Carbon definitely faster than steel?

[Slick]

No bike is very aerodynamic or light with me on board

Same.

 

[Slick]

What tyres do you have on the Equilibrium?

I think that, although the Equilibrium is a comfortable bike on long rides, the 28mm GP 4 Seasons tyres at a higher pressure than the 32mm Gatorskins of the Datum certainly do give it a harsher ride on the tracks and poorly maintained roads.

I don't know if the larger, heavier tyres do slow down the Datum a bit.

You very well may have a point. I have the original Clement 32 mm road tyres on the Datum but as the Equilibrium is the workhorse, it has Durano + fitted. I did have an excellent cannondale fitted with gator skins and everything about it said it should have been slow ad it was too small and geared very different to what I was used to but I did some of my fastest times on it. I always did wonder why.

 

[Saluki]

I am faster on my Croix de Fer than I am on my Planet X pro carbon. I am also faster on my 1982 DB Cycles, steel roadie than on the Planet X pro carbon. Both steel bikes are more likely to be taken on longer rides as they are just more comfortable and quicker.