Originally Posted by
Duane Behrens
And I guess the point is this: Given that the 2 frames are virtually identical in weight, what advantage did the RS buyer gain over the buyer of the "12" model? What made (or makes) the RS a better platform? Maybe it will become clear when I build them up and ride them, but at the moment I can see no clear difference.
I expect if you build up both frames otherwise identically, the ride difference will be undetectable. The "better" tubing, in this case, has advertising value but little else. Welded seam tubing drawn to final shape and butting after welding is a good manufacturing process but without the cache of seamless tubing.