Changes to aluminum frames?

[Tangled Metal]

I doubt very much you could run an experiment where all the components on two bikes are the same and the frame is the same but for the different materials to test what the difference is. Basically have one variable, the material of the frame. The reason being material and frame design are so closely intertwined. A good shape for steel isn't good for aluminium and vice versa.

They're different, just accept that there's good and bad in all frame materials. Get the best for your needs and means.

[NUKe]

Back in the 70s I had a top spec hand build 531 double butted etc. frame, You could feel it twist and spring under hard acceleration. And I was a lightweight in those days Give me aluminium any day, a good quality aluminium frame is light strong and doesn't flex, If the ride of Aluminium bike is too harsh then fit better tyres and a carbon fork. I never quite made it to full carbon so cant comment on that.

I know steel has it devotees but for me I wouldn't go back,

[Marcus Aurelius]

I have an ancient steel Pug, 2 full Carbon road bikes, 2 Aluminium road bikes, with Carbon Forks, and 2 Hybrids, with Ally Alloy frames. Every one of them has advantages and disadvantages, over the others, in various aspects. From my personal perspective, I’ve allocated certain types of rides, to each type of bike, and trimmed / tunes the components on each accordingly. I still find that I’m occasionally forced to use the ‘wrong’ bike, for a particular ride. The differences are really just making the ride a bit more comfy / easier, and in reality, ( except for the Hybrids) I don’t have big issues swapping one type for another.