In Reply To:
Excellent intelligence gathering.
Thanks. The story is that Sapa Inc. developed a metal matrix composite many years ago and then wondered what to do with it. They got in touch with Specialized, and the M2 was created. Although they subsequently stopped making the metal matrix composite tubing, they continued with frame building - getting to the point where they make many of the high-end aluminum frames in the states. My mole has visited their plant and saw Specializeds, Yetis* and Cervelos being produced, and was told that they were the people who figured out how to make the curved seat tube on the P3. Apparently the plant was a
very tightly run ship.
*Complete with "made in Colorado" stickers