Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Biggest weight-weenie ever...

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Biggest weight-weenie ever...

Old 02-18-07, 01:00 PM
  #1  
Carpe Diem
Thread Starter
 
bdcheung's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MABRA
Posts: 13,149

Bikes: 2007 CAAD9; 2014 CAADX; PedalForce CG1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Biggest weight-weenie ever...

did you know that Armstrong uses downtube shifters on big mountain stages because it saved 150g over STI? Talk about a weight weenie...

Quote from VeloNews:
Dear Ian and Tom,
In all of Armstrong's Tours since 1999, he has used a standard (non-integrated) left brake lever and a downtube shift lever for the front derailleur on mountain stages. Given that a standard Dura-Ace, non-integrated brake lever weighs 130 grams and a Dura-Ace 10-speed STI lever weighs 210 grams, you are looking at a simple weight savings. The downtube shift lever can add as little as 30 grams, plus you save a bunch of grams in extra cable and housing you don't need looping around the front of the bike. You don't shift the front derailleur often on a mountain - once at the bottom and once at the top - so there is not much efficiency lost. So you can give up looking for a hidden light on his bike, Ian.
Lennard


__________________
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!

Last edited by bdcheung; 02-18-07 at 01:09 PM.
bdcheung is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 01:04 PM
  #2  
.
 
Namenda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: "The Woo", MA
Posts: 4,831
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Yes, he used it. Don't know if it was so much the weight savings, as it was that he preferred the fine control it gave him. Either way...
Namenda is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 01:06 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,085
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I think if he was worried about weight he wouldnt be using alloy hbars and a alloy seatpost.
recneps is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 01:07 PM
  #4  
Carpe Diem
Thread Starter
 
bdcheung's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MABRA
Posts: 13,149

Bikes: 2007 CAAD9; 2014 CAADX; PedalForce CG1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
^^ my first pic looks pretty alloy to me, in the seatpost area...
__________________
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
bdcheung is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 01:10 PM
  #5  
.
 
botto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times in 12 Posts
Did you know that he got the idea from Andy Hampsten?

botto is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 01:15 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
superted's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 256
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bdcheung
^^ my first pic looks pretty alloy to me, in the seatpost area...
Yeh! I'm guessing its Ti or something.

I'm genna ask a noob question. Do you only change once at the bottom and once at the top because you get into your lowest gear at the bottom or is it a question of changing rings once. Personally I can't handle down tube shifters, got them on an old bike and they're a nightmare because of their position! I would just take the 150g!
superted is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 01:19 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
VanceMac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Socal
Posts: 4,318
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Why would it matter, if there is a weight limit... or was this before they began imposing the weight limit?
VanceMac is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 01:21 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Rutnick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,892
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
actually, he used a fairly heavy saddle and pedals just because he didn't want to change. Just didn't like change.
Rutnick is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 02:49 PM
  #9  
On the Move
 
teterider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,219

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Yes, Everyone knows this.

whats the point of bringing this up years and years after the fact.
teterider is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 02:54 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
pegleg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland, ME
Posts: 94
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bdcheung
did you know that Armstrong uses downtube shifters on big mountain stages because it saved 150g over STI? Talk about a weight weenie...
I see your downtube shifter and raise you a,"just one bottle - and tape over the seat tube bottle bosses. It's lighter than bolts."
pegleg is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 02:59 PM
  #11  
Well, duh, Mr Obvious.
 
dekalbSTEEL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NIU town
Posts: 2,271

Bikes: see sig, and others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bdcheung


Just think how much weight he could have saved by not wearing those ridiculous knee-socks!
dekalbSTEEL is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 03:07 PM
  #12  
Mostly Harmless
 
Dead Extra #2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sittin' on a bench at the railway station, one toke over the line.
Posts: 905

Bikes: Giant OCR1, Giant ATX760, Raleigh Retroglide Seven

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by dekalbSTEEL
Just think how much weight he could have saved by not wearing those ridiculous knee-socks!
Dead Extra #2 is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 03:07 PM
  #13  
I'm Carbon Curious
 
531phile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,194
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by dekalbSTEEL
Just think how much weight he could have saved by not wearing those ridiculous knee-socks!
But then Nike wouldn't get to display their logo for all the world to see?
531phile is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 03:16 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,820
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 383 Post(s)
Liked 133 Times in 91 Posts
I think he did it because DT shifting on the front does give you a very positive feel and probably can shift cleaner from the small to the big CR under power. Can't believe it was a weight thing.
__________________
Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace

1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1
San Rensho is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 03:25 PM
  #15  
Carpe Diem
Thread Starter
 
bdcheung's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MABRA
Posts: 13,149

Bikes: 2007 CAAD9; 2014 CAADX; PedalForce CG1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by San Rensho
I think he did it because DT shifting on the front does give you a very positive feel and probably can shift cleaner from the small to the big CR under power. Can't believe it was a weight thing.
incorrect. it was a weight thing. always has been.
__________________
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
bdcheung is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 04:47 PM
  #16  
Passista
 
Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,584

Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 866 Post(s)
Liked 711 Times in 392 Posts
The ONCE team used the same setup in 1998 - 1999.
Reynolds is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 04:53 PM
  #17  
Dirt-riding heretic
 
DrPete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413

Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
I always sort of thought it didn't matter--when you throw the uber-light climbing wheels to those bikes, don't you need to ADD weight to get them up to the UCI limit?
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
DrPete is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 04:58 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
sogood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Sydney, AU
Posts: 948

Bikes: Bianchi, Ridley, GT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
A very smart setup if you asked me. No downside at all.
sogood is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 05:02 PM
  #19  
.
 
botto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by Reynolds
The ONCE team used the same setup in 1998 - 1999.
incorrect.

they were on campagnolo in 1998/1999

botto is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 05:04 PM
  #20  
You know you want to.
 
Eatadonut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,894

Bikes: Pinarello Prince, 1980's 531 steel fixie commuter, FrankenMTB

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by DrPete
I always sort of thought it didn't matter--when you throw the uber-light climbing wheels to those bikes, don't you need to ADD weight to get them up to the UCI limit?
Yeah, but then maybe he could add the weight somewhere else, to increase stiffness or something?
__________________
Weather today: Hot. Humid. Potholes.
Eatadonut is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 05:04 PM
  #21  
Carpe Diem
Thread Starter
 
bdcheung's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MABRA
Posts: 13,149

Bikes: 2007 CAAD9; 2014 CAADX; PedalForce CG1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Eatadonut
Yeah, but then maybe he could add the weight somewhere else
Saddle
__________________
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
bdcheung is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 05:05 PM
  #22  
Dirt-riding heretic
 
DrPete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413

Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
^^True, true.
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
DrPete is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 05:45 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Surferbruce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Los Angeles/Aveyron France
Posts: 5,308
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
lance who?
Surferbruce is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 05:48 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
Surferbruce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Los Angeles/Aveyron France
Posts: 5,308
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
seriously, he also knew (and still knows i'm sure) that indexed front derailleurs really are pointless and friction allows any gear combination without rubbing.
eventually campy will market it as the new big thing, just like they do with single pivot brakes...
Surferbruce is offline  
Old 02-18-07, 06:00 PM
  #25  
riding once again
 
jschen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 7,359

Bikes: '06 Cervelo R3, '05 Specialized Allez

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
If you lower weight even more, you can run more aero wheels and have a more aero bike while still staying right at the weight limit. Cervelo explains this in their website on the Carbon Soloist SL. Sure, CSC can have a UCI limit bike with the Carbon Soloist by running Zipp Z2's. But with the Carbon Soloist SL, they now can run Zipp 404's and still be at the UCI limit.
__________________
If you notice this notice then you will notice that this notice is not worth noticing.
jschen is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.