Bike Bulemia - Best bang for your buck
04-13-11, 11:14 AM
#1
Just smang it.
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Bike Bulemia - Best bang for your buck
I'm thinking about trying to shave some weight from my bike. Is there a good starting point or some parts that get you good weight loss for little cost? So far I have a fairly light (250g) seat and I've stripped everything off my frame that's unnecessary. It is a 4130 cro-mo-fo frame so idk if it's even worth trying.
Anyway, I figured there would be some knowledgeable people on here and googling bike weight loss brings up exercise articles and really bad wikihow tips (cut of seat post an inch below the clamp etc.)
Anyway, I figured there would be some knowledgeable people on here and googling bike weight loss brings up exercise articles and really bad wikihow tips (cut of seat post an inch below the clamp etc.)
04-13-11, 12:06 PM
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I think the new name for conversions should be "bulimic bikes"* because they toss up a bunch of parts.
I have two bulimic bikes.
*Easting disorders are serious and not funny at all. Anyone who makes any sort of joke about them is a bad person
I have two bulimic bikes.
*Easting disorders are serious and not funny at all. Anyone who makes any sort of joke about them is a bad person
04-13-11, 12:19 PM
#3
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
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wheel set
04-13-11, 12:27 PM
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Even cheaper than a new wheelset is to just get lighter tires and tubes. Having less rotating mass is the best and sometimes the easiest way to reduce dynamic weight.
04-13-11, 02:02 PM
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+1 on wheels and tires. Most dramatic difference you can buy. After that you start camping out with snipers on eBay for crap-on feeble seatposts, handlebars, stems and bottle cages. 
04-13-11, 02:05 PM
#7
i smell bacon
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Another +1 on wheels. My bike could easily be sub 18 lbs if I didn't have my boat anchor DP18s.
04-13-11, 02:12 PM
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I'm thinking about trying to shave some weight from my bike. Is there a good starting point or some parts that get you good weight loss for little cost? So far I have a fairly light (250g) seat and I've stripped everything off my frame that's unnecessary. It is a 4130 cro-mo-fo frame so idk if it's even worth trying.
Having a 4130 cro-mo frame and putting light parts on it is like ordering a diet coke with your Supersized Big Mac Extra Value Meal. It helps...but not enough.
Shaving weight costs money.
Shaving a lot of weight costs a lot of money.
04-13-11, 02:21 PM
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i smell bacon
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There is also a lot of bang for your buck in used parts. You can get some really nice parts for really low prices if you are patient and look around. I shaved some weight by picking up a $35 135g saddle (SLR) and a $20 ~200g seatpost (Thomson Elite).
Do you know how much your frame weighs? I agree with Carleton in that a straight gauge 4130 frame is inherently heavy. I assume your Schwinn is somewhere on par with newer cheap 4130 bikes e.g. my Motobecane Track. I'd guess your frame and fork are somewhere around 6-7lbs, which could easily be shaved with a new aluminum or "boutique" steel.
Do you know how much your frame weighs? I agree with Carleton in that a straight gauge 4130 frame is inherently heavy. I assume your Schwinn is somewhere on par with newer cheap 4130 bikes e.g. my Motobecane Track. I'd guess your frame and fork are somewhere around 6-7lbs, which could easily be shaved with a new aluminum or "boutique" steel.
04-13-11, 02:34 PM
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If your bike is 20 lbs or less, chances are it ain't the bike holding you back. After all, Lance said, "It ain't about the bike." LOL
My Kilo TT is 4130 and is surprisingly heavy for what little is on the bike so I'm not laughing at you in the least. I relate.
To have a light bike, start with a lighter frame.
My Kilo TT is 4130 and is surprisingly heavy for what little is on the bike so I'm not laughing at you in the least. I relate.
To have a light bike, start with a lighter frame.
