i've have a FORT cross bike, an older model made from 7005 aluminium, loads of fun to ride and spins along nicely, had a paint job done on it by argos (in my gallery)
also my boss races 2 FORT crossgaurd frames, specced with ritchey bar stem forks and seatpost, the world cup stuff with carbon token cranks and spinergy tillium wheels (cos he's a ponce!) running mostly ultegra gearset in 8speed (clears mud better) it's ti bolted to the max and drilled all over! he does justify it though, he came 1st last year in the wessex vets league and 2nd this year (including 7th overall i think)
so those bikes definately work!