Originally Posted by
terrymorse
Then there's the not well understood muscle fatigue effect of acceleration-deceleration on every pedal stroke. It's the "throwing a heavy ball a short distance vs. throwing a light ball a long distance" problem. It's certainly a small effect, given the wheel mass differences in question. But I'm not convinced (yet) it's ridiculously small.
Isn't weight inconsequential in that? You spend the same energy with a heavy and light bike but you just go slower with the heavier bike.
Also since the heavier wheel maintains speed better it'd likely be less fatiguing.