Quote:
Originally Posted by look 171
...and still quick off the saddle. I especially like how it snaps back at you when sprinting off the saddle. I have not found too many other materials that will do that.
That suppleness comes from the steel. On an alum. bike of the same geometry it feels jumpy and unsettling cornering full out over rough roads. Some carbon frames are almost there, but different. (Don't get me wrong,I love carbon and alum for racing. )
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Was having this discussion at a bike shop the other day-the tech there is of the opinion that the trend to super stiff bottom brackets actually waste forward energy because they transmit a lateral load to the tire, slowing forward progress. I'm not sure I buy this and would need finite element analysis or something to tell. They do feel "dead" to me-I prefer my steel bikes for pleasure rides. Carbon doesn't hop around like aluminum, but they don't communicate to me the way steel does. I am building up a way light carbon bike (800g frame with light stays) to see if its any different.