Just to put our exchanges into perspective you really ought to look up Bianchi10's thread regarding wheel testing testing from a few months ago. I posted some horrendously offensive stuff there. I found out it is never too late to atone and rejoin the "living".

I think your analysis was really thoughtful. The value of it is a framework in which to insert one's own assumptions about the magnitude of things. Together with #tomato coupe's discussion, it gives us a nice tool for expressing our own view of the situation. Notice that no reviewer of your calculations has yet challenged your formulas, only your assumptions about magnitude of the inputs. That is very significant.

Regarding those assumption it is important to remember that your inputs reflected the greatest sensible difference possible, the difference between a stiffest frame and one only 1/2 as stiff. What if we did use the Giant numbers and compared two competitive bikes. Even with the higher strength rider (2000W) and larger lever arm advocated by tomato coupe (which I don't agree with, by the way), the difference between the frames becomes insignificant again. Yes we know that steel bikes aren't as stiff. What many of us are interested in is how important is having the absolutely stiffest CF bike.

Very valuable tool. Thanks again.