Hi there, I would disagree on two points.
firstly, steel is definitely not the stiffer of the two. It is well accepted that when it comes to bicycle materials, steel frame offers a more forgiving, shock absorbing ride. aluminium frames on the other hand is harsher, more punishing because it is stiffer.
secondly, I cannot agree that friction is not dependent on contact surface area. If so all race cars would have skinny tyres.
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