second the vote to try steel. LOVE my steel bike. I have an Al mtn bike (Kona Cindercone hardtail) and a steel cross bike (Jamis Nova) w/a carbon fork. MAN can I tell the difference when I ride al v steel. My DH has an al cross bike that fits me well enough to ride the the grocery store and back, also, so I know it's not the difference of trail riding v road.

Try steel. Just try it.