how do you clean them? under the coils there is a metal piece i think its aluminum but not surebut anyway how do you clean that? oven off? is there a natural cleanser i can use?
Carbon frames can be lighter and stronger the aluminum and are not prone to metal fatigueUsually the carbon frame bikes have better components on them that are also literCompact frames allow the manufacturer to produce fewer sizes to fit more peopleSome say the frame is stiffer others say they can't tell the difference.
No bike is fast all by itselfWhile there is a big difference between a bike selling for $600 and a professional race bike, as far as performance goes any 2 bikes selling for close to the same price will be very close in quality and performanceComfort will be dictated mainly by how well the bike fits the rider, different companies build their frames with different proportions, so some will fit one person better than anotherAs for price, it is true that a high end aluminum frame will be as or even more expensive than a low or medium priced carbon frameI would rather have that aluminum frame that a mediocre carbon oneCarbon comes in different grades, and different levels of quality controlReally good carbon frames are superb, but very expensiveAluminum tends to transmit vibration and can deliver a harsh ride compared to a good carbon bikeDesign plays a big part hereAny bike designed primarily for racing will be stiff and responsive at the expense of comfort regardless of frame materialA bike designed for long distance recreational riding will be a bit less responsive but much more comfortable to ride
When the coils are cold take a good lookSome of the coils will swing up out of the way for cleaningOthers will unplug and slide out for cleaningOnce they are gone take off the burner drip pan (chrome or aluminum under them) and soak in in hot water and dishwasher detergentThen scrub them with a non abrasive brushIf the drip pans don't get clean you can get aluminum foil covers that fit over them or if they are really uncleanable replace themAs far as what is under the hole when you take out those drip pans, some ovens have the oven top swing up so you can try cleaning that with a sponge and detergentOther stoves have tops that don't cooperate and you can try just cleaning the part you can reach Try whichever cleaner you likeIt can be natural if that is what you have in mind - as long as it removes as much dirt as you want removedIf you clean the parts using dishwasher detergent there is one Sun and Earth that claims to be 100% natural (as part of their whole line of cleaners with that claim).
carbon is generally slightly lighterbecause of the way it is a laminated process is also absorbs road shock better and provides a smoother ridesome of its drawbacks are that if damaged it can't be repairedalso the technology is newit is made up of layers of carbonized grass in layers of epoxy (think plywood) my fear is that over time that epoxy will fatigue and the bike will become more and more flexiblethey havent been out long enough for anyone to really know how they will hold up over 10+ years of hard usea pro rider can replace out his equipment as needed, so long term isnt a concern, but it is for the average joealuminum endures, will not rust, and is very tough and hard to damageit also rides rougher and is a little heavierthese are all qualities you will have to weigh for yourselfcompact frames save on the length of tubes for a given size, making it possible to be a little lighter and a little stiffer.
