As I log more miles and upload them, and compare them against some of the fast riders, riders on carbon bikes, I've been a bit tempted. I even thought to myself "perhaps I was too hasty, perhaps neon color spandex is actually ok!" That is the fist step, I knew, to going that racer boy way, and of course racer by me would mean a new carbon bike, like those I shook my head over, over the last few years.
I followed the link from this post (thank you JWestland), the busted carbon site and while I always knew that carbon was suspect as far as reliability - it was still a wake up call.
Then just by coincidence I happened to find this blog and this post. What price the supposed progress? :
http://cycleseven.org/carbon-fibre-fork-failureNo more carbon daydreams and I know that I hated the one aluminum frame I suffered through - so, yeah, I have it re-affirmed now - any new bike in the future will be steel. I may never get a 14 pound bike now to counterweight the 38 pound Atlas on those days I want to go fast, but there is a silver lining there. Steel bikes just look awesome first of all. I love that classic look. Second of all, it saves the world from seeing me go crazy buying a carbon frame, worrying about titanium screws and using dehydrated water to save weight. Most important of all however - the world is not ready to see my and my beer enhanced belly in a bodysuit!
Your post saved me!