Originally Posted by
Trakhak
In a 1997 fatigue test of 12 high-end racing bike frames, sponsored by the German magazine Tour, the only frames that didn't fail were Trek's OCLV carbon frame and two aluminum frames, a Principia and a Cannondale. (All the steel and titanium frames failed.)
The report noted that at least some of the failures among the frames (including a Klein) likely could have been prevented with better design work and QC control. Anyway, the percentages of frame failures are very low regardless of the material used.
I always feel like the European magazines have the best comparison tests.
I was thinking more about an older aluminum road bike being used today. I've heard of a few stories of 90's era aluminum or carbon bikes have catastrophic failures due to 20 years of fatigue. Or with a carbon bike, some of the early tech resulting in failures due to bonding/layers/glue issues over time.
I have an old HED rear disc and the carbon weave and finishing on it looks like it was made in someone's garage.