It was a tough job getting the paint off! I spent a couple of weeks stripping it with paint remover and a paint brush. And clear coat cracks on an unpainted frame and all you have to do is clean the frame and let it dry nicely. But I think it was worth it!
That is a lekker bike! Check out his MTB.images.google.co.za/imgres?imgurl=http://trekroad.typepad.com/trekroad/images/2008/08/04/img_0779_3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://trekroad.typepad.com/trekroad/2008/08/buidling-lances.html&usg=__KOUCmc9xfR17BzhqZ-kBQC9hriM=&h=319&w=480&sz=74&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=w8A6PY5Wi6_9BM:&tbnh=86&tbnw=129&prev=/images%3Fq%3DLance%2BArmstrong%2BNew%2BMountain%2BBIke%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26safe%3DactiveBikerBoy2009-01-12 04:45:59
It is your choice, but I would stick with the alu frame. It would be nice to have carbon but it costs a heck of a lot to replace. Unlike alu when it is nearly as light but it is stronger than carbon. But that is what I would do.
http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo/ya/downloadmid=1_324015_ACpkxEIAAXAuSWm0agNsHHdLi3U&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo/ya/downloadmid=1_323567_AC9kxEIAAPzzSWm0Swux2XB3qao&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo/ya/downloadmid=1_323120_ADNkxEIAAL%2BbSWm0Jwz%2F3RqOBBw&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo/ya/downloadmid=1_322664_AClkxEIAAKivSWm0GgvyR23oTlU&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo/ya/downloadmid=1_322209_AC9kxEIAAO4%2FSWmz%2BghMEyD3ZJw&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo/ya/downloadmid=1_321753_AC5kxEIAAMiQSWmz5wzurQPxhZI&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1This is my race bike!
