I have 2 winter commuter bikes, subjected to rain, salt, mud and sand. They take a beating so my newer bikes still look good. Also ever seen an old carbon bike? My steel ones still look good after 10 and 20 years. Plus 2 girls in college. I don't have a road bike pe rse, more commuters and mt bikes. There are other factors besides performance sometimes. I don't race either. YRMV