Originally Posted by
BikeArkansas
Not sure where this conversation is going or has gone, but I will attempt to explain a few things. First, the reason I wanted to start with some small items to lighten my bike is that I have a one man business that is seasonal. This is not my good season, so I can only afford small stuff at this time. Wheels are expensive and must wait for better cash flow. I did not dismiss anyone about the importance of wheels, I simply must wait for better times.
Not sure where the stuff about the rider's weight became the subject or why. If you want to discuss your weight I am sure there is a post for that somewhere. I do not mind discussing weight, but the bike was the subject. Also, I do believe 5 pounds off the bike is more important for performance than 5 pounds off the rider. Thirty pounds off the rider might be a different situation, but not the subject here.
A relevant questions concerns rotating weight, the wheels and tires, vs non rotating weight. Is there is significant difference?
Let my try hard to understand your approach. I'm in full support of this idea to make the bike lighter, but like many mentioned alrteady the most important direction is to make lighter parts that rotate - wheels, crankset
.
Wheels first. I do not know what is your idea of light wheels and how much you need to spend for them, but to reduce weight by 1.5-2 lbs compare to what you probably have, $250 can be enough. Wabi wheels plus decent 190g tires can possibly do it for you.
To achieve the same weight loss by changing static parts like seatpost, stem, handlebar, saddle, fork can exceed the price of the whole bike with the wheels I mentioned.
Of course anything is doable with enough cash and time, but to me, it looks like you are going to start the hard way...