Well no - it's not a real porker in the "traditional" sense of the word - but, compared to my Cannondale CAAD8 and Bianchi Pista (both 18 lbs) it's a fatty. As it stands with fenders (SKS P45 @ 580 grams), bottle cage and new Ti pedals, it weighs 23.1 pounds. Without fenders, it's a bit under 22 lbs.
I think the biggest area for weight reduction potential is in the wheels (they are 2000 grams) and in the cranks.
I'm looking for feedback on the following:
(Cranks)
Cranks are Bonty Select(?)/Race(?)/Not-sure 46x34. I think they are heavy but how much weight can I save if I got some new DA cranks and BB? I think DA is 660 grams but is that with BB? I think the the Bonty was in the 8xx gram range but I'm not sure if that includes the BB in the measurement or not. I'm open to moving to a compact (50T) crank.
(Wheels)
I've always liked Chris King stuff. It's like industrial art. Aluminum porn. For the sentimental reasons just mentioned, I want to build a custom set based on these hubs. Suggestions for spoke count, spoke material or nipples? I'm a self proclaimed wheel aficionado but custom wheel newb.
(Saddle)
SSM Regal Ti. It's 300 grams of sexy heaven. Not going anywhere.
(Skewers)
Waste of money? How much weight can I save?
(Fork)
Mine is 690 grams. Same as the 2008 Bonty Cross fork which is the traditional style vs my Switchblade style. Alpha Q is light but I don't think they take disc...
(What else?)
My budget is about $2000 for new set of wheels, cranks, seatpost and misc other things. Recently added CK headset, stem, bars and tape, saddle and ti pedals so I won't need those things. I'm not a weight weenie, but this bike can certainly be 2 pounds lighter.
Basically, I want a bike that is light as possible for the the task of cross, road rides, races and group rides. I sold my road bike and I am building up a second wheelset so I can maximize the versatility of this bike for road.
Maybe keep that crankset for the cross season and put on the schwag stuff for road racing? You'll want larger chainrings for road use anyways, I bet. Same with wheels. Use the stock set for cross and get some weight wheenie stuff for the road. I swear I saw someone post a pic of a cannondale cross disc with deep dish carbon wheels... and he somehow got the discs to work (it was on the roadbikereview 'cross forums). Anyhow, I'd keep the bike solid but with expendable parts for cross. I bet you could drop the first two pounds pretty easily though, if you have the spare wads of cash.
flargle
11-28-07, 11:04 PM
Spend the $2K on a light road bike.
MIN
11-28-07, 11:09 PM
Spend the $2K on a light road bike.
You're no fun at this game.
Milice
11-29-07, 04:00 AM
White saddle and white bar tape on a cross bike?
flargle
11-29-07, 07:28 AM
You're no fun at this game.How much money have you already sunk into "upgrading" this bike? ****e, if I had two G's to spend (of course, you'd almost surely be better off saving it, but I don't know your financial particulars), I'd get a nice speedy road bike. You could easily find a brand-new all-Ultegra lightweight road bike for that much money.
But playing along, the obvious upgrade for the Poprad would be new/spare wheels. AFAIK there are plenty of choices out there in disc-ready 29er wheelsets.
In truth, though, you're just suffering from upgrade-itis. If you want to lose four pounds, drink less beer.
sfcrossrider
11-29-07, 08:01 AM
Spend a grand on wheels and use the rest for racing... you'll need it when sh!t starts breaking.
BTW, I love the white.
knucklesandwich
11-29-07, 08:16 AM
You're gonna have a > $4,000 Poprad when you're through? Like the other guy said, I don't know your money situation, but for that kind of scratch I think I'd prefer a lightweight road bike AND a custom steel cx bike with discs...
MIN
11-29-07, 09:15 AM
You're gonna have a > $4,000 Poprad when you're through? Like the other guy said, I don't know your money situation, but for that kind of scratch I think I'd prefer a lightweight road bike AND a custom steel cx bike with discs...
It's more of an issue of space and explaining the 4 bikes I have to the fiance. A fifth bike? That's harder to justify than clandestine upgrades she won't notice. $2000 isn't a huge deal to me.
MIN
11-29-07, 09:17 AM
How much money have you already sunk into "upgrading" this bike? ****e, if I had two G's to spend (of course, you'd almost surely be better off saving it, but I don't know your financial particulars), I'd get a nice speedy road bike. You could easily find a brand-new all-Ultegra lightweight road bike for that much money.
But playing along, the obvious upgrade for the Poprad would be new/spare wheels. AFAIK there are plenty of choices out there in disc-ready 29er wheelsets.
In truth, though, you're just suffering from upgrade-itis. If you want to lose four pounds, drink less beer.
Really? Any particular suggestion? The only one that was readily apparent was the cross wheelset from Cane Creek but that is 2000 grams. So why bother, right?
flargle
11-29-07, 09:57 AM
Mavic Crossmax Disc claims 1750 grams, just for example. I guess lightweight is relative, with disc brakes you can't go crazy light. Check out what speedgoat has:
http://www.speedgoat.com/interest.asp?show=29
flargle
11-29-07, 10:06 AM
It's more of an issue of space and explaining the 4 bikes I have to the fiance. A fifth bike? That's harder to justify than clandestine upgrades she won't notice. $2000 isn't a huge deal to me.I hope this is a joke.
If you are already doing this sort of negotiation, compromising, and lying with your fiancee, it's going to get even worse after the wedding.
[BTW I'm not trying to be an *****hole. I just think there are some issues you are avoiding that might be clouding your judgement. Or I'm way off base.]
MIN
11-29-07, 10:30 AM
I hope this is a joke.
If you are already doing this sort of negotiation, compromising, and lying with your fiancee, it's going to get even worse after the wedding.
[BTW I'm not trying to be an *****hole. I just think there are some issues you are avoiding that might be clouding your judgement. Or I'm way off base.]
Nah you're reading too far into this.
DDYTDY
11-29-07, 10:49 AM
Build a tubular wheel set with DT Revolution spokes, alloy nips, and Reflex rims.
I'm not a big fan of Chris King. Lots of bling and bombproof but the seals drag..
M_S
11-29-07, 10:59 AM
I don't see that the big deal is. Yeah if it were me I'd buy another road bike But maybe he really likes the Poprad and wants to ride that. I've known guys that ended up doing most of their road stuff on their cross bikes after using them all winter and deciding that they liked the cross bike better than their road bikes.
Oh, and I found that Cannondale. Check out post #3 on page 3 of this thread:
easy way to lose 2 pounds is to lose the gears and ride it as a single speed. even though i know thats not the answer you're looking for.
jinx4
11-29-07, 11:27 AM
-tubular wheelset (ddytdy has a good solid idea up there)
-sram force shifters/rear derailleur, remove the left shift internals, ditch the f.derailleur and one chainring
-the bontrager cranks are not the lightest...
-the saddle (but you know that)
MIN
11-29-07, 11:27 AM
I don't see that the big deal is. Yeah if it were me I'd buy another road bike But maybe he really likes the Poprad and wants to ride that. I've known guys that ended up doing most of their road stuff on their cross bikes after using them all winter and deciding that they liked the cross bike better than their road bikes.
Oh, and I found that Cannondale. Check out post #3 on page 3 of this thread:
Correct. I ride 100 to 250 miles per week depending on weather and I like to have a bike that can handle light trail duty. I really like the Poprad and I'm not interested in getting a road bike. As mentioned, I recently sold my Cannondale crit bike. I don't feel that much slower on the Poprad if it have 23c tires.
The problem with race bikes (road) is that they have too tight clearance for fenders or wider tires. The Poprad is also the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden, and I've ridden $7000 race rigs and wonderbikes.
MIN
11-29-07, 11:32 AM
M_S thanks for that link. These bikes are awesome and it's good to see that I'm not the "only crazy person."
That guy must be like your long lost brother or something...white bar tape on a cross bike and all. :)
bobbotron
11-29-07, 01:33 PM
Dude, that's a wonderful bike. I'd say ride ride ride it, and when you break it get some lighter parts. :)
mtmann
11-29-07, 01:47 PM
I've got the same bike and just finishing my first cross season on it. #1 thing I need is a 2nd wheelset. Looked at something from Chris King (my hometown, and my neighbor works for them) but they DO NOT currently make a 130 spaced rear disc hub, which is what the Poprad takes. Does not exist. Only a couple out there (FSA & the Bontragers that came stock) and not much weight savings. Glad I have the disc as I also commute year round and it's keeping me from grinding down my rims, but not a good way to save weight. Cranks/bars/tires about the only place you can shave and it will never be enough. I hear of some guys who run clinchers on these wheels as tubeless with special rimstrips and valves, but don't have that experience myself.
M_S
11-29-07, 01:50 PM
You could easily squeeze a 135 hub in since it's a steel frame.
sfcrossrider
11-29-07, 02:03 PM
Sell it and buy a custom CX race bike. I think your bike is cool, but it will only be so light. A friend of mine uses the same bike for a winter bike, and a custom Hunter for a race bike. With disc wheels there is little chance getting that thing as light as you want it.
As someone said... 4K is waaaaay too much jack in that bike.
MIN
11-29-07, 02:25 PM
Sell it and buy a custom CX race bike. I think your bike is cool, but it will only be so light. A friend of mine uses the same bike for a winter bike, and a custom Hunter for a race bike. With disc wheels there is little chance getting that thing as light as you want it.
As someone said... 4K is waaaaay too much jack in that bike.
Ira Ryan. 6 month wait.
Vanilla. 4 years wait.
Besides, I like my Poprad and it handles great. Fits me perfectly. The issue of weight, I'm not trying to get to an arbitrary target. I just think that I can make it lighter if I upgrade but it's not a huge deal to me. Most of this is driven by aesthetics and quality considerations anyway. Even if i spend a few thousand on this bike, it's not like I'm going to cry over it. I will always own bikes and I can use the parts going forward.
i_r_beej
11-29-07, 05:08 PM
Jeesh. I wish I had your problem.
I have no suggestions for you. High end Shimano stuff is sure to be lighter, but you've already got the added weight of disc brakes-- they weigh more than cantilevers. So you're having to overcome that "extra" weight by cutting elsewhere. I guess carbon, carbon and more carbon. Although I don't believe that stuff has any place on a cyclocross bike that's raced or ridden seriously off-road.
Good luck to you. I'd be interested in seeing what you finally do.
M_S
11-29-07, 06:15 PM
Jeesh. I wish I had your problem.
I don't think a ton of carbon is really necissary to lighten it up. You can get lighter cranks and wheels that aren't carbon (though deep dish tubulars would probably be a logical direction to go).
This is the kind of project I could never imagine myself embarking on, but I'm looking forward to seeing how the bike will turn out. I love staring at fancy bikes anyways...frequently as they pass me during races :D
Sweet upgrades. Looks good. What seatpost clamp is that? It looks heavy but does go with the post.
MIN
12-08-07, 08:42 PM
The clamp is stock- sucks, the chrome is already flaking off.
PDXJeff
12-08-07, 09:02 PM
MIN, has that bike ever been dirty? I've made jabs about getting that Lemond dirty this whole cross season. It is a beautiful bike, and I have enjoyed seeing its evolution, but...It's still a cross bike. Disc brakes or not. Some say discs on a cyclocross bike improve wet/muddy performance. I looked for that Lemond at all the Cross Crusade races this year. Also hoped to say hey to a fellow BF'er. Alas, I never saw that shiny cycle. Stop worrying about weight and ride that thing through a field. Most local soils have no concern for the wight of your bike. You don't weigh mud in grams.:D
p4nh4ndle
12-08-07, 09:20 PM
uno: lose the disc brakes, they're anchors
dos: um, wait there's no canti studs on that bike, I guess you'll be doing the ted shred
tres: downtube shifters are way lighter than half functioning sti's (rem: you tossed the brakes)
quat: seatposts, saddles and collars have got2go
cinc: that looks like a gs derailer, ss will save precious grams and speed up shifts
ses: it is a proven fact that red tape is lighter than white (sorry)
acorn_user
12-08-07, 10:56 PM
Somebody get the man a drilled water bottle!
Love the MIche Supertype seat post. I must get one of those :)
MIN
12-09-07, 12:30 AM
MIN, has that bike ever been dirty? I've made jabs about getting that Lemond dirty this whole cross season. It is a beautiful bike, and I have enjoyed seeing its evolution, but...It's still a cross bike. Disc brakes or not. Some say discs on a cyclocross bike improve wet/muddy performance. I looked for that Lemond at all the Cross Crusade races this year. Also hoped to say hey to a fellow BF'er. Alas, I never saw that shiny cycle. Stop worrying about weight and ride that thing through a field. Most local soils have no concern for the wight of your bike. You don't weigh mud in grams.:D
Put your money where your mouth is, Jeff. ;)
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=369094
isotopesope
12-11-07, 06:37 AM
hey min,
what bars do you have in the initial white bar tape photos?
as for weight, i also think you should ditch the disc brakes. get some brake bosses brazed on and get a new fork so you can run canti's.
flargle
12-11-07, 08:59 AM
I'm trying to think of the correct metaphor for this project.
MIN
12-11-07, 10:39 AM
I'm trying to think of the correct metaphor for this project.
Lipstick on a pig? :o
Isotope - the bar is a PRO PLT* OS Compact Classic Shallow. It's 240 grams and stiffer than the Deda Newton Classic Shallow, which it shares the bend dimensions with.
* Made by Shimano
flargle
12-11-07, 12:08 PM
Lipstick on a pig? :o
Isotope - the bar is a PRO PLT* OS Compact Classic Shallow. It's 240 grams and stiffer than the Deda Newton Classic Shallow, which it shares the bend dimensions with.
* Made by ShimanoIt seems like the disc brakes are an albatross around your neck.
You could put the stock bike back together, sell it, and get a new frame with the proceeds. If steel is your thing, you could do much worse than Gunnar Crosshairs. Or with some more dough, custom Waterford. I'm just sayin'.
sfcrossrider
12-11-07, 12:33 PM
It seems like the disc brakes are an albatross around your neck.
You could put the stock bike back together, sell it, and get a new frame with the proceeds. If steel is your thing, you could do much worse than Gunnar Crosshairs. Or with some more dough, custom Waterford. I'm just sayin'.
+1
It's a sick bike. I spent LOTS making my Surly (an old 631 frame A LOT nicer than the new ones) a sub 20 pound racer. In the end it still wasn't near as light as my Ridley. If you want "light" you're going about it all wrong.
isotopesope
12-11-07, 12:36 PM
thanks! the bends are very classy looking. i've been considering getting some shallower bars.
edit: i'd also like to note that if you're considering a custom steel cross frame, i'd suggest looking into a desalvo (http://www.desalvocycles.com/)... especially since you live in the 503.
MIN
12-11-07, 02:13 PM
I was considering a custom cross frame with disc but when I test rode the Poprad, it was a perfect fit and I loved the geometry. So I'm using all the money I saved to upgrade my bike. Besides, Ira Ryan has over a 1 year wait and Vanilla bike are over 3 years. Yeah right!
With all the criticism I've been getting on upgrading this bike, you'd think that I'd raped a nun or something. The title of this thread is somewhat of a misnomer, I'm not a weight weenie. I just wanted a catchy title for a thread... the emphasis on this build is quality, uniqueness and reliability.
+1
spent LOTS making my Surly (an old 631 frame A LOT nicer than the new ones) a sub 20 pound racer. .
Got a picture?
ryand
12-11-07, 02:58 PM
IIRC you could get a Poprad with cantis, although they may not have offered that option this year.
That would be what I would tell you to do though. Same bike, different brakes, less weight.
sfcrossrider
12-11-07, 03:03 PM
I was considering a custom cross frame with disc but when I test rode the Poprad, it was a perfect fit and I loved the geometry. So I'm using all the money I saved to upgrade my bike. Besides, Ira Ryan has over a 1 year wait and Vanilla bike are over 3 years. Yeah right!
With all the criticism I've been getting on upgrading this bike, you'd think that I'd raped a nun or something. The title of this thread is somewhat of a misnomer, I'm not a weight weenie. I just wanted a catchy title for a thread... the emphasis on this build is quality, uniqueness and reliability.
Got a picture?
The bike has been turned into my 2011 PBP racer, so it isn't in CX trim. I'll snap some shots this weekend and post em up.
BTW, Rick Hunter is a 3 month wait. ;)
M_S
12-11-07, 03:15 PM
With all the criticism I've been getting on upgrading this bike, you'd think that I'd raped a nun or something. The title of this thread is somewhat of a misnomer, I'm not a weight weenie. I just wanted a catchy title for a thread... the emphasis on this build is quality, uniqueness and reliability.
Yeah it's been pretty funny watching people here and at roadbikereview act like you've attacked them personally or something. It's just a bike...and I look forward to seeing it in person.
Rutnick
12-13-07, 06:24 AM
They aren't an albatross. It's a steel frame. He could get it respaced to 132.5 so he could run 135 or 130 mm rear hubs and have a custom wheelset built with whatever disc hub he wanted but I already suggested it to him.......
It seems like the disc brakes are an albatross around your neck.
You could put the stock bike back together, sell it, and get a new frame with the proceeds. If steel is your thing, you could do much worse than Gunnar Crosshairs. Or with some more dough, custom Waterford. I'm just sayin'.
jpearl
12-14-07, 07:21 AM
If you race, and have $2000 to spare on your equipment, then you should invest it into a pit bike. That kind of money can score you a nice second 'cross bike. After all, having an uber-light race bike means nothing if it has a mechanical in the middle of a race and you have uber-nothing in the pits. Best to have a raceable 23lb race bike and a raceable 20lb pit bike than 17lb piece of DNF shoulder candy.
rickyaustin
12-16-07, 05:38 PM
They do offer a non-disc version this year.
http://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/cross/poprad.php
Cynikal
12-17-07, 10:11 PM
They aren't an albatross. It's a steel frame. He could get it respaced to 132.5 so he could run 135 or 130 mm rear hubs and have a custom wheelset built with whatever disc hub he wanted but I already suggested it to him.......
My poprad is 132.5 spaced stock. I've ran both XT and Dura-ace hubs without issue.
MIN
12-17-07, 10:52 PM
My poprad is 132.5 spaced stock. I've ran both XT and Dura-ace hubs without issue.
Can you describe your cold spacing procedure? I am going to move to 135mm.
MIN
12-17-07, 11:00 PM
Anyone know much about these Reynold Topo 29er Carbon Clinchers?
(1) This is for a mountain bike (135 spacing) but the wheelset actually uses the same rims as the road wheelset.
(2) Does Shimano MTB 9-speed = Shimano Road 10-speed? I currently have a road 10 12-27T cassette. Is my cassette compatible?