flik9999

Hey so I soon plan to be rebuilding one of my bikes. Now apart from frame, fork and wheels which components are worth making lightweight. Im only gonna go for things that will be worth it not gonna be replacing screws.

Goal is to get my horrible hi-ten converted ebike down to 20 kg (Motor and kit weighs about 7-8kg) using alloy components so wanna know which ones I should bother with. Also wanna know if single speed conversion will save me much weight.

TimothyH

Tires.

Replace whatever saves the most weight after that.


-Tim-

bradtx

flik9999, Using some math, I find the bicycle without the e-assist gear to be around average for a hi-ten bicycle. You can surely lose a little weight substituting with some aluminum parts, but I seriously doubt that there will be a meaningful difference, in particular when rider weight is added into the equation.

Brad

flik9999

Its more about lifting the bike out of a stack of bikes, carrying it upstairs etc. It takes 2 people to get my bike out my front door and down the steps. If I could reach 18 kg could probably do that on my own.

SkyDog75

Kinda depends on what the original parts are. Got a heavy crankset? Then replace it. On the other hand, if you've got a reasonably light crankset with aluminum arms and rings, you might not save much weight by replacing it.

Unless you've got a really heavy frameset, it should be possible to get the bike (sans motor) down to about 12 kg. That's what my My hi-ten Peugeot weighs.

kcblair

Generally, it's rotational weight, that's important. Wheels,tubes, tires, cranks and peddles. KB

02Giant 

With an E bike does it matter?

3alarmer 

...I'm guessing here, but isn't the battery one of your heavier loads ? Can you remove and replace it easily ?

You're not gonna get the sort of weight savings you are looking for with components.......just won't happen.

Retro Grouch 

Years ago I had a fellow tell me that, if you can find 16 places to save one ounce on your bike, you can reduce your total bike weight by a whole pound.

It's hard to find that many places to save 69 grams and, even if you do, it probably will cost more money than you want to spend. You said "only gonna go for things that will be worth it". To me that pretty well eliminates everything but "freebee" parts.

WizardOfBoz

Midsection. Tuchus. I mean, figure it out: spend 1000 bucks on a new groupset and parts that reduce 2 pounds off your bike, or push away from the table without dessert (you SAVE money this way) and lose five pounds.

HillRider

You are looking for dead weight removal, not to improve the riding experience so replacing components will cost a lot and accomplish next to nothing. There is no way you can reduce the bike's weight enough to matter by replacing it's components. You need a lighter frame, fork and motor (or a stronger back).

squirtdad

Flik. I think you are way over concerned with weight, based on all you various posting about it.

In this case the the term "lipstick on a pig applies" A heavy e-bike is not going to have enough weight loss to make any measurable difference in performance that justifies the cost (and possibly loss in reliability)

Also: Are you a 140-160 lb, super conditioned rider? If not you will not see a lot of difference just by making things a little lighter.

Fix the motor (human) first then the machine

IMHO you would be better served by focusing on quality of frames, parts and using them appropriately (ie don worry about weight of a frame...focus on build quality, design and fit)

Homebrew01

OP said main concern is lifting & moving the bike around, not riding the bike.

"...Its more about lifting the bike out of a stack of bikes, carrying it upstairs etc. It takes 2 people to get my bike out my front door and down the steps....

Homebrew01

1) Why rule out wheels ?

2) Without knowing anything about your bike, it's impossible to make specific suggestions. If you have a lot of steel components you may be able to save a substantial amount. But at what cost and time & effort ?

3) Sell it an buy a lighter one ?

HillRider

Come to think of it, your best weight loss approach might be to lose the motor and battery. Instant huge weight savings and better for your health and fitness.

Drew Eckhardt 

1. The rider. To do well climbing you shouldn't weigh more than 2 pounds per inch of height, as in 140 pounds at 5'10". You are too fat for cycling if you can't see your abs, and it's better to go past that point to where veins are visible.

2. The electric motor

Otherwise don't bother. Speed uphill is at best inversely proportional to total weight - knock 1kg off a 100kg bike + rider combination and you only gain 1%.

TimothyH

1 oz = 28.3 grams.

JanMM

^^^^^^^^^

sunburst

It could. I just stripped a Peugeot frame last week. The rear steel wheel with freewheel weighed more than the frame! I've got two old Peugeots I've converted to single speeds with modern alloy wheels - big weight savings.

70sSanO

If it were me, the first thing I would do is see how I could snap a battery in and out, as already suggested above. Beyond that the areas of greatest weight savings are probably...

Aluminum handlebars over steel, I'm assuming flat bars at 1000+ grams for steel to 300 for aluminum.

Aluminum crank. If yours is steel. Guessing 5/600 gram savings.

If you have steel rims/hubs and go to aluminum... 1000/1500 grams?

Seat post and seat might help.

Honestly, finding a good aluminum touring bike, like a Cannondale or Trek would probably cost you less and give you a lighter bike. Just mount the motor and kit on a lighter bike.

John

sunburst

Yes, a steel crank is a very blg/heavy deal. I've replaced one and have two upgrades in the works.

CliffordK

I'm going to have to disagree on this one. But, perhaps one might have to define "meaningful". And, of course it depends on what the OP is starting with.

Replace wheels, spokes, tires, tubes, bottom bracket, crankset, and handlebars... replace STEEL with aluminum. And one may well be able to cut 5 pounds off of the bike. Is that "meaningful"?

But, I also come from a roadie perspective, which may not apply to an E-Bike.

That would be my suggestion, especially if one has a list of every part on the bike to replace, and still being left with a High-Ten frame.

Look for a good aluminum frame bike with mostly aluminum components. Or a butted chromoly frame and aluminum components.

Traditionally road bikes have been lighter than other types of bikes, although there are a few featherweight MTBs and Cyclocross bikes, but generally at a premium cost.

Eddie72

I think this is a perfect case for an n+1. Just accept that the E-bike has it's place but will always be heavy and spend the money you would spend on upgrades on something lighter like a singlespeed

cny-bikeman

As noted you are not going to be able to save 2kg (4.4 lbs) of weight off the bike. That would be somewhat of a challenge even if you had not excluded frame and wheels. Not possible using only components. Buy a different bike or get rid of the assist.

wphamilton

Tires, saddle and crankset might add up to 3+ pounds extra in some cases.