New bike! Such joy!

[Trek420]

I dunno, don't really have great lines or vast knowlege, or even the fanciest schmaciest steel bike here. I just think people generalize so much about frame material.

* Aluminum is light but stiff, uncomfortable
* Carbon is light and stiff, but feels "dead"
* Ti is light but "noodley"
* Nothing rides likes steel but it's so heavy, old fashioned....

But it's all about the design, the frame builder and his/her art. With the right designer none of that matters. Carbon can have great road feel, comfy aluminum an oxymoron? Nope! Ti can be stiff and zippy and steel? Well steel's always going to be great but it can be light!

Ok, I'm editing and ranting; all a' you TE gals with older frames like Shasta and and Mary9761... show of hands who else has an older frame they are revamping? Anyway, IMHO you can take a fancy shcmancy any 'anium frame and slap heavy parts on it vs a "old heavy" steel bike but hang new lighter bits on it, and not only the "old heavy" steel bike may be lighter but may ride better.

So if the frame fits, ride it!! That's why I'm a big fan of revamping old bikes.

Just enjoy the look when people pick up your bike and say
"light, it's Ti, right?"
"No, it's steel"

Now get out there and pass 'em