Originally Posted by
flargle
And aluminum cracks, and carbon bends.
mzeffex does not know that a carbon frame would fare better in a collision than an aluminum frame. A collision that "only" bent aluminum (and therefore compromised frame integrity because of aluminum's terrible fatigue resistance) would probably do nothing to the carbon frame except perhaps chipping some resin or paint, which is easily repaired and would not weaken the frame. A collision that cracked carbon would almost surely do the same to a Coke-can frame.
This is wrong in two ways.
Firstly, the alu alloy tubes used in modern cross racers do NOT have "terrible fatigue resistance" - a lot of metallurgy and engineering has gone into this. In fact the problem was solved at least 20 years ago, which is why alu MTBs from that time like Kona Cindercones - which have much harder lives than crossers - are still aound.
Second, the problem with carbon isn't so much its vulnerability to damage as that it can be damaged with no visible sign. If an alu frame is risky to ride, you'll see the problem. If a carbon frame has become delaminated you probably won't know anything about it until it snaps while you're riding it.
Which isn't to say you shouldn't ride a carbon crosser - I don't think delamination is much of a risk from a crash on soft ground - but let's get the facts right.