0 Bicycle Flex Regions

Much of the bicycle flex in high-force pedaling occurs not in the frame, but in the handlebars and crankset. The most significant potential increases in stiffness involve bracing those components more effectively. The upshot of this discussion is that,compared to current sport bicycles, reduced weight or enhanced stiffness theoretically should offer virtually no performance advantages and may not even be detectable by the rider.

- Bicycling Science Chapter 10, David Gordon Wilson (MIT 2004)