Lighter weights raise the pulling rpm of the cvt at the slight theoretical loss of economy. Although I didn't lose any economy when I changed to lighter weights. Any reasonable weight will be locked all the way out to max gearing long before top speed so weight doesn't make any change to that. The sliders are designed so the edge that is controlling the outward stop allows greater travel than a round roller can so they provide a slight increas in gearing up to the point where the variator halves meet. They are a very ingenious invention where every surface is optimized to do it's specific function. Unlike a simple round shape.
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