Bicycle Mechanics - upgrading my bike

Hiya

I have a budget Learsport cruiser 700 hybrid bike at ~$300 (bought it at the start of this year)....the problem is that it's really heavy, and I guess much of the weight is from heavier, lower grade components.

I was wondering what components would be worthwhile to upgrade/replace to reduce the weight/increase the performance of the bike?

details:

Manufacturer Learsport
Model Cruiser 700
Frame Size 16", 18", 21", 23"
Colour Purple & Silver
Frame Aero aluminium frame with replace-end
Fork Mozo C-51 suspension fork
Crank Shimano TY33C 28-38-48T
Brakes Promax alloy v-brake
Pedals Alloy pedal
Saddle Velo
Seatpost Promax alloy 27.2 x 300mm - Silver
Stem Promax alloy adjustable MQ-525 - Silver
Handlebar Promax alloy
B/Bracket VP steel
Front Hub Alloy quick-release with seal cover
Gearing Shimano ST-EF29 7 SIS 21 speed
Rear Hub Alloy quick-release with seal cover
Front Derailleur Shimano TY32A
Rear Derailleur Shimano TY22-7
Shifters Shimano ST-EF-29 rapid-fire gears
Freewheel Shimano MF-TI07 14-28T
Chain KMC Z51
Rims Alloy rim
Spokes 14g stainless steel
Tyres (Tires) Kenda 839 26" x 1.95"
Year 2005
Freight Type Adult Bike

Regards

Sing

Probably not a cost effective idea. You'll have to change out a bunch of stuff to lose even a pound or so. If you buy that many new components, you'll be well on your way to paying for a lighter, better bike. If you feel that you want a better bike, I'd recommend buying a new one rather than trying to upgrade what you have now.

I vote for buy a new bike as well.

By the time you get half way done you will have doubled your investment in the bike, and still have a cheap bike with expensive components.

What problems bother you most about the extra weight?

You will gain signioficantly in three ways by lowering weight.

1) Climbing hills.

2) Accelerating

3) Lifting the bike onto a rack

Any other gains are mental.

If the climbing and accelerating are issues, and you have any body weight you can lose, it is a better method to lose weight.

For lifting the bike onto a rack, you may be better served by lifting the bike as exercise... Perhaps some curls etc. :D

Upgrading the components will be expensive in dollars and effort. If you are hoping to spread the cost by doing it a part at a time, ride the heck out of this bike while saving for a new one. When you get the new one you may really feel the difference, and you will be in better shape too.

Put on thinner tires, 1.5" slicks. The reduced weight will give slightly better acceleration and will be noticable on hills, but will also make the steering more nimble. A non suspension fork would give a noticable weight reduction but may not be worth the cost.

new bike

I'm sure this sounds harsh but there is no practical or economically justified way to significantly upgrade your bike. You would have to change nearly everything on it and you'd still have a poor quality frame.

They didn't call it a "Freight Type Adult Bbike" for no reason. Either live with what you have or buy a better quality replacement.

I would second what another poster mentioned. I should have mentioned this in my earlier post.

Tires might be a worthwhile upgrade. Everything else has a low bang per buck ratio.