It is if you want to sell high-end bikes. That's one of the conclusions you'd get from this year's trade shows. And just as consumers at the German and Italian shows have found, UK bike enthusiasts at London's Cycle 2003 are finding that frames made from stiff alu or ti bonded to carbon-fibre rear stays are all the rage. LeMond bikes popularised the trend but click inside for a peek at the Independent Fabrication version, as well a beautiful, full-carbon, made-in-China, frame from Kestrel