Visualize the corner and try to pick the straightest possible line through it using as much of the road as you can. Look at where you want to go not at what you want to avoid, you tend to go where you are looking. Stay relaxed and steady. If you're in a group, let some gaps open, talk as you over take and choose the over take zones carefully.

Technical descending is all about rider skill, confidence and willingness to take risk. The best descending bike is the one that you feel most confident on. Buying either bike isn't going to turn a poor descender into a downhill rocket.

Maybe I'll get blasted here, but while I'm at it; buying a $2000 wheelset isn't going to turn a cat5 racer into a pro, a 12lb bike isn't going to make you climb like Contador if you're an old fat guy, and aP4 isn't going to make a guy with tweety bird legs as fast as Zabriske in a TT. If you're worried about a few grams on the bike, go for a ride instead of eating that slice of pie. If you want to descend better, practice, practice, practice.

paddlepedalski:

Wow, this thread (although good info) is not answering the OP's question - "which bike would you say handles better on a steep, twisty descent, and why? S2 or R3?".

Yeah, didn't even get a reach-around with that threadjack!   I'm glad somebody succeeded at reading comprehension in shcool.