Framebuilders - Carbon? Or look-alike?

Hey y'all,

How can I tell if my bike has carbon rear stays, or whether it's just painted to look like carbon?

-Cyclingcowboy

use a magnet?

use a magnet?

Not if the frame is aluminum ... Fail ... :notamused:

I've never seen metal stays that look even remotely like carbon.

Correct me if im wrong, but isnt there a ridge where the two connect to each other?

OP, do you have pics or tell us which model. There are lots of bikes out there with carbon stays. It has pretty much gone out of fashion, but you can still buy carbon stays. I would think any high-end bike that looks like it has carbon stays probably does, but who knows. Carbon also has a fairly distinctive sound when you knock on it with a magnet :)
Steel, aluminum and Ti are going to ring to some degree, carbon doesn't. Use a coin, I was just pulling the troll's leg about the magnet.

Carbon stays are probably a lot cheaper than a paint job to look like carbon, quite a bit of detail. ;)

You cowboys crack me up, that big hat and belt buckle are great. Say hi to Lance for me.

Thanks y'all. I ended up emailing the manufacturer and they told me that it was carbon. And that doing a repaint will void the warranty. Which apparently was voided when I bought the bike used anyway. Oh, and by the way meech, not all of us wear big buckles. :-)

I was just messin with you Cycling Cowboy. Cowboys and indians can get along. I am sure you are a pretty cool dude. No offense. Chao

I figured as much meech. Hence the smiley. :-)

Carbon stays are probably a lot cheaper than a paint job to look like carbon, quite a bit of detail. ;)

Hey, the only carbon showing on our full carbon frames is a section of the chainstays. :lol: The rest of the frame is painted.