Originally Posted by livedarklions

I'm not sure your last paragraph about planing follows--as you note, the stiffer frame is more resistant to the 5w. Doesn't this translate to less energy stored and returned?

Originally Posted by livedarklions

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.