^^ I am not sure that thread really covers the whole issue. Just because two bikes collide and the carbon one is destroyed is not a reasonable argument for fork design and material but rather the angles and forces that were applied during that given collision. I use both. Carbon on my pit bike and steel on my main ride. I believe in letting time tell. Carbon seems pretty strong so far. And if there ever is a real reason for weight weenie-ism it's in cross. When you have to lift a bike over and over through out a race a light bike makes a huge difference. Sure on the road you'd be better off loosing the love handles but in cross where you have to carry your equipment then 1 pound makes a huge difference. Plus I'd reccomend looking over your fork wether it's carbon, AL or steel on a regular basis especially if you crash it.