Can an Aluminum Bike Ride Like Steel?

Bike framesets are often overgeneralized: "aluminum bikes are stiff, steel bikes are compliant, titanium is whippy." But it's not the material that matters most, it's how it's used. They Tyrant Beastie is a unique aluminum framest; it's intentionally designed to be heavier to make it more durable, more comfortable, and more like a steel bike. Can this aluminum bike ride like steel?

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[luism]

I ride a vintage steel frame bike.
For the longest time I had the original components on it and most of them were steel, but recently purchased a new drivetrain and completely changed all the components to more modern aluminum ones (not all though). It completely changed the feel of the bike, and it made me realize clearly what flexibility and stiffness means for bikes.
When people say steel frames and components feel flexible and comfortable, it’s like they yield to the force I put on them. They don’t push back on me. i could feel my old steel stem wrenching under my hands left and right as I climb steep hills, and the bottom bracket wiggling and waggling back and forth between my feet, almost gleefully, whenever I tried to sprint in high gear ratios. It was comfortable, but it was unruly, steel has a mind and personality of its own and it breaths life into a bike. It has personality, but it doesn’t always listen or do what I want it to.
The feeling with aluminum has been so different. When I push on it it pushes back. When I lay my weight on my drop bars it lifts me up, like we’re a pair of acrobats pushing each other up hand to hand. When I mash down on my pedals it’s like a hammer on an anvil. Sparks fly in a show of power, and it kicks me forward. It’s elegant but dangerous. It’s very reassuring, Aluminum doesn’t play around like steel does.
Steel can be unreliable, and it doesn’t always do what I need it to in the heat of the moment. And aluminum is a little too up tight, it’s all about getting down to business.
Steel is almost immature, but so am I, neither of us perfect so we forgive each other’s mistakes. Aluminum is refined, more professional, willing to see me as an adult. But I need the confidence to commit to my actions on aluminum, knowing every decision has consequences. That if I want to go farther, faster, it’s gonna hurt.
Pro cyclists must have entered a relationship with suffering. It’s do or die for them. Til death do they part.
They’re chasing a different dream.
But Steel is real. And aluminum isn’t all that bad either.

[juanpecan]

The carbon fiber fork thing is played out. Messengers use them, they're fine.

[TL]

Thoughtful evaluation. Tire and wheel choice can help suppleness. Good job.

[sketchy]

Love steel bikes but my aluminium Dolan is still the bike I put more miles in as its my daily. I'd love to see you do a week riding the precursa vs the tyrant.

[stop]

I appreciate your honesty. My current fixedgear is the og big block. I really do like it but sometimes I miss a super stiff aluminium bike. When I get a new place and have more bike storage I will definitely build a stiff beater to race around on!

[cyclingzen]

I agree with you Zach. I'm 56 and have been riding SS most of my life. A steel frame is a must. I've tried an aluminium frame and the fatigue my body experienced from it was similar to what you describe. On my steel bike, no matter how far I ride, I don't get any of that.

[event]

What tire pressure are you running? Aren't tires pumped too stiff for given surface? Tubeless allows to run a tad lower pressure than tubes and that could change ride feeling.
I can't blame tires itself as you don't anymore use wooden gatorskins but pressure could be adjusted when riding on chattery roads. Mini-pump is very useful to carry on longer rides to adapt to particular surface.

[markkubsch]

I have both aluminium and steel fixed gear bikes. They're customized builds configurated down to the last bolt, so to speak. I think the key to a good aluminium bike build is to combine a strong, medium heavy set of wheels (around 2300 to 2400g) with the lighter (than steel) aluminium frameset (by the way, nobody ever talks about a proper weight ratio between frameset and wheelset). My aluminium build weighs 9 kg flat and it just hops over rough pavement without tiring me out over longer distances.

[pinoygal]

I feel like aluminum is good on the track and for full suspension mountain bikes.
Titanium is amazing on the road, but that means custom fabrication.
It would be unfair to compare a Custom Bike to a Production Bike.
Ti is also expensive. So, steel is where it's at. Carbon isn't even on the menu.

[aurelienbontemps]

i have an aluminium and a steel fixed gear and for me its like two rinding style, you have to change the way you ride and how you force at certain times and situation

[pinoygal]

I have never ridden a magnesium or wooden framed bicycle.
I'm curious, but not enough to buy one.

[greengonzonz]

My fixie is steel. The way I describe the difference between the two different materials is like this.... when on my Aluminium road bike I'm aware of the road chatter. When on my steel fixie I notice the rest of the ride experiences.
❤ from NZ
(Yes, we say Aluminium 😅)

[jasonparrish]

Nice job putting out more interesting frequent content.

[stevenr]

I've owned 12 bikes of everything but Ti. I'm a steel person but I've owned a few very nice and smooth aluminum road bikes. Depends on the type of aluminum used, as well as the thickness and shape of the aluminum.

[ScottHoffman-vj]

Love the ride of Steel. Good luck on getting married.

[jedi.knight]

i own affinity lo pro (steel, 12yrs) & affinity kissena (alu, 5yrs) both fit 32c. casual rider these days, find myself riding the steel steed for every reason you stated. like why am i sore all over 😂

[Disrtict]

older felt TK2's have some give in the rear triangle that is nice on the street. Not sure bout newer ones, the rear end looks beefier.

[neomnk]

This 1998 gangster rapper looks is great Zach.

[juliapoelstra]

Steel hasn't saved my old knees, but I still love it the best.

[TheFriendofnight]

So if you could get the right rake on a carbon all road/gravel fork to fit 32s in the front it'd be pretty dope then.