Originally Posted by
Palomar01
I like to think of weight this way: Pretend you're running up a hill with a pack. Say the pack weight 22 lbs. vs 18 lbs. Will you be able to tell the difference? 4 lbs.....probably not. 6 lbs......you may if the climb is long. 10 lbs....oh yeah!!
Same with bikes. Given equal riders and the same gear ratio the person on the lighter bike will find it easier to climb the lighter bike.
Note that the effect of weight on running is larger than when riding because the weight when running bobs up and down. The weight on a bicycle is carried up hill on a much-smoother/more-direct path.