Bike Forums

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)
-   Classic & Vintage (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/)
-   -   The true weight thread (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1163418-true-weight-thread.html)

Chuckk 01-02-19 08:24 PM

A way to measure bike weight is to weigh yourself on the bathroom scale, then weigh yourself holding the bike.
Maybe not accurate to 1/100 of an ounce, but might point out if there's a large discrepancy with reality.

veganbikes 01-02-19 08:38 PM


Originally Posted by nomadmax (Post 20729677)
Anybody have any experience with the Park Tool hanging scale? I'm thinking of getting one.

Have used one in various shops for years. It works well and is easy to use and clamps nicely in a Park Tool stand. There is a part of me that wants one at the house but I so infrequently weigh things or care too much but I know if I have one I would probably weigh stuff more. Granted I have more important tools to purchase first and some bikes to get finished and buy a new.

TXsailor 01-02-19 08:54 PM


Originally Posted by Chuckk (Post 20730083)
A way to measure bike weight is to weigh yourself on the bathroom scale, then weigh yourself holding the bike.
Maybe not accurate to 1/100 of an ounce, but might point out if there's a large discrepancy with reality.

That's what I have done but its a double disappointment. First one is when I get on the scale without the bike and it reads more than it should. Then when I add the bike its heavier than I thought too. Its the scale! Its faulty! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Chombi1 01-02-19 08:57 PM


Originally Posted by veganbikes (Post 20730106)
Have used one in various shops for years. It works well and is easy to use and clamps nicely in a Park Tool stand. There is a part of me that wants one at the house but I so infrequently weigh things or care too much but I know if I have one I would probably weigh stuff more. Granted I have more important tools to purchase first and some bikes to get finished and buy a new.

At the least, the dedicated bike scale beats trying to weigh your bike with your bathroom scale, doing the body weight subtraction (just never seem to be that accurate). But best thing is, you don't have to keep trying to find out who put away the digital luggage scale after the family went on that last big vacation plane ride....

jamesdak 01-02-19 09:37 PM

Weighing for me is just to give another point of comparison between the bikes. The scale I use is consistent but I don't know how accurate. But it serves what I want which is to give me weights comparative for all the bikes.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7f5346e96f.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...76ee9fa8fd.jpg

One pointless goal this winter is to get my newly picked up Lemond Versailles with it's carbon/steel frame to weigh less than my other all steel Lemonds. That means I have to beat the 18 lbs 7 ozs of the GP&GS Lemond. Right now the Versailles is 20 lbs 2 oz. I know I can pick most of that up by replacing the Bontrager Wheels with some inexpensive Fulcrum Racing 3s. No real reason to do this other than because....

cinco 01-03-19 12:45 AM


Originally Posted by Fahrenheit531 (Post 20730063)
HAHAHAHA due to the reflection I kept reading that as 13.89 lbs and thought this a supremely clever joke post. Was trying to figure out what might really be hanging on there, just out of frame. My favorite was a big ol' fish. :p

An Eisentrout perhaps?

Andy_K 01-03-19 01:35 AM

I knew there had to be a better way to hang my fish scale. I came up with this tonight while I was waiting for the glue to dry on a tube I was repairing.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4827/...192832a8_c.jpg

As a bonus, now I (and you!) know how much my Serotta weighs. :thumb:

trailangel 01-03-19 03:16 AM

Must show bike with pedals on or off.
19.89 lbs = pedals off.

styggno1 01-03-19 03:37 AM

Why would one weigh a bike without pedals? Does one use it without pedals? Then it would be OK of course... This is the true weight thread.

The only variable I would think is interesting to know is frame size - and given in c/c.

Chombi1 01-03-19 05:14 AM

Why the heck would anyone keep a bike around without pedals??:foo:

merziac 01-03-19 05:16 AM


Originally Posted by styggno1 (Post 20730380)
Why would one weigh a bike without pedals? Does one use it without pedals? Then it would be OK of course... This is the true weight thread.

The only variable I would think is interesting to know is frame size - and given in c/c.

Manufacturers list without pedals so.....

Guess we could use plastic ones that weigh half of a real one. ;)

kross57 01-03-19 05:39 AM


Originally Posted by Chuckk (Post 20730083)
A way to measure bike weight is to weigh yourself on the bathroom scale, then weigh yourself holding the bike.
Maybe not accurate to 1/100 of an ounce, but might point out if there's a large discrepancy with reality.

Yup. I did that with my bikes and it worked fine. At least its a good basis for comparison of what I have, bike to bike.

nomadmax 01-03-19 05:52 AM


Originally Posted by veganbikes (Post 20730106)
Have used one in various shops for years. It works well and is easy to use and clamps nicely in a Park Tool stand. There is a part of me that wants one at the house but I so infrequently weigh things or care too much but I know if I have one I would probably weigh stuff more. Granted I have more important tools to purchase first and some bikes to get finished and buy a new.

:thumb::thumb:

SJX426 01-03-19 06:34 AM

[MENTION=484927]nomadmax[/MENTION] - Yes, I have one. I am disappointed with the significant digit read out for Kg, one more would have been useful to me.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5671/...d68c5557_b.jpg
P1040471, on Flickr

May be hare to read but it is 21.15. Frame size is 58.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5286/...bbabbde5_b.jpgP1040467, on Flickr
20.5 Inch frame

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5060/...d91489c8_b.jpgP1040468, on Flickr
60cm frame

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/...4ba8677a_b.jpgP1040469, on Flickr
61cm frame

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8270/...c1ee5742_b.jpgP1040470, on Flickr
60cm frame

Chuckk 01-03-19 09:17 AM

I believe published catalog bicycle weights have been without pedals for at least the last 20 years.
"Who knows what kind of pedal system the owner wants to use?" was the justification.
Made the bike lighter, saved the manufacturer money, and let the shop sell something high markup.
There was one year when there were several bike weights were published WITHOUT WHEELS, which were optional.....
"Who knows what level wheels the customer wants on their bike?"
Made the specs and price great, but I don't think it went over well.

Chombi1 01-03-19 09:55 AM


Originally Posted by Chuckk (Post 20730612)
I believe published catalog bicycle weights have been without pedals for at least the last 20 years.
"Who knows what kind of pedal system the owner wants to use?" was the justification.
Made the bike lighter, saved the manufacturer money, and let the shop sell something high markup.
There was one year when there were several bike weights were published WITHOUT WHEELS, which were optional.....
"Who knows what level wheels the customer wants on their bike?"
Made the specs and price great, but I don't think it went over well.

Have not bought a new bike since the 80's. Every one my brother and I bought brand new back then always had pedals. I'm pretty sure the manufacturers weighed their bikes with pedals back then. Only "variable was, the size they weigh, which some manufacturer state on their brochures.
I guess they normally sell bikes today sans pedals??

styggno1 01-03-19 09:55 AM

Checked the scale today. Several "hangings" after each other. Used a carefully measured liter of water and it came in a gram under a kilo every time. That eases my mind about the scale.

Here is my 1971 Masi/Ferretti/Monark (ex Pettersson bike). It is a 59 c/c frame, with 28 spoke wheels and a lot of drilling done here and there. It also has Cobra/Omas ergal parts for the rear derailleur and crankarms. Pista pedals. It is set up as a time trial bike. Steel pedal and bottom bracket axles. As found apart from sliding the saddle a tad forward, taking off the spare tube under the saddle and removing the Campagnolo pump "umbrella".

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4852/...7ae73fa6_b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7844/...79b0ccaa_b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7865/...bb5c4c49_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4803/...24bc8e35_b.jpg

Note - drilled handlebar.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4821/...e4440719_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4834/...18a238d8_b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7821/...c3506885_b.jpg

9,455 kg = 20 lb 13,5 oz = 20,84 lb

styggno1 01-03-19 10:08 AM

Checked the Merckx MX Leader (59 c/c frame) with 2009-2010 Super Record 11.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4905/...70305a51_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4858/...31f0cc9e_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4411/...c4c744cc_b.jpg

9,440 kg = 20 lb 12,98 oz = 20,81 lb

This one has potential if wanting to go lighter. Seatpost, pedals, stem and bar... But that will not happen as they are beautiful and I am overweight :)


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:25 PM.


Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.