With regards to frame life:
Originally Posted by William Karsten
I spent some time looking for proof of this. I've found little to none. Pretty even with steel. A bike magazine did an article on this lately.
Do a web search: 'bicycle metallurgy' All materials have a "fatigue limit" spec. For Al and carbon fiber, the fatigue limit is almost zero which means: If you ride it ... it will fail eventually. Of course that still could take years. Steel an Ti have very high fatigue limits.
With regards to frame stiffnes (ie power transfer to pedals):
Originally Posted by William Karsten
Tell me more, I'm looking for info on something that doesn't get wobbly under my wieght and hammering. Really.
William, have you had the opportunity to ride a modern steel frame like Tru-Temper OX Platinum preferrably with oversized tubing? I think you'd be pleasantly surprised. I believe your Bianchi is older and may have alot more flex (do to the tubing diameter and alloy).
Take care...
Jim