Frame stress loaded vs unloaded

[eec]

I'm full of questions. And everyone here has been full of answers.
Tiny bit of backstory: earlier this year I got a Salsa El Mariachi (steel), and I've been training on it exclusively, fully loaded. Two days ago I finished a long training ride with heavy rain, and so got home, unpacked my bike and dried/washed everything. The next day -- yesterday -- I went out on the bike "naked" except for my little seat bag w/tools. I noticed a couple things: 1) I forgot how much freaking fun the Mariachi is to ride, especially on single track; and 2) the ride was much harsher than when fully loaded. So this leads me to believe that the heavy load of bikepacking gear creates more flex in the frame, thus dampening the ride, and essentially reducing the life of the frame, or at least putting more stress on the frame, no? Have there been any studies about how the weight of bikepacking gear affects a frame?

Has anyone else noticed this? Is it something to even worry or think about?

[evdog]

I don't know about you, but I usually ride slower fully loaded and take more care to pick lines.  Speed and line choice could do a lot to make a hardtail feel harsher.  

I doubt 15-30 lbs of gear strapped to a frame could stress it more than a 15-30 lbs heavier rider who charges hard.  

[bikeny]

What tire pressure did you run when unloaded? If you ran the same pressure, that could be part the reason for it feeling harsher. Tire pressure should be adjusted depending on the total rider + gear load.

[eec]

What tire pressure did you run when unloaded? If you ran the same pressure, that could be part the reason for it feeling harsher. Tire pressure should be adjusted depending on the total rider + gear load.

Just curious, but why adjust tire pressure for a loaded bike?

[Spec44]

The more weight you add, above your normal load, the more "flat" your tires will feel.

[offroute]

What bikeny and Spec44 said.


I think the difference in sensation is more pronounced using a rigid fork. But sure, payload smooths the ride on any wheeled vehicle.

When it breaks? Be glad you had the time to ride it that much. Then get a new one to break

[Spec44]

And, if you are running relatively low pressures unloaded, your risk of pinch flats will be increased with increased load.