plastic bikes

I've been slandering carbon fiber for bikes and components for years, complaining that it was too expensive, didn't have a long lifespan, and generally wasn't worth the money. I've been calling 'em "plastic bikes".

But a few days ago, a customer picked up a lovely candy-apple red number from service at the shop where I'm working now. It turned my head.

Then I got a chance to work on one for a fellow club member. Nice ride.

OK. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I like the look, and especially feel, of carbon fiber frames. And bars. And maybe cranks.

The lifespan is still a problem, though.

(Above, the Van Dessel Motivus Maximus, sold at the shop where I work. Nice ride. Not pretty enough to get my attention, and I'm not going to research the pretty bikes that DO get my attention, because the consequences might be unsatisfactory.)