madone 5.2 and absoltely love it. It was far fancier than I needed, maybe it still is, but I LOVE it. It's comfortable, it's fast, did I say I love it? My husband has an aluminum frame and carbon fork and seat stay (Cannondale). He loves his, too. I'd say ride them and you'll know what feels right. Good luck!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Divingbiker's suggestion sounds good.

So you ride about 3,000 miles per year- that's a lot, but not a huge amount of distance riding. I imagine in Chile you might be doing some pretty hilly riding too?
If I were in your position, I would definitely consider the aluminum bikes. Yes they will help you climb hills because of their light weight. And the money difference is nothing to sneeze at. With the savings, you can get a higher level of components which will mean smoother shifting, etc.
The only reason to hesitate on the aluminum is if you like to do really long rides of over 150 km maybe, or if you like to ride multi-day tours. Then again some people do all that on aluminum bikes with no problems.
Go test ride a couple!

[Aggie_Ama]

I have ridden steel, carbon and aluminum. My favorite is the carbon but it barely edges out the steel. The steel had an aluminum fork and my main complaint was shoulder/hand fatigue. Otherwise I really liked the steel.

The aluminum I do not like even though it has a carbon fork and seatpost the ride is harsh but I will say the bike doesn't fit me as well and is a lot lower end bike all around. Going from steel to aluminum you will likely notice a difference in the amount of road you feel. I am spoiled and hate it when I ride my commuter (the aluminum bike) on a rough road. But BSG makes excellent points on the stiffness and price savings. FWIW my husband rides an aluminum bike with carbon fork/seat post and loves it. He does 100 mile rides on it.

The Carbon is snappy and absorbs road vibration well. I like it but it is more expensive and there is the slightly less durable factor. I like carbon but I am a comfort weenie and do not want to sacrifice there. They are great for a stiff bike that is also good on the comfort level but then again people are perfectly happy on aluminum.

You just better test ride.

[ilima]

After my first ride on my Merlin, I sold my aluminum Felt and I will never buy another (except maybe a townie type bike). On rough road, it made my teeth chatter.

Yes, aluminum will weigh a bit less, but not all that much. Like Thorn said, you might be able to lighten your current bike a bit with component changes. Wheels will have the biggest impact.

And if you're like me, you probably have a few pounds you could loose from yer bum.

[7rider]

Is it worth it? Will I hate the ride compared to steel? Or will the lighter weight have me zipping up hills? Any thoughts?

I don't know if anyone can really answers these questions for you. We can all throw out our opinions. They're free and readily available. However, only YOU can tell US whether or not you hate the ride of aluminum vs. steel. Or if carbon is worth it. I think any lighter weight bike with reasonable high quality components may help in your desire to zip up hills. Of course...it's your legs doing the work...not ours!

But, just remember, a carbon bike from Trek is not going to ride like a carbon bike from Fuji. Similarly, an aluminum bike from one brand won't necessarily ride like an aluminum bike from another brand. There are differences in geometry and quality of the materials.

Just ride, ride, ride, and see which bike talks to you.

[maillotpois]

This has been mentioned many times in this forum, and even within this thread, but it bears repeating: the way a bike "feels" has less to do with frame material than frame geometry and key components (wheels, fork, etc.)

My aluminum race bike has carried me through most of my double centuries and a 600k. Nothing harsh about the ride at all.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

This has been mentioned many times in this forum, and even within this thread, but it bears repeating: the way a bike "feels" has less to do with frame material than frame geometry and key components (wheels, fork, etc.)

I think all these factors come into play, but I don't agree with the frame material being less important than the other factors.
If all frame materials (steel, carbon, aluminum, titanium) were really equally comfortable, why would anyone bother buying anything but aluminum frames? They're cheap, light, and easily made, easily replaceable. So then why would anyone spend ten times the money on a carbon or titanium frame?

[maillotpois]

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.

So bottom line is get out and test ride bikes and see what is available and how they feel.

[7rider]

It's complicated.

Take aluminum bike "A". Bike has full Shimano 105 on it and Brand X wheels.
Rides a certain way. Maybe you like it, maybe you don't. Take off Brand X wheels, and put on Brand Z wheels. Bike will ride very differently. Maybe all of a sudden, you like it. Wheels made all the difference.

Take carbon bike "B". Bike has full Shimano 105 and the same Brand X wheels. It's going to ride very diffently compared to the aluminum bike. Here, the frame made the difference.

Then, to complicate matters more....take the TIRES off the Brand X wheels, and put on different rubber. Bike rides differently again.

That's why side-by-side rides are valuable. Play a little with the pieces-parts.

And "comfort" is really a personal opinion. What's comfortable for me, may not be comfortable for you.....

ETA: Sounds like everyone agrees, ChiliPepper...get out and ride!

[malkin]

WAIT!
Decisions about buying stuff are supposed to be rational?!

*hanging head and blushing*
I've been doing it all wrong for a half century.

[Chile Pepper]

Thanks for all the great replies. I really have a lot to think about. Our roads here are pretty rough--even the ones that are in good shape (and the majority aren't--lots of cracks and repaired potholes and even real potholes to negotiate). That's one of the main reasons I would consider carbon. I haven't really thought much about upgrading my current frame. That might be a good option for now--lighter wheels (I know I can get Mavic, not sure about other options), a new crankset to improve my front gearing. Could I get eight cogs on the back without spreading the frame?

As to testing bikes, I'll have to see what I can do. All the bike shops are in Santiago, which complicates things, and I'm not sure how much test riding they allow.

[malkin]

For bumpy roads, aluminum would rattle my brain. Then I'd never be able to say:

Are you copper-bottoming'em my man?
No, I'm aluminiuming'em mum.