Originally Posted by
rpenmanparker
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
I don't want to disrail this thread, because, for the most part I am enjoying listening to Bianchi's experience with this process.
With regards to power transfer and wheel stiffness. You may not have experienced the difference. I feel I have. I've ridden different wheels on the same frame and have experienced brake pad rub with some, but, not others. That is the physical demonstration of a feeling that is apparent even when the rub doesn't exist. I've also had the experience of riding the same wheels on more than one frame and experienced chainstay rub on one frame but not the other. This can be somewhat less straight forward, because of differing clearances between the two frames. But, generally that would be an indication of realative lateral frame stiffness at the bottom bracket. Where the aforementioned brake rub would suggest lateral wheel movement. If you've never experienced any of this, consider yourself lucky and carry on.
It's Wednesday here. Bianchi should be due another swap tomorrow or the next day. I wonder what's next?