More test rides, and a steel option.

[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.

[jdubble]

My steel bikes are certainly not light as compared to my friends' carbon race bikes, but are crazy comfortable and I can keep up just fine on long rides with them. When you say you want to increase your speed, how fast are you averaging now? I have no problem maintaining 20-22 mph on the flats on my steel bikes. Hills, I'm slow, but that's really less the bike weight and more just me not being a great hill climber.

[IBrakeforPastry]

The nearest Jamis dealer is about 60 miles away, and it's not actually on the way to anywhere, so I would have to make a special trip.

My current speed? It's hard to say. I work in the afternoon, so I like to do morning rides and not have to rush to get to work. I try to average about 12 mph on the hilly route, and of course faster on the flatter route. Both routes involve some neighborhood riding and I really do slow down for stop signs. I just think of how much time I have to ride, and let's go!

[Crankin]

My son did just fine racing on his steel Serotta... since he was ranked the #5 junior in the USA that year, I think one needs to be careful you are comparing apples to apples. A steel road bike, with road bike geometry is probably not the same as a steel Surley that is more relaxed, etc. I had a steel Jamis Coda, which was awesome, but it was not the same as my road bikes, and it felt like a tank, though plush.
My other son is now riding the Serotta, and he is fast.

[emily_in_nc]

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.

I just looked up the Jamis Quest Femme, and the stated weight is just 18.75 lbs, so I can certainly see that being a plenty fast bike! Wish the smallest size didn't have such a high standover (29.1") -- I'd be interested myself! It's a really pretty bike!

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...estf_spec.html

[indysteel]

I'd be willing to make a 60-mile special trip for a bike. That's nothing in the grand scheme of a bike's life. I'm just sayin'.....

Jamis or not, you asked about steel bikes and I felt the need to disabuse you of the notion that they're all heavy clunkers. As Crankin said, compare apples to apples.

[jyyanks]

I don't think people meant that you can't go fast on a steel bike. You definitely can as evidenced by Crankin's son. Steel won't prevent you from going faster, you definitely can as you improve. It's just known for comfort and durability instead of speed but plenty of people in steel bikes can probably run circles around people on carbon bikes - its more dependent on body condition then the type of material the bike is made of

[tulip]

Getting faster is up to you. Riding more, riding smart, riding intervals, and riding with people who are (slightly) faster than you will make you faster. A carbon bike that is 3lbs lighter than a steel bike will not do that all by itself. Nothing against carbon, just be cautious of believing that the minute you get a carbon bike that you will be fast automatically.

That being said, when I bought my steel Jams Coda Comp with 700x28 tires bike for commuting in 2003 to replace my 1986 steel Specialized Stumpjumper with knobby 26x1.5 tires, yeah, I cut 10 minutes off my 10-mile commute the first day I rode it. But that's a pretty extreme upgrade, and mostly had to do with the wheels, I suspect.

I do get a kick out of people who are sooooo concerned with having the lightest bike, the lightest components, even the lightest shoes...when really just losing 5-10-15 pounds, whatever, will make them much faster than a lower spoke count.

Ride lots of bikes and then make your decision.

[IBrakeforPastry]

I know, I know! I'm concerned about the fit. The Dolce fits so well. How do you test ride something that's not yet built? What happens if the geometry is just not right? The guy in the store seemed so willing to help, and I would love to work with him and have him build something just right.

I have to get through these midnight shifts, then I'll get off the computer and back into the store