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08-24-2004, 11:18 AM

I wouldn't worry about the steel vs aluminum thing too much. Everyone
I trust says the same basic thing: The conventional wisdom - aluminum
is lighter, harsher, more fragile, etc. - is based of 90's metallurgy.
Today, they can pretty much do anything with aluminum they can do with
steel and vice versa.

That said, you should buy a steel bike because they look sooo much
cooler than aluminum

On a similar note, I wouldn't worry too much about titles like
road/touring/cross etc. The distinctions are somewhat artificial. Just
figure out what you want to do and buy a bike that does that. So if
you are going to tour on the thing, it doesn't have to be marketed as
a touring bike, but it does have to have enough eyelets and whatnot to
let you attach fenders, racks, etc.

As for other brands to consider, take a look at Jamis as they have
some nice steel bikes. I'm not sure of the pricing, but one of their
steel road bikes or even a Coda might be for you.

08-24-2004, 11:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
salmoneous Posts: n/a	Re: Road, touring or cross bike? I wouldn't worry about the steel vs aluminum thing too much. Everyone I trust says the same basic thing: The conventional wisdom - aluminum is lighter, harsher, more fragile, etc. - is based of 90's metallurgy. Today, they can pretty much do anything with aluminum they can do with steel and vice versa. That said, you should buy a steel bike because they look sooo much cooler than aluminum On a similar note, I wouldn't worry too much about titles like road/touring/cross etc. The distinctions are somewhat artificial. Just figure out what you want to do and buy a bike that does that. So if you are going to tour on the thing, it doesn't have to be marketed as a touring bike, but it does have to have enough eyelets and whatnot to let you attach fenders, racks, etc. As for other brands to consider, take a look at Jamis as they have some nice steel bikes. I'm not sure of the pricing, but one of their steel road bikes or even a Coda might be for you.