Re:Bike frame stiffness: Why it matters and all you need to ...
by elektronaut on Wednesday December 21, 2022 @08:04PM
(#34088439)
> Modern bikes are getting lighter and lighter.
The trend over the last few years have been disk brakes, aerodynamic features and wider tires, all of which come with a weight penalty. Some brands are now starting to converge their aero and lightweight offerings, though.
What does this mean? A downhill gives your legs a rest if you coast but it's not going to restore all the energy you burned going up the hill. And if you're riding sportily (not even a race necessarily), you'll still be pedaling the same amount of watts downhill. You'll just be going faster for the same amount of muscle power.
> Mass doesn't matter as much as people used to think. (Hence no modern bikes being made out of drillium.)
Modern bikes are getting lighter and lighter.
> The one thing where I suspect mass might matter is in the wheels.
Yes, in terms of ROI by unit weight, lighter wheels are the best place to start.