ZXiMan

I've been rolling around on a set of 2005 spec Bontrager Race X Lites for the last 900 miles or so. Supposedly they weigh 1490 grams a set (more like 1520) but I weighed mine today and compared them to a set of brand new 2008 Mavic Kysrium SLs (advertised at 1480 grams).

Both sets have the following already installed:

Bontrager Race X Lite tubes with Continental GP4000-S tires, rears have Shimano Dura-Ace 12-25 cassettes. Both set-ups are identical other than the wheels themselves. Both sets have 120 psi air in the tires.

The Bontragers weighed 962 grams front and 1540 grams rear.
The Kysrium SLs weighed 916 grams front and 1344 grams rear.

Alrighty then, folks... that's a whopping 232 grams more weight for the Bontragers. The difference in the rear wheels is especially surprising. "Only" 196 gram difference!!!!

I have NOT weighed the wheels without tires, tubes or the rear cassettes removed. I figured both sets of wheels would be at least within 50 grams of each other but 232 grams is a pretty BIG difference!

I thought the Race X Lites were sipposed to be a pretty light weight wheelset. The new Mavic Kysrium SLs are really nice. They look just like the Kysrium ES wheels, but now they call them SLs. They also look alot better on my bike too for that matter.

Has anyone weighed the new SLs without tires, tubes and cassette installed?

I'm a bit miffed...

waterrockets 

Yeah, that's the problem with paired spoking. They act like they can save all this weight, and they don't deliver. At a given price point, Rolfs and Bontis are no lighter than any other wheels, and are often heavier. Then you've got the maintenance complications and one-off parts that come from crazy lacing and spoke tensions.

ZXiMan

So in other words, the manufacturers are smoking crack when they come up with their weight numbers?

Kinda like my Zero Gravitys. They were supposed to weigh 168 grams with pads. They weigh 198 grams. These are the 2007 OG-07 Ti calipers. In fact it says that right on the calipers (OG-07 Ti). Perhaps I got the Negative Gravitys instead (they supposedly weigh 196 grams with pads). I did get them off ebay so who knows!

55/Rad

232 grams is about the stated difference between the SL's and the RACE LITES. Per chance, maybe you have a mislabeled set?

ZXiMan

No, funny thing is.... I had a set of Bonty Race Lites that came with my '08 Madone and my Race X Lites were lighter, but by only around 100 grams. It seemed strange to me too.

waterrockets 

The only weights I consider for comparison are at https://weightweenies.starbike.com/listings.php. If you do some searching there, you can see wheels that are in the same range as a given Bontrager, then do a web search and see that they cost no more for the same weight.

Even on Bontrager's site, if you add up individual wheel weights, then look at a wheelset (same model), the set weight doesn't equal the sum of the front and rear weight. Something is amiss.

umd

Have you considered that the Bontragers probably have rim strips adding to the weight, while the Ksyriums don't need rim strips?

umd

It should be really obvious if they are negative gravitys; they look completely different. The weight with pads assumes the "Swiss Stop Yellow King brake pads". If you got different pads the weight will be different. I weighed my 06's when I got them and with the red Corima pads they were 170g (84/86).

ZXiMan

The LBS said the new '08 SLs needed rim tape. I looked at them and assumed I didn't need rim tape but they said they did (in one area on the wheel. At the same time, they went ahead and put a cassette on for me and tubes/tires. I won't know for sure if there is rim tape on the wheels until I need to change a tube. However, when I changed the rim tape out on the front Bontrager Race X lite last month, I weighed the new roll (per wheel) and they are only 10 grams per wheel (so I doubt that is the source of the extra weight).

ZXiMan

I am using the yellow Swiss Stops. My front weighs 100 grams, rear 98 grams.

For what it's worth, I weighed my Dura-Ace FC-7800 crankset before installation and the scale said 676 grams WITHOUT the bottom bracket. I think the advertised weight for the Dura-Ace is 640 grams and another 100 grams for the bottom bracket.

Maybe I need a new scale!

DigitalRJH

I take any claimed wheel weight listings from any wheel manufacturer (not just the evil dark lords at Bontrager, ) with a grain of salt. I think your scale is fine.

Coyote2

Boy, it must be frustrating to be a weight weenie.

Me, I just ride the bike. Seems simpler.

ZXiMan

Coyote2,

The only thing you "ride" is your keyboard!

I bet I ride more miles (or put in more hours on the bike) than you do...

I find it quite humorous that you get your little panties in a wad when anyone talks about making their bike lighter here...

You never have anything constructive to say or add to any of these threads. You only read and respond to these threads to ruffle peoples feathers (your typical bike snob who really has nothing better to do).

You say you have better things to do (like riding for instance), but I think you are FOS.

-----

I say do whatever you want to your bike if it makes you happy (including making it lighter, customizing and yes even riding it).

Scolytus

The new 2008 SL's are 645g front and 840g rear. The 2008 Premium SL's are 645g front and 835g rear. Aside from the weight advantage, Mavic make fantastic wheels. I'd argue they beat Bontrager on every front!!

botto 

did he hit a nerve?

hey Eddy B, wake up and smell the millenium: it's about time and intensity, not distance.

the only one with their panties in a twist is you.

even if that were true, and it's not, you seem to be more than willing to be ruffled.

can't spell full of shit?

at least you end on a positive note. feeling calmer now?

Quijibo187

ahhh.... classic botto.

grahny

FWIW I've got about 1,000 miles on mine without rim tape- no issues. The few small areas that may need it have small pieces of tape there already.

alanbikehouston

Guess what? Tires weigh more than the advertised weight. Wheels weigh more than the advertised weight. Bikes weigh more than the advertised weight.

Why? Most bike companies are run by the marketing department, not by guys who ride bikes. And, according to the marketing guru's, most roadies A) Worship low weight in bike components and....B) Are not real bright, which leads to... C) buying expensive cr@p based on false "low, low" advertised weights.

Sirrobinofcoxly

ZXiMan

Nope, I actually find it quite amusing.... so much in fact, I can't resist poking a little fun at responses like his (or yours for that matter).

Do you know how to comprehend 5th grade level reading? Did I not say "HOURS" spent on the bike? Do I have to go into my entire training routine to spell it out for you reading challenged people?

I do my share of intervals (hill repeats, stomps, sprint intervals, speed intervals, timed mountain climbs etc) and 2-3 times a week during the season I ride the fast group rides at the LBS with folks much much faster than me, thank you very much. I know all about "intensity". Sure I may get dropped on 2 out of 3 of those rides but then again I've only been riding for two years (the majority of riders in that group are cat1/2/3s or 30+ Masters). I went from a 15 mph average rider to 20-21 mph average (riding solo in my terrain which is never completely flat) and a sprint that started out at 27-28 mph to 38-39 mph (with a leadout or drafting a vehicle). You don't get improvements like that pedalling around like a sloth! I've never claimed to be super fast. I do very well with only 2 years of being on the road. The fact that I lost 57 pounds in my first year just from cycling should be a testament to how much I love the sport!

You really think I'm ruffled? pffffft.

I'm just having fun! I love responding to idiots (and elitist bike snobs)

I actually think it's funny and it sure breaks up the boredom around here when I can't be outside!

botto 

If only you were capable of doing it well.

No, but you're about to.

The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

At this point, I'm sure of it.

Masochist.

Likewise. Why else would I be wasting my time on you.

Thank you, but was there a point?

Whatever floats your boat Jethro.

ZXiMan

I'm glad I can provide you with wholesome entertainment...

shakeNbake

I'm with botto on this one.

ZXiMan

Good for you <applause>



Now can we get back on topic?

botto 

OK.

Me, I just ride the bike. Seems simpler.