Are aluminium roadies making a comeback? Should they?

I think you need to ride back to back higher end frames to really make a comparision, and even then the geo would need to be the same.

...i don't think I got my opener right to be honest...

So to summarise, are decent alu road frames from the late-90's to the mid-00's;

a) the thing to be seen on for the summer 2012;
b) the thing to buy now to sell on ebay for a profit to people wanting to be seen on them for the summer 2012; and
c) are they still inherently good enough to bother riding?

I would say yes to all, based on nothing but a hunch. Although you may already be too late on b).

However, I see the smart money being on interesting colour schemes, and not necessarily just on the obvious bright gaudy options (although these are likely to be a safe bet). As always Italian's will hold a premium, but there may also be increased interest in US frames, and some left field choices like traditionally uncool Taiwanese brand Giant could yield unexpected profits/street-cred.

When buying/selling/wearing complete bikes, try teaming with Shimano for that modern but 'near-vintage' feel. As the look is modern and smooth steer clear of patina, paint jobs should be fresh!

[For more tips and market predictions PM me and sign up to my premium text update service.]

Carbon is a fantastic fabric, but at the end of the day most cyclist's with carbon bikes (that I know, apologies if I'm tarring everyone with the same brush) is that they bought carbon because they're told its better and they can brag about it, not because it was a more comfortable or better or faster ride. Is it fair to say that a lot of new bikes are bought without being test ridden these days?

I also think that a £1500 Alu bike with Ultegra is a better buy than a £1500 carbon bike with Tiagra. Obviously top end carbon Di2 etc etc is fantastic if you can afford it (and why not if you've got the beans).

Personally I love aluminium. It's a great metal to play around with.

Looks like SRAM are** on trend**:

Arrghhhhhhhh!

What's happened to you? Not sure what to believe in anymore...Maybe I should accept the Emperor's friend requests.

I'd never use a phrase like that with any kind of sincerity. You should know that. What's happened to you?