I want to toss the rider into the discussion. Weight loss, conditioning. Physically improve the rider and the bike gets better.
Tires and knowing how to work the tires. I caught the phrase, "pushing the tires into corners" around here. Learning to do that helped my riding, trust the side knobs.
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.