There is no doubt about the flaws in the suspension design especially the stay connections but I think this win illustrates the point that there are plenty of riders out there including me that want gearbox bikes to become the norm. Rear mechs were an amazing concept and a big step forward back in the day but it's 2012 now. When will manufacturers stop polishing this weak link in bike design and step up and embrace gearboxes? It's time to move on. I am lucky enough to have ridden a Zerode (wealthy friend) and the gearbox combined with backward rear wheel path is simply amazing, just wish it could be lighter ... and cheaper so I could afford one! One of the other designs used belt drives; gearbox and belt drive now there’s a concept ... and someone has done it already, the ADL by Milk Bikes, a British company and one to watch I reckon. Progress at last!!!

Was refering to frames rather than material itself, thanks for clarifying and the Carbon fatigue info

Loving the bike based van repair, looks like an awesome trip, wish it was easier / cheaper to escape the mud and ride some dry stuff in the UK winter... hmmmm road trip to Spain, Portugal or Italy anyone?

Exactly, the video shows this but doesn't really spell it out, you can see how sudden and explosive the carbon failure is compared to the gradual and obvious failure (plastic) of the aluminium. Generally and depending on heat treatments, carbon layering, condition, corrosion, etc, etc: Carbon - Stiffer, stronger BUT more brittle Aluminium - stiff, strong and ductile Steel - less stiff, strong but much more ductile I think the material you want depends on how hard you are on bikes and your attitude to maintenance i.e. checking the frame regularaly and after crashes. For this reason I don't think I'd ever buy a carbon frame second hand, but I would consider a new one. As one of a group of mates who have all recently lost an old school aluminium frame due to fatigue failures it would be interesting to know how long carbon lasts before fatigue sets in. Not sure I'd want to be riding todays carbon frame in ten years time!