Originally Posted by
Bicicletta89
No, that 34 lbs is without anything on the bike, but does include the fenders and rack which are affixed to the bike and pretty necessary for me as I sometimes have to ride in the rain or carry groceries or other backage.
34 seems heavy for a nicer bike with aluminum racks and fenders. But that isn't the most important thing in the world for a utility bike.
My suggestion: Buy a cheap, old "fast" bike off Facebook or Craigslist. Spend $100-200 on a '90s Cannondale, Lemond or Trek 1200 (etc) with skinny tires in a good size. It will weigh around 21 pounds or less. It might not be the ultimate fast bike by today's standards, but it will tell you very quickly what you are missing in terms of feel, and you'll have a second bike when you get a flat. When you want to get something else, you'll likely be able to sell it for what you paid.