----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Baylis" <rocklube@adnc.com>
> I'm still
> curious if there is any difference between frames that are identical in
> materials and dimentions. A blind test would tell us something if it is
> carefully conducted.
>
If the test was done by copying, say, an early 80's Colnago, how would one be sure the tubes were identical? I'm not yet buying the "different brazers/different ride" thing yet (excepting really horrible construction), but I do believe two seemingly identical SL frames might ride differently due to different butting, and don't a lot of larger manufacturers have tubing drawn to their specs? Also, just as rim extrusions can vary by 10-15% in weight, can't drawn tubes of supposedly identical spec differ within a manufacturing variance? This might explain supposedly matching bikes from a manufacturer riding differently, if the tubing runs were from different batches.
I'd think, to eliminate potential variables, all the frames in the test would have to be made with weighed tubsets to match as closely as possible, and maybe even brazed side-by-side to get construction methodology as close as possible.
I suppose this kind of test will never be truly blind. To eliminate bias this really should be an A-B-B test; two identicals and one known (but unknown to the testers) to be different. Repeat test cycles enough to statistically eliminate chance as a factor in identifying the odd man out. Just comparing two samples for a difference (or lack of) never removes the bias of psychological expectations.
I still anxiously await the results.
Jon Schaer
Columbus, OH