Someone has offered me a second hand Cervelo bike. The bike is 3 years old, in good condition and fits me well. However, I was browsing (for a completely different purpose) through a book and suddenly saw that the author claims that aluminium bikes have a life expectancy of 5 years. The author also argues that Carbon Fibre frames, in contrast, can last a life time. I am aware that the author also works for US POSTAL as a team leader and gets sponsorship from an American company that sells Carbon Fibre bikes. In addition, I am not a materials engineer but composite bikes do not exist long enough to allow these claims.
But I was wondering what is really the life expectancy of an aluminium frame? If I bought the Cervelo will it only last another 2 years? Although my question may seem a bit dumb to some, this issue seriously fascinates me.
I see people commuting on old road bikes made of steel. Will the hippies of the next decade be crusing on the Giant TCR and Cervelo P3 of today? Will all these harsh but sexy Cannondale still be around in 15 years?
Pluto
My alu 2004 Cervelo P3 is still going strong. I had it repainted matte black several years ago at a shop that specializes in bikes (Velocolour in Toronto if anyone is interested, Noah is awesome). I get comments about how slick it looks at races, occasionally. I have zero issues with the bike, and I appreciate it’s not as fast as new superbikes but it’s also good enough for me.
