I will make it lighter than air!
05-18-09, 03:33 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CO....Hetchins MO, Merlin XL, Trek, Klien, Specialized, Kestral, Bataglin, Guerciotti, Bianchi, Schwinn, Colnago Geo, Miele, Contini, Feggin, Cannondale, Lemond, Ciocc, Giant, Rossin
Posts: 386
Bikes: Hetchins MO, Merlin XL, Trek, Klien, Specialized, Bataglin, Guerciotti, Bianchi, Schwinn C19, Colnago Geo, Miele, Contini, Feggin,Cannondale, Lemond,Ciocc, Giant, Rossin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I will make it lighter than air!
I will use the lightest parts i can find. 
Except for the saddle (I have to have some comfort) and the gears(I have to have enough to get up the hill).
The question is, which frame is the lightest size to size, and I am talking about a 56cm frame.
Looks like I will have to use a Sram Red group and ????. Always wanted to build a 15 lb bike.
Except for the saddle (I have to have some comfort) and the gears(I have to have enough to get up the hill).The question is, which frame is the lightest size to size, and I am talking about a 56cm frame.
Looks like I will have to use a Sram Red group and ????. Always wanted to build a 15 lb bike.
05-18-09, 04:22 PM
#2
Senior Member
There were sub 2-lb frames made from beryllium... Most carbon frames are +/- 0.5 lbs from each other anyway, so you won't save much weight in frame alone.
Also, no complete gruppo is the lightest, so you'll have to mix & match. Titanium cassette cogs weigh 1/2 that of steel, but won't last as long. Hollow-pin chains will help. Tubular wheels are about 1.5-2 lbs lighter for the same strength. Carbon bars and stem, seatposts. Heck, the 150gm carbon seats are actually quite comfortable.
Also, no complete gruppo is the lightest, so you'll have to mix & match. Titanium cassette cogs weigh 1/2 that of steel, but won't last as long. Hollow-pin chains will help. Tubular wheels are about 1.5-2 lbs lighter for the same strength. Carbon bars and stem, seatposts. Heck, the 150gm carbon seats are actually quite comfortable.
05-18-09, 04:35 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,487
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 162 Times
in
89 Posts
If your goal is to build one up from a frame, that's fine, but it would be less expensive to buy a complete bike. Fifteen pound bikes are offered by major bike brands. They're not inexpensive either, of course, but less money than piece mealing one together-
05-18-09, 05:49 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
Litespeed's Ghisallo Ti frame is advertised at 770 grams in a Medium size and 840 grams in ML size. That's 1.69 pounds or 1.85 pounds and they are about the lightest frames I know of that are generally avialable. There are also several carbon frames advertised at <900 grams.
An Easton EX90 SLX carbon fork is less than 300 grams uncut so that about as light as it gets too.
None of these are cheap but, if you really want to have a light bike, start here.
An Easton EX90 SLX carbon fork is less than 300 grams uncut so that about as light as it gets too.
None of these are cheap but, if you really want to have a light bike, start here.
05-18-09, 06:24 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,437
Bikes: NOYB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Guy dropped by my shop last year with his Merlin Extralight done up with a custom group. It was about 15 lbs. He said he'd spent about $10,000.
05-18-09, 06:52 PM
#9
Great State of Varmint
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dante's Third Ring
Posts: 7,476
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
15 Posts
A beryllium frame? Good Lord! If they ever caught on fire - it would kill everyone down-range. Even some stray dust from it would likely cause lung cancer.
Caveat Emptor!!
Caveat Emptor!!
05-19-09, 02:46 AM
#11
Senior Member
It was super-stiff as I recall. A 2-lb beryllium frame is about as stiff as a 15-lb steel frame, or a 10-lb aluminium or 8-lb carbon frame. Only problem is the $50k entry price... in '80s dollars or about $150k today.
05-19-09, 09:24 AM
#12
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,462 Times
in
1,433 Posts
jjciiijs, why do you want to do this?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
05-19-09, 09:55 AM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CO....Hetchins MO, Merlin XL, Trek, Klien, Specialized, Kestral, Bataglin, Guerciotti, Bianchi, Schwinn, Colnago Geo, Miele, Contini, Feggin, Cannondale, Lemond, Ciocc, Giant, Rossin
Posts: 386
Bikes: Hetchins MO, Merlin XL, Trek, Klien, Specialized, Bataglin, Guerciotti, Bianchi, Schwinn C19, Colnago Geo, Miele, Contini, Feggin,Cannondale, Lemond,Ciocc, Giant, Rossin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In fact I like the way it rides and it is in contention with my CIOCC for lightest right now.
05-19-09, 10:00 AM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CO....Hetchins MO, Merlin XL, Trek, Klien, Specialized, Kestral, Bataglin, Guerciotti, Bianchi, Schwinn, Colnago Geo, Miele, Contini, Feggin, Cannondale, Lemond, Ciocc, Giant, Rossin
Posts: 386
Bikes: Hetchins MO, Merlin XL, Trek, Klien, Specialized, Bataglin, Guerciotti, Bianchi, Schwinn C19, Colnago Geo, Miele, Contini, Feggin,Cannondale, Lemond,Ciocc, Giant, Rossin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have many bikes from 45 lbs to 16.5 lbs. In riding them i can tell the difference from one to another based on weight alone when going up hill. Since I build bikes for fun (not much of a life) I figure this would be my next project.
For the guy who posted why not just buy it, It would not take enough time
For the guy who posted why not just buy it, It would not take enough time
05-19-09, 10:02 AM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CO....Hetchins MO, Merlin XL, Trek, Klien, Specialized, Kestral, Bataglin, Guerciotti, Bianchi, Schwinn, Colnago Geo, Miele, Contini, Feggin, Cannondale, Lemond, Ciocc, Giant, Rossin
Posts: 386
Bikes: Hetchins MO, Merlin XL, Trek, Klien, Specialized, Bataglin, Guerciotti, Bianchi, Schwinn C19, Colnago Geo, Miele, Contini, Feggin,Cannondale, Lemond,Ciocc, Giant, Rossin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
05-19-09, 10:09 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
Building a sub 15 pound bike is easy these days, if cost isn't a major consideration.
The UCI has a regulation limiting Pro Tour bikes to a MINIMUM of 6.8 kg which is almost exactly 15 pounds. Getting under this weight is so easy that the teams can use power meters and other weight adding accessories on their race bikes and still be right at the limit.
The UCI has a regulation limiting Pro Tour bikes to a MINIMUM of 6.8 kg which is almost exactly 15 pounds. Getting under this weight is so easy that the teams can use power meters and other weight adding accessories on their race bikes and still be right at the limit.
05-19-09, 10:29 AM
#19
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,462 Times
in
1,433 Posts
I have many bikes from 45 lbs to 16.5 lbs. In riding them i can tell the difference from one to another based on weight alone when going up hill. Since I build bikes for fun (not much of a life) I figure this would be my next project.
For the guy who posted why not just buy it, It would not take enough time
For the guy who posted why not just buy it, It would not take enough time
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
05-19-09, 10:31 AM
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CO....Hetchins MO, Merlin XL, Trek, Klien, Specialized, Kestral, Bataglin, Guerciotti, Bianchi, Schwinn, Colnago Geo, Miele, Contini, Feggin, Cannondale, Lemond, Ciocc, Giant, Rossin
Posts: 386
Bikes: Hetchins MO, Merlin XL, Trek, Klien, Specialized, Bataglin, Guerciotti, Bianchi, Schwinn C19, Colnago Geo, Miele, Contini, Feggin,Cannondale, Lemond,Ciocc, Giant, Rossin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Building a sub 15 pound bike is easy these days, if cost isn't a major consideration.
The UCI has a regulation limiting Pro Tour bikes to a MINIMUM of 6.8 kg which is almost exactly 15 pounds. Getting under this weight is so easy that the teams can use power meters and other weight adding accessories on their race bikes and still be right at the limit.
The UCI has a regulation limiting Pro Tour bikes to a MINIMUM of 6.8 kg which is almost exactly 15 pounds. Getting under this weight is so easy that the teams can use power meters and other weight adding accessories on their race bikes and still be right at the limit.
05-19-09, 11:19 AM
#21
OUTLAW BIKER
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: So Cal
Posts: 512
Bikes: Eddy Merckx team 7-11 Corsa Extra Full Dura Ace, 2015 Equalizer Electric Fat Tire Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Lighter than air... I get it.
Careful that it doesn't float away!
Careful that it doesn't float away!
05-19-09, 08:32 PM
#22
Cat 6
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Mountain Brook, AL
Posts: 7,482
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 500 Post(s)
Liked 183 Times
in
118 Posts
__________________
72 Frejus (for sale), Holdsworth Record (for sale), special CNC & Gitane Interclub / 74 Italvega NR (for sale) / c80 French / 82 Raleigh Intl MkII f&f (for sale)/ 83 Trek 620 (for sale)/ 84 Bruce Gordon Chinook (for sale)/ 85 Ron Cooper / 87 Centurion IM MV (for sale) / 03 Casati Dardo / 08 BF IRO / 09 Dogma FPX / 09 Giant TCX0 / 10 Vassago Fisticuff
72 Frejus (for sale), Holdsworth Record (for sale), special CNC & Gitane Interclub / 74 Italvega NR (for sale) / c80 French / 82 Raleigh Intl MkII f&f (for sale)/ 83 Trek 620 (for sale)/ 84 Bruce Gordon Chinook (for sale)/ 85 Ron Cooper / 87 Centurion IM MV (for sale) / 03 Casati Dardo / 08 BF IRO / 09 Dogma FPX / 09 Giant TCX0 / 10 Vassago Fisticuff
05-19-09, 08:42 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Gainesville/Tampa, FL
Posts: 2,343
Bikes: Trek 1000, two mtbs and working on a fixie for commuting.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It is ridiculous that my cat weighs more than that - need to put him on a diet.
05-19-09, 10:02 PM
#24
ǝıd ǝʌol ʎllɐǝɹ I
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 518
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
You have the essence of a true weight weenie, I would suggest following neil0502's advice and have a look on those forums (the listings are less helpful imo)
05-20-09, 07:12 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts