Are aluminium roadies making a comeback? Should they?

It would be intereting to see total sales in relation to frame material across the developed economies over the last 20years. That would give you a more actuate gage.

Obviously those figures would show definite trends but they wouldn't tell the whole truth. Much of the resurgence in steel for example, has been old bikes dug out of sheds and put back on he road. It's impossible to calculate but what you would want to see is number of miles ridden by type.

Haven't seen a vaguely big name carbon frame fitted with Tiagra parts yet, maybe that will be the indication that manufacturers are dropping aluminium for all but niche frames.

Back in 2008 my Orbea Onix was bought with Tiagra for £1000 using C2W. Brand new, full carbon bike cost me £550 :o) Wiggle has a carbon Focus for <£1000, depends if you call that a big name I suppose.