Originally Posted by Duane Behrens

That "10 seconds" will vary in direct proportion to distance and elevation. My point is that all else being equal, frame types absolutely and unequivocally impact performance and, as a result, enjoyment. From Wikipedia:

"Frame manufacturers are free to use any material they choose in the frame. For most of the history of road racing, bicycle frames were constructed from steel tubing, and aluminium and titanium alloys were also used successfully in racing bicycles. Racing bicycles in these three materials are still commercially available and are still used by some amateur racing cyclists or in vintage racing classes. However, virtually all professional road racing cyclists now use frames constructed from various carbon fiber composite materials,and a typical modern carbon fiber frame weighs less than 1 kg (2.2 lbs)."

Don't get me wrong. I would love to have a quality steel-framed road bike in my garage, for the same reason I'd like to own a 1949 MG TC. So in a way . . . I think we agree.