Cyclocross Racing - How long does a CX bike frame last

I was wondering what is the life-span is of an aluminum frame / carbon fork CX bike if used for racing. I got my bike in 2008 and started racing in 2009 - so this will be my third season. I use it for road riding too - though I wouldn't say I put on too many miles on the road.

I'm 190 lbs too.

I've read on other cycling posts that an aluminium road bike frame would last about 5 years or so - which seems a lot less than I would expect. If that's true - god only knows what a CX bike would be?

Any thoughts on this?

I think it's silly to even hazard a guess. The knock against aluminum is its fatigue strength; if you subject it to enough load cycles, no matter how low, it will eventually fail. But, how relevant is that? I've seen a lot of decade-old aluminum frames still out there.

Here are a couple of articles on frame materials, might give you food for thought:
http://www.rivbike.com/article/bicycle_making/frame_materials
http://www.ibiscycles.com/support/technical_articles/metallurgy_for_cyclists/the_basics/

11 years, two months, 12 days and 7:43:17, at which point it will spontaneously crumble to dust.

Approximately one life time with care. Don't worry about it. By the same logic AL mountain bikes would only last 2 years. It will last as long as you don't get sick of it and want something new ;)

It will last as long as you don't get sick of it and want something new.

Yeah, so about two years for entry level bikes, depending on your cash flow.

This year I will be riding a new 'cross bike as my primary and for the first time I will have a second, back up bike. The back up bike is built on a 2001 Kona Jake the Snake frame. It's aluminum and has been ridden and raced every year since I purchased it new in 2001. The frame has not broken, bent or dented notwithstanding several crashes and all around rough handling.

Until you break it.

Or worse, until you upgrade and relegate your former race bike to boring, lame-o commuting duty...with fenders.

:(

Or worse, until you upgrade and relegate your former race bike to boring, lame-o commuting duty...with fenders.

Hey! That's my bike you're talking about...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5413554870_03ab2c224a.jpg

Yeah, so about two years for entry level bikes, depending on your cash flow.

Yup pretty much and you can always pull out the old excuse that you NEEEED a pit bike ;)

Hey! That's my bike you're talking about...

That picture makes me fee like I am at a funeral. :(

Where is that...Beaverton? Ugh.

Poor Jake. Poor, poor Jake.

;)