Professional Cycling For the Fans - Why arent all TdF bikes exactly 6.8 KG?!?!?

all this talk about technology, well everyone can make a 14.96 pound bike so why dont they all use one for TdF? I think lightness is one of the biggest factors, especially for the mountain stages, and its something thats not THAT hard to accomplish. I know the the madone 5.9 bike isnt 14.96 pounds.

aero is more important.

Everyone wants to go uphill on a 15lb bike, but no one wants to descend @ 80kmh plus on one.

Some riders are not willing to trade durability for less weight. And rightfully so, after Phonak had 2 sets of handlebars break during the race, numerous numerous flat tires, and I think Tom Boonen broke his stem no?

Everyone wants to go uphill on a 15lb bike, but no one wants to descend @ 80kmh plus on one.

Some riders are not willing to trade durability for less weight. And rightfully so, after Phonak had 2 sets of handlebars break during the race, numerous numerous flat tires, and I think Tom Boonen broke his stem no?


I know for a fact, 12 pound bikes are achievable. 15 pound bikes should not at ALL compromise for strength and duratability. Most 15 pound bikes are able to support 200 lbs guys, and most TdF guys weight like 160 or less.

[QUOTE=Smoothie104]Everyone wants to go uphill on a 15lb bike, but no one wants to descend @ 80kmh plus on one.
QUOTE]


Bump.

g'day,

why would i want an 'extreme' light bike unless I'm going up hill?. Scott had one on show last year that was 4.9kg, from memory. Bet they don't wanna give a lifetime warranty on that?....unless of course you are as light as an 'Olsen' twin!....weight doesn't mean much to the 'ride' of a frame....If i'm sitting on a bike for 6 hours plus I'm more worried about how it feels, than how much it weighs (we're talking extremes here folks). Your 200lb rider arguement doesn't hold water either!. What benefit is a 200lb rider gunna get out of a sub 6.8kg bike?.....he's not gunna be any good in the hills cos of his body weight, doen't matter whether the bike weighs 6kg or 10kg!......mind you, if he's got the bucks to spend, ain't no bike manufacterer gunna remind him of that fact,

cheers,

Hitchy

g'day,

unless of course you are as light as an 'Olsen' twin!....

Hitchy


I like it. lol.

Seeing Tyler peel his jersey off the other day, he's not far off!!

I know the the madone 5.9 bike isnt 14.96 pounds.

I don't believe Trek even races on the Madone, I haven't watched for a few days but thats how I understood it.

I think it is because they can shoot for 16 lbs and then give or take 8 ounces (change handlebars, brakes, wheels and all sorts of things). If they were shooting for 14.96 then they would have to adjust everytime they wanted to switch out a component. Imagine Azevedo "I want that different _____", Trek guy "well we'll remake your frame".

Imagine Azevedo "I want that different _____", Trek guy "well we'll remake your frame".

Lol :)

I know for a fact, 12 pound bikes are achievable. 15 pound bikes should not at ALL compromise for strength and duratability. Most 15 pound bikes are able to support 200 lbs guys, and most TdF guys weight like 160 or less.

But take into account how much power these guys develop....

But take into account how much power these guys develop....

And the miles they ride each year, and the road conditions.

I weigh 210lbs at the moment, and sure a 15lb. bike would support me, and I would ride it...@19-21mph on Saturday morning. Last week I hit 39.5 mph on the flat, with no wind. I would not go crit racing on it, thats for sure.

weight is not everything.
I have a light weight custom aluminium Ridley with 10s Record with light weight Mavic Heliums.
I also have a Litespeed Tuscany with 10s Record and Ksyrium wheels on it.
The litespeed weighs 7.6kg and the Ridley weighs 6.9kg but I prefer riding the Tuscany because it always feels like it's going faster, accelerates better and is a lot more comfortable to ride. It's also a lot tougher. Iuse the Ridley only for very hilly races that are less than 100km. Otherwise the Tuscany always gets the nod.

Pro riders have personal preferences as well and they too are affected by what they believe. if they feel a bike is too light, it will cost them time in mental energy consumed on descents because they don't have any faith in their equipment.

Peace of mind and faith is worth a lot of time when you're sitting in a saddle for 6 hours.

ever sat in a saddle for 6 hours? over hills 1500meters high and 25km long then have to down the other side in a strong crosswind? try it...