Reading some of the stuff in other forums. So many shop for a new bike taking weight into consideration. I read a comment about Trek's weight compared to other bikes. But I stop and think of riders like Brandy doing so well with her Trek in the KOM standings (don't mean to get it started, just stating the facts). I've seen other riders doing very well with decent bikes while avoiding the million dollar bike superlight.
I wonder why someone would consider a few grams over fit. Sure great if you can find both, but weight isn't always top priority, or is it? Which brings up my question.
When you purchased your bike, was the weight factor more imprortant than the others? Did you/would you choose a bike that weighed a little bit less over a bike that you thought might have been a little bit more comfy? Did you choose your bike because you thought it was lighter making it a better climber and/or faster?
My answer: I bought my Cannondale cause I knew it was stiff and sturdy enough to carry my big butt, AND I got it at a good price! While building my wheels, I went for durabilty. Didn't consider weight at at all. But then again, I'm not a climber. When I bought my Lemond, I bought it as a beater bike. Not as stiff as the Cannondale, but very comfy eventhough it's a heavy tank!.....So no, didn't consider weight at all when buying my bikes.:p
jslopez
05-30-07, 09:32 PM
Buy the best bike you can afford is always my advice. Best being relative to the buyer (could be weight, heritage, color etc).
I bought my orbea based on looks (didn't even get a chance to test ride it just got a fit and it was assembled a few weeks later).
Will a lighter bike make you significantly faster? Probably not. While climbing something like Decker are we all secretly wishing we lost that .0000001 gram? Youbetcha.
thomson
05-30-07, 09:37 PM
I think it depends on why one is bicycling. I ride for fitness only so the weight of the bike doesn't matter. Durability is more important. The main bike I ride weighs 23 pounds. If I had a 15 pound bike, perhaps I would go faster but it seems to me that I would get the same workout.
ronjon10
05-30-07, 09:38 PM
I'd say I bought the new bike considering weight, with a catch.
My old bike is a touring bike that weighs 26 pounds, built to support me (at 280 lbs) and 50 pounds in gear. It's super strong, and it's a great bike, but it's no speedster.
When I hit 235, I got a new bike, but decided it couldn't weigh more than 18 pounds, cause I didn't want to spend all the $$ to save 5 pounds. (8 pounds yes, 5 pounds no). So I got a Roubaix Pro which comes in at 18 pounds. That's a couple pounds more than a bike I'd consider to be a super lightweight bike.
On milder grades (10% or less) and flats, the new bike is definitely faster and is a much smoother ride. Ironically though, when I do super steep hills, I use the old bike since it's got the super granny touring gears. I'll bring it this weekend so I can get to the lifts if I feel like going.
Mr. Beanz
05-30-07, 09:49 PM
Just To Clarify, Not Looking For Answers On "whether Or Not Your Light Bike Is Faster", Just Want To Know If You Bought A Bike Based On Weight!:d
jschen
05-30-07, 09:51 PM
I don't expect to ever be a particularly fast rider. Fitness simply isn't high enough a priority for me. But I like my nice toys, and yes, weight was a major consideration when picking my bike and in picking its subsequent upgrades. It was to be my climbing bike, optimized for climbing up Baldy. Not one gram devoted to aero. Some rather wasteful spending :o devoted to weight reduction for the sake of having a toy that I absolutely love.
Now, comfort matters, too, since my climbing bike turned out to be my primary bike and I no longer ride what used to be my primary bike. And because of my liking for fancy toys, I've gone ahead and picked up an aero wheelset for the days when I don't mind a few hundred grams being devoted to aero.
By the way, the slower the rider, the bigger a chunk of time a nicer bike saves. It makes Vivian look better when she saves me 30 minutes at Breathless Agony (using my Specialized Allez Sport, my current backup bike, as the benchmark assuming no difference other than a change in power/weight ratio). If I were as fast as those guys clocking in at around 6 hours, she would only save me about 20 minutes. :p
So the slower I become, the more I can justify that Cervelo Soloist Carbon SL with a Lightweight Obermayer wheelset. :lol:
jsigone
05-30-07, 09:54 PM
my first road (current one) is a 05' Felt F90 with triples. Baseline bike, sora shifter, 500 bucks, 23lbs. Have over 6k miles on it with no adjustments, just lube and air. Replaced the tires when needed and Jason hooked me up with some brakes after mine failed at the top of Palomar Observatory (5500ft). I bought the bike to jump into the sport, I already had 2 MTBs. I wanted a roadie to get time/ miles in so I can lose weight and to do so for the cheapest new price as possible. 2 yrs later I'm out performing my Felt. My weight has stayed the same at 190-195 since the inital weight drop from 245 when I started. So my NEXT geared roadie will be as light as possible for the $ and I think I found it. The Le Champion is sub 16lbs, which is 8lbs lighter then my Felt. My SS roadie is a classic steel, weighs in @ 27 lbs, 4lbs heavier then the Felt and I can feel the difference. I'm hoping that when I get the lighter bike, I will again feel the difference. 8lbs lighter up the climbs yield about 5% difference in power to weight ratio.
herbm
05-30-07, 09:55 PM
I bought what I could afford....it certainly was lighter than what i was previously riding....
However...knowing what I know now...I would probablyh have bought the same bike...
But I think when/if I get a new bike..I will opt for something a bit lighter
Mr. Beanz
05-30-07, 09:58 PM
So the slower I become, the more I can justify that Cervelo Soloist Carbon SL with a Lightweight Obermayer wheelset.
Maybe I better start saving now!:D
nesdog
05-30-07, 10:01 PM
I didn't have a clue when I bought my OCR2, 23 lbs. I purchased what I could afford. Since I was upgrading from my 35 year old 10 speed Peugeut, it felt like a feather!
I would like to have a bike closer to 18-19 pounds but I'm very happy with my ride. I reason (perhaps incorrectly!) that the extra couple of pounds makes the ride smoother cause it dampens the road noise! One day I'll get some lighter wheels.
BTW, as some of you may know, I did a 68 mile 7000' ride with the Nocal bunch last Saturday, all manner of machines. Do you know who/what smoked us on the steepest, longest climb of the day?
Andy, on his ancient, 27 pound fixie, wearing spd sandals, long pants and a fanny pack. Been said before...it ain't the bike...it's the engine.
Sheldon
ronjon10
05-30-07, 10:03 PM
Just To Clarify, Not Looking For Answers On "whether Or Not Your Light Bike Is Faster", Just Want To Know If You Bought A Bike Based On Weight!:d
In that case, yes weight was a consideration (along with strength, warranty, fit, cost, stiffness, comfort and the blingy curved top tube).
On my touring bike, weight wasn't a consideration at all.
zymans
05-30-07, 10:03 PM
It doesn’t make sense to spend a fortune on a light bike if the person is overweight!
Mr. Beanz
05-30-07, 10:10 PM
In that case, yes weight was a consideration (along with strength, warranty, fit, cost, stiffness, comfort and the blingy curved top tube).
On my touring bike, weight wasn't a consideration at all.
OKthanks RJ!...I just didn't want to turn it into a lite bike is faster debate! Just wondered what they thought when they were buying!:D
jsigone
05-30-07, 10:11 PM
one of the guys I raced MTBs is the owner of Big Bear Bikes, 240+ guy raced on a Full carbon Yeti, 21lbs full suspension. Last yr he upgraded the yeti, bought a full cabon S-works pro bike, 23lbs STOCK full susension, went weight weenie on this thing, Ti bolts yada yada 19 lbs end result. Something like a 10k MTB all said and done.
Laps times are Fontana from me on my hard tail 1k budget racer was 49 minutes, 7 miles. Lap times for him, 1hr 35 minutes.
Mr. Beanz
05-30-07, 10:13 PM
It doesn’t make sense to spend a fortune on a light bike if the person is overweight!
That's not the topic here! The topic is "did you consider weight as a mojor factor when you bought your bike"?
Don't want to turn this into a "big guy shouldn't buy a lite bike thread" as maybe one of us big guys bought a 21 lb bike over a 26 lb bike. That would be considering weight at time of purchase.:p
jschen
05-30-07, 10:14 PM
So the slower I become, the more I can justify that Cervelo Soloist Carbon SL with a Lightweight Obermayer wheelset.
Maybe I better start saving now!:D
No... you're faster than me. You have to first slow yourself down and let me beat you up the hills. Then you can start worrying about saving those pennies. :p
tprevost
05-30-07, 10:15 PM
That's not the topic here! The topic is "did you consider weight as a mojor factor when you bought your bike"?
when I bought my roubaix it was much lighter than the touring bike I had been riding but weight wasn't really a consideration.... fast forward to the LOOK... it was a fluke that the frame was available but in any event, even though I spent money I didn't need to, I went light on everything I used to build it up. I love both bikes though and they are both still way outa my league :p
Mr. Beanz
05-30-07, 10:19 PM
No... you're faster than me. You have to first slow yourself down and let me beat you up the hills. Then you can start worrying about saving those pennies. :p
I'd be willing to let you beat me, and make it look good if you are willing to part with Vivian!:D
jschen
05-30-07, 10:23 PM
Sorry... there's only one thing I currently would consider giving up Vivian for. And beating you up a mountain ain't it.
Mr. Beanz
05-30-07, 10:28 PM
when I bought my roubaix it was much lighter than the touring bike I had been riding but weight wasn't really a consideration.... fast forward to the LOOK... it was a fluke that the frame was available but in any event, even though I spent money I didn't need to, I went light on everything I used to build it up. I love both bikes though and they are both still way outa my league :p
I've seen the pix of your bikes, Niiiiiice!:D
jamlo21
05-30-07, 10:28 PM
I think weight does make a difference. I used to ride with a guy who had an old aluminum Trek. I could go up hills twice as fast as he could. He bought a madone and all of a sudden he could stay with me on hills. I know he didnt do any training cause he weighed the same and he is on the lazy side. I attribute his speed entirely to the lighter bike.
I dont think a couple of grams make a difference, but pounds do.
tprevost
05-30-07, 10:29 PM
I've seen the pix of your bikes, Niiiiiice!:D
hey.... the tandem actually got ridden yesterday :p (or at least 1/2 of it got ridden)... but thanks, I love my bikes :D
Chucklehead
05-30-07, 10:31 PM
Just To Clarify, Not Looking For Answers On "whether Or Not Your Light Bike Is Faster", Just Want To Know If You Bought A Bike Based On Weight!:d
i didn't base my build on weight, but i did figure it would come in around 17lbs in the end. i also wouldn't consider myself a climber. i'm ok at riding uphill. not so much climbing. so maybe i'm not qualified to reply:(
Mr. Beanz
05-30-07, 10:33 PM
I think weight does make a difference. I used to ride with a guy who had an old aluminum Trek. I could go up hills twice as fast as he could. He bought a madone and all of a sudden he could stay with me on hills. I know he didnt do any training cause he weighed the same and he is on the lazy side. I attribute his speed entirely to the lighter bike.
I dont think a couple of grams make a difference, but pounds do.
SO uhhhhh, you're trying to change the topic to drive me crazy?:p
Mr. Beanz
05-30-07, 10:35 PM
i didn't base my build on weight, but i did figure it would come in around 17lbs in the end. i also wouldn't consider myself a climber. i'm ok at riding uphill. not so much climbing. so maybe i'm not qualified to reply:(
Good answer. I'm not a climber either, but I answered so I guess you're ok!:D
VanceMac
05-30-07, 10:38 PM
As most everyone is alluding to: unless you are going to actually compete a lot, with a lot of those competitions featuring a lot of climbing... then purchasing a bike based on saving a pound or two makes no sense at all. But since when does making a purchase for your passion have to make sense? :)
octico
05-30-07, 10:38 PM
I am a heavy guy, (195). I bought my Tarmac Pro (16.5 lbs) it came light. I originally was going to purchase the expert, but he sold me the pro for the same price. For me weight does not really make a difference. When I ride my Single Speed steel bike it feels just as heavy as my Carbon Fiber bike . Thats my 2 cents for whatever it is worth. My opinion is just eat less the night before :)
jschen
05-30-07, 10:42 PM
As most everyone is alluding to: unless you are going to actually compete a lot, with a lot of those competitions featuring a lot of climbing... then purchasing a bike based on saving a pound or two makes no sense at all. But since when does making a purchase for your passion have to make sense? :)
Oh, but that's why it makes any sense at all. It satisfies a passion.
Chucklehead
05-30-07, 10:42 PM
here's how i feel about weight, though: i'd rather my bike look cool while climbing with the heavy spinergys than look not quite as cool with the topolinos. i'm not dumb, though - i'll use the topolinos when i'm worried about keeping up:p
*edit* not that dumb.
1955
05-30-07, 11:00 PM
Weight was a bit of a factor, but I went from a 20 year old steel bike equipped with Shimano 600 w/downtube shifter to a full carbon frame w/10 spd DA and DA wheels. This bike had/has it all, light weight, very comfy, stiff and it looked good. So, to me, weight was a factor, but not the only one.
bitingduck
05-30-07, 11:08 PM
Got my Trek based on fit and feel. I was actually looking for steel or aluminum, and none of them were as comfortable as the Trek.
Vireo
05-30-07, 11:45 PM
That's not the topic here! The topic is "did you consider weight as a mojor factor when you bought your bike"?
When I bought my Scott CR1 Team Issue- it was to be my project bike and I started with the lightest platform I could find. I got it down to sub 14lbs with a PowerTap SL 404's, pedals, bottle cages, computers etc ready to race.
YES weight was THE major consideration. But even with that narrow selection criteria I ended up with the most efficient climbing bike I have ever ridden...SUPER STIFF bottom bracket and extremely stable at 60 mph on a descents or on switchbacks.
There is so much bunk about the right fit and geometry and so on. If you are looking for a race bike the geometries are so very similar that it isn't worth discussing. I fit riders to bikes everyday and a stem change and saddle height, fore/aft adjustment and just about anyone fits any bike.
When I recently bought my Cervelo Soloist-- It wasn't about weight but about the aero advantage of thousands of miles on RAAM. It is a pig by my weight weenie standards. But weight only REALLY matters going uphill while AERO MATTERS ALL THE TIME.
I don't study "comfort bike" geometries--because well "it's not my bag baby" -- Austin Powers.
Please look at the geometries I have attached
The Scott, Cervelo Soloist, R3, Specialized Tarmac, Trek Madonne, Cannondale
On a 56cm Frame Notice:
Top Tubes in cm 56.5, 56.5, 56.5, 56.5, 56.1, 56. Respectably
Head Tubes in mm 160, 160, 160, 155, 121, 154 Respectably
Head Tube angles in degrees 73, 73, 73, 73.5, 73.8, 72.5 Respectably
With the head tube on the trek being 3+ cm shorter than the others, does that make any real difference?
I bought my bike because it was inexpensive. It's plenty lighter than my old hybrid (which I just don't like riding anymore now that I have a real road bike). I think the improvement over the hybrid is very dramatic, but going from the bike I have now to one that's a few pounds light probably would not be as dramatic.
Chucklehead
05-31-07, 12:46 AM
generally, the shorter head tube will mean that the bike is more responsive to steering input. my head tube(for a 54cm frame) is only 11cm, and the bike has lightning quick handling.
head tube length is something you'll want to pay attention to if you tend to like a more upright riding position. it just means you'll have that many more spacers beneath your stem and you will effectively lose some of the rigidity that would be there with a taller head tube. where i used to have less than 1cm of spacers on my kestrel(54cm), i now have 3cm on my blue(54cm) to achieve the same fit. technically, i could have gone with a 56cm on the new bike, but i like showing a little extra post:rolleyes: *pose*
Extort
05-31-07, 02:08 AM
I tried several bikes and when I landed on the Basso everything just felt right...
Weight was only an issue for the initial decision on the ballpark amount to spend on the bike, I wanted a ~18 lb bike and was willing to pay $X for that weight... after that it was feel, fit, appearance and how unique it was...
mkadam68
05-31-07, 05:12 AM
I think weight does make a difference. I used to ride with a guy who had an old aluminum Trek. I could go up hills twice as fast as he could. He bought a madone and all of a sudden he could stay with me on hills. I know he didnt do any training cause he weighed the same and he is on the lazy side. I attribute his speed entirely to the lighter bike.
I dont think a couple of grams make a difference, but pounds do.
Weight definitely makes a difference. My previous bike is a rather heavy older Cannondale as compared to my newer Kuota. You can absolutley feel the weight difference. I definitely work harder and go slower when riding the C-dale.
That said, I did not buy my bike for it's weight savings...that never came into consideration. I bought it for #1-comfort and #2 stiffness in BB area. I could have gotten components etc that helped it weigh less but, I need to lose a few pounds more myself. Why bother the bike?
:)
redden
05-31-07, 05:21 AM
Do you know who/what smoked us on the steepest, longest climb of the day?
Andy, on his ancient, 27 pound fixie, wearing spd sandals, long pants and a fanny pack. Been said before...it ain't the bike...it's the engine.
Sheldon
Where can I buy an engine like that?
Happytime
05-31-07, 06:09 AM
There is so much bunk about the right fit and geometry and so on. If you are looking for a race bike the geometries are so very similar that it isn't worth discussing. I fit riders to bikes everyday and a stem change and saddle height, fore/aft adjustment and just about anyone ***INSERT TEXT HERE*** fits any bike.
Add text: ***Not named Happytime :rolleyes:
After Sacha is done she'll probably end up around 15 lbs (920g frame) which means my entire descending weight (me + bike + gear/food) will be around 130-135 lbs. Unless someone straps a 20-lb bag of coffee to me at the top, I can't imagine "bombing" down any mountains on her.
Honestly, I didn't even consider weight or climbing when purchasing such a light frame. My sizing options were severely limited and I wanted full carbon simply for the comfort factor.
But since when does making a purchase for your passion have to make sense?
+1. No sense at all. ;)
thomson
05-31-07, 06:15 AM
I would like clarify my position.
I don’t feel the tool (bicycle) should limit the ability of the rider. Every once in a while (as recently as a few days ago) I keep wondering if I should get another bike (Scott Addict, either R1 or R3) but I always come to the conclusion that it won’t help me much. On the other side of the coin, I remember a story by SirLance when his carbon handlebars broke. He is a great climber so the weight does make a difference and it makes sense that he replaced the bars with another carbon one. . For me, I just assume stuff didn’t break like that. There are at least a score of riders who post here that I think their climbing ability is quite enhanced with a nice light bike.
So, in my opinion, don’t let the tool hold you back. Especially if you compete but also as a sense of satisfaction. I have never heard of anyone regretting purchasing a nice lightweight bike. It just isn’t for me. At least not this week.
Happytime
05-31-07, 07:07 AM
So, in my opinion, don’t let the tool hold you back. Especially if you compete but also as a sense of satisfaction. I have never heard of anyone regretting purchasing a nice lightweight bike. It just isn’t for me. At least not this week.
Right. :rolleyes:
big john
05-31-07, 07:34 AM
I'm a heavier rider, always over 200#, and I think about bike weight a little, but I have broken so many parts that durability has to come first.
Years ago I was pretty strong and used to ride 1000 miles a month, the destruction of parts convinced me to find the sturdy stuff. Now I ride half that much and can't sprint like I once could, so I could probably use some of the lighter stuff, but I'm afraid to try, especially wheels.
My newest bike is around 21 pounds, big deal.
voltman
05-31-07, 07:41 AM
With the head tube on the trek being 3+ cm shorter than the others, does that make any real difference?
I bought my bike because it was inexpensive. It's plenty lighter than my old hybrid (which I just don't like riding anymore now that I have a real road bike). I think the improvement over the hybrid is very dramatic, but going from the bike I have now to one that's a few pounds light probably would not be as dramatic.
The Treks use non-integrated headsets, so the head tubes are shorter to account for the external bearing cups.
redden
05-31-07, 08:07 AM
If the engine is limited by genetics and the rider has hit that wall then the only remaining option is to improve the tools. right?
efficiency
05-31-07, 08:20 AM
^That's true, but you should maximize your genetic potential before getting the 14 pound bike because it's highly likely that most people are not even close to their genetic potential, while they have a bike that is probably pretty close to as light as they are willing to pay for.
Mo'Phat
05-31-07, 08:31 AM
When I got my latest frame, my 1st priority was that it felt right. My 2nd priority was that it was cheap-but-good. My 3rd priority was that I wanted a kinda cool looking frame. My 4th priority was to be able to bolt on my current components and have it fit me. My 5th priority was that it wasn't a 20+ lb behemoth. My 6th priority was that I wanted it to be uncommon.
So, weight was down the list...even behind looks.
I still have quite a bit of work to do on the engine, and quite a bit of weight (like 1.5 more bikes strapped to my waist) to eradicate, before I can begin caring about weight-weenieism.
vertical bob
05-31-07, 08:33 AM
There is an old saying,"if you want a lighter bike, loose some weight":D
Mr. Beanz
05-31-07, 09:10 AM
[SIZE=2]When I got my latest frame, my 1st priority was that it felt right. My 2nd priority was that it was cheap-but-good. My 3rd priority was that I wanted a kinda cool looking frame. My 4th priority was to be able to bolt on my current components and have it fit me. My 5th priority was that it wasn't a 20+ lb behemoth. My 6th priority was that I wanted it to be uncommon.