All Aluminum Isn't Created Equal

[Hi Ho Silver]

A bike's material is only a part of the comfort equation - how the material is formed (i.e., tube shape, diameter, wall thickness) and how it is used (i.e., frame and fork angles) play a significant part in the equation. Perhaps just as importantly, the tires and PSI play a huge part in comfort.

Although lots of people quote the familiar slogan "steel is real", I haven't found that to be the case. My first MTB was made from steel, including the bullmoose handlebar/stem combo. The high level of road and trail buzz transmitted by that bike caused my hands and shoulders to throb ...until I ditched the steel handlebars/stem combo and installed an aluminum stem and handlebar. That made all the difference in the world as far as comfort.

At one time, I had both a steel Raleigh MTB and a Klein aluminum MTB (reputed to be one of the stiffest MTB's back then). The Klein didn't beat me up on trails and/or roads as much as the steel bike did.

I currently have a steel road bike (1997 DiamondBack) with very relaxed angles, and a carbon fiber bike (2011 Specialized Ruby Elite) with steeper angles. The carbon fiber bike rides like a Rolls Royce, even on recently laid chip-seal roads, whereas the steel bike is buzzy and harsh enough that I tire after 30 miles on rough roads.

[Catrin]

Interesting discussion, but it makes sense to me that it goes down to the quality of the materials regardless of frame composition. My Gunnar is a full custom, and they have their own custom lightweight steel tubing they use for both Waterford and Gunnar builds (they use two basic types). The ride is very smooth and cushy - the only bike I've ridden that is more comfortable is my fill suspension mountain bike!

My LHT is less comfortable, though far better than my Trek 7.6 was. The steel tubing is much heavier and indeed the smaller LHT sizes could be said to be over-built. Nice ride, but not as sweet as my Gunnar - and I am specifically referring to road vibration/dampening, NOT handling. The Gunnar wins in that department as well but that is another topic.