So remember the bikes that started all this discussion. Well when I first got on one of them instead of my 18-19 lb custom steel build, I could feel the difference right away. The acceleration response on the flats was amazingly better that what I was accustomed to. Just pushing forward with my arms from a stop light was a whole different experience. The lighter bikes just seem to glide forward when you are starting up with no resistance. Sure that is an exaggeration, but the feeling is wonderful.