Originally Posted by
genejockey
I've posted on other threads about my 25.5 mile midweek route, which I've ridden with 7 different bikes now. There's 4 minutes difference in best time between my newest bike (2020) and my oldest (1982). Same route, same rider, similar effort (based solely on HR, since they don't make power meters for Dura Ace 7200 cranks). Basically a 5% difference.
FWIW, on flat ground it would take a roughly 15% higher power output to gain 5% in speed (using somewhere in the very low 200's watts output as a base). That is not inconsequential.
FWIW, I view the shifting mechanisms now vs the 70's/80's as absolutely huge.
dave