It is really a shame, in that the aluminum industry has not really taken the bicycle industry as seriously as they should. I kinda came to this thought recently by watching a recent show about aluminum on NatGeo cable channel. It was quite an impressive show about the characteristics/uses/benefits of aluminum. I was quite impressed.
Personally, I have liked the speed of aluminum bikes I have owned in the past, but as soon as I got my butt on a carbon bike on a long ride, I knew I had to have a carbon bike. I just don't get beaten up after my rides, as I use to on aluminum frames.
The challenge for the aluminum industry is to make aluminum alloys and fabricate tubes that won't beat riders up.