I have two bikes, one carbon and one titanium, both weighing in at 14.0 lb. Both were built up by me with a combination of used and new, LBS and ebay parts for about $3200 - $3500 each. I see best of the best bikes in Bicycling Magazin costing $10,000-12,000 and weighing from a little more to plenty more. Nothing on my bike except the wheels is crazy light. Wheels are 1250 g for the pair. Even giving up 250 grams or so for more substantial wheels, I would be right in there. Lately I have seen the top Willier and Canondale frames at 780g and 695g, respectively. That is about 500-600 g lighter than my frame. Then with the lightest FSA crank and BB30 bottom bracket, that is another 160 g that could be saved or about 1.5 lb. So if I could easily have a 13.0 lb bike with pretty substantial wheels or 12.5 lb with the wheels I prefer. So my question is why can I do it, and the big boys don't? I'm talking Red groupo except for crank and brake calipers which are zero gravity. Continental Grand Prix 400 tires. Terry Falcon Y saddle. Performance Pro Carbon post. FSA lightweight carbon bar and stem. 240 g Look Keo pedals. And a 1,200g + frame with 350 g fork. Like I said, nothing crazy. I will give you back the 60g for brakes and still come in arond 13.0 lb. So why are the premium manufacturers charging $11,000 and wasting 1.5 lb. I just don't get it.

Robert