Re:
I think 'deathtrap' is a tad excessive. As you say any brand new carbon bike could suffer a catastrophic failure.
It maybe that the earlier carbon bikes were over engineered as manufacturers were less sure of the stress potential, where as now they have better science & data and therefore engineer them down to the lowest 'safe' level. They are certainly a lot lighter now and the carbon is much thinner.
Two British Eagle Pro-Carbon frames have been advertised on ebay in the past year where both had an ally lug crack - one on seat post and one on bottom bracket. The seat post was probably due to an under sized seat post being fitted. But it may suggest the ally is the weak link rather than the carbon.
Either way, I don't believe they are any more a 'death trap' than any other carbon (or aluminium) bike. I've ridden mine for the last 5 years, mainly cross country but have taken it over many serious heavy going routes (ie Brecon Gap 3 or 4 times) and never had any problem (don't mean to tempt fate) so far. I do run a 2.2 on the front to provide a touch more cushioning though. Also I'm not a downhill racer so my speed over the rough stuff is a touch more sedate so any catastrophic failure hopefully would not be at high speed.
Moto