[1] Is there an accepted way of quantifying the power transfer (as applicable to climbing,say) of bike frames.
[2] Could anyone provide estimates of this value for various ALU and Carbon frames; e.g. would a "giant TCR" climb noticeably worse than a "TCR Composite". I think +/- ??kg of bike weight vs 70kg rider means the power transfer is the real issue.
I've ridden alu giant, old scott cr1 (pre softening of geometry), and a low + mid range ALU mountainbikes. Naturally I can definitely tell the difference between the ALU and the carbon, and the improved ALU of the mid vs low end MTB.
My question is whether or not you can get ALU that has power-transfer to match the carbon but with weight tradeoff.... and can anyone recommend frames?
The issue is selection of a frame for an everyday bike that (i) I wont freak out if it gets rained on, (ii) but which will still make me want to ride it, having been spoiled by the high end stuff
I tend to ride little & often (eg ~20miles/day) as opposed to weekend long-rides but do want something I can take on longer excursions too (the 'not freaking out if it gets rained on' being important there)
[2] Could anyone provide estimates of this value for various ALU and Carbon frames; e.g. would a "giant TCR" climb noticeably worse than a "TCR Composite". I think +/- ??kg of bike weight vs 70kg rider means the power transfer is the real issue.
I've ridden alu giant, old scott cr1 (pre softening of geometry), and a low + mid range ALU mountainbikes. Naturally I can definitely tell the difference between the ALU and the carbon, and the improved ALU of the mid vs low end MTB.
My question is whether or not you can get ALU that has power-transfer to match the carbon but with weight tradeoff.... and can anyone recommend frames?
The issue is selection of a frame for an everyday bike that (i) I wont freak out if it gets rained on, (ii) but which will still make me want to ride it, having been spoiled by the high end stuff
I tend to ride little & often (eg ~20miles/day) as opposed to weekend long-rides but do want something I can take on longer excursions too (the 'not freaking out if it gets rained on' being important there)