Mountain Biking - Good XC bike weight?

Hey how are you?

I'm new to XC racing and have a '99 Specialed Hardrock (almost nothing stock anymore..) which after various upgrades comes to around 28-28.5 lbs. Is that a good weight? I'd kinda like to make it lighter but not sure how. thanks!

-Sebastian :cheers:

Sure...it's a good weight.

It's not going to win any serious XC races against Mum'n'Daddy's kids who have that S-Works Stumpy that would achieve lift-off by itself with a little helium in the tires.


Whatever makes you stronger though, right? :thumb:

List a parts spec for advice.

Ok, thanks. And yeah I know but I love my bike, whom I named Tim :D

Manitou splice comp 80 fork (06 i believe, bought unused from LBS)
Deore drive train (going to soon get XT)
uhh..
Bontrager rims/shimano hubs
err..
Forte bar ends
Oury grips
sram grip shifts (because i find them much better than rapid fire or any other trigger shifter types)
I think that's all?

In my experience, aside from a lighter frame, most of the weight resides in the wheels and drivetrain.


If you're going full XT then the drivetrain should be lighter on it's own, but if you are really looking to shave grams, a good set of light XC rims and tires could save you a pound or more over a more basic (but probably sturdier) setup.

Of course there's other things, but if you're planning a drivetrain upgrade anyways, I wouldn't worry about weight until after that. It will change, for the better, and then you'll be able to evaluate whether you want to continue lightening and if your budget can allow it.

I don't really care about weight that much, just wanted to know if mine is a good weight :]

Sure...it's a good weight.

It's not going to win any serious XC races against Mum'n'Daddy's kids who have that S-Works Stumpy that would achieve lift-off by itself with a little helium in the tires.


Whatever makes you stronger though, right? :thumb:

List a parts spec for advice.

ROFLMAO !!!! :roflmao:

http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/4695/stumpy.jpg

This is under 20 lbs. according to Specialized !

Wow...could you imagine what a sub-20 would feel like? I'd be afraid to look at it cross eyed...it would just crumble into a pile of SuckRubble.

:D s-works epic disc, full suspension full carbon, comes up to about 25 lbs.

:D s-works epic disc, full suspension full carbon, comes up to about 25 lbs.

SuckRubble

Wow...could you imagine what a sub-20 would feel like? I'd be afraid to look at it cross eyed...it would just crumble into a pile of SuckRubble.

The shop owner assured me that the carbon fiber is actually stronger than the aluminum. Not that I am in the market for it. But it is my dream bike though.

:D s-works epic disc, full suspension full carbon, comes up to about 25 lbs.

Too darn heavy. Need to loose that useless suspension.

The shop owner assured me

Hehehe.

Hehehe.

:lol: Oh C'mon. They're not that evil. The frames have lifetime warranty.........

I've got a 21 lb Carbon HT and It's too light. I like the 24 pound range for a HT, Now FS, Oh yeah we can go as light as 21 and still not have to fight the bike.

I've got a 21 lb Carbon HT and It's too light. I like the 24 pound range for a HT, Now FS, Oh yeah we can go as light as 21 and still not have to fight the bike.

What's wrong with too light ?

Also, can you lift the bike over your head with one hand ? (good photo pose)

What's wrong with too light ?

This is just me man, but in rock gardens, the light stiff carbon hardtail just wears me down. it's like trying to hang on to a ping pong ball thats been thrown down the grand canyon.




Also, can you lift the bike over your head with one hand ? (good photo pose)

Oh yeah, I'll get a real time photo up as soon as I get the wife to snap a pic!
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r212/2hick2b4real/IMG_1111.jpg

Also, can you lift the bike over your head with one hand

A wonderful technique to use on the trail:lol:

Oh yeah, I'll get a real time photo up as soon as I get the wife to snap a pic!

Can't wait ! :D

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v286/128/86/3801505/n3801505_31617909_5892.jpg

25.33 with pedals, heavy wheels because I can't afford to replace them, and an aluminum frame. I like light bikes...they have their place. I wouldn't abuse it the way I would my DJ, but it's not like it explodes when I take it off a (smallish) drop.

Here's another
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r212/2hick2b4real/IMG_1114.jpg

Oh that's cool man ! ;)

Top that beeeeeyotch!
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h28/chelboed/Bike/DSC03301.jpg

lolol

If you were a REAL weight weenie, you'd take off those training wheels...or at least upgrade to the carbon XTR version.

You f-in freaks crack me up!

Zephyr, love your bike. Yetis are awesome but I can't afford one D:

:D s-works epic disc, full suspension full carbon, comes up to about 25 lbs.

Wrong---Sworks epic is 22lbs, my custom 09 Epic Comp weighs 25lbs(L). i rather loose 3lbs the week before the race and save $4k

Top that beeeeeyotch!
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h28/chelboed/Bike/DSC03301.jpg

Booyah!

Wrong---Sworks epic is 22lbs, my custom 09 Epic Comp weighs 25lbs(L). i rather loose 3lbs the week before the race and save $4k

Do you know a website that posts bike's weights ?

"Em tee bee are" is a good place to start. And yeah, 25lb is good but not insane for a FS XC bike. Mine's sitting at just around 24lbs.

Back in my racing days my Homegrown weighed in just under 22 lbs, so I would shoot for under 20 considering it's 8 years from then, and everything is lighter/stronger(i didn't say cheaper)

Do you know a website that posts bike's weights ?

No, Manufacturers dont post weight because the components listed on their sites dont always come on the bikes. you can do a search on the 09 Sworks an you'l find out the weighs. about mine, i took it to the LBS and got it weighed. but my Epic is no ordinary one by any means.

Sworks article with weight:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/epic-s-works-09-32537

My XC bike is around 30 pounds.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v286/128/86/3801505/n3801505_31617909_5892.jpgOK folks, give up; Zeph has said it all right there. It's beautiful, it's light, . . . it's Yeti. Thread closed.

Thread closed.

Stop toying with our emotions, Mod.:D

Thanks guys, glad you like. Just wanted to post that picture...erm...I mean state that light bikes don't necessarily explode upon impact with the ground.

I do have to wonder though...if my aluminum AS-R with the entry level Enduro kit (with very few upgrades) clocks in at just over 25, what's the carbon AS-R with the XTR kit come in at? And then there's always this (http://www.ibiscycles.com/mountain/mojosl/) guy...

Cool. Suddenly, I dont feel too bad about my XL Niner EMD9 which clocks in at under 27lb with everything (and this is with a beefier wheelset too).

Do you know a website that posts bike's weights ?
Although not specifically bike weights,it may help ya in the weight weennie quest...
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/

:D s-works epic disc, full suspension full carbon, comes up to about 25 lbs.

Interesting. I have a 2001 GF Mt Tam (last year of the 26" hardtail) that cracks the scales at 25.8.

It was a $1650 bike in 2001 tho.

-R

I apparently got that fact wrong, its something like 21.

Light girlymon bikes scare me going down the trial at 25 mph hitting rough terrain. I"ll keep my 28 pounder and not worry about the frame or wheelset shattering under me while hammerin down the trail.