Originally Posted by
Fat Boy
Just as a person from the general public isn't plopped in the seat of a test car from a auto manufacturer, you wouldn't drop joe-blow on some bike to test. You'd use a rider who could accurately detect small changes. These people exist. I'm not saying I'm one of them, but there are guys, specifically ones who are trained this way, who can discern 5 psi in tire pressure and/or other subtle changes. He may or may not be a pro racer. That certainly wouldn't be a requirement.
If you're trained to pick out different sounds and feelings, they are not all that tough to notice.
Phantoj, this is what I wrote. I was mixing thoughts from what is used in the auto industry and the hypotheticals of the bike industry. Please accept my humblest apologies if I confused you.
I do not know if such a position actually exists in bike world, but I'm confident that people exist who could reliably detect the changes I've described. Honestly, I'd be surprised if there isn't at least a few bike manufacturers that have this position even if only as a part of a larger role.