Does 531 make you faster?
 

Yeah, I know, not really. But bear with me.
I've done most of my riding this spring. on the Gitane Super Corsa I built up over the winter. It's not any lighter than some of my other bikes, nor geared differently. But I can push higher gears up hills on it and seem to just plain ride faster.
Today I did two ten mile loops. The first was early in the morning, well rested, on a Viscount Aerospace Pro. The second was late afternoon, also well rested, on the Gitane. Both bikes have computers calibrated to their actual wheelsets rather than off a chart. The Gitane was a full two minutes faster over the same route.
What gives? Magic? Perfect fit? Head games?
Top

Yes to all.

To be scientific though...

Did you compensate for wind? temperature? tires? etc.

Of course the Reynolds framed bike was faster! I've noticed my Reynolds framed Vent Noir is faster, and stiffer than my much more modern Mercier Corbus made of butted aluminum. I suspect the stiffer, more efficient frame has a lot to do with it. However, the reynolds framed Vent Noir is a LOT harsher on poorly paved roads. Luckily I used a modified Brooks anatomic saddle.

The state of tuning and efficiency of the vehicle's engine would affect performance more than a couple of pounds of steel tubing. :) That's logical, but still...

Interesting query about it being the frame tubing. But I have another hypothesis for the difference. Could it be slight variations of frame fit and geometry? Give us some information about yourself, your cycling inseam etc.. And then tell us what is the center to center size of the seat tube and the head tube of each bike. What stem length are you using. How comfortable are you on the faster bike. How does the slower bike feel comfort wise? Just curious since I have different road bikes of different sizes and have observed some dramatic differences in the average speeds attainable on identical courses dependent on which steed I use...I'm just sayin'

It does makes you more popular with the girls...

I've been toying with a pair of Treks, a 412 and a 612. The 412 is Ishiwata 022 steel, 42/52 crank and a 6 speed freewheel on relatively fat tires. The 612 is 531, 50/45/28 crank and a 7 speed with similar range of gears on nice think rims and tires. It seems to have better hubs and bearings and a few other nicer details. The 612 is also a prettier color. That seems to help.
The 612 is faster. I've tried switching wheels between them. It helped narrow the gap but it didn't close the gap. I haven't tried switching cranks yet.
Everyone likes the Ishiwata steel and says it's comparable but I go faster on the 531. Don't really know why.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...k/IMG_5066.jpg

wait...

your steel frame is stiffer and has a harsher ride than your aluminum bike?

you are faster on the 531 bike because of all the C&Vers chasing you to get the frame!

No, its Columbus Tubing that gets you to the finish line first.
Followed by Super Vitus.

Psychological factors are not to be ignored.

if a tubing makes you faster, it's because of the lengths, not the material. In other words, I'm guessing your position is better for power on that bike.

It's the frame. There's something special about Reynolds-framed Gitanes. I felt it the first time I rode mine. I can't put my finger on what it is, but I know I'm not the only one that feels that way about them.

I truly believe we crank harder on vintage tubing subconsciously for whatever reason....

Metric 531 tubing, by any chance?

EDIT: Can't be, your Peugeots are metric 531...

-Kurt