Originally Posted by
BillyD
@
Banzai consumers are fickle. What's hot today starts to cool down tomorrow as people get bored and seek something new.
For example, I believe the "latest and greatest" phenomenon is responsible for much of carbon's popularity outside of racing. I think we can already see evidence of many buyers returning to the latest steel offerings.
Do you really think so? I think that a good quality CF frame offers really nice, distinctive riding characteristics. They're incomparably responsive due to their lightness. It is hard for me to imagine giving up my CF ride. So, I think the attraction is due to more than mere marketing, or the "latest and greatest" phenomenon. On the other hand--and especially now that I've really gotten into fixing up vintage steel framed bikes--I think that steel bikes are just as distinctive. I've ridden titanium bikes and, personally, I don't see what they offer in the same way as either CF or steel.