Originally Posted by
LowCel
More comfortable makes you faster by causing less fatigue. Stiffer allows more power to be transfered. Different rake will make the bike handle better (or worse) which can in turn make you faster or carry more speed as well. It all makes a difference, whether or not it is noticable speed wise can be argued for days.
Cool thanks. I've never heard it described like that. I sort of feel like a bike that "feels" best to you, personally, creates a psychological - or for lack of better word, morale - boost that equates to a better, stronger ride. And since the most important variable - the power generator - is human, it's nearly impossible to measure how much of a difference they make.