is aluminum nearly dead?

BTW, NSBS has the biggest selection of Maxxis rubber in all sizes I've seem

The 26x2.4 DHR2 EXO has just come out in Supertacky. I think the Luddites will be fine for a few more years, judging by how fast companies like Maxxis change ;-)

TR? DH Casing?

Until carbon bikes can be manufactured to a similar cost as aluminium I don't see alloys going away. I find it difficult to beleive the average rider is willing to drop 5g every couple years on a bike.

If so I'll gladly take peoples out of style bikes at a heavy discount!

Don't grt me started on 650b though. I'm a taller guy and I still don't feel like the bigger wheels offer me a better ride, even though logically they should. Maybe I just need to try more frames.

TR? DH Casing?

My bad, it's DH. Only the Minion 26xx2.5 in exo super tacky. I could have sworn I saw it on the nets though, but the website says no.

But a ST Minion front, DHR2 3c rear…really an unbeatable combo in the wet.

Naw eff that ish. I'm all about the DHRIIs now. 3C TR 29er up front. DH bike is running super tacky DHRII as well. Gotta somehow mount them up on the carbon hoops though!

I plan to hang on to the old 26'er and the old Caad 8 road bike

For what they are asking on the high end bikes I can certainly buy used and almost a new 650 V-strom

I plan to hang on to the old 26'er and the old Caad 8 road bike

For what they are asking on the high end bikes I can certainly buy used and almost a new 650 V-strom

Ya no doubt. I'm seeing some smoking deals on aluminium 26" bikes these days.

But if I'm not cool I guess I won't have anyone to ride with.

Riding aluminum bikes has given me Alzheimer's Disease.

I think a bigger concern is what happens to the remaining boutique brands? Santa Cruz was ahead of the curve with carbon. But the Knollys, Intenses, Turners… In the world of Demo's and V10's a $9k alloy bike feels a bit anachronistic. Right or wrong, now when I see an alloy bike I think budget or prototype.

Or maybe even a relic!

Riding aluminum bikes has given me Alzheimer's Disease.

Sure its not Mad Cow?

Check it out, CJD is being misdiagnosed as Alzheimers. Damn prions.

Aluminum is dead.

Downhill is dead.
26 is dead.
29 is dead.
Riserbars are dead.
+16.5" chainstays are dead.
Short front centers are dead.
Backpacks are dead.
Fullface is dead.
Gloves are dead.
Not pike is dead.
Not ccdbaircs is dead.
Not shimano icetech is dead.
Tubes are dead.
……..

Yah, yah, yah.

Gobble up the marketing pablum like a good consumer.

Man, I was gonna get a Klunker for some ol' school street cred,but I guess I can use my 26er aluminum coil sprung bike for that now.

Aluminum is dead.

Downhill is dead.
26 is dead.
29 is dead.
Riserbars are dead.
+16.5" chainstays are dead.
Short front centers are dead.
Backpacks are dead.
Fullface is dead.
Gloves are dead.
Not pike is dead.
Not ccdbaircs is dead.
Not shimano icetech is dead.
Tubes are dead.
……..

Yah, yah, yah.

Gobble up the marketing pablum like a good consumer.

And next year, the opposite!

Wait a fucking minute here.
I thought carbon was forever?
Case in point there's a full carbon race boat down at Royal Van made Kiwiland sometime early '80s been raced hard won't wear out get soft or go bendy in any way still going strong!
Why, unless of catastrophic failure from crash or whatnot, should a carbon bike frame be any different.
Industry hype to separate you from your hard earned $$$$$$$$$$ perhaps?
Or do they need to schedule a couple more insignificant weight gaining wraps to extend service life?

Wait a fucking minute here.
I thought carbon was forever?
Case in point there's a full carbon race boat down at Royal Van made Kiwiland sometime early '80s been raced hard won't wear out get soft or go bendy in any way still going strong!
Why, unless of catastrophic failure from crash or whatnot, should a carbon bike frame be any different.
Industry hype to separate you from your hard earned $$$$$$$$$$ perhaps?
Or do they need to schedule a couple more insignificant weight gaining wraps to extend service life?

Yes, carbon can cycle many, many more times than aluminum before failure.

Absolutely no way a carbon frame only lasts 5yrs.