Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
From: Cracow, Poland
Bikes: unknown make TT bike, fixed; Romet Sport, gone; titanium Pinarello gone;Colnago with Campy C-Record/Super Record,on it's way; Funny Gianni Motta; Buehler track, Polrad track chrome; titanium MTB on 28'', fixed; Tri Wheeler, fixed
Alu frame is stiffer because it uses oversize tubes. On the other hand, bar diameter is sort of fixed.
It is easier to build up the stiffness with size than with Young modulus.
You can not gain too much with oversized steel tubes, as there is only so thin tube wall which is stong (not stiff) enough locally to prevent dings.