Originally Posted by
roadwarrior
For example not all aluminum is created equal. A CAAD10 due mostly to the alloy in the aluminum is what created the ride quality versus, say, any entry level aluminum frame. So it's a combination, but the alloy change made a big difference between the CAAD9 and 10 in vibration absorption.
Are you sure? Or was it the design differences that the different aluminum alloy made feasible. That is like saying Reynolds 753 is lighter than Reynolds 501. Or that a 501 frame is stiffer than a 753 fame. Yes, but not really because the metals have different density or stiffness. The 753 is stronger and less mass is needed for the same frame integrity, but the two alloys have just about the same density and stiffness. Isn't it similar in aluminum alloys. Strength changes but not so much density and stiffness. For example, 7075 alloy is almost twice as strong (tensile yield) as 6061 alloy, yet it is only 4% stiffer (Young's modulus).