Just fashion. Like many have said, the metal frame LW is ugly as hell and way too heavy. My first year I knew I was going to be commuting and walking to a crashpad during the winter, that's why I got the LW with the metal frame... the thing got destroyed in about 10 months. I got it rebuilt and I don't commute now, but it is already all dented and scratched after 2 years. I also own a plastic LW, which seems a lot better (haven't used t much), but I'm not sure if its worth what they charge for it.