Originally Posted by
cyccommute
Go learn something about
elastic modulus. Steel has a high elastic modulus which means it is springier and transmits vibrations better. Aluminum has about 1/3 the elastic modulus of steel and transmits vibrations poorly. Both transmit some vibration but aluminum transmits less.
Frequency is a function of Young's Modulus AND dimensions. A skinny tubed Vitus does absorb energy, losing especially higher frequency vibrations. A hyper rigid Cannondale does not. That's because the Cannondale uses its dimensions to exceed the rigidity of even a normal steel frame. The kind of vibration cyclists care about are solidly within the frequency range that a Cannondale is going to transmit like crazy.
Which is why it is important to understand the difference between the properties of a
material and a
structure. It keeps you from saying absurd stuff like carbon fiber composites are brittle or steel is the strongest metal.