Reynolds 

Can't weigh it right now, but my '90s KHS with True Temper tubing is pretty light as MTBs go.

bikemig 

1992 Stumpjumper 20 inch frame

1992 Stumpjumper, 27.64 lbs

DorkDisk

I see that; that's quite a delta, even accounting for different tires. FWIW I'm working on my friend's '93.


18" '93 Stumpjumper Comp

23 lbs 7oz

bikemig 

Yeah one of our respective scales may be off. A 1993 MB1, which is one of the lighter production MTBs produced BITD, weighs 25.1 lbs per the catalog for a 49 cm frame.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridges...3/pages/37.htm

I have a stock 1993 MB1 and it weighs on my scale 25 and 1/2 lbs:

nlerner

Yeah, last year I tried a Felt alu cyclocross bike but, holy high bottom bracket! Didn't like the fit at all:



It's about 5 miles round trip. And I've been bike commuting through Boston's winters for at least the last 15 years. Before my current job, my commute was 7 miles round trip, so we're not talking major suffering here, and very little in the way of bad or cold weather will be a deterrent when I'm only out for 20-30 minutes a trip. For many years, I winter commuted on studded tires, but they do tend to be a real drag after awhile. Old lady's pushing carts were going faster than I was.

Yeah, I'm thinking you're probably right. And this isn't the first time I've tried an MTB as a commuter. I had this HardRock in service for several years; used to leave it in the backyard under a tarp all year round (a good study in what will rust the fastest):



Eventually I lent it to a neighbor whose bike had been stolen. He still has it, and I haven't missed it.

I think we have different concepts of what one's commuting needs might be.

DorkDisk

Maybe. Or maybe your bike is 27lbs and mine is 23.4.

12pack of soda at 10lbs, about right.

mountaindave 

Well done - an undesired bike put to a higher use.

FWIW, I stumbled into an ‘81 Trek 410 last winter. It was partially assembled in Japan with what, on paper, iss the same geometry as my ‘79 710, with only 1cm shorter chain stays. But it clearly isn’t. It has a lower BB and when I ride it I feel like I’m in the bike, not on it. It gives a sublime ride. The lowest end Trek of the day, not fully made in the USA, but almost too nice to leave at my in-laws’ for spontaneous rides... I sure am happy when I ride it.

I couldn’t guarantee you’d find the same in an ‘81 410 because weird stuff was going on with those models at the beginning of a transition to farmed-out Japanese work. You’d have to measure carefully. Not a criticism, just a caution that the model seemed to be subject to change without warning. And even though it was sold with 27” wheels, I can’t fit anything bigger than 700x35 under properly mounted fenders.

LesterOfPuppets

I started going through Bikepedia and choosing bikes with a listed weight under 26 lbs. I only made it to the letter N and decided I needed to write a script to get the rest but never got around to it. I doubt I'll ever get BB height specs in the list, however. The easiest way to drop it would be skinnier tires, of course.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing

I agree with the other poster about all the heavy stuff on there. The stem, seatpost, brake levers, tires... all seem to be some of the heavier available parts.

Up 'til earlier this year I think, the lightest 559 rims I knew of were available at universal, but the great rim shortage of 2020 struck and now they're no longer available. They're basically road rims in 559, put on some light 1.75ish tires and you're likely saving 3 lbs from current setup. Not tubeless unfortunately:

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...&category=5527

LesterOfPuppets

I eventually got my Mongose IBOG Zero-G down to 23 pounds. She's about 24 here IIRC, but that back tire is a portly 550ish grams. To hit 23 lbs I had 340gram tires on it.

notthe1freeman

I have no idea what my hard rock ultra weighs... I don't consider it tbh. She is front/rear racked...wald basket up front, panniers in rear. I actually enjoy the weight on the ice of Spokane/ couer da lane

rjhammett

There is a weight difference between a cassette and a freewheel. Go for the freehub with cassette if possible to loose some weight.

nlerner

Well, I’ve decided to go in a different direction and picked up a Trek 700 hybrid for a reasonable price from a CL seller. Pics in the am but it’s this one from 2012: https://archive.trekbikes.com/us/en/...ek/700/details

I also have a lead on a Miyata touring bike that would fit the bill, but we’ll see how the Trek does once I’ve made a few changes.

noglider 

Neal, that Trek might prove to be a good idea. Are you going to put on the swept-back bars?

nlerner

The ones on the current winter beater? Well, maybe, but an issue is the 7-speed grip shifter. I have to see what bars that's compatible with. I do like the idea of a 1 x 7 drivetrain, however. I was actually thinking moustache bars, but the shifter might be a problem. Perhaps a 7-speed bar-end might work.

nlerner

Some pics of the new-to-me high bread:





Weight is 30.5 lbs on my hanging scale, so not a lightweight but still lighter than the beater mtb, I believe. Room for 35mm tires and fenders. Check out that wishbone rear stay!

John E

I have two bikes I use regularly for commuting, shopping, or general transportation: the Peugeot UO-8 and the Schwinn Project KOM-10. The latter has Prestige II tubing and 26x1.95" tires, and weighs less than 30 lbs. Even with the high BB, standover and mount/dismount are no problem because it's only a 19"/48cm frame, whereas most of my road bikes are 55cm C-T.

The one depicted isn't mine, which has SunTour derailleurs, a Brooks Team Pro saddle, a RollerCam brake up front, and a Blackburn Mtn rack, but you get the idea.

bikemig 

What, no carbon fiber and brifters?

OldsCOOL

An oft overlooked “lighter” MTB is the 97ish Trek 7000 with aluminum frame. I built and ride one all summer on the single tracks. I love it. Weight....For winter conditioning I ride an ‘89 Trek Antelope, steel frame MTB. Great for conditioning but would be much less fun as a winter snow commuter. I understand your wanting something lighter. The difference is very well noticeable.

leftthread

Proof that a Contigo will fit in the water bottle holder!
Signed, coffee addict.

LesterOfPuppets

Oh yes, the 6000/7000/8000 were nice and light. The early 90s ones were glued frames which scared some people but usually is no big deal. By 97 they were welded though.

OldsCOOL

Here is the 7000 rigid up at Copper Harbor on “The Edge” a black diamond favorite.

nlerner

I save that for my road bikes.




Yes, and last time I was there, Costco was selling those mugs in a two-pack.

klasse

MTB can get down to around 17 lbs. with 8sp drivetrain, but not with the parts shown on the OP above. Frankly, I think it's a waste of time to transfer those parts to diff frame to save weight. To go from 32 lbs. to possibly 30?

LesterOfPuppets

I love the '90s steel KHSs - I have a '97 that 's just under 25lbs without any weight weenie stuff on it.

1995 Montana Comp is listed at 23.5 lbs.

nlerner

Oh, the only things I’m transferring over are the seat bag and bagman rack, the pedals, and the front lamp. Btw, before I started moving parts off of the mtb, I weighed it on my hanging scale: 40.5 lbs! I said it was heavy.