Mountain Biking - Put the Truth on a crash diet

I have been going back and forth for a while trying to decide which bike to use for my first couple of races this year. I love how light my Enlightenment is but the courses are pretty technical with lots of rocks and roots so I am afraid that the low bottom bracket could come into play. The Truth is a fantastic bike but it was just a little heavy. I finally decided to go with the Truth. I think I will be able to maintain my momentum enough in the rocky and rooty sections to be able to justify carrying the extra weight.

When I started out last night the Truth weighed in at a whopping 26.19 pounds. Just a little too heavy in my opinion. I decided to swap out the wheelset, crankset, chainrings, bottom bracket, handlebar, grips, stem, seatpost, pedals, cassette, skewers, and rotors. The bike now weighs in at 24.21 pounds with bottle cage, computer, and bar ends. I still need to replace the saddle and swap the rear derailleur out for an X.0. It should be under 24 pounds in time for the race.

Here is a crappy picture. Unfortunately by the time I finished the crash diet it was beginning to get dark.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/LowCel/100_0251.jpg

I started to turn green while reading about your weight problem . My 1st thought was it's NAUSEA coming on:eek: , then I realized it was ENVY .:D

Bah diet:rolleyes: I own people on my 29 lb ETSX, 24 lbs is rediculous.:eek:

Bah diet:rolleyes: I own people on my 29 lb ETSX, 24 lbs is rediculous.:eek:

Unfortunately I'm not in good enough shape to say the same. I need every advantage I can get.

Unfortunately I'm not in good enough shape to say the same. I need every advantage I can get.I find it hard to believe that you're not in great shape , but if you have the parts to drop that weight , you'd be foolish not to.

Bah diet:rolleyes: I own people on my 29 lb ETSX, 24 lbs is rediculous.:eek:


why don't you guys race and find out.

why don't you guys race and find out.
I was simply pointing out how a 24 lb FS bike will fly like the wind.

why don't you guys race and find out.
I was simply pointing out how a 24 lb FS bike will fly like the wind.

...and there's at least another five pounds of weight savings if you trim those brake cables.

24.21 lbs! That indeed is an envious weight for an fs rig. How are those karmas working out on the wet, rocky, roots that are the WV trails?

24.21 lbs! That indeed is an envious weight for an fs rig. How are those karmas working out on the wet, rocky, roots that are the WV trails?

They seem to be great tires for most of the trails that I ride. However if it is going to be a muddy ride I replace them with some Panaracer Fire Mud Pro's.

Read your bio, best of luck on the circuit this year. Sounds like you've got a first rate mb. Give em heck.

...and there's at least another five pounds of weight savings if you trim those brake cables.

I'll take the extra weight on those. I've been around a lot of the Marta and Marta SL brakes. It seems like they are perfect brakes until the cables are cut. After that they have to be bled on somewhat a normal basis. I would rather have them trouble free.



Read your bio, best of luck on the circuit this year. Sounds like you've got a first rate mb. Give em heck.

Thanks!

However if it is going to be a muddy ride I replace them with some Panaracer Fire Mud Pro's.
Shhhh! Kenda might be listening :D

Shhhh! Kenda might be listening :D

Shhhh........ ;) If it helps I am now 100% Kenda on the road bikes.

wow that seat is high

wow that seat is high

I actually raised it up another 1/4" or so while I was out this evening. I think I need to raise it a little more still. It has approximately 4" drop from saddle to handlebars. Not too shabby.

Here is a little better picture. This was taken after todays ride. It felt great to be out. It's also nice to see that all of my hard work is starting to pay off. I had my best time ever on the fire road climb that I always time myself on. My best time last year was 10:06. Today I did it in 9:41.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/LowCel/100_0252a.jpg