General Cycling Discussion - My bike is Now Lighter, and Runs Better

The bike I use on organized rides is equipped with DA 9 speed stuff (Cannondale). I use my Lemond as a beater and trainer bike (195 and Ultegra mix). I've put about 600 miles this year on my Cannondale and 3800 on the Lemond. Lemond is till running very well. But although I don't use the Canni as much, it was making a knocking noise in the rear. So I check the wheel, the skewers, derailleur adjustment and everything is fine. But dark knocking is till there. SO I ride the Canni on the last couple of short rides to see if the knock gets louder. It does!:(

So I remebe somewhere tha a bike makes a knocking noise if the cassette is not properly tightened.. SO I ge out my $10 chainwhip and the $5 Park Tool key for the cassette. I place the key on the cassette and it practically turns itself. Great, now I know where the problem stands.

I take the cassette apart piece by piece from the wheel. I clean the hub body and the cogs. As I'm removing the caked on greas and grit, I begin to wonderhow much this stuff weighs. It's caked on between cogs where it can only be removed if the cassette is removed. No way if it's on the bike! I scrape out quite a bit eventhough it appears very clean form the outside.

I lube everything then reassemble. Everything is nice and tight. I put it on the trainer, spin the crank and SMOOOOOTH as butter again!:D

I think back to threads about weight savings on the bike. Some riders don't replace the plastic cap over the valve stems of the tubes in order to save rotational weight!:rolleyes: I'm not a wieght weenie but could not wonder how much weight I saved by removing the gunk!:p..The bike runs better and is ligther, therefore it must be faster too!

Really the purpose of this post isn't only about the weight, that's just kinda kidding around. But remember if your bike is knocking in the rear, doesn't mean the derailleur is out of adjustment, you need a new wheel, chain, or even a crankset like some may tell you. Could be something as simple as tightening the cassette with a $5 tool!:D

I'm happy, bike is clean, light and cheap!:o

I think back to threads about weight savings on the bike. Some riders don't replace the plastic cap over the valve stems of the tubes in order to save rotational weight!:

Don't forget the wind resistance of those valve caps.:roflmao:

You do know that this really applies to sew-ups, I suppose. If the tubular rolls off the rim, it's best for it to go all the way off, instead of banging around on the wheel. You also need to leave off the little knurled nut on the valve stem. Saves weight, but not much loss of wind resistance.

Don't forget the wind resistance of those valve caps.:roflmao:

You do know that this really applies to sew-ups, I suppose. If the tubular rolls off the rim, it's best for it to go all the way off, instead of banging around on the wheel. You also need to leave off the little knurled nut on the valve stem. Saves weight, but not much loss of wind resistance.

Nermie Buddy!:D..... Sounds good to me. I never knew that but makes sense. But the debates/conversations I've had with other cyclists was about the weight on clinchers. I don't think it's much but these guys were serious about it. I keep mine for the purpose of keeping the valve clean in order to preserve the pump head o-rings, smooth transition. They thought I was nuts for keeping them.:rolleyes:

I tell you what, it's lots more fun to suppose they leave them off for the weight savings. Somewhat like backpackers who cut the tabs off the tea bags. By the way, I would never consider tubulars, even if I were moderately competitive. You think that glue is going to work in the rain?

Reason I don't replace the valve caps is that I've lost them in repairing the puncture. Riding offroad and we pick up a lot of mud on the bike. Can be as much as 3 or 4lbs on some wet sticky rides. Never seems to slow us down till it gets down the back of the neck but that is another story.

One thing that does slow me down is Winter clothing- All those extra layers restricting the muscles and adding weight- For some reason- when the sun comes out and I can lose a layer or two- I get faster.

Drill out your water bottles you can easily save 20 grams

I tell you what, it's lots more fun to suppose they leave them off for the weight savings. Somewhat like backpackers who cut the tabs off the tea bags. By the way, I would never consider tubulars, even if I were moderately competitive. You think that glue is going to work in the rain?

Hey never thought of teabags, but I did cut my toothbrush in half. ;)

Drill out your water bottles you can easily save 20 grams

Wait'll you see how much weight you save by drilling your tires !


While we're on the topic, cyclists don't really need ears, ya know. Van Gogh was a weight weenie innovator!

Toes... absolutely optional.



Hair weighs, dude!


What else... ?

Wait'll you see how much weight you save by drilling your tires !


While we're on the topic, cyclists don't really need ears, ya know. Van Gogh was a weight weenie innovator!

Toes... absolutely optional.



Hair weighs, dude!


What else... ?

I think someone could save a *lot* of weight by coming up with shoes that just attach straight to the cranks. Pedals? Hah, thats a laugh! 300 extra grams for what again?

And think of the weight savings you could get by skipping the handlebar tape!

Drill out your water bottles you can easily save 20 grams

20 grams is nothing! If you drill the hole stragetically in the bottom of your water bottle you'll save 20 whole ounces.

Wait'll you see how much weight you save by drilling your tires !

Yup. I saved a bunch of weight on my bike by using fewer pounds of air in my tires.