Originally Posted by
fishboy316
Have you thought about a cross bike? They are a cross between roadie and mtb. they land in the middle somewhere. They are pretty tough and fun! I have a 2012 trek x01 that I got as a leftover for $600 and it kicks butt! Ask lbs about a crosser.
Bill
YES!!!!
I did snag a 2011 Specialized Tricross for $200 (needing some tinkering)... it just has a bit of a heavy feel, but certainly seems as if it will take the abuse.
The question might be what the limit of what a bike can take. The CF rims may have the advantage over aluminum in that they don't bend. It is either spring back, or break. But, a lot has also changed in the last 50 years... with subtle changes in alloys and design to make bikes stronger. Those bikes in the Road Bike Party films take a lot from the Cyclocross bikes.
As far as impacts.... there are lots of photos of bikes that used parked cars as brakes... usually ending with a break.
Hitting the rim flat coming off a curb would be less damaging than hitting it square on running into a curb without jumping.