I've done more centuries in a short amount of time in my aluminum orbea, this I just assembled (not built as everyone likes to say) about 2.5 months ago. I am older and fatter and I should have been more uncomfortable. My 1996-7 specialized alu hardtail MTB is still going and I take it almost every year down the ski area for some downhill fun. It should have cracked by now. I have also attached bike trailers unto it, run over logs, fallen and crashed more than I can remember. XTR shifts so fine as well.... The US made answer fork still absorbs like day1 Maybe I had been lucky or just