Originally Posted by
Abe_Froman
27 at a reasonably comfortable effort, where I check the speedometer withkut feeling like i'm going to crash lol.. Totally all out, on a good day, no concern about being able to finish a long ride fresh...say 29-30. I should probably mention it's on a big steel touring bike in a t-shirt. I'm ~6 ft 190 lbs, and brunette,if it matters, though I'm still not sure where this is going...
Stiffness doesn't matter to you as much as a pro or top amateur who may walk into bike shop and point to the new Venge VIAS or Tarmac or Evo. You see the top race bikes aren't really for you, but rather guys serious about racing or training hard. A strong guy can flex a top frame and you can't.
Golf is a good analogy. An average pro who can generate 115mph clubhead speed with driver and can hit the ball 300 yards. There are pros even stronger...but that average pro...if he plays with a regular stiffness shaft in his clubs, he will hit the ball all over the golf course. Most pros play with XS shafts to control the power they can impart to the golf ball. Stiffness is many things. If you can't flex a bike frame than greater stiffness doesn't matter. But to say stiffness doesn't matter is wrong and for some strong riders, more stiffness is better.