Originally Posted by
PeteHski
Again, objectively the difference in acceleration is negligible for 1 kg, even on a full bore sprint from low speed. It’s not that difficult to calculate. No need to be subjective in this regard. It’s pure physics.
Steering feel is more subjective, but 1 kg isn’t going to change anything unless you strap it to the end of your bars. The bike geometry and your riding position is going to dominate steering feel and handling.
The only time you really notice a 1 kg difference is when lifting the bike above your head. Even then it’s pretty subtle.
I know a reality check isn’t going to change minds here.
Something that I've been pondering recently, inspired by other recent discussions about weight, flex, comfort, etc...
When it comes to the comparison of measured data vs. human perception, it seems to me that a possibly significant thing instrument data gathering misses out on is a human's ability to recognize a large combination of different factors simultaneously. What might seem like a very small difference when measured as a single factor, and concluded to be insignificant, could be perceived to be more significant when numerous other factors in a complex set of variables are also changing by "insignificant" amounts at the same time. The cumulative effect becomes something that the human recognizes as a variation from the response/reaction they expect in that situation. The more experienced that human is with a set of variables, the more likely they are to recognize cumulative differences, and maybe able to identify a smaller set of variables where they detect the difference occurring.
Stating that 1kg isn't going to be noticed unless you lift a bike over your head isn't a realistic judgement. Humans can teach themselves to know exactly the number of playing cards are in a stack, just by how the weight of the stack feels in their hand. I'm not saying that everyone has that kind of sensitivity, but it certainly seems within the realm of human perception that an experienced rider might be able to recognize a difference in how a lighter bike performs when they ride, or how a lighter set of wheels/tires respond differently under acceleration. I'm not making any conclusions about whether those differences result in a difference in speed/performance. This is about human perceptions.
As I said, these is just something I've been pondering. I do not have links to scientific research to support any of it, and haven't made an effort to try to find any These are unfounded opinions, and not intended to be a personal attack on you, or your comments, PeteHski. In all likelihood, you probably know more about the subject than I do.