Originally Posted by Phantoj

Car analogies don't work well with bikes, mostly because cars are very different and road bikes are pretty much the same. After all, except for the frame and fork, they are all using the same components anyway.

If you were drag racing, or road racing, or just driving around, a Corvette would be a lot different from an Accord, in terms of ride, handling, acceleration, max lateral g's, fuel economy, # of passengers it can carry, luggage capacity, etc...

If you were racing or just riding around on the new Trek vs. a good Giant or Felt road bike, you might notice very subtle differences in ride or handling, but nothing that would affect your finishing place in a race.