Originally Posted by Don in Austin

I thought my dept. store Schwinn FS was heavy @ 35 lbs, didn't know a Next was 40 lbs! But regardless, rider with clothes and shoes = 160 lbs, "Next" = 40 lbs, water bottles, CO2 cartridges, helmet, + other misc. = 5lbs to a total weight of 205 lbs. Same everything except 17 lb bike, total weight = 182 lbs. Decrease of 11.22% TOTAL WEIGHT. This is the number that matters, this is the weight that has to be moved by leg power from one elevation to another. This is nowhere near the realm of the Monterey vs. the Neon which is more like 50% less total weight.

If the added weight was in my jersey -- which I don't wear, I wear cotton t-shirts -- then I would definitely feel it in terms of backaches, core fatigue etc. much more so than if it was distributed through the bike. I have two IGH bikes and I don't that much feel the extra 5 pounds in the hub.

Of course weight makes a difference climbing hills, but I just think people are unrealistic as to how much a super light bike can do for them. They literally spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars to reduce weight equal to one full water bottle. Makes sense if you race, and I guess it makes sense if that's what you just want to do!
They should probably administer themselves an enema before the ride also.

Engine variations are much more than 11.22% so it should be no surprise that a cheap bike can be ridden far and fast.

Don in Austin