I finally got the chance to take the new bike out for a good long ride.  I rode to work this morning (26 miles) and back home this evening (28 miles, longer route with fewer hills).  I’m surprised at how much difference the new bike makes.  I’m sure that part of the difference is that I actually was fitted for the new bike (saddle height and placement adjusted, handlebar stem extended to proper height, etc.), but that doesn’t explain everything.  I made the ride into work today in near-record time, and I’m hardly in the best shape.  I suspect that it’s a combination of being fitted, having a lighter bike, and less rolling resistance in the hubs (probably the biggest difference).  Perhaps I should rebuild the hubs on the old bike as a test.

The new bike shifts much more smoothly, too, and I was surprised by the difference in the ride.  People told me that I’d be able to tell the difference between the old aluminum frame and fork, and the new steel frame with carbon fiber fork.  I took that with a grain of salt.  No longer.  The new ride is much smoother.