Dan Borden opined: Why the heck would anyone expect to be able to tell the difference? IMO, there would be absolutely no way to tell. One bike may have soul and one not, but they would ride _exactly_ the same.
Dan and list: If that was true, there would be no need for customs, but if all one is ever content with is a one-size-fits-most mentality, or you can get by that way-- in other words you have no special needs, especially geomety-wise, Dan is right: however, for those of us needing toe overlap in order to balance weight up toward the front for handling improvements, or who have wives with incredibly long legs versus torsos, customs are the only way out.
I guarantee you I can tell the difference between 2 Columbus-tubed bikes in the same size I have! The Eisentraut works and the Trek just doesn't work nearly so well.
Ken Wehrenberg, Hermann, MO