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Alu is stiffer
In fact, it is not. Aluminium bicycle frames are stiffer than steel frames because they are thicker. They have to be thicker because Alu is more fragile and brittle and they can afford to be thicker because Alu is lighter. The rigidity is the bonus side effect of a design necessity (to avoid creating bicycle frames which shatter).
itsbruce
@rw101
They're different! Alu is stiffer and therefore more efficient, often a sharper ride, probably lighter for an 'average' bike. Steel feels more alive, more comfortable, infinitely fixable, very light at the top end. Aesthetically I'd say steel, but others disagree. Have both.