Yonaise

Hello everyone. Newbie here, just wanted to get some suggestions on taking some wieght off the new, used, Fuji Absolute I just bought. Really, it's my first road bike and I'm using it primarily for commuting. I bought it on craigslist for $40, have pretty well restored it from the rough condition it was in, and would now like to start upgrading it. Maybe the 'Classic & Vintage' forum isn't the place to discuss upgrading... Anyway, I'm really growing pretty fond of it... so, if I'm going to keep it, and not just turn it around, where should I start to make this bike lighter? I know it's not exaclty top of the line, so maybe your advice would be to sell it and get a different bike that's lighter to start with? I would, of course, be sticking with an older vintage bike... their quirks are so much easier to lover. Or, new wheels seem like the obvious choice for the Fuji, but I'm just not very sure. Links to the original specs and some pics of my own below. Any advice is appreciated.

https://classicfuji.com/1987_20_Absol...Mixte_Page.htm

https://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/A..._NAME=snapfish

https://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/A..._NAME=snapfish


Thanks!!

Yonaise

Sounds like the links may not be working... tryin it again:

https://classicfuji.com/1987_20_Absol...Mixte_Page.htm

https://www2.snapfish.com/viewsharedp.../otsi=SPIClink

robatsu

It already has alloy rims, but steel pedals and it looks like steel handlebars. Swapping out the pedals for alloy mks pedals and the bars for alloy ones are the biggest bang for the buck weight reduction.

The steel seatpost, not so much. I recently weighed one of these, I was surprised to come up with about 300 grams, actually was lighter than the 2 bolt alloy one I replaced it with.

Overall, it is easier/cheaper to just buy the lighter vintage bike you want rather than transforming this into it unless you got this one for virtually nothing, have attachment to it, have lots of parts around for replacement, or just want a new hobby or your own unique bike that is a mix of old and new.

gerv 

The wheels if original seem pretty good.... 27 inch Araya rims and an alloy hub. That should be fine unless you want a 700c wheel.

roccobike

One of the biggest performance changes you can make will not affect going faster, but will affect the bikes appearance and the stopping power. I'd go for aero brake levers. I had an Absolute pass through my hands where the previous owner made that change. It made the bike look years newer and the brakes worked great. Your bike has a six speed rear, so I'd try to obtain some inexpensive 700C wheels with the old freewheel hubs, then I'd change out the wheels for some improved performance with decent tires staying with the six speed. Be sure to check the brakes, make sure they reach a 700C rim.