I think I've decided...(kind of long-ish)

[TxDoc]

Does this make sense?

Yes, thanks!
I was only looking at gear inches - but yes, the whole story does make sense

[Catrin]

Thanks for this in-depth discussion. Someone was trying to tell me that I was wrong for going for the Long Haul Trucker with the 26 inch wheels rather than the Jamis or 520 with their larger wheels. I did not know enough to have an answer for him, though I suspect that he knew that before the conversation started...

[moderncyclista]

This isn't based on science - but some bikes just feel slower. Why is this? My Aurora is lighter than my 520 and doesn't have a rack (the 520 does.) The geometry? The gearing? I can't put my finger on it. I took the Aurora out for a spin today and yeah, I'm definitely moving slower. Speed isn't my primary concern - but why don't they perform the same? What is making that difference? The 520 has lower gearing even - but I move tons faster on it. I'm not concerned about 26 inch wheels, I'm actually kind of leaning away from the LHT. I know the components are supposed to be good - but unless I can ride one in my size - then it's a no go.

[Cataboo]

It could be the tires or the hubs on your aurora. I don't know what the trek 520 has on it stock. It could be the seat tube angle, crank length something like that. It could be that you're not using the gearing as efficiently, the aurora has larger gears, so are you hanging out in bigger gears and not spinning as efficiently as you do on your 520?

I don't think you should buy a surly long haul trucker without test riding one - because I don't imagine that it's going to be faster than the aurora.

I haven't really ridden an aurora much - I test rode Zen's around a parking lot once, and it seemed like a really nice ride. But I can't say that it felt slower than my surly pacer.

[MartianDestiny]

Do they both have the same tire on them? If not switch the tires and see what happens.

Geo plays a part, any weight difference in the wheelsets might (rotating weight is what you feel more than overall bike weight), a difference in your position (if you aren't at optimal efficiency and are closer on one bike than the other you may be noticing a power difference), some would claim build type (some bikes are built "stiff" and take all that power to your back tire and some are built softer which can be more comfortable but may loose you power from pedals to wheel in flex).

Lots of science crap goes into that unfortunately. Pinning down exactly why would be difficult.

[moderncyclista]

Well. I've got alot to think about and possibly research - but I'm giving the Aurora six months - I want to get some more use out of it. Catriona: Yeah, I think I mash gears on the Aurora but spin on the 520 now that I think about it. Also, yeah I think it would be slow and steady on the LHT (which it is built for.) I've just had some say it's the "bike to get." I like to find what fits. MartianDestiny: They don't have the same tires. The 520 has Race Lite Hardcase 32's and the Aurora has some Vittoria (spelling is prob. bad sorry) Randonneurs 32's. I do think the Aurora flexes quite a bit. The other bike seeming stiffer. You gals have helped me peg what I do and don't like in a bike in general. It seems silly. I've been riding for years but never really thought about why I liked some bikes and disliked others. I'm going to give it some thought and do some more research. Thanks for the advice on all counts ladies. You're wonderful.

[Cataboo]

No worries. At least we're not doing what my bf says to me - It's all in your head.

But I've definitely had "slow" wheels and "slow" tires. Repacking the hubs with grease helped the slow wheels a bit. Banishing slow tires also helped. If the aurora's not as stiff, that's possibly why I thought it was a very smooth ride (but I rode around a parking lot for 5 mins maybe)

I climb better on my titanium road bike with a compact double than I do on my carbon bike with a triple. I don't have much of a clue why.

[moderncyclista]

Okay. I've talked to my LBS. I'm gonna either trade/sell the Aurora (in the next few months - I've got til' August or September til' the new models are announced right?) and buy a new model year 520. I'd be okay with buying another 2009/2010 model too, so that's a choice as well (I just thought I'd look less cheesy with two diff. color 520's. As far as I can tell from Bike Pedia.com they change the color of the fivetwenty approx. every two years) I like having a back up bike and really I know I adore the 520. So, that's where I'm at for now. Unless, I change my mind. *grins*

Again, you gals help and suggestions were infinitely eye opening and thought provoking. (((((*hugs all around*)))))