Originally Posted by
Bah Humbug
No, it just means the energy is absorbed over a smaller distance, but it’s the same amount of energy. The stiffness affects the degree of deflection, but not the force input to cause that deflection.
It's the same amount of energy being exerted on it, but I don't think that means the same amount of energy is stored. If I exert 5w with my foot against a brick wall, the brick wall doesn't deflect at all. By your logic, that means the 5w is being stored in an infinitely small amount of space.on the wall. What I think is actually happening is the 5w is being dissipated into reshaping my foot.
Isn't resistance by definition the opposition of the flow of energy? If the stiffer bike is more resistant, then it is actually less energy that is being transferred to it.