Originally Posted by DayGloDago

Fewer parts? [Admittedly, I'm not at all familiar with even standard BBs- I've only ever taken one apart...and that was many years ago, on a department-store bike]

As for my questions being answered- I would not say that the answers proposed thus far are authoritative; If they were- nay, indeed could be; there wouldn't be so much controversy on this subject; everyone would be agreeing; and this thread wouldn't be so long. No?

FWIW, I do appreciate a stiff bike- which is why I have just purchased the aforementioned Klein. [I'm a 190 lb. rider in a hilly locale, and I'm getting where I can put out some decent power.... Never cared for riding a noodle.]