Originally Posted by Kapusta

This is a classic example of relying on armchair predictions and ignoring real-world results.

A few years ago I replaced a wheelset on my road/gravel bike. Same bike, same tires. Noticeably different ride quality, even though they were both aluminum.

In the MTB world the difference between CF ans Al wheel is incredibly obvious, and those tires are being run at very low psi.

The fact that you can’t see the spokes bend or collapse does not mean there is no difference in ride quality.

If you want to apply engineering to this question, then use it to explain why things are the way they are… using it to explain why things should be other then the way they is a waste of time.

Originally Posted by ctak

Couldn't agree more

Originally Posted by Trakhak

The only test data I was able to locate regarding wheel stiffness represent measurements of lateral deflection. If someone can find similar data for vertical deflection, please post them.

Note that there's not a single mention of vertical deflection in that report. I wonder why.

Actually, I don't wonder. I believe that people truly believe that there's such a thing as significant vertical deflection in modern bike wheels. However, none of them have tested those wheels and found measurable vertical deflection, or else they'd be reporting numbers and not impressions.

Originally Posted by ctak

Very similar to Bill Mould's findings, thanks for sharing: "Some believe that a wheel built with tighter spokes is stiffer. It is not. Wheel stiffness does not vary significantly with spoke tension unless a spoke becomes totally slack."

Another point which runs contrary to conventional thought is that deeper rims = more lateral flex. The deeper the rim, the greater the leverage... which certainly can impact a host of variables related to "ride quality".
https://www.velonews.com/gear/deep-w...s-beyond-aero/