Originally Posted by
kimconyc
For performance, specifically, speed, your engine is the biggest factor (power to weight). You can only optimize this, you can't really upgrade this component.
I would say wheels, tires, tubes make a marginal difference in speed (.5 mph) but help you sustain higher speeds for longer.
The rest is just conversation.
sorry, i'll take fault for again being unable to explain myself. by "speed," i meant not a top-speed (where, yes, power-to-weigh ratio is the factor), but faster times in a race for instance. i don't know the term, but my understanding is that rotational mass is the biggest enemy. i suppose what i'm asking for is someone to tell me, "yes, spend your money on a nice wheel-set, the frame is less important (but not irrelevant)," or if i'm wrong, an explanation as to why. cf wheels: $2500. cf frame: $2500. which?