You know, steel is great stuff. Many excellent bicycles are made of steel. People can do wonderful things with steel, including build sweet lugged frames that I have a soft spot for. Many sing the praises of steel frames as being superior in that they flex just enough to offer a smoother ride. The single biggest plus for steel, however, is that it's easy to rhyme. "Steel is Real". Oh yeah. Both of my current bikes (which I have named "Winter" and "Summer") have frames made of aluminum. While aluminum frames are usually marginally lighter than steel, that is not why I chose it, because 1) I'm no racer and 2) I have many pounds to shed before the weight of my bike will matter. I have always rather liked the ride qualities of my aluminum bikes; maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, I don't know. My last commuter was a nice old lugged steel sport-touring frame from the 80s... it rode nicely, but to be honest, I didn't notice enough difference to think "wow, does steel ever rock!" I chose aluminum because my bikes get ridden in the rain and snow and salt. I am not particularly careful with my bikes, and they get scratches and dings, and I don't want to care what happens when the paint or clearcoat or both get damaged.
I find the "Steel is Real" thing a little curious. I mean, are other metals or fibres less real? What is "real", anyway? I'm thinking a little philosophy is in order. Just as people have favourite frame materials, people have favourite philosophers; I think any serious analysis of this topic demands that at least some of their voices be heard, or at least printed in a callout.
R A N T W I C K 