Couple things I don't understand.

1. You've averaged 75 miles per week for 22 years on you "old steelo" or you ride 15-20000 km per year as stated in the original post. Either way, how come you appear to be clueless about how long a bike should last?

2. If you've been riding and racing that much for that long, why do you still need to lose weight?

Sorry, no PC here either.

55/Rad

Oh well, batten down the hatches, coz you're gunna get some arguments :D -- not from me, I'm
too lazy

It's my understanding that spokes stretch a little over time, often without
the wheel going much out of true because they all stretch roughly the same amount.

If you like stiff wheels, I recommend checking the tension every now and then.


On the frame "softening" thing, from what I've read over the years, frames only lose
a tiny bit of rigidity right before they break.
Although fatigue may be occurring over time, there is no measurable or discernable
loss of rigidity until failure is imminent.

http://www.efbe.de/etou1098.htm

I've been off the bike for the last 6 years after inspecting the underside of an 18 wheeler whilst it was in motion. Not a recommended hobby. Beer+notraining+bad diet=weight.

Back in training. Current and future program is 15-20000 km per year.

Clueless because all the technology is different. I don't trust carbon, and with my new bike weighing about 1/3 of the old crate I'm suspicious. They've got to have made some compromises somewhere, surely.

Then I'm glad I picked up the new beast this afternoon DROOOOOL.

The old bike has measureable and discernable loss of rigidity, so I must deduce from your comments that it is about to break. Thanks for the warning :)