Originally Posted by
Rowan
One factor that has not been touched on in all these comparisons is that... it's impossible to make any comparisons between frame materials unless the angles and dimensions for each bike under scrutiny are identical, and the wheels and tyres are identical.
+100.
They used to call aluminum frames flimsy until they started using large diameter tubing.
The shape of the seatstays probably has a lot to do with good ride.
A bike with carbon stays I had felt almost like it had rear suspension but maybe if you got the Tiagra version with aluminum stays of the same curved, bendable shape, it would ride about as well.
Does anyone have any experience with such a comparison?