Hi Sam, I hope your post mentioned below was in humor...
Carbon frames that are "doctor approved"? Does he really examine frames <GRIN>? Is he refering to "disposable" frames made from carbon or aluminium that you discard like eyeglasses or contact lenses? Did he also explain that aluminum and carbon frames tend to lose rigidity over time and that they are a real bear if not impossible to repair due to current welding techniques? If you break it - replace it, don't repair it seems to be the norm that I am uncomfortable in accepting.
I think not! I prefer the durability of steel frames over the recent fad in carbon and aluminum. As I have said on the CR in the past, lets see 20 years from now just how many vintage carbon or aluminium frames are still rideable due to deterioration or stress fractures! Steel frames can be fixed, but carbon and aluminum cannot ... welcome to the disposable world!
Apologies to Dale (he DOES NOT do this), the fact remains that your LBS and major bike manufacturers are in the business of trying to sell bikes and need inventory turnover. This reqires the LBS or retail store to convince the customer they need to "upgrade" because their current bike is outdated or can't be repaired. More inventory turn = more money... Component manufacturers such as Shimano try to perpetuate this outdated/cant be repaired myth by producing incompatible components every year that leaves customers with no reasonable availability or choices for repair. Even Campy USA discourages support for vintage parts in this "buy new, buy now" money game.
Did mass marketing and large companies greed kill the custom steel frame industry and quality parts? Hmmmmm.... I wonder....
Regards, Steve Neago "Ruminating while riding in Cincinnati, OH"
> Well, in one case I can tell you this is the truth. A friend of mind has
a
> 1970s model that one day when we were riding decided to break. It failed
> between the bottom of the down tube and the BB shell. I am not trying to
> make the statement that all old bikes fail but this one certainly did. I
> VOW NOW NEVER BUY ANOTHER OLD BIKE only aluminum titanium and carbon
fiber
> for me. I should go with the carbon fiber by doctor recommended fiber
years
> ago and I did not listen.
> Sam DiBartolomeo in Southern CA