Grambo

Question: I have two high end Mt. Bikes. One is a Merlin Iliad which is currently at Merlin being retro fitted for a rear disc brake. The second is a Team Fat Chance Yo Eddy. I usually ride the Merlin but given it is now in for some work I rode my Fat yesterday. The Fat is the second Yo Eddy I have owned and I absolutely love the bike (1st one rusted out at the bottom of the seat tube .... common problem in the earlier versions although it was a quad butted frame which I believe was discontinued). After riding my Fat for a few minutes yesterday it just seemed as though it was faster / more responsive. The componentry on the Merlin is better / more expensive but the Fat just seems to be a better bike. The frames are virtually the same size / geometry so it is not clear to me why the Fat seems to ride better. Three thoughts; 1) High end steel is a better frame material than titanium 2) Given I have ridden the same Fat frame for the better part of 10 years my phyisiology has adapted to the Fat frame 3) It is all in my head and there really is no perceptable differance.

The reason I am asking is that I also have a Litespeed Liege which I like very much but I am now wondering if a high end steel frame would also make a better road bike..

Thoughts / opinions welcomed.

Jim

johnny99

Even small changes in things like tube wall thickness and diameter can make a big difference in stiffness, which will make the bike feel faster. Small differences in fit will also have a big effect on how a bike feels. Components differences can also have a big impact, especially your tires and tire pressure.

DannoXYZ 

Well, there IS a perceptable difference, however, that difference does not translate into a faster "better" bike. There's a huge overlap in terms of stiffness, durability and feel between steel & Ti bikes. The actual contribution by the material itself is irrelevant really. The components makes a bigger difference in performance. The fit makes a big different in how you feel on the bike. The actual geometry of the bike has everything to do with the ride-quality and responsiveness. Tyre-size and pressure also affects the turn-in behavior and road "feel" of speed.

seriouslysilly

come on!
just admit it.
you are looking to find a reason for getting rid of one of these bikes to get another one