I'm a steel bike rider. As a smaller rider, 110lbs/5'2", I prefer the ride of steel over aluminum. It can be a bit harder to find tiny steel frames.

For 4 years I rode a 42cm Surly Pacer. It's not a light and fast bike, but it's very comfortable and durable. For ~$400 for the frame and fork, it's a great deal!

I recently switched that frame out for a Gunnar Sport frame that I got on ebay for a pittance. It was someone else's custom but it happens to fit me as well! If you really know your size you can find some deals out there.

I also have a Surly Long Haul Trucker touring bike (a real workhorse), a Gunnar Rockhound hardtail mountain bike (another ebay find) and an older style Novara Randonee touring bike frame that is now my flat bar commuter bike.

My lone non-steel bike is a full carbon Specialized Ruby Expert. It was a leftover, giveaway price, my size. I felt a bit like I was betraying my stable of steel bikes when I got it, but it is fun to ride. It's stiffer and faster than my steel road bike, but I'd rather take the steel bike out for a century ride than the carbon.

I think the Jamis steel bikes are pretty nice. I also thought the Bianchi steel bikes looked good too.