Originally Posted by Grasschopper
Because the guy wants to upgrade...so it wont make much of a difference in regards to performance...so what? The guy has $500-$1000 to spend and wants to make his bike lighter.
He didn't ask for anyone's approval...he didn't ask if it would make him faster...he asked how to make his bike lighter with $500-$100 to spend.
#1 wheels (stock wheels are 1830g AC CR-350s will save a pound right there, $550)
#2 bars (stock bars are speced at 310g...mine were heavier - another 100g+ savings going to Deda Newton or Ritchey WCS $70-$80)
#3 seatpost (Stock post speced at 240g - save 50-80g by going to Thompson or USE $130-$140)
#4 stem (don't look for big savings here...stock is 150g save another 30g by going with something like the Ritchey WCS 4 axis for $90)
He can shave nearly 1.5 lbs off the bike with about $900
Actually in thinking about it a bit more you might do better with your money on a fork 3nd after the bars...I don't know the weight of the stock fork, but if you replace it be aware that the stock fork has a rake of 49mm
Now Graschopper, calm down. He asked for advice. My advice was to leave the bike alone. I know you didn't leave yours alone and I like what you did with yours. I use Campy Record myself. But you did it with knowledge and experience. You didn't ask how you should upgrade your bike. You knew what you wanted and why you wanted it. Then you did it. This new rider would do best to wait until he can do it with the same level of experience. If you need to ask how to upgrade your bike, you shouldn't be doing it. New riders think they need to upgrade just to upgrade. That isn't a good reason to upgrade. Also a pound and half of weight is meaningless. The difference between a full or empty water bottle. Wouldn't you agree?