Road Cycling - Is 38 pounds too much for a road bike?

I have a 1985 Ross road bike, and I weighed it yesterday. Ready to go, with water bottle, tools, aero bars, etc., it weighs 38 pounds. It's a real workout to get it up a hill, but it goes like hell downhill. I feel like I am getting a good workout, but would a lighter bike give me just as good a workout? Thanks for your input. Go Lance!

That's awful heavy, almost on a par with the old Schwinns. I mean it's way out of comparison even with most bikes of that and earlier vintages.

I'm old school enough to where I do NOT consider a 23# bike heavy, but 38.....?

Yes, you'll get better rides, hence workouts on a lighter bike.

:beer:

And this is your training/local bike or are you touring with it? That's way too much.....almost MTB category :). Those old Ross are heavy. If you can, go on a ride with someone in your class of ability with a lighter bike and see how the both of you do. My money is on the lighter bike.

LOL, Schwinns....I recall those days of the Le Tour Le Tanks :) :)

Olds

38 lbs isn't bad...for a tandem :D :D

Actually, you will get a better workout with a lighter bike. The rides will be more enjoyable. You will ride faster and longer.

Cycling is interesting in that you ride at a speed that your psyche is comfortable with at the time. The better you feel, the faster and harder you will ride. It's like when I got new shoes as a kid, I always thought I could run faster and jump higher :D

-murray

38 lbs isn't bad...for a tandem :D :D

Actually, you will get a better workout with a lighter bike. The rides will be more enjoyable. You will ride faster and longer.

Cycling is interesting in that you ride at a speed that your psyche is comfortable with at the time. The better you feel, the faster and harder you will ride. It's like when I got new shoes as a kid, I always thought I could run faster and jump higher :D

-murray




Where they PF Flyers? I just had to have a pair of those!


Olds

it'll give you a workout but you wont get as much fun riding it!!!

well, for me atleast... i dont find as much enjoyment in pushing big beasts as i do zooming down the street :D

get a workout? you get a workout no matter what, you will just be going alot faster on a lighter bike.
38 lbs is incredible! That is heavier than any mountain bike I've ever owned...that is balloon-tire cruiser weight!

Two 28oz water bottles, cages, pump, spare tube, tools and bag would probably add
up to at least 6#. Throw in a few gels or candy bars, a cell and some cash and you could go higher. Still, 30-32# bike is typical of standard steel tubing frames and
equipment on older bikes. Lighter bike would definitely be faster. Steve

trmcgeehan, we're in the same boat.

I just weighed my bike - 35 pounds without water bottles or anything - just bike.

get a workout? you get a workout no matter what, you will just be going alot faster on a lighter bike.

you have to expend more energy to cover the same distance. im getting a workout typing this with my fingers but i dont really count it

If you want to get a real workout, turn your bike into a 25 lb fixed gear. Seems like you've got just the right kind of frame.

If it's just for the workout, then heavier is better if your dedicated enough to where the fun factor doesn't matter to you. Mine started at around 36 lbs. First I tried much lighter wheels and tires. The fun factor and speed increased a lot. The speed increase, dramatic against the wind, was partly due to the better aerodynamics of the thinner wheels/tires. I've got it down to around 29 lbs by stripping stuff off. That's about it for this old bike. I ride much faster and further now primarily because the bike is more fun.

I just received my new Ti frame and carbon fork. This should bring it down to around 21 lbs which is good enough for a cylecross/Audax/light-touring frame set. I expect a further increase in speed, especially up hills and even longer rides than my preset 50 miles or so.

My savings account is a lot lighter too.

Al

mmm this post makes me want to weigh my road bike full loaded, just to see how much it does weigh when I leave on my rides.