Originally Posted by
bones_mcbones
Lugged frames are stronger that butted frames of the same tube dia/thickness. If bike designers really wanted to get something out of lugged frames they'd thin out the tubes for a ligher yet equally strong to a butted frame.
That really has nothing to do with it. Masi didn't release an 'ultimate' version of their fixed bike with a lugged frame because it would be faster/stronger/lighter/etc. They released a lugged frame (using what look to be fairly average lugs, I might add) because people prefer the look. The lugs add visual interest and for a crowd that obsesses over what shade of celeste blue to paint their frame, it becomes an important point.
Let's not pretend there is technical merit. All of these bikes are engineered to outlast all of us.