i was just busting your chops about riding. i can do fixed, but not single. that single speed/fixed forum is really really strange place.

asi get older, i dont need aluminiums stiffness and i have a carbon fork on my road bike.

i was making a comment that even with my poor welding skills, id probably be able to slap a gusset on a steel frame. id never pay someone to fix a $300 frame, but id give it a go myself. i agree that frames in that price range, are for all practical purposes, disposable. youre supposed to understand what im thinking, not what i actually write.

that being said, were friends with the best unknown builder (imo) in the us and dudes replaced tubes on some of bikes we send to him, but its usually at the discounted price...and theyre usually his frames that weve (theyve ) abused.

ive seen those madone stress test vids and theyre simply amazing.

my last blah blah blah in this thread. i can get a good, not great, steel road fork for about $85 and id trust it to the end of the world. if it breaks,its cheap enough to replace.