More test rides, and a steel option.

[tulip]

All my bikes are steel. I used to have a couple of aluminum ones. My next one will be steel and the one after that will be titanium.

[jyyanks]

I have 2 steel bikes (a hybrid and a folder) and both are super comfortable. The hybrid feels like I'm riding in a cadillac

My road bike is carbon and although I love it, it doesn't feel as "plush" as my steel bikes. As others mentioned, there are great benefits to having a steel bike (in fact I prefer steel to aluminum), especially if you use it for recreation, commuting and touring rather than racing.

[DebSP]

Another vote for steel. I have an aluminum road bike with Tiagra components. I just bought a Surly Cross Check in steel. I love the feel of the steel bike. For me personally it would be a dream bike to have a steel bike with Tiagra components. (Mind you I have never tried 105 or higher! And my road bike has a triple but I rarely use the granny ring anymore I have improved my climbing strength in the three years I have had my bike.) I see you can put a little wider tire on the Pacer so if your roads are rough, a wider tire will also help to absorb bumps. I bought my Surly to go on dirt/gravel roads and the bike handles these roads well!

[tzvia]

Steel is a good 'all day ride' type of bike. Like what was said already, not for speed, but for comfort and durability. Of all my road bikes, aluminum, carbon and steel, my steel commuter soaks up the potholes worry free. Yea, it weighs well north of 10 lbs more than my CF road bike as it is built up like a tank for rough commuting chores, but just soaks up the hits.

My last road bike, from the 80s, was Columbus SLX steel and nothing I have tried since can come close to it in comfort; I just wish it were a better fit (too big) or I would still be riding it.

By comparison, my current road bike, a Specialized Ruby Expert, does a good job dampening vibrations, but the larger pothole hits are no where near as deftly handled as they are on steel.

My aluminum Fuji, that I also use for commuting, even with its CF fork, is just horrible by comparison. I put larger 25c tires on it and that made little difference. When I hit something on it, I can feel it vibrate up my hands and posterior. It weighs maybe 4lbs less than the steel commuter, but I almost never ride it because it just rattles my teeth. If I could get really big tires on it (32c or 35c) it would probably help but they won't fit and clear the brakes.

So basically, CF will get the weight down, as low as the $$ you are willing to spend. Aluminum can be a decent ride, weigh a little more, but will transmit those road vibrations. Steel can be anything from a beater commuter bike that weighs 28 lbs unloaded like mine, or can be in the 20lb range if you are willing to spend the $$. If weight vs cost is part of the equation, CF rules. To get anywhere near the weight of a typical CF bike in steel, you will be spending much more and come nowhere close. But the ride will be magic.

[indysteel]

I've done everything on my steel Bianchi roadie from relatively fast training rides to centuries to multi-day tours in the hills and mountains of Tennessee. It's super comfy. I'm not sure I agree that steel bikes aren't for racing and speed. It depends on the tubing and the geometry. The current market is such that most of the steel bikes on the market are touring or commuter bikes and are typically heavier. There are still a handful of off the rack steel roadies available though. Jamis and Bianchi come to mind. And used remains an option, too, if you know what you're looking for.

[IBrakeforPastry]

I know I said I wasn't interested in speed, but now I'm not sure what I want. I'm not interested in racing, but I would like to increase my speed. It would be nice to put on a few extra miles in the same time frame. I can see getting a steel bike for when I retire (2 years, 2 weeks) and have all day to ride

The LBS guy said I would increase speed just by improving my aerodynamics with a drop bar (I have a straight bar now). My current ride is aluminum w/carbon fork and I like the ride. I guess I do feel the road but it's a nice tight feel, not usually jarring. I want to put slightly wider tires on that bike and make it my all around, errand running transportation, and the new one will be my fitness/training ride.

I hope this makes sense. I worked a midnight shift and I'm a little groggy. Thanks (again and again) for the replies. The information is great.

[indysteel]

Again, I'd look at Jamis, the Quest to be exact, for a nice steel road bike. It'll go as fast as your legs will take you and likely ride far nicer than a comparably price aluminum bike. I strongly disagree with the assumption that all steel bikes are slow. Again, it depends on the bike and its intended purpose.