Tubeing diffrences aside, a laid back angle of say 71/72 degrees will produce a softer although less agile ride than say a 72/73 degree angle, also wheel base has a lot to do with ride. The longer the smoother the shorter the bouncyer and twitcher it is. I dont know the age of the bike you were rideing, but a lot of the bikes from a few years ago were pretty laid back. In other words frame angle and wheel base have a lot to do with ride and handeling caracteristics.!!!