Funny, I know what stiffness feels like in terms of comfort but not in terms of power transmission. I have no idea what is meant in reviews by power on the pedals going directly to the wheels or some such stuff. I imagine the less stiff frame feeling like a pogo stick. But in all my 30 years of road bike cycling I have never felt such a thing. Not on 531 steel or Trek screwed and glued aluminum or Giant Advanced SL carbon, or Everti titanium or finally not on Ritchey Breakaway steel. I just think it is mostly (not all) hype. The differences are mostly too small to feel power-wise. Comfort-wise I don't dispute at all. That even I can feel.

Robert