Originally Posted by
Phantoj
You are basically saying that perfection is impossible in this "vale of tears" (whatever that means). Of course it's correct on a pedantic level that no two manufactured things are strictly identical? But do you really think you're sensitive enough - or that the builders are sloppy enough - that you can tell ride quality differences from a 0.010" difference in top tube length? Or the difference in geometry due to thermal expansion?!!
My point is that I couldn't feel it if two frames were 5mm off geometry as long as my position was maintained. What I'm saying is that when someone says "my carbon bike handles better than my steel bike," we shouldn't disqualify that statement on the basis of slightly varying geometry.
It's frame engineering and materials combined (as pointed out by everyone else above).