Well, fellers, although I didn't set out on my ride today to do it...I inadvertently did it! That is, I proved what I suspected to be the case: There is virtually no difference in actual performance between my $300 25 lb. Mercier Galaxy(Sora) and my 19 lb. Klein Quantum Race(Dura-Ace).

Today I rode the exact same route as I rode last Thursday, only today I rode the Mericer instead of the Klein. The Mercier has a 28mm Gatorskin tire in the rear and a 25mm Serfas Seca in the front. The Klein has 23mm Michelins. Same tools in the same bag on both rides. Same full weater bottle. Everything, including the air pump and the mirror on both bikes is the same. I wore the same clothes/shoes.

The results?

Klein: 20.96 miles in 01:25:28.
Mercier: 21.08 miles in 01:25:48

Times recorded are for actual rolling time. On both rides i stopped for a break at two turn-around points. No other stops.

The Mercier was 20 seconds slower? No...it was windier today than when I rode the Klein! (c. 13MPH wind for the Klein ride vs. c 18MPH wind today for the Merc)

(I'm not the fastest rider- I'm pretty new to this, and it's constant hills here!)

Yes, the Klein ***FEELS*** faster....but obviously, it isn't.

What say ye?