Carbon fork lifetime

[Bron]

Yes, the nice thing about carbon is that there's no metal fatigue, so it lasts and lasts... unless you hit something, and then it breaks. Carbon fork breaks aren't uncommon if you wreck into something very hard head-on, like a high speed run-in with a curb, other cyclist, or car.

Otherwise, they'll last as long as you do!

Thanks, that was what I was wondering. I knew that they break if you hit something hard enough (but then steel will bend or break too). It was more day-to-day fatigue that I was wondering about.

Google says Trek gives a lifetime warranty on its bikes with carbon forks.

Re: Steel frames: they are very much available in Europe.
Google in German for suppliers...
here's 2 I came up with:
http://www.germans-cycles.de

this guy is right by my commute:
http://www.fahrradbaustolz.ch

Oooh, thanks for those links. Not that I am looking for a new bike, but it's good to know. I know steel is available, it just seems far less common here e.g. the bianchi steel bikes which quite a few ladies here on the forum have are just not sold over here and the only steel racing bikes I have seen recently have been older ones (like my peugeot, which is still going strong).

[alpinerabbit]

I know steel is available, it just seems far less common here

True - Alu and then Carbon are all the rage. But they are around. Mostly from smaller foundries.

e.g. the bianchi steel bikes which quite a few ladies here on the forum have are just not sold over here

why not - ?
http://www.bianchi.com/en/products20...mes_X7B12.aspx
should be available for ordering at a local dealer.

Maybe they are not widely seen because no one can stand celeste? (it's got the Ullrich touch/taint and anyway... eek. I hate celeste)