Aluminum frames?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.