IMHO, its all about the metals density and environment its kept in... A thin ultralight aluminum product primarily stored outside over a long period of time, maybe even in cold weather... Sure there is a chance it will eventually degrade. Steel stored outside in a damp climate, especially near the ocean, it will degrade. A thin light CF component, same thing.

Everything in existence has a breaking point, and when it occurs is highly conditional. Why do you see more broken aluminum mtbs? Most likely because there are more of them in existence, making them commonplace. A lot of flaming in this chain, and a lot of trolls, but also some very smart replies.

My opinion, keep it... I rock a 97' Proflex 857... Its steel, aluminum, titanium, CF, and plastic... lol and some day it will probably kill me... Most likely when I have a heart attack getting it up a hill...