CAAD9 with Mavic Cosmos real wheel and Continental Hometrainer Tire on it.
Previous wheel: OEM Mavic CXP22 w/same tire.
Same cassettes (Ultegra 6600/11-23).

Other changes:
Computer: Kurt Kinetic Wireless VS Cateye Micro Wireless
Dura Ace 7900 SPD-L pedals/cleats over Wellgo MG8 SPD set-up.
Dura Ace 7800 Chainrings on Ultegra SL crank (previous were SL rings).

Trainer: Kurt Kinetic Rock & Roll Trainer


Here's the thing...

I am able to spin up MUCH faster on the Mavic and can maintain a higher speed at with less effort.

It felt almost "too" easy. Any ideas as to why?

Could those component changes make "that much" of a difference?

When I rode the CAAD with it's upgrades, it definitely felt far better on the road (with a 295g Edge 1.0 full carbon fork VS Cannondale Ultra alu/carbon fork at 567g). But I don't think that would translate to anything on the trainer.

Did I just experience the revelation of the "better" wheel?

I thought the computer might be "off", but that wouldn't explain the actual effortless feel of the rear wheel and the power transfer through the pedals I attribute to the DA7900's wider and more secure platform.

Thoughts?