Originally Posted by
globecanvas
The performance difference is for real, though. There was a 50-mile charity challenge last month that I had trained for on the Cooper, but did the event on the Tarmac. I blew away my best training time by almost 20 minutes, setting all sorts of personal bests. Some of that is race-day overachievement, but whatever the cause, the proof is in the result.
2lbs lighter made part of the difference, but likely seconds instead of minutes. The aero wheels likely made a minute or two. New toy effect had to be a factor.
But the biggest likely difference is your lower position on the Tarmac, which is not only leading to the time difference, its also likely a big part of your difference in perceived comfort.