Road Cycling - Bike Weight

Many threads related to materials, etc. So it is time to find out what your bikes weigh.

Here are the rules:
- Must be weighed fully equipped to ride, but no seat bags, etc., but must have the bottle cages, cyclocomputer, bar-tape, etc.
- Weight must be taken by a reasonably accurate digital scale (I bought one on eBay for $22).

Post a short description of your bike, as well.

In this corner, weighing in at 19 pounds on the money, - '02 Scapin listed below - Columbus Niva OR steel frameset, Advanced carbon fork, Record 10-speed group, Ksyrium Elite wheels, CK headset, Thomson stem, Connex chain and PW BB.

For me this is a pleasant surprise. The Elites are not particularly light and I am running a pair of Armadillo Turbo Lites, which are not particularly light, either. If I went full carbon on the fork, bars and crankset and SSC wheels and lighter tires I could probably get down to 18 pounds. Once I get me down to 170 (if ever) I'll give it some thought.

I'll post the Serotta in a few weeks when I get it back together.

Now its your turn. No cheating allowed (helium in tires, etc.).

havent i seen this in 20 other threads, how many of us actually know the exact weight of our bikes anyway.

Hi,
the scale at my LBS is not especially accurate. What it says is 25 pounds on the Carpe Diem, which includes a rack and fenders. One of these days I am going to throw on a lighter fork.

Cannondale CAAD5, equiped with full dura ace group (not 2004 DA), Easton carbon seatpost, Selle Italia seat, Prima 199 handlebars, Sppedplay X2 pedals, Ksyrium SSC SL wheelset.

No helium in tires it weighs 17.6 lbs with a bottle cage.

Rider weighs 191lbs before breakfast!

Weight measured with a Pelouz shipping scale calibrated for 0-100 lbs.

djbowen1 - why do you respond if you don't know?

why doesnt anyone come up with anything new, since i have joined this forum i have seen the same threads started week to week, how much does your bike weight, what is float, whats a good seat. boring boring boring.

djbowen1 - why do you respond if you don't know?

because i can.

djbowen1 - we are all impressed. Now, if you will insert the word 'so' after the word 'are' in your response line you will not appear so drunk.

why doesnt anyone come up with anything new, since i have joined this forum i have seen the same threads started week to week, how much does your bike weight, what is float, whats a good seat. boring boring boring.


i havn't seen any "interesting" threads started by you. maybe i'm missing them, i dont' know. it just bugs me when people complain that a discussion board is boring.

if you think it's boring, START INTERESTING THREADS.

there, i'm done. to get this thing back on (it's aparently boring) topic:

i have no idea how much my new bike weighs(old schwinn road frame converted to fixed gear sans brakes), but it's _much_ lighter than my old mountain bike which i've been riding around, and it really seems to make a difference in the way it handles and whatnot. it just seems much more responsive. but that could also of course be due to road vs. mountain bike. also the lighness helps when i've got to shoulder it to take it up stairs.

dan

My bike comes in at a little under 12 lbs, has a more modern finish. Honestly I got it for the name 'Ex Kiddio Supertrike 1' Unfortunetly the makers couldn't decide if it would be a more traditional bike or a recumbant, and to balance it out they had to add two smaller wheels in the bike. Its a lovely bike, I can get 6 or 7 mph on the downhill, rough on the knees....


Ok, I have a steel bianchi, rides like a dream, dragging her up hill is always a little rough, but the ride down is fun.

So??? What does your Bianchi weigh?

My experience is that they are all tough to drag up the hills. That's why most us like the downhill side so much.

Oh yeah, sorry, you tend to forget that everyone struggles up the hills when your friend on titanium is always waiting impatiently at the top. My bianchi is some where around 22 ilbs, I haven't checked since I last changed a couple things.

Someone6019a, My riding buddy has a 16 pound bike and weighs 30 lbs less than I do and I am always waiting for him at the top.

Go figure??? Train hard and the bike will fly. It is the engine that counts the most.

All bikes weigh 40 lbs.

If your bike weighs less thsn 20 lbs, you're gonna need 20 lbs of locks to keep it from being stolen.

I'd be interested in hearing from people who have bikes heavier than 20 pounds. After all, that's the kind most people have. My lightest bike is around 22 pounds, that is a Gunnar Crosshairs. I'd like to make it heavier (that is, I have plans to add a rear rack and panniers). My Jamis Exile hardtail has an Xtracycle attachment, making it a lovely 36 or 37 pounds--more when there is cargo. Anyone ride something heavier? I know one of you army bike people is reading this thread! Let's hear from the people who aren't afraid of some weight!

19.8 or 19 even, depending on which wheelset I have on. Open pros on Chorus hubs = 19.8; Campy Eurus = 19

As for the rest of the bike:

Torelli Titanio w/Aspect SL fork, Full Chorus, Forgie Bar/Stem, Thomson Elite Post, SSM Aspide, Loox CX-6s, Polar S720i w/cadence

19lbs

Bianchi SL Lite Frame 55cm
Campagnolo 10 speed Centaur
Campagnolo Proton Wheels
I bought the frame through employee purchase and from there built it up with custom components

03 Fuji Marseille 853 steel
Full 1" carbon fork
Mavic K Elites
Conti 4-season tires
Shimano 535 pedals
FSA headset
USE carbon seatpost
Koobi Enduro gel seat
Kool stop brake pads
Ultegra group w/Ritchey crank
2 tacx cages
19.1 pounds -got regular old tubes
Oh,wireless flight deck
ITM stem to replace the stock ritchey

There's a guy selling his Giant Composite Team bike in the classifieds on Roadbikereview.com with a quoted weight of 12.8lbs or 12.6lbs, some insane number like that. He gives the parts list (which I printed out for my next build up) and shows a picture.

I myself, am on a 13 year old Klein, (back when Gary made the bikes) with full Campy Chorus (of that time, no Egro baby!). It weighs about
60lbs, relative to that Giant. But I'm saving my pennies and putting in the miles.

just a hair under 22lbs, '01 Cannondale R800
105 drivetrain and shifters, coda brakes, bars seatpost and seat, Ritchie pro stem coda hubs n mavic cxp22 rims,
but compared to a full sus mountainbike, its light as a feather, but the engine really needs to drop weight, supposedly makes climbing hills alot easier!!

19.5lbs

cromo frame - columbus/tange mix
Look HSC3 Carbon Fork
Shimano 105/Ultegra mix
Shimano XTR on rigida sphinx rims; DT spokes; maxxis 700x23c tires
Zefal bottle cage + Zefal pump clamp(removed pump).
Specialized BG ergo handlebar
Amoeba Ba+ Stem - 50mm
MOB Cables + Housing(superlight) teflon
Shimano Ultegra Seatpost
Vetta Gel Saddle
Specialized clipless pedals
cinelli cork tape, MODUS ahaed
Sigma Targa Cyclo Titanium

Dear SamDaBikinMan
What you say is only too true, but please don't deny me my illusions : ) After all When you are the engine that is struggling, it is nice to think that it isn't all your fault, that hill is intent on kicking your butt no matter how warp your perception of reality ; )

A touch under 18, when I get around to building it up.

Casati Challenge Sc
Full Record
Ksyriums etc

My other is a little over 24.

My bike weighs 182.1 pounds. When I take the engine off it weighs about 19.1 near as I can tell. My "bike" used to weigh 215.1 in June, so it is considerably lighter now. The increase in speed I have experienced as a result of triming unnecessary weight off the "bike" is amazing. The differences in speed between my 19 pound CAAD5 Cannondale (with Chorus and Proton Wheels) and my circa 1986 Tange Prestige Schwinn Prologue which weighs in at 22 pounds is negligible. My Cannondale accelerates a tad faster, but over a 50 mile ride, I'm still in the same pack. what I can tell you about my new "bike", the 182 pound one as opposed to the 215 pound one, is that it goes up the 6% grade mountain near my house 3 mph faster.

A wise man once told me that losing a pound from the bike doesn't have that big of an impact unless you aren't paying for your own bikes. Losing a pound from your own frame will reap all kinds of rewards. Ever since then I don't worry too much about it.

My new bike that's coming this friday is going to be 17.12lbs riding weight. Can't wait!!

Peter

I can't remember the numbers for the grade, but I read in a magazine lately that 5lbs off of the engine eguils about 30 seconds faster on a five mile climb.

Also remember, when you take a pound off of the bike, it stays off. Off of the engine.......who knows.

my litespeed weighs 48lbs with3 full water bottles

I can't remember the numbers for the grade, but I read in a magazine lately that 5lbs off of the engine eguils about 30 seconds faster on a five mile climb.

Also remember, when you take a pound off of the bike, it stays off. Off of the engine.......who knows.
Hard to take a pound{450 something grams?** off a already light bike.

I have an '00 Trek 2000 and, if I remember correctly, it weighed in around 25 w/ "puncture proof" tubes. That's the scale. Now the *road* thinks it weighs about 280 ;)

A favorite of mine is a 15 year old chromoly Benotto that was just completely restored (frame up restoration). Its old, but soooo cool and it weighs 21 lbs with everything on it but me and a seat pack.

I'd be interested in hearing from people who have bikes heavier than 20 pounds. After all, that's the kind most people have. My lightest bike is around 22 pounds, that is a Gunnar Crosshairs. I'd like to make it heavier (that is, I have plans to add a rear rack and panniers). My Jamis Exile hardtail has an Xtracycle attachment, making it a lovely 36 or 37 pounds--more when there is cargo. Anyone ride something heavier? I know one of you army bike people is reading this thread! Let's hear from the people who aren't afraid of some weight!

both my road bikes weigh in around 19.5 lbs. I've had heavier bikes in the past, and I can not image why anyone would want to ride a heavier bike...the only reason might be to get a more intense workout.

Thats what my non-riding ucla grad brother in law says.Why do you ride?To stay in shape.Then why do you care how light it is.Well i want a good workout but want it on longer rides so i want a lighter bike.Get in better shape and bike weight wont matter.How do you answer this guy.

Thats what my non-riding ucla grad brother in law says.Why do you ride?To stay in shape.Then why do you care how light it is.Well i want a good workout but want it on longer rides so i want a lighter bike.Get in better shape and bike weight wont matter.How do you answer this guy.

His logic is unassailable. When I ride after work, I am riding for physical fitness purposes. Uphills, and headwinds are training aides for that same purpose. When I get with a freind or two on a weekend 60-80 miler its for fun, companionship and any health benefit is just a side bonus. Other than in a race event, the weight of any of my bicycles just doesn't make any difference. I stand 5'10.5'' and weigh 163 dressed. My bicycle weight isn't a significant part of the equation. I have read articles by racers and mechanics employed by race teams. One that caught my attention recently is the case where the uninformed were installing sealed wheel hub bearings that were a few grams lighter than an alternative ball bearing hub. What was discovered was that the frictional losses due to the two bearing seals on the "lighter" hub, more than offset any weight advantage. Many of you might already know this, but I'll repeat it here: Lance Armstrong always rides his fastest bike in any event, and according to his chief mechanic, the fastest bike isn't his lightest one.

In fact, I just had the notion of starting a thread about tips and techniques we home garage type mechanics use to improve the performance of our bikes in ways other than spending dollars to shave weight. I'll start one in the Mechanics section and let's learn from eachother how we can squeeze the most from our favorite machines.

Am not sure anyone "wants" to ride a heavier bike. Most likely the converse. Simply don't want to pay the freight to ride a lighter bike. A reasonable position to take if they are just "riders" and not into the "mystique" of the "right" bike. I used to be the same way until I went insane (my wife's words). However, I think bicycling is one of the highest marks of sanity. And I am probably only partially insane, in any event. After all, my bikes weigh 19 pounds and are made of steel. If I was really insane they would be made of unobtanium and weigh 8 pounds.

Since my stable of commuters is mostly Touring bikes with fenders racks, lights, generator hubs or batteries; they tend approach 30 pound range, now that you ask,I'll have to weigh them all. I do have a Bianchi Trofeo, Dedacciai steel that weighs 21+ when I put the Campy sewup wheelset on. The best ride is always whichever one I'm on.
Don

My 2000 Kona Kapu weighs in right at 21 lbs. It seems feather light to me though, but what do I know?

My 2000 Kona Kapu weighs in right at 21 lbs. It seems feather light to me though, but what do I know?What kind od tires and wheelset are those?

The wheel set is Mavic Classic Elite, the tires are Michelin Axial Super Comp.

isn't bragging about how light your bike weighs a bit like bragging about how little you can benchpress? the person with the heaviest bike is working hardest.

on a related note, those of us who are losing weight (15 lbs so far!) are getting faster too...but is that cheating? should we be putting on a backpack to add back the lost weight while we train? am i actually improving as a cyclist, or am i just having to work less hard?

but no, i'm not going to carry a pack. :)

isn't bragging about how light your bike weighs a bit like bragging about how little you can benchpress? the person with the heaviest bike is working hardest.

on a related note, those of us who are losing weight (15 lbs so far!) are getting faster too...but is that cheating? should we be putting on a backpack to add back the lost weight while we train? am i actually improving as a cyclist, or am i just having to work less hard?

but no, i'm not going to carry a pack. :)

Why does this always come up? No one is bragging. The question was posed because weight (as some of us don't seem to gather) is a fairly big part of cycling, road cycling in particular.

The weight of a bike is inveresely proportional to it's feel, in most cases. The lighter something is, the less work it takes to keep it under control rather than using it as intended. Take a tennis racquet for example. The lighter, the better (ceteris paribus). Why? Because the tennis player wants the racquet to be an extension of the arm, to do what they want it to do at any particular point in the game. Small corrections in split seconds and what not. If you had to counteract the inertia of a large, heavy, wooden racquet, you would end up being a lesser player. This is exactly the same in cycling. How would you like to be riding in a peleton and make a split second correction to miss a rear wheel on a 35lbs bike, I know I wouldn't...

What about the training? Well, take again the tennis player. Why don't they train with lead racquets? Surely, overcompensating in training will improve your tennis when you move back to the lighter, match racquet. The problem being, you have been training with a lead racquet which acts in no way like your match racquet. In other words, your training specifity has gone out the window. Back to cycling, in the peleton, making the minute correction but you have been training on your 35lbs machine and are now racing (or group riding) on a 15lbs gossomer. You go to throw your bike, it reacts completely differently and you bring down 15 guys (or gals) behind you.

This psuedo-mature, macho 'heaviest bike wins' mentality is fantastic for the cafe strip, but doesn't really hold much water in reality.

Sorry for the rant, but this comes up here every other week, at my LBS and any other place guys (usually) want to brag about their 30km/h average speed, in to a headwind with a 50lbs bike on lead tyres... or something to that effect ;)

Why does this always come up? No one is bragging. The question was posed because weight (as some of us don't seem to gather) is a fairly big part of cycling, road cycling in particular.

The weight of a bike is inveresely proportional to it's feel, in most cases. The lighter something is, the less work it takes to keep it under control rather than using it as intended. Take a tennis racquet for example. The lighter, the better (ceteris paribus). Why? Because the tennis player wants the racquet to be an extension of the arm, to do what they want it to do at any particular point in the game. Small corrections in split seconds and what not. If you had to counteract the inertia of a large, heavy, wooden racquet, you would end up being a lesser player. This is exactly the same in cycling. How would you like to be riding in a peleton and make a split second correction to miss a rear wheel on a 35lbs bike, I know I wouldn't...

What about the training? Well, take again the tennis player. Why don't they train with lead racquets? Surely, overcompensating in training will improve your tennis when you move back to the lighter, match racquet. The problem being, you have been training with a lead racquet which acts in no way like your match racquet. In other words, your training specifity has gone out the window. Back to cycling, in the peleton, making the minute correction but you have been training on your 35lbs machine and are now racing (or group riding) on a 15lbs gossomer. You go to throw your bike, it reacts completely differently and you bring down 15 guys (or gals) behind you.

This psuedo-mature, macho 'heaviest bike wins' mentality is fantastic for the cafe strip, but doesn't really hold much water in reality.

Sorry for the rant, but this comes up here every other week, at my LBS and any other place guys (usually) want to brag about their 30km/h average speed, in to a headwind with a 50lbs bike on lead tyres... or something to that effect ;)
Have to add that the best way to do that to a already good bike is on moving parts,wheelset,tires,tubes,crank,cassette,pedals,shoes.What do ya think,500-800 grams if you change all of this,or more.

This psuedo-mature, macho 'heaviest bike wins' mentality is fantastic for the cafe strip, but doesn't really hold much water in reality.

Sorry for the rant, but this comes up here every other week, at my LBS and any other place guys (usually) want to brag about their 30km/h average speed, in to a headwind with a 50lbs bike on lead tyres... or something to that effect ;)

ok so you stick with your macho "lightest bike wins" crowd and i'll stick with my macho "heaviest bike wins" crowd, and we'll stick our tongues out at each other and make rude noises as we pass on the road. agreed?

ok so you stick with your macho "lightest bike wins" crowd and i'll stick with my macho "heaviest bike wins" crowd, and we'll stick our tongues out at each other and make rude noises as we pass on the road. agreed?

Seems that's about as far as we get...

Seems that's about as far as we get...
I was the same way with my hybrid,weight didnt matter until i got my fuji.Lighter also means your less popped after the same rides.You get going a lot easier.It responds a lot quicker and is a lot of fun being on a lighter bike then you had before.Most people will get a new bike and its going to be lighter.I dont know anyone that gets a new,heavier bike or upgrades to heavier stuff..Now by light,i mean sub 20 but everybody has a different standard.Heavy or lighter,riding is what counts.

I'd never brag...but I do have to say that, for me anyway, riding a light bike is a lot more fun than riding a heavy one....it's that simple.

As to the tennis analogy....it doesn't work at all. In fact, usually the opposite is true. Better tennis players almost always use heavier racquets. Light racquets for the pros came and went very quickly. Now, light/stiff racquets are predominantly used by those with compact swings. A great example would be to look at many pros, who when teaching, use very light power oriented sticks so they don't have to work hard. But when they go out to really hit, they invaribly switch to a heavier, more control oriented stick.

On a final tennis note, those light/powerful (and typically head heavy) are notoriously bad for the joints.

i'm not suggesting that a heavier bike is actually *better*. that would be insane. i'm just suggesting that, unless you're racing, don't obsess about the weight of the bike. if you're training, trying to maintain fitness or lose weight, a heavier bike is going to make you work harder. that's a good thing. a lighter bike is more fun, but there's no need to feel inadequate if you've got a portly cycle.

when someone posts a poll asking about bike weights, it makes me think either a) the poster has a really light bike and wants to pat him/herself on the back, or b) is a little worried that his/her bike is heavier than all the rest. i suppose idle curiosity could also possibly be the reason. but just in case, i want all the heavy-bike owners out there to know that it's ok to have a >20 lb bike. love the bike.


edited for bad grammar

funny how this discussion paralells to self image

Yes, indeed. Certainly gone off-thread with all the amateur psychological analysis (rippo) and folks worried about heavy and light and all. Original post was just for a statement of facts. Seems to have gotten a life of its own.

Yes, indeed. Certainly gone off-thread with all the amateur psychological analysis (rippo) and folks worried about heavy and light and all. Original post was just for a statement of facts. Seems to have gotten a life of its own.

Sorry, I pulled it off course. ;)

As I stated, I just get annoyed when you get the 'weight-weenie' call from the peanut gallery.

The most likely reason why this question gets asked is people wanting to quantify their take on the term light, relating to bikes. Nothing more, nothing less.

a four-page thread consisting only of numbers would have been boring!

"18.2 lbs"
"21.4 lbs"
"4 oz"
etc.

where's the fun if we can't discuss other aspects of the question? (and that's a rhetorical question)

but please don't mind me. continue posting your weights. my bike pump weighs 134 grams (not including mount).