Hi, I've riden on carbon for about the last 3 years till this year, when I moved over to alu with
carbon stays. Honestly I miss the carbon, but I paid about a $1000 less for the alu. Price being
equal I would go with carbon today, that said here is my assessment.
My carbon, trek 5500 handled bumps and road knock just great. It climbed smoothly and was stiff as
sin. It's ride on regular smooth rode, or anytime really, was like riding a block of dead wood.
There was just no life to at all, which is a good thing at times and bad at others.
My new aluminum frame, I dread everytime I see train tracks, it's like riding a tuning fork. Rough
road is just unpleasent. I figure I'll get used to it in a few more weeks though. On smooth road I
enjoy it much more than the carbon it's smooth and sleek and just glides along.
I really miss my old cro-moly frame. It was just like butter over all kinds of terrian. I just wish
it didn't weigh half a ton. I've heard the new steel frames are pretty light and give a nice ride
to boot. In my case I could afford to lose 3 - 4 pounds from my body to really worry about adding
it to my frame.
Just my .2 cents, If you like to ride I'm sure you'll like either one just fine.
--
Ryan