Originally Posted by
cormacf
...if BB height, bar height, stack/reach/etc. are all equal, will the downhill handling be substantially different?
Very few riders would be able to match your "ceteris paribus" condition, as people ride bikes with somewhat similar, but never really identical geometry, outside of trail/flop.
Besides, what is the definition of "substantial"?
During the last year or so, I mostly rode 2 bikes with very closely matched geometry and weight distribution (light front bags on mini-rack), which differ mainly in trail - the A bike has about 64 mm , and the B bike has about 39 mm of trail.
Same roads and mileage. Speaking strictly about downhills, inducing lean (or change in lean) for the A bike takes just a thought, with a very subtle push on the handlebar, while the handlebar of the B bike demands a more pronounced input for the same amounts of lean/lean change.
The downhills I do are all in a tucked mode, hands in the drops, speeds vary between 30 and 65 mph. I have been riding for 52 years and still fail to understand why would someone ride downhill on a dry paved road on the hoods, or with low speed, or with a very firm grip...
It seems to me you need to work on your body and hand position for quite a bit, while riding a bike with a familiar to you geometry, until you learn that your weight is to be borne by your legs, that drops are good, heavy grip is detrimental, and speed is a friend. Then perhaps you would consider low trail.
I appreciate the low trail on a (lightly) front-loaded bike only on the ascends. The rest of the time it is of no benefit. However, where I ride (Appalachia), I am doomed to spend lots of time ascending, hence my low-trail bike....